Georgia State University has terminated instructor Cody Luedtke for refusing to teach in a classroom without a mask requirement. | Facebook/United Campus Workers of Georgia
Georgia State University has terminated instructor Cody Luedtke for refusing to teach in a classroom without a mask requirement. | Facebook/United Campus Workers of Georgia
Georgia State University (GSU) has terminated an instructor for refusing to teach in a classroom without a mask requirement, according to a report by 11Alive.
Cody Luedtke, who was scheduled to teach biology labs this semester, had been teaching at the university for six years, 11Alive reported. Concerned about the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and the Delta variant, she requested that all students in her classroom wear masks, 11Alive reported.
"I had offered to teach online or face-to-face with a mask mandate … and after I didn't resign, I was fired by the end of the week and my last day was Friday," Luedtke told 11Alive.
’Being on the right side of history can be costly," Amy Kirby stated on Twitter, "Thank you Prof. Luedtke for prioritizing the safety of your students, their families and our community. Georgia Board of Regents, you are failing the system you have been tasked to protect. Do better.’’
GSU confirmed that Luedtke was terminated for her "refusal to work" in accordance with system policy on masking and vaccinations, according to a report by Inside Higher Ed.
The university complies to the rules established by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, which specify that masks and vaccines are not needed on campus.
Luedtke, who created a Go Fund Me page to help cover the cost of her health insurance and rent, has collected more than twice her goal and intends to donate part of the funds to a COVID-19 relief fund.
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