Universities Lock Doors Amid Club-Related Cluster Infections... Current Students and Job Seekers Left Distressed

Some Universities Postpone or Cancel In-Person Classes Scheduled for the 11th
86 Club-Related COVID-19 Cases Confirmed, Including 58 in Their 20s
On-Campus Facility Access Restricted for Current Students and Job Seekers
Art University Student Network: "Urgent Measures Needed Due to Declining Class Quality and Increased Student Burden"

Students from the Department of Film Studies at Dong-Eui University are attending a video editing class on the morning of the 11th in a lecture room at the Industry-Academic Cooperation Building on campus in Busanjin-gu, Busan. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] As the number of cluster infections of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) originating from Itaewon clubs in Seoul increases, most universities nationwide have canceled their scheduled face-to-face classes.

While students express concerns about infection, they are also protesting because they cannot use school facilities due to the shift to online classes. Accordingly, demands for tuition refunds are expected to intensify.

Student organizations composed of university students nationwide have been holding declarations and press conferences one after another, urging tuition refunds.

Some universities that planned to start face-to-face classes from the 11th have canceled their scheduled classes to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

According to the Korea Council of Private University Presidents last month, about 20% of universities nationwide, totaling 38 schools, were scheduled to switch some courses to face-to-face classes starting that day. However, with 29 schools postponing or canceling face-to-face classes on that day, only 9 schools actually opened.

The problem is that with the cancellation of face-to-face classes, most school facilities have been locked, making it impossible for students to use essential on-campus facilities. Especially, students taking arts and physical education or science and engineering courses, which require the use of practice rooms and rehearsal rooms due to the nature of the classes, are suffering significant disadvantages.

Students understand the school’s policy because people in their 20s make up the largest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, but they unanimously agree that since they could not properly use school facilities, appropriate refund measures should be taken.

According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the 11th, as of 12 p.m. that day, a total of 86 confirmed COVID-19 cases related to Itaewon clubs were identified. By age group, there were △3 teenagers △58 people in their 20s △18 people in their 30s △3 people in their 40s △3 people in their 50s △1 person aged 60 or older, with those in their 20s overwhelmingly the largest group.

A (23), a student at a private university’s College of Pharmacy in Jeollabuk-do, said, "There are several classes that require the use of laboratories due to the nature of the major," adding, "Originally, face-to-face experimental classes were to start this week, but they were postponed again due to regional infections originating from Itaewon."

A said, "I think measures need to be taken since confirmed cases related to clubs are appearing nationwide, but the tuition I paid must include laboratory management fees and experimental material costs, so shouldn’t some of it be refunded?" He also pointed out, "There are many students in worse financial situations than the university. I wonder how long this kind of operation will continue."

On the morning of March 16, students at Gwangju University Library in Nam-gu, Gwangju, are attending online lectures and other non-face-to-face classes. Photo by Yonhap News

Students on leave and those who have completed courses, who used school facilities such as libraries during their job preparation process, are also voicing complaints, saying "job preparation costs are increasing."

According to a survey by the employment portal JobKorea last year, job seekers spend an average of 297,000 won per month on "job preparation." Among respondents, 71.2% said they felt some economic burden while preparing for employment.

B (25), a student on leave currently preparing for employment, said, "I have been saving living expenses by using the school library while preparing for language tests and certifications during job preparation," adding, "It has already been several months since I have been unable to use school facilities due to the spread of COVID-19."

B said, "I used to use books and application programs related to exams at the library, but buying them personally is a significant financial burden," and added, "I hope some school facilities could be operated even with time restrictions."

The 'Art University Student Network' (Yedaenet), composed of students from 34 art universities nationwide, urged tuition refunds on the 6th through the "COVID-19 Art University Student Disaster Declaration," stating, "We refuse to pay meaningless differential tuition fees for art university students."

Yedaenet said, "Art university students have paid nearly 1 million won in additional tuition each semester under the pretext of the special nature of art education. Among five categories, the arts field ranks second in high tuition fees," and criticized, "Even though remote classes are being conducted and the basis for differential tuition fees for art universities has disappeared, charging the same tuition is unreasonable."

They added, "During classes, professors have required assignments needing industrial sewing machines and rehearsal rooms, causing students to rent studios or rehearsal rooms at their own expense, increasing economic burdens," and urged, "The Ministry of Education and universities should refund tuition fees due to COVID-19."

Meanwhile, Jeong Eun-kyung, head of the Central Disease Control Headquarters at the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a regular briefing that day, "From 12 a.m. to 12 p.m. today (the 11th), 14 additional confirmed cases were identified, bringing the total confirmed cases to 86," and added, "We are continuing to identify additional contacts and conduct epidemiological investigations into the source of infection."

Jeong said, "This week is a very important period to minimize the spread caused by secondary and tertiary transmissions," explaining, "Most Itaewon entertainment facilities operated between the 2nd and 6th, and many confirmed cases have been found among those exposed during this period."

She continued, "Considering the average incubation period, it is estimated that many cases will occur between the 7th and 13th, this week," and urged, "Those who visited Itaewon entertainment facilities are requested to get tested promptly today or tomorrow."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.