September 2020 Instruction

Dear colleagues,

We continue to adapt to changes during this uncertain time, and I appreciate your flexibility and patience. As you are aware, the University is now moving to fully online instruction in September with the intention to resume planned hybrid and face-to-face instruction October 1. This delay means that now students will move into residence halls starting on Saturday, September 26, through Tuesday, September 29.

To accommodate the needs of the estimated 4,700 students who need to move in, undergraduate classes will be paused September 28-29. We have no remaining flexibility in the fall calendar. This time should not be considered a fall break, as you will need to make up the instructional time later in the semester either with asynchronous assignments or by rescheduling to a Saturday. Keep in mind that classes will continue on these dates if the University later decides to move to a fully online semester due to community factors

Some students are now seeking to change a face-to-face or hybrid course to fully online delivery. We want to work with students as much as possible to allow them to progress through their course of study. Students who wish to change their course delivery method have until September 14 to make changes. They should first contact their academic advisor to discuss possible options, such as enrolling in an online section of the same course or choosing another course that will meet the requirement. If this is not possible, then students should work with their course instructor to determine if reasonable adjustments can be made.

When we resume in-person instruction, we recommend assigning seats as a best practice during the pandemic. For additional information and guidance, please access the Fall Reopening site and view our FAQs and Q&A from the General Faculty Meeting.

Sincerely,

Joan F. Lorden
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs