Last updated: 06/24/2020 12:05pm

Fall 2020

TEACHING METHODS

If the state is at the yellow or green level, may I choose whether I teach remotely, online, or on campus?

Yes. Faculty members who wish to teach remotely or online may do so. Their courses must be as robust as their department’s typical face-to-face (F2F) courses and provide the same learning outcomes as the F2F version of the course. Faculty members should work with the Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) to make sure their courses are set up to be clear and easy to navigate for their students and themselves.

There are a few types of courses faculty can teach:

• Live remote (synchronous, livestream): Teaching remotely at the same time the class is scheduled. This can be done from a classroom at UVU or from home.
• Online (asynchronous): Teaching where the course has no specified, regular time at which all students meet. These courses usually carry an official ”X—” designation and require OTL certification, but for will not for fall semester only.
• Face to Face (including labs): These are traditional courses that can maintain social distance because current size and space allow it OR faculty members teach in a quasi-hybrid style, where some students are in the classroom on certain days and learning via livestream on others.

 

Whom do I contact if my class needs to do something different than the general model we have in place?

There is still time to thoughtfully design live remote, online, and hybrid courses. Faculty members are highly encouraged to work with OTL to create robust live remote, online, and hybrid courses that incorporate excellent pedagogy that lead to learning outcomes similar to F2F courses.

 

Will offering my classes online and offline double my workload?

No. UVU is working on creating transparent and easy livestreaming and recording systems to minimize faculty members’ and students’ work and frustrations. Faculty members should design fall courses to take F2F and remote/online needs into account. Assignments, course materials, etc. should be designed for faculty members and students to easily switch between remote/online and F2F systems. OTL can help faculty members find excellent all-modality pedagogies that respect workloads.

 

How is it determined whether I may teach overload if we need to reduce caps to maintain social distancing of at least six feet between people?

Departments should consult with their deans to determine whether a course can reduce the number of students and whether full-time faculty members can take on additional courses that may result in overload. Please remember that overload pay does not count in workload unless a faculty member has more than 30 ICHE for the academic year. Faculty members with ACHE course releases won’t be eligible for workload until they have 30+ ICHE. Overload pay does not take place until the spring 2021 semester.

 

What happens if, during the semester, there is an outbreak on campus or in the area and the State of Utah declares an orange or red level?

If the state goes back to the red level, all classes will be held online as they were in the spring. All classes should be set up to enable that capability if it has to happen quickly or unexpectedly.

 

Will F2F classes finish at Thanksgiving break?

No, classes will not finish at Thanksgiving break. However, all but a very few courses will move to live remote delivery to reduce the spread of COVID after Thanksgiving break. Faculty should plan on remote delivery starting November 30 if they are not already teaching remotely/online.

 

 

TEACHING TECHNOLOGY

If I teach F2F, remotely, or online, am I expected to use Canvas?

Yes, Canvas is the official learning management system (LMS) of UVU. All syllabi, other course materials, assignments, due dates, and grades should be posted in Canvas. This will assist students if they have to attend from off campus and make the transition to online easier if the State of Utah moves to red level. 

If you have difficulties with using Canvas or unaware of how to use it, please contact OTL.

 

Am I required to livestream and record my courses?

Yes. Faculty members must livestream and record their classes so all registered students can have equal access to content. This will help students who are unable to come to campus because of health and other concerns.

Some faculty members have been concerned about privacy and intellectual property. Only students registered for the course will have access to the course and thus have the same expected level of privacy they would have in the classroom. Faculty members retain the same IP over their recordings as they retain over their course content, generally. Further questions on IP can be answered by Eric Gardanier, UVU’s intellectual property counsel.

 

How do I ensure livestreaming and recordings of my courses will only be seen by appropriate students?

All livestreams and recordings of courses will be linked to a faculty member’s Canvas account. Only students (including instructional assistants and other students with official course permissions) with access to the Canvas account will be able to view the livestream/recordings.

If faculty members wish to use a recording of their class for supervisor or peer evaluations in annual reviews or RTP, they may contact Jason Hill in Academic IT to invite a chair or peer to view a recording. Permission is temporary, except in those departments that have chairs automatically added to Canvas courses. If you see your chair’s or any other administrator’s name in your course and you are unaware of any department decision regarding that, please contact Jason Hill immediately.

 

Can we use Zoom to livestream our courses?

Not currently. At this time, UVU has approved Zoom only for ASL courses. It is currently under review to determine whether UVU can afford to support Zoom for the campus at large.

