Academics and Course Delivery Plan
The ETSU Vision and Mission Statements affirm that ETSU strives to develop “… a world-class environment to enhance student success” and that “education is the university’s highest priority.” ETSU plans for a physical presence on campus in the Fall. The unique challenge that faces ETSU for Fall 2020 is how to provide the best possible educational experience while protecting the well-being of faculty, staff, and students in the midst of an uncertain, unpredictable, and evolving pandemic.
Work is underway to determine the format of course sections offered for the fall 2020 semester. Some colleges may share information prior to this date. Please check Goldlink for course offerings and formats (in-person, hybrid, online, remote) for fall 2020. Any changes to how classes are delivered will be posted in course schedules and syllabi.
Guiding Principles
Given the current understanding of the pandemic, the University believes that in Fall 2020, no faculty, staff or student should be required to be on-ground, if they feel that they, or an immediate member of their household, are at a significant risk from COVID-19. Achieving the tandem goals of providing the best educational experience and protecting the health of our campus and larger community will require faculty, staff, and students to be flexible and approach the Fall semester differently than prior Fall semesters.
ETSU’s academic leadership team, under the direction of the Provost, offers the following guiding principles:
- Some courses that are typically on-ground may be offered in an “on-line” or hybrid modality.
Some “on-ground” experiences can benefit students, especially those who are receiving course material in an “on-line” or remote capacity because of the pandemic.
Some courses, either in total or in part, can only be effectively provided in a face-to-face format.
The University is committed to supporting faculty efforts to be as creative and flexible as possible in identifying and addressing those situations when courses, or some course material, MUST be taught “on-ground.”
In some situations, this “on-ground” experience may be achieved by social distancing, consistent use of appropriate protective equipment, sanitary practices, and modifications in syllabus expectations or course attendance.
There may be some situations, however, when a student’s perception of their own risk, or that of an immediate household member, will require that the student postpones plans to complete a course that requires some “on-ground” elements.
The ultimate goal is to assure that every student receives the most valuable educational experience possible, while protecting the safety of the University family, during this uncertain time.
Course Planning Strategies
The following strategies are identified to provide some planning parameters that should
assist with preparation for the Fall Semester during this time of active COVID-19
virus transmission.
STRATEGY |
DESCRIPTION |
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Altered schedule for On-Campus Instruction; End in-person instruction November 20 with remote modalities and final exams through end of the semester Quillen College of Medicine will maintain its regular schedule. Gatton College of Pharmacy will alter its start but follow the University schedule beginning in September. |
A shortened on-campus semester does not mean reduced instructional time; course objectives remain the same.
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In addition to requiring face masks in classrooms, seating arrangements must spread students throughout the classroom by either:
If the classroom/lab is not conducive to employing this strategy, faculty, in consultation with department chairs, should consider developing a hybrid or flipped approach to teaching the class or relocation tactics, or providing appropriate PPE or other strategies. CTE will be providing sessions this summer to assist faculty develop effective hybrid classes. |
Transitioning large courses will need special considerations to accommodate all students. |
Department Chairs will work with faculty teaching those courses immediately and determine the feasibility of transitioning the class to remote modality. If a course cannot be transitioned, then the dept chairs should work with the Registrar’s Office to relocate the class to a room/lecture hall where distancing between students can be increased and alternative attendance strategies may be utilized. It is anticipated that the format of course sections offered for the fall 2020 semester will be available by July 15 |
Clinical, Laboratory, Studio, Experiential Courses |
Experiential courses should be prioritized for in-person delivery. Section sizes may need to be decreased to allow social distancing, or a system of alternating attendance employed. When social distancing cannot be maintained, strict adherence to CDC Guidelines and use of PPE will be expected. There may be some courses that cannot provide a virtual/distance option to meet course objectives. When noted, students should speak with their advisor. Instead of fixed lab section times, labs could be open for extended and/or alternate periods with students signing up to attend for an appropriate time block. Clinical experiences will utilize simulation as possible. On-site clinical experiences will be scheduled upon availability of clinical sites and may be offered during extended times, including evenings and weekends. Departments should communicate with clinical students regarding altered schedules as soon as possible. |
Hybrid Classes and course adjustments |
When classroom capacity is not available to accommodate physical distancing, remote access and other strategies should be considered. Department chairs should consult faculty and collect plans from each instructor to maintain appropriate distance between students. Adjustment plans may include one or more of the following:
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*Please note these plans reflect the best state of information available and consistent with recommendations from the Future Operations Workgroup. As noted in the workgroup recommendations report, the course of the virus may require a shift to more conservative (or less) strategy. All members of the ETSU Community are requested to be flexible and prepared for change as we enter the Fall Semester. Thank you for what you are doing to fulfill our educational mission.
Space Liaisons to Facilities
In order to address the complex classroom and space needs across campus, including projected PD (Physical Distance) capacity, ways to achieve reduced occupancy, and consider modes of instruction, representatives have been identified from each college and non-academic divisions to work with Facilities to assure that our classrooms and public spaces are ready for the return of instruction and campus life.
These individuals are involved in planning activities related to classroom size and layouts and serve as the contacts/liaisons for services and specific needs in order to provide a safe physical environment for our students, faculty, and staff. These individuals also work within guidelines provided by the Future Operations Workgroup, and the CDC and are involved in thinking through and developing processes that will be necessary for classroom instruction and campus services.
The following representatives have been selected to serve as Liaisons to Facilities:
Academic Liaisons |
|
Arts and Sciences |
Amber Kinser |
Business and Technology |
Tony Pittarese |
Clemmer |
Pam Mims |
Clinical & Rehabilitative Health Sciences |
Lynn Williams |
Graduate and Continuing Studies |
Jill Leroy-Frasier |
Gatton College of Pharmacy |
Bruce Gannaway |
Honors |
Karen Kornweibel |
Quillen College of Medicine |
Beth Fox |
Nursing |
Melessia Webb |
Public Health |
Rob Pack |
Sherrod Library |
Tom Fehr |
Registrar |
Hannah Rhoades |
Academic Technology Services |
Rob Nelson |
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Administration |
Bill Duncan |
Non-Academic Liaisons |
|
Student Life and Enrollment |
Leah Adinolfi (Culp/Food Service/Student Engagement) |
Advancement |
Mitzi Dean |
Athletics |
Tanner Ball |
Information Technology Services |
Myra Jones |
Business and Finance |
Norma Adams |
President’s Office |
Karen Mann |
Provost’s Central Office |
Ann Eargle |