[VPAAEtal] Academic Affairs Update 7-23-20

[Academic Affairs]

Fall Preparation Update
July 23, 2020

Each week until we are underway, the Provost's Office will post about progress toward preparing for Fall 2020 instruction.  Updates are based on the latest, best information.


*       A review of campus instructional spaces was undertaken earlier in the summer to reassess classroom and lab capacities in light of social distancing.  That painstaking process has been completed, and the University overall has 25% instructional space capacity left, after social distancing.

*       The University has worked with faculty, departments and colleges to ensure that faculty preference regarding course modality is respected.  All University course sections are now either E (web-enhanced), B (blended), or W (fully online).

*       Beginning next week prioritized courses-specifically those in developmental and first-year mathematics, the fine arts, science labs, those from programs with accreditation requirements, and Honors sections-will be assured maximum in-person instructional opportunities.  That determination involves matching priorities spaces that can most effectively hold enrollment.  Room changes may result, but as of now, day/time will remain the same.

*       As those changes are made, colleges and departments will communicate with faculty.

*       Additional room cleaning and sanitization will be provided throughout most instructional spaces during the Fall.  We will have support from SSC, but we must also be partners in keeping our campus community safe.  More details will be forthcoming.

*       Investment in technological upgrades to instructional spaces will be ongoing during the remainder of the summer as the schedule gets more set.  Additional details are coming.

*       Traffic flow within our academic buildings is being studied with an eye toward developing solutions to prevent congregation of students and encouragement of social distancing.

*       Language for syllabi regarding masks, social distancing, and student illness/absence will be distributed to heads tomorrow to standardize the message across syllabi.

*       A communication plan for faculty outreach to students currently enrolled in their courses is also coming tomorrow.  This plan will include specific items that need to be addressed prior to the semester's start.  We hope this will initiate dialog between faculty and students not just to communicate expectations, but also develop positive relationships.

*       A faculty working group is nearing a decision on selection of a proctoring provider for our courses.  Funding is going to be limited, and key areas will be prioritized for the use of the proctoring service.  More details will be coming.
If you have specific questions, please feel free to email Ricky.Dobbs at tamuc.edu<mailto:Ricky.Dobbs at tamuc.edu> .

We are grateful for your cooperation and look forward to the coming semester.

Dr. John Humphreys
Provost and Vice President
Academic Affairs
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