 

Will all students have access to computers to complete their courses online?

Yes. The Office of IT is ordering 300 new laptops for students who do not have usable devices. These are in addition to the computers students are already borrowing. The library is currently checking out laptops, free of charge, to students so they can complete their courses. Student Affairs is letting students without reliable internet services know they can request CARES funds to pay for internet access.

 

If I have a great idea on how to improve the technology for courses, whom do I contact?
If I want to adopt a new technology for my classes, whom do I contact?

Every school and college has an Academic Technology Steering Committee (ATSC) representative, as does Faculty Senate. The Academic Technology Steering Committee reviews technology requests for accessibility and redundancy. Please contact the dean’s office in your school or college or Faculty Senate member Diana Lundahl to determine whether your identified solution can be heard and adopted.

 

How can I let students know about the course set-up before I publish my Canvas course?

You can publish your Canvas course at any time. If you prefer to wait to publish your course and would still like to contact students, you can reach out to students via the “email entire class” option in your Banner course listing. A short tutorial can be found here.

Students who receive communication from you about your course are more likely to feel connected, understand your expectations, and plan accordingly.

 

 

CLASSROOM SAFETY

What do I do if students refuse to keep an appropriate distance in class?

Seating will be placed to encourage appropriate social distancing. Students should be encouraged to keep seats where they are.

 

When should masks or face shields be worn on campus?

UVU requires masks and face shields in classrooms and the Fulton Library. Everyone on campus is strongly encouraged to wear a mask or face shield in other public spaces when they cannot maintain or expect others to maintain social distancing.

 

Will UVU provide free masks and/or face shields for students, staff, and faculty?

No, only for some. Currently, UVU is providing one reusable mask for each employee. The State of Utah is providing each Utah mailing address up to six reusable masks, free of charge, via this link. Masks can also be found online and at in-person retailers.

 

What if a student is not wearing a mask or face shield and refuses to do so in my class when we can't maintain social distancing?

Faculty members can fill out a report at Student Conduct. Before assuming a student is trying to be difficult, please be aware not all people can wear masks or face shields due to health or other legitimate concerns. Confronting a student in class is discouraged; not everyone is willing to disclose their health issue or concern in a classroom.

 

How will I know if a student is missing class based on COVID or just not showing up?

Many students have ADA-covered health concerns, are caring for ill loved ones, or have other protected class reasons for not attending F2F courses. If a student is missing classes, whether F2F or online, it is best to look at the student’s performance and reach out compassionately regarding their performance and not their reasons for absences.

 

Am I required to hold F2F office hours and participate in F2F general and department meetings?

No. Academic Affairs strongly encourages faculty members to have online office hours for students at reasonable times (e.g., not after 9:00 p.m. for morning or afternoon courses). For any office hours on campus, faculty members should make sure their offices can be set up for social distancing.

Academic Affairs strongly discourages F2F department and other F2F academic meetings to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 among faculty members and staff. Instead, please consider using Microsoft Teams.

 

How often will classrooms be cleaned?

Campus Services staff will continue to clean classrooms twice daily. There are approximately 600 classrooms of varying size and complexity on campus. Facilities is equipping classrooms with paper towels and disinfectant so students and faculty members can clean their own spaces if they are concerned. Further questions regarding cleaning should be directed to Campus Services.

 

I teach at the Lehi Campus or Wasatch Campus. Will the same rules apply in regard to masks/face shields, cleaning classrooms and public areas, as well as air filtration?

Yes, on both of our extended campuses we will adhere to the same protocols as far as we are able to, given differences in buildings and filtration systems. In addition, employees, faculty, and students at both campuses will follow the same rules in regards to masks/face shields and social distancing. Extended campuses will also ensure availability of paper towels and disinfectant for students and faculty members to clean their own spaces if they are concerned.

 

Will students be able to have internships off campus?

Yes, in many cases. Please refer to the COVID-19 information on the internships website.

 

Will students be able to have service-learning opportunities off campus?

Yes, service-learning activities out of the Center for Social Impact are currently being developed for fall semester. While online opportunities will be preferred, there may be opportunities off-campus following proper social-distancing measures. The Academic Director for Service Learning, Jon Westover, will keep faculty informed of the requirements.

 

Will students have access to advisors?

Yes, advisors are currently working with students in a variety of ways, including F2F (when appropriate), by phone, and online.

 

Will students have the option to take courses credit/no credit again?

No, there are no plans to allow students to take courses as credit/no credit unless a sudden spike causes the State of Utah to move to red level before Thanksgiving. Faculty members and students have the summer to prepare for graded courses.

