Instruction During COVID-19 Outbreak

Dear colleagues,

As the University faces the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, I want to first thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this unprecedented situation. For the health and well-being of our campus community and our greater community, the University is encouraging social distancing and is asking instructors to transition to alternative course delivery methods beginning Monday, March 16.

Our goal is to ensure that students can successfully complete their required coursework and stay on track for graduation. Each instructor should use their judgement to determine the best way to accomplish this. While some in-person instruction may still be necessary in studios, labs, practicums or clinicals, I ask you to be flexible and look for creative ways to accomplish the key objectives for all your courses, including these.

To avoid scheduling conflicts, instructors who choose to hold synchronous sessions should do so only at the day and time of their regularly scheduled class.

All instructors should communicate their course plans to students by 5:00 p.m. Friday, March 13. For the benefit of students who do not have adequate access to the internet or computers, the library and college computer labs will be available.

Please use the resources and workshops at the Center for Teaching and Learning to assist you in transitioning to alternative course delivery methods. They are available for ongoing support. There are also colleagues in your college or department who may have considerable expertise in online delivery. If you are one of those, please try to make yourself available to others.

This is a difficult time for us all. I ask you to especially be mindful of those among our campus community who have family or loved ones in high-risk areas. Please be compassionate in all your communications and don’t share unconfirmed information about COVID-19.

Thank you for your initiative to act quickly to ensure the University can continue to offer instruction during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Sincerely,

Joan F. Lorden
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs