Accademia di Napoli director defends COVID-19 response, denies paralysis

Giuseppe Gaeta, director of the Accademia di Belle Arti di Napoli, published an open letter on Artribune on July 2020 refuting claims that the institution was paralyzed during the COVID-19 lockdown. He provided extensive data: 6 e-learning platforms activated within three days, 3,400 students given institutional email in one week, 356 final exams conducted online (with 200 more in July), 7,000 exam bookings for June, 240 auto-generated exam teams, a dedicated e-learning site launched in 72 hours, about 10,000 hours of online lessons, dozens of seminars and workshops averaging 150-200 participants with international speakers, daily meetings with the Student Council, 5,000 support emails, and smartworking for all offices activated in one week. Gaeta clarified that government decrees suspended all teaching, including laboratory-based instruction, until the end of the emergency, while allowing some non-teaching labs to reopen under strict safety protocols. He argued that the term 'laboratory' refers to a collaborative methodology, not just physical spaces, and that the academy's response exemplified its 'Third Mission' of social engagement. The Student Council also issued a statement defending their work and rejecting accusations of paralysis, noting that students continued courses, exams, workshops, and seminars from March onward.