 

What will happen with live interactive classes if I am unable to teach on campus? How will they be broadcast to students?

We are currently working on a technology solution through WebEx that will satisfy the needs of our concurrent enrollment and adult students at remote sites, utilizing existing equipment and therefore causing minimum disruption. The solution will allow faculty members to teach from anywhere, whether that’s from an assigned classroom with Live Interactive technology, from their office, or from home. Classes will be livestreamed and recorded as with regular classes, and then the recording will be uploaded into Canvas for viewing by those who were not able to attend class that day.

 

What will happen to concurrent enrollment classes? Will faculty mentors be required to visit the high schools to conduct faculty mentoring visits?

No, faculty members will not be required to visit high schools at this time. They will still need to be engaged with high school teachers using video conferencing. The Concurrent Enrollment Office can provide you specific instructions.

 

I teach the occasional non-credit class. Will the same rules apply for non-credit F2F classes?

Yes. All of our F2F classes will follow the same protocols with cleaning, masks, and social distancing.

 

 

GENERAL SAFETY

What if a colleague refuses to wear a mask or face shield in our department?

Talk to your department chair about your concerns. Confronting a colleague is less than ideal. Many of our colleagues have health and other concerns that we don’t know about, and they prefer to keep them private.

 

How often will our departments’ public spaces and offices be cleaned?

Departments will be responsible for cleaning their space beyond the daily cleaning Campus Services provides. Departments should consider ordering their own disinfectant and paper towels as well as requesting cleaning supplies from Campus Services. Faculty members and staff with concerns about cleanliness are to clean their own areas beyond what Campus Services provides. Administrative assistants cannot be assigned to clean faculty offices or spaces occupied primarily by single individuals.

 

Is UVU’s air system filtered for viruses?

UVU has a filtering system, MERV, in all large buildings. Systems vary, since some areas such as the science buildings have traditionally needed higher levels of filtration. UVU will increase air exchange rates to push the air through the filters and slightly over-pressurize the buildings to help exchange the air. Filters are changed on a rigid schedule. Even before COVID-19, UVU was changing air filters more often than recommended.

 

What happens when someone tests positive for COVID-19? 

If someone tests positive, they must self-quarantine for two weeks.

Faculty members are highly encouraged to assign seats to students in class to help determine which students may have come in contact with an ill student.

Department chairs will be alerted if one of their faculty or staff tests positive. It is likely the name of the individual will not be disclosed due to HIIPA.   

 

Are campus performances, conferences, and other large events cancelled for fall?

Currently, most large campus activities have been cancelled due to the inability to effectively keep social distance. Contact sports are also currently cancelled.

 

What happens if I get ill and cannot teach my classes?

Regardless of the severity of your case, you must self-quarantine for two weeks. Contact HR — they will help make sure your benefits are in order and to alert people with whom you’ve been in contact. Your name will not be released.

All faculty members should have a back-up plan in case of severe illness — who will contact the department chair, who will take over the course or courses, etc.

 

What mental health services are available at this time?

UVU offers full-time employees the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), allowing benefits-eligible faculty to receive up to three counseling sessions free of charge. UVU benefits also include a robust list of mental health professionals. Please contact HR if you have questions. 

For adjunct faculty members, Human Resources keeps a list of low-cost mental health providers.

If you are in crisis right now, please call the 24-hour UNI crisis line at (801) 587-3000.

If you are having suicidal thoughts or are concerned about a loved one who may be having suicidal thoughts, please call the 24-hour Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or you can visit the Suicide Prevention Lifeline website. For more information regarding suicide and prevention, please visit utahsuicideprevention.org.

 

What does all this mean for my annual reviews and retention, tenure, and promotion applications?

Because faculty members have had several months to learn new techniques for remote and online courses, faculty members should be applying and assessing pedagogical tools. Faculty members should NOT rely only on SRIs to determine whether their pedagogy is effective. Please consult your RTP criteria for appropriate ways to assess your teaching.

Many professional organizations are not yet holding F2F events. Faculty members should consult their RTP criteria and their professional organizations for online events and opportunities meant to replicate, as much as possible, the F2F events.

Faculty members participating in service at UVU, whether at the department, school/college, or university level, should request a letter from the committee chair, as is usually the case during F2F semesters.

Because faculty members should prepare for continuing COVID-19 issues, Academic Affairs will not be offering another tenure clock extension.

 

Will the Fulton Library and open computers in the library remain open?

