Faculty Priorities

As we begin the new semester amidst COVID protocol, please prioritize high-quality teaching in all your classes and in all modalities.
Continue focusing on . . .
- Strong Interaction and Engagement
- Elements of High-Quality Instruction
Prioritize connecting with your students on multiple levels—teaching, advising, mentoring.
Communicate frequently and well with your students, who are experiencing this unprecedented journey with us.
Clear understanding of processes, expectations, and academic progress is especially important during this time of COVID.

COVID Syllabus Statement

See below for the most recent COVID Syllabus Statement to be embedded into all Spring 2022 syllabi.

Assigned Seating and Attendance

All courses meeting in person must establish a seating chart/plan, so that students sit in the same location each time they are together. This will be an essential practice should contact tracing be required. A close contact is defined as someone who has been within 6 feet of a person for more than 15 minutes within a 24 hour period. Faculty may simply record where students sit on the first day in the classroom and inform students that they will need to sit in the same seats during each class. Attendance must be taken during each class period to ensure that a record is available of all contacts for the class session.

Seating charts for each course and section must be submitted to the Health Services Seating Chart site on Moodle. This will allow Health Services to quickly access seating charts when needed. Seating charts can be created in any format (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) as long as they clearly show the names and arrangement of students in your class. To assist Health Services with easily being able to find the correct course, please label each link or file using the course name and meeting time in this format: ABC1000 Course Name - MWF 9:10 AM. If your seating assignments do not change no additional updates are needed. If seating assignments change (for example, if a student adds or drops a class) simply replace the new file on Moodle with the same naming convention.

You can find instructions on how to create, share, and submit a seating chart here. If you have questions about submitting these files to Moodle, please contact Mark Henderson.

Faculty Accommodations

Faculty accommodation requests should be submitted for review through HR. Faculty should connect with Kelly Franck (kkfranck@unwsp.edu) about a possible accommodation. Additional information can be found on the Faculty Accommodation and Flexible Teaching Arrangement page.

Changes in Modality

If you would like to change the modality of a course, please consult first with your Department Chair/Assistant Dean. If approved, communicate with the Registrar next and then with your students.

Guidance for Engaging with Students on Face Coverings

All students need to wear a face covering over their mouth and nose in order to attend indoor classes when 6’ distancing cannot be maintained. Students may not wear a face shield in lieu of a mask unless they have received an accommodation or adjustment from Academic Achievement. The following information outlines ways to engage students in support of wearing face coverings.

First Response When a Student Comes to Class Without a Face Covering

During the first week of class, provide a mask if the student arrives without one (the first time). Initially, students might forget to put their mask on or might forget to bring a mask with them to class. Masks are available from the Academic Affairs Office while supplies last.
Respond with grace as we recognize we are all acclimating to the revised protocols.
The next time a student comes without a mask, ask that they quickly go and get their mask and return to class. Students may get a free mask at the following locations, while supplies last:
- the Robertson Student Center front desk
- the Student Employment Office in Riley Hall
- the Knight Hall Ticket Office
- the Depot in the Billy Graham Commons.
Try to do whatever you can to speak to this individual personally outside of class (such as moving to the hallway). We desire to show care, rather than confrontation.

Progressive Talking Points as Needed

Face coverings are required in every classroom when entering and exiting the class and when 6’ distancing cannot be maintained.
Consider the safety of others in the classroom, as you may be an asymptomatic carrier and could transmit the virus to others, regardless of their vaccination status. 
Please begin wearing your face covering, so class can continue as planned.
If you are feeling uncomfortable wearing a face covering in class, contact Academic Achievement to discuss a potential accommodation or adjustment for the class.
By refusing to wear a face covering, you are choosing to disregard university policy and to disrespect my oversight of this class; therefore, your action will become a student conduct issue.

Process for Addressing Student Refusals to Wear a Face Mask

Ask them to sit in the back or physically distanced, if possible. This should be considered a temporary option to allow class to continue
Ask the student to leave your class
Determine if the disruption is large enough that canceling class is warranted
If a student refuses your request to wear a face covering, this becomes a student conduct issue. Inform them you will be providing their name to Student Life.
For student conduct issues, email your department chair and John Hyttsten (jphyttsten@unwsp.edu) with the following information:
- Name of student
- Name of class
- Indicate what transpired (what was tried)
It is important that these emails are timely (within a day or two) of the occurrence

Other Scenarios

Students in lab courses or studios may need to wear both a mask and a shield (or mask and goggles) to provide additional protection.
Music private lessons and lab students should speak with their instructor to clarify the applicable, approved protocols for their lesson/lab.
Students may wear a face shield or remove their face covering while giving a presentation if they maintain 6’ distancing. Students should replace their face covering when their presentation is complete.

The image below provides details and examples of approved face coverings and face shields:

Office Hours

Faculty are expected to hold regular office hours as defined in the Faculty Handbook. At this time, faculty can determine whether their office hours are virtual or in person. If your preference is for virtual meetings, please consider making an accommodation for students who request an in-person meeting. Clarify your schedule for office hours and meeting location (Zoom link, Teams page, office number, etc.) in your syllabi and on your course Moodle pages. Please communicate this schedule with your Department Chair/Assistant Dean as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do students need to wear a face covering in every classroom?

Yes, unless students are able to remain at least 6' apart for the entire class. Before or after class, face coverings should be worn while students are entering and exiting the room. Some classes may require face coverings and additional eye protection (e.g., those with laboratory or studio components). When making a decision if face coverings are required, please consider the following:

Many classrooms are not set up for 6’ distancing, so all students need to mask throughout the entire class.
Any movement by students, such as pair work or group work, will require masks.
If you move among students or cannot maintain 6' distancing, you need to wear a mask; your modeling appropriate protocol is critical for our students.
Please remind students to wear masks if they are not distanced.
- Academic Affairs has received multiple concerns from students who are uncomfortable that students are not 6’ distanced with no reminders provided to wear their masks.
- Whenever it is difficult to maintain 6’ distancing, students should be masked.
There are 6' purple sticks in every classroom which can be used to check distancing; if there is not a purple stick in your classroom, please contact Cheryl Norman.

Do faculty need to wear face coverings while teaching?

If faculty are able to maintain at least 6' distance during their class then face coverings are not required. However, if faculty tend to move around classrooms, or are closer than 6', face coverings are required. Before or after class, face coverings should be worn while students are entering and exiting the room.

Should faculty wear face shields or face coverings/masks while teaching?

Face shields are an acceptable alternative to face coverings/masks while faculty are teaching. Some students may benefit from being able to read lips through a face shield. Since face shields are generally less protective than face coverings, please be mindful when moving around the room. When not teaching, a face covering/mask should be worn when at least 6' distancing cannot be maintained.

Can I ask others to wear a face covering?

Yes, we are all encouraged to wear a face covering while indoors. Face coverings are required in certain circumstances. Respond with grace if you are asked to wear a face covering and consider honoring these requests.

Can I require face coverings in my office?

Yes, faculty offices and academic support service areas are considered academic-related spaces so face coverings may be required. Faculty can feel free to print this sign for their door indicating masks are required.

Are face coverings required for department meetings?

Face coverings are encouraged when at least 6' distancing cannot be maintained indoors.

Where can I get face shields or face coverings?

Face shields are available for all faculty teaching in person from the Academic Affairs Office. Face coverings are also available, while supplies last, at the Academic Affairs Office.

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