Dear Faculty,
The past several months have tested each of us both individually and collectively as a University. We want to thank you for facing the challenges of COVID-19 with patience and determination as we plan for a safe reopening in the fall semester. Everything we have learned through this process is being considered and deployed to ensure your safety and well-being, and we are confident that we will be successful. ’Canes are resourceful and resilient.
As we work toward a “better normal,” many aspects of our daily lives on campus will be different. Everyone—including faculty, staff, and students—is required to wear face coverings on campus. Students are required to do this at all times in the classroom and when physical distancing cannot be guaranteed. We will also have access to many more hand sanitizing stations across our campuses, along with face shields for faculty, plexiglass barriers, other forms of personal protective equipment (PPE), and increased sanitization of facilities and common areas.
What has not, and will not, change is our commitment to our educational mission and our pledge to provide our students with the best possible educational experience. This is our professional responsibility to our students and the future of the U.
It is our intention that courses will be in-person and on campus beginning August 17. All classroom spaces are designed to ensure physical distancing is met and face coverings and other PPE will be available to minimize risk of contracting the virus. Recent studies have shown that proper use of face coverings, distance/air dilution, and hand sanitization each incrementally reduce the risk of spread, with face coverings the most effective preventative measure by far.
We recognize that some faculty may require special COVID-19 related teaching accommodations and/or modifications to further ensure their safety and well-being for the fall semester. We ask that faculty requesting special consideration please complete the accommodations/modifications request form available here by Monday, July 6, to ensure a timely review by the Office of Faculty Affairs, as well as to allow University, college/school, and departmental leadership the opportunity to consider accommodations/modifications that may be granted via this process.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Faculty Affairs (facultyaffairs.cg@miami.edu) if you have any questions.
We thank you for your commitment to our students’ success. We look forward to a safe and successful academic year.
With much gratitude and appreciation, |
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