Yes, even if campus returns to online only, the library will remain open to address the needs of students and faculty. Please be aware that hours and services may be limited, so check the library’s website for the latest information.

 

 

Summer 2020

Teaching Remotely

 

How do I turn my face-to-face course into a remote delivery course?

For information and resources, please see the Academic Continuity webpage.

Who should I contact on campus for assistance in transitioning my class to remote delivery?

The Office of Teaching and Learning, your peers, or your college’s Flexible Learning Council.

I’ve never taught remotely before. How do I ensure my remote classes are meeting the university’s expectations?

You need to ensure that the online environment provides sustained interaction between instructor and students, and that it meets established course learning outcomes. For further information, Instructional Design Services and the Flexible Learning Council are available to assist you.

What platform/software should I use to teach my remote class?

All courses must be taught remotely via Canvas.

What video conferencing options should I use to connect with my students?

UVU does not have official technology support or data sharing agreements for FERPA protections with any third-party conferencing software (such as Zoom, Hangouts, etc.). And, though popular, there are widely circulating reports of Zoom security breaches that are cause for concern. Faculty should connect with students using the two approved synchronous tools at UVU: (1) Microsoft Teams or (2) Kaltura Live Room. Quick tutorials to get started with these tools can be found at the UVU Canvas Faculty webpage.

 

Does UVU support the use of Zoom for remote communication?

UVU IT, in close coordination with Academic Affairs, has determined that Zoom is not an approved nor supported video conferencing solution for employee or student use. We are not considering adding Zoom to our suite of products. We came to this conclusion for the several reasons, and the details can be found at https://www.uvu.edu/canvas/faculty/zoom.html

Faculty with concerns not addressed by the information provided in this message are asked to contact Kathren Brown, Associate Provost for Academic Administration (kbrown@uvu.edu).

 

How should I communicate with students for the remainder of the semester?

All communications should be directed to students via Canvas.

How do I access my course?

Log in to myUVU, and click on the Canvas link.

How do I record lectures, post lectures, deliver presentations, create and post assignments, or use other features of Canvas?

Tutorials are available here and the OTL Lab.

Where can I find pedagogical instruction for teaching remotely?

We recommend that you take advantage of two OTL trainings. The first is Canvas Skills for Faculty, a two-hour Canvas orientation. The second is the Online Teaching Academy, a 25-hour certification program which runs cohorts each semester (stipend included; email trevor.morris@uvu.edu).
 

I teach a lab and/or an applied hands-on class that cannot be taught remotely. What should I do?

All courses, including lab courses and hands-on courses, must be taught remotely. 

 

Are there any guidelines on how to handle clinical or internship courses?

Please consult with your department chair and dean in these cases.

How can I ensure academic integrity for exams?

You can use Proctorio in Canvas to administer exams in lieu of in-class or testing center administration.

How do I facilitate group work in remote settings?

See the Canvas tutorials and/or contact the OTL Lab.

Do I have to be available for regular office hours?

Yes.

 

Will summer courses be remotely delivered?

Yes, all first block and full semester summer courses will be held remotely. Limited offerings of specialized courses and condensed delivery may occur in second block if conditions allow. 

 

Grading Information

 

How do I move grades into Canvas (if stored outside currently)?

See the Canvas tutorials and/or contact the OTL Lab.

Can I issue incomplete grades for my course because of this transition to remote delivery?

No, not for this reason. Incomplete grades should be issued following policy, as usual.

  

What are our grading options specifically by college and school?  

Students no longer have the ability to choose a letter grade OR CR/NC and should be given the form of grade appropriate to the course.

 

What should I do if I teach a concurrent enrollment course?

UVU will be sending information to all CE coordinators in the high schools with further information.

 

Employee Information

 

Is there a way to compensate faculty (including adjuncts) or staff for the extra work they have put in due to Covid-19?

Yes! Spot Awards have been modified for this purpose. Go toMy UVU > Employees > HR Service Center > Employee Appreciation > Spot Award Recognition

For additional information that applies to employees, please see the Employee FAQ and HR Employee guide.

 

Faculty-Specific Information

 

Do I need to fill out a Work from Home Agreement?

No. Faculty members who are teaching in the Fall can do so from campus or their homes, per their agreement with their departments and deans. This means they do not need to fill out the form.

 

 

 

Internships

 

Due to the complexities of COVID-19, internships for the summer semester will only be allowed if under specific guidelines and by following the detailed instructions outlined at https://www.uvu.edu/internships/. Please contact your internship coordinator for additional details.