Talks with Torrey is a biweekly question and answer-based Zoom call hosted by University of Idaho Interim Provost and Executive Vice President Torrey Lawrence. In this series, we summarize the main points of each of these calls. If you have questions for Lawrence, you can submit them on the Talks with Torrey website at least 24 hours before the next event.
UI Dean of Students Blaine Eckles joined Lawrence on this week’s edition of Talks with Torrey to answer questions from faculty and staff about reopening the university over summer and fall. They hosted a similar event over Facebook Live on Monday, instead answering questions from students. Our coverage of that event can be found on our website. Previous Talks with Torrey coverage can also be found on our website.
Here’s an overview of this week’s Talk with Torrey.
COVID-19-related information
- Eckles and Lawrence said the university is working to develop a website presence about how UI will respond to the pandemic going forward. For now, the university is updating this COVID-19 page instead.
- Every faculty member, staff member and student will need to acknowledge they understand what is expected of them and are willing to participate in the university community’s COVID-19 response. These expectations will be released in safety guidelines in the future, Lawrence said. This will likely come in the form of a VandalWeb prompt similar to the FERPA training prompt.
- UI has partnered with Gritman Medical Center to enhance availability of COVID-19 testing by purchasing additional equipment and allowing specialists to work together. No final decisions have been made, but there is a possibility of testing students as they arrive in Aug. and adding thermal scanners for use at large events.
- Eckles said UI is addressing concerns related to disability services and exemptions to face covering requirements.
- Faculty members in the call were encouraged to file VandalCare reports if they hear students discussing having COVID-19 symptoms.
- Eckles and Lawrence said they are keeping an eye on the decisions of the public school district to ensure faculty, staff and student parents will have their needs met.
- The desire to reopen in person is not a money-driven decision, Lawrence said.
- “At the end of the day, we are a residential campus,” Eckles said. “One of the hallmarks for our institution is having a residential experience for students. It’s not an online learning experience, it’s the residential learning experience, so we’re trying to deliver on what that experience looks like for our students, for our community members.”
- “The perspective is ‘we can serve our students and complete our mission goals, all of that, more successfully if we’re in person,’ and ‘can we do that in a safe way?’” Lawrence said. “That has been the perspective we’ve taken, not “if we don’t, it’s going to be a budget disaster and everyone’s going to lose their job.” I mean that’s a concern, but what’s driving this is ‘Can we do this in the most safe way?’”
Fall courses
- Students will be required to wear face coverings in university spaces in the fall. Lawrence said the university is considering enhancing microphone capabilities and allowing face shields as an alternative for lecturers.
- The maximum capacity of classrooms will likely be about 50% the normal capacity to reduce density.
- Disinfectant spray and paper towels will be available in classrooms, but sanitization wipes will not be available by Aug., Lawrence said.
- The university is considering adding midday cleanings in higher use rooms, but the cleaning schedule is still being adjusted. Classrooms will continue to be cleaned daily.
- All general-use classrooms, like the TLC classrooms, are now Zoom capable due to work by the ITS department. Lawrence said ITS is now addressing details in department-controlled classrooms.
- “That will allow us to use some different teaching formats to meet that 50% guideline that we’re going to shoot for,” Lawrence said.
- Entirely online courses will be subject to adjusted online course fees. Hybrid, hyflex and other similar models utilizing both in person and online elements will not be subject to these fees.
- Lawrence said some colleges at UI rely on the fees as an expected source of revenue. The fees will be adjusted to ensure colleges receive expected revenue but do not place an excessive burden on students.
- Lawrence acknowledged students will have higher expectations for online courses compared to the spring semester if they will be charged an extra fee to take them.
- Faculty should prepare for the possibility of switching entirely online in the event of an outbreak, Lawrence said.
- The university will not be opening earlier than originally planned for fall semester in response to COVID-19. Lawrence said the university is considering transitioning completely online for the three weeks of the semester following Thanksgiving break, but no decision has been made yet.
- If classes did transition online for those three weeks, the campus would not close because some students do not travel for the break and some do not have a place to return to other than campus.
Employee-specific concerns
- Lawrence said UI has not decided on a requirement for in person versus Zoom office hours. He said the university will “totally support” online preferences, but in person hours will be allowed in both the faculty member and student follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention higher education guidelines and feel comfortable meeting in person.
- All employees can request accommodations related to COVID-19 through UI Human Resources. Employees must take a triage survey to ensure the employee files the right type of accommodation for their situation. The due date for the form is today.
- We briefly explained some of these accommodations in our article on employees returning to work.
- Employees do not need to provide an entire medical file, Lawrence said. They only need to provide a note from a doctor explaining the accommodation.
- Some employees shared concerns about the language used in the form, which requests employees to document their “disabilities.” Some employees requesting accommodations are taking care of vulnerable family members, concerned about childcare or are vulnerable themselves but do not have a disability. Lawrence said he would address this language with HR.
- Lawrence said UI must balance the preferences and needs of employees with the needs of the university in serving its students.
- Employees who have a preference to teach all courses online but not a documented need are also encouraged to fill out the form. Employees who have a preference to teach some but not all courses online can discuss these preferences with their supervisors.
- Some faculty members shared they felt the pressure to return to in person classrooms countered the classroom culture they cultivate, which they feel can be accomplished better online in the current environment. Lawrence said these requests and desires will be taken into consideration and addressed on a case-by-case basis.
- Teaching Assistants can file accommodation requests through HR as well.
Public locations and events
- All public spaces, including classrooms, will have adjustments to seating. Some may have marked or taped off chairs while others will have furniture stacked in a corner.
- UI does not have a storage facility to keep all unused furniture out of public spaces, so chairs and tables may be cluttered or pushed to the side, Lawrence said.
- Faculty will be responsible for monitoring and maintaining social distancing in the classroom, but Lawrence said facilities has been asked to realign furniture and seating arrangements as well.
- Some in the call expressed concerns about hosting football games in the Kibbie Dome.
- Eckles said UI is working with the NCAA to uphold guidelines, will require face coverings and social distancing for attendees and may use heat sensing technology to check individuals.
- “I’m telling folks, if you don’t feel comfortable going into those spaces, then don’t go,” Eckles said.
- UI student athletes will be tested at least once per week for COVID-19, Lawrence said.
- UI will be limiting who steps onto the Kibbie Dome field. They are considering not allowing the Vandal Marching Band on the field.
Lex Miller can be reached at [email protected]