NEWS FROM THE EASTERN FRONT

My campus (Newton campus of Georgia State University) being the easternmost campus of Perimeter College, I often refer to it as the "Eastern Front" (although the head of campus security prefers "Fort Newton"). Things are quiet today. Classes are suspended at GSU through next week so that instructors can convert their classes to an online format. By the way, I have rarely seen a bunch of professionals react that quickly and efficiently to a completely new pedagogical situation. People who think that academics cannot adapt should see the work my colleagues are doing. Campuses, however, are open for administrative business, although we are encouraged to telecommute. I am in my office at least for today, finishing stuff and gathering files, and getting a fair amount of work done.

At Newton, we are used to wildlife being just on the other side of the parking lot. On one occasion, and this according to the elevator tech, a group of rogue squirrels disabled an elevator by nibbling on some electrical wires. We even have a named armadillo, although we have not seen him for a while. Many of us are worried about the little fellow. This morning, I had some company, in the shape of a rather large coyote. I know he looks small in the picture, but when, having observed me for a while, he got up and skedaddled, I realized that he was probably the size of a retriever. Is this an omen?