Increase in COVID Numbers

Over the past several weeks, the Resurgence Analysis Team has been monitoring an increase to  in the number of COVID-19 cases and students needing to quarantine. While this is not what we had hoped to see at this point, I am thankful to report that these increases have not been connected to structured UNW activities or our classrooms. In other words, these cases are largely due to informal or social activities and events.

An email message was sent to students this afternoon encouraging them to finish the semester "Eagle Strong" and to promote good practices in the weeks ahead. We have all worked so hard to get through this year successfully, and I'm grateful for all you have done to get us to this point. I pray on our students' behalf. Please pray with me that we will be able to have a strong finish to our semester. 

Preparing for Finals

Anticipating

Student Needs

With the rise in COVID numbers mentioned above, it is wise for us to think about the potential impact this might have on finals week. As was the case in the fall, you may also find that some students need to enter isolation or quarantine during these final weeks, which would require them to complete their courses virtually. We realize this that a virtual final may be very challenging in some courses. If possible, we would like to help our students finish the semester rather than having to take an incomplete (I) grade. In addition, if you are teaching a hybrid class this semester, it may be necessary for you to develop an online final since the classroom space may not be able to hold your entire class togetherin person for the final.

If you are planning to offer an online final exam, please remember to follow the Spring 2021 Traditional Undergraduate final exam schedule. If you are administering an online final exam in Moodle, please schedule the availability of the exam to take place during the same time as is listed on the final exam schedule. We do not want to avoid students to have ' having multiple exams scheduled at the same time. Thanks in advance for your attention to these matters. 

OLO

Is Here to Help

The Online Learning Office (OLO) is available to help any faculty who might need assistance with setting up finals in Moodle or thinking through other final assessment ideas. As you prepare your finalsfinal exams, you may want to consider using one of these strategies to help improve the integrity of your assessments.

1. Consider setting an open date and close date for the quiz or exam along with a time limit
2. Shuffle/randomize answers in a quiz or the exam
3. For assignments, enable Urkund to analyze papers for similarity to internet resources

The Online Learning Office has created a resource for academic integrity with additional options. You may also contact the Online Learning Office directly to discuss ideas relevant to your testing setup. If you identify any courses for which virtual exams cannot be offered, please contact your department chair for assistance in brainstorming a solution. Thanks in advance for doing all you can to help our students complete the semester successfully!

Post-COVID Learning Environments

As part of our ongoing planning process, several discussions were held this past week to get solicit feedback on the draft list of Assumption and Principles created by the Academic Continuity Team to help us prepare for the Fall fall 2021 semester and beyond. These discussion have been very helpful in thinking through what the potential impact and implications might be for using of continuing the use of lecture capture, along with virtual and hybrid teaching modalities, to some degree on our campus. Cheryl Norman, Joel Johnson, and I were able to meet with the Student Government on Wednesday to solicit their feedback and better understand their expectations. We have also been able to hear from various member of Academic Affairs staff along with representatives in Athletics, Enrollment Management, Finances/Operations, Human Resources, and Student Life . 

In addition to the areas listed, it is important that I hear from you! We will be dedicating part of next Tuesday's Faculty Meeting our May 4 faculty meeting to this topic. In addition, you are invited to join me, along with your faculty colleagues, for my Provost Coffee Hour on Friday, May 7th7, at 1:30 to discuss this important topicp.m. to further our discussions. I hope you will be able to attend. 

You are also welcome to share your thoughts on any of the above points at any time by using this anonymous Qualtrics link. 

Assessment Presentation to Board of Trustees

I am grateful to Dr. Cheryl Norman, Dean of Assessment and Academic Administration, for compiling the Assessment Annual each year. Recently, Cheryl presented some highlights from the fall and spring 2019-2020 assessments to the Senior Leadership Team and the Academic Affairs / Student Life Committee of the Board of Trustees. I was able as well to share these highlights with the full Board. I think you will be very encouraged by the Fall 2019 - Spring 2020 Assessment Update - Janet to fill in the text.Highlights. I am proud of your steadfast commitment to our students, and your continued hard work, even through the pandemic. Thank you, Faculty and AA Staff!