July 2020

Based on recommendations from faculty, department chairs and deans, as well as the results of the Temporary Work Adjustment (TWA) process, the Registrar is working to create a new course schedule. This fall schedule will be complete by July 1. Throughout, we are continuing to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, prepared to shift plans should it prove advisable.

The new instructional schedule means all instructors need to prepare for online and digital instruction, with in-person instruction delivery where schedules and planning permit. This agility means being prepared for concurrent use of both modalities, as well as potential rapid transitions from one mode to another. Preparing for this “new normal,” which may well last for multiple semesters (pending availability of a vaccine and effective treatments), has several practical implications for fall instruction.

1. As soon as possible, instructors should engage Teaching and Learning Technologies (TLT) and the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) on pedagogical preparation and best practices for online, hybrid, and in-person instruction. TLT and CTLE are holding summer workshops and would be happy to schedule training with individual units. The appendix at the end lists upcoming workshops.

2. Develop and post your course syllabus on Canvas and the fall schedule as soon as possible, but no later than two weeks before the start of classes. All courses this fall will have an automatically created Canvas page, ready for you to add personalized content. At a minimum, for your students’ benefit, you must use Canvas for your syllabus, important communications and grades.

3. Integrate the following guidance with your syllabus:

• Face coverings are required in all in-person classes for both students AND faculty.
  • Standard Language: Based on CDC guidelines, the University requires everyone to wear face coverings in shared public spaces on campus, including our classroom. As a reminder, when I wear a face covering, I am protecting you. When you wear a face covering, you are protecting me and all of your classmates. If you forget your face covering, I will ask you to leave class to retrieve it. If you repeatedly fail to wear a face covering in class, I will refer you to the Dean of Students for a possible violation of the Student Code. Note that some students may qualify for accommodations through the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you think you meet these criteria and desire an exception to the face covering policy, contact the Center for Disability and Access (CDA). Accommodations should be obtained prior to the first day of class so that I am notified by CDA of any students who are not required to wear a face covering.
• If in-class attendance is a necessary component of the course for pedagogical reasons (e.g., laboratories, studios, or artistic training), state it explicitly in the syllabus.
  • Standard Language: Given the nature of this course, attendance is required and adjustments cannot be granted to allow non-attendance. However, if you need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy due to a disability, please contact the Center for Disability and Access (CDA).  CDA will work with us to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.
• For all other in-person classes, you may strongly encourage but not require in-class attendance (i.e., students may elect not to attend class in-person with no penalty and do not need to seek an official accommodation to participate online, rather than in-person).
• Advise students to familiarize themselves with Canvas and any other electronic teaching tools you choose to use, with pointers to appropriate tutorials. The Canvas Getting Started Guide for Students can be helpful.
• Include a reminder that students must self-report if they test positive for COVID-19 via utah.edu.
• If you plan to have one, state the format of the final examination/project clearly, recognizing that instruction and final examinations will be online after Thanksgiving. Put another way, if you plan to use proctoring tools such as ProctorU, inform students in advance.
• In addition, describe how the course will operate during the weeks of Oct. 5-10 and Nov. 30-Dec. 3, when all classes will be online.
• Finally, describe how all class materials can be accessed online. Faculty requests for electronic course materials can be submitted via Course Reserves. The libraries will continue to underwrite student access to electronic course materials, subject to budget realities.

4. If you are teaching a portion of your class in person:

• Visit your classroom well before the first in-person meeting to assess audiovisual infrastructure, chair placement, and teaching positions. Contact Teaching and Learning Technologies (TLT) at classhelp@utah.edu if you have questions or concerns. Finally, allocate time during the first week of class for everyone to adjust.
• Practice lecturing while wearing a face covering and assess the necessary speaking volume. Note that TLT is equipping many classrooms with teaching technologies.
• When notified of the need, prepare online educational content for any students who may need to self-isolate and are unable to attend in-person classes. Put another way, be prepared for all educational modalities at all times.
• Record lectures using Zoom and post them on Canvas for those students who cannot attend online or in-person lectures. Remember to protect student privacy when posting any electronic content and remember that some students may be in different time zones.
• Create a seating chart for your course and ask all students to sit in the same place for each class. This chart will simplify contact tracing should any student become infected.
• Bring a small number of spare face coverings to all in-person lectures, recognizing that some students may occasionally forget to bring theirs. An adequate, though not unlimited, supply of extra, disposable face coverings will be available for departmental purchase on an as-needed basis.