Recently my university opened its doors to students and faculty for the first time since March 2020. It is great to see so many people back on campus and we are doing a good job with safety, over 90% of faculty, staff, and students are vaccinated and masks are required in indoor spaces.
With opening comes many first of the year celebrations. A few weeks ago I presided over our science departments' student research poster presentations, followed by a BBQ. It was a happy and joyous event, and both our university president and provost stopped by to congratulate students and meet faculty. Of course, this was a great photo opportunity.
Posing with the president and provost, both male, I detected a bit of uncertainty on their parts as to what the appropriate stance should be. Arms across the back, waist, or shoulder? No physical contact? Wait for me to initiate any contact? There was this awkward little dance of arms up, arms down, arms touching, not touching. There was absolutely nothing that made me uncomfortable, but I can see how the Cuomo situation has trickled down.
Maybe it is good for us all to have to think about how we touch each other in professional settings?
