TO: All faculty
FROM: Nina Mikhalevsky, Provost
As we return from Spring Break, I wanted to share some information and guidance related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and the academic operations of UMW. Although current conditions do not indicate a need to alter the regular program of instruction, we are developing necessary contingency plans out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of readiness. There are two instructional situations that require thought and planning.
Individual Students
To prevent the spread of communicable disease, please be lenient knowing that we promote health-conscious behaviors when we provide accommodations to support individuals who are ill. Students who are unable to attend class due to illness have been instructed in messages both today and last Thursday to notify faculty immediately via email or telephone. Should you be contacted, please be flexible and work to support these students so that they will be able to continue and/or complete their course work remotely. Use your discretion in determining ways students may make up missed work or complete alternate assignments. Communicate your expectations to students as soon as possible. Given the complexity and fluidity of the current situation, you should not require students to provide a note from a health provider as documentation of an illness. Proactive precaution on our part may help mitigate the spread of illnesses that could cause more extensive academic interruptions. Finally, balance and discretion are important – while we want to liberally assist those who are physically ill and show compassion for those experiencing anxiety for themselves and/or their loved ones, we do not want to dismiss students from class based solely upon illness symptoms, ethnicity, race or travel history.
Academic Continuity
While unlikely at this time, we do need to think through our options should the spread of COVID-19 disrupt UMW’s operations. Such a disruption, if it is necessitated, might be brief or could last weeks. In the event that this occurs, we will need to do our best to maintain academic continuity and sustain operations in order to ensure that students have opportunities to finish their course work for the semester, and for the students on track to graduate to receive their degrees. Because the situation is unpredictable, we may need to be ready to implement alternative arrangements with minimal notice. It is important that we plan now.
Should a University closure occur, it will be important for you to contact students as soon as possible to share with them information about changes to your course and its delivery methods. You might begin planning now by evaluating the elements of your course that are the most important and the learning outcomes that must be completed. Consider alternative teaching and learning approaches (e.g. email, use of Canvas, video conferencing with Zoom, individualized research assignments, use of discussion boards, etc.), which could be implemented to complete the course.
Resources are available at the Center for Teaching, as well as Digital Learning Support (DLS), for faculty use with students who are unable to be on campus or to help plan for disruptions in campus operations and face-to-face classes. Staff in the Center for Teaching and in Digital Learning Support are also available for individual consultations.
Center for Teaching
Caitie Finlayson, Victoria Russell and Melissa Wells
Digital Learning Support
Jerry Slezak, Cartland Berge and Shannon Hauser
As a matter of good practice and readiness, you may wish to consult with these resources now rather than wait to see how the virus progresses. These resources provide valuable instructional support and alternative plans for a number of common scenarios.
In addition, if you have not already done so, please provide your syllabus to your department chair or associate dean should you need to be away from the classroom for an extended period of time. Within their departments, faculty should discuss alternative instructional methods prior to deciding to modify or make changes in face-to-face instruction. The University will provide additional information should there be a disruption, which would require switching all courses to an alternate delivery method.
Please do all that you can to support our students during this time and know that your assistance is greatly appreciated. We are monitoring the situation and will be providing updates to students, faculty, and staff as circumstances warrant. We are guided by and are following the protocols and recommendations of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Office of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Nina Mikhalevsky
Provost
nmik@umw.edu