#Viral photo shows Texas college holding class in parking lot

The viral photo of a Texas State University class being held in a parking lot.

A viral photo shows students at a Texas university taking a class outside in a parking lot.

The dreary image, posted by Twitter user Cade T. on Monday, shows students at Texas State University in San Marcos sitting outside, spaced apart in chairs, surrounded by vehicles.

“This is what my $25,000 tuition buys me at Texas State!” reads the caption. “Loving my 8am class.”

Cade, a music education senior who didn’t want his last name used, told Buzzfeed News his class took place outside because it was considered too dangerous to do it inside amid the coronavirus pandemic.

“We were outside because, with wind instruments, being inside is far, far more dangerous,” he told the website. “That class can only really happen outside because we don’t have the facilities to house all of us with social distancing guidelines.”

But while many people commenting on his post expressed anger and frustration over the situation, Cade said he didn’t want his music program to be blamed, adding that his teachers are doing the best they can to cope with COVID-19 restrictions.

“It’s really unfortunate that the best music school, probably in the nation, 100 percent in the state, is very, very behind on resources,” he told the website. “The problem that really is happening is coming from the the top, from the university.”

“There’s not enough space for the class that we need,” Cade added. “That’s why we were outside — it’s the safest.”.

Texas State University said in a statement that the class’ teacher, Dr. John Denis, was doing his best to “ensure his students had a chance to continue their education while keeping them as safe as possible.”

“Being outside, combined with wearing special masks that allow them to play instruments, provides the safest learning environment possible for the students who are working to graduate and become music teachers,” the statement said.