Last week, the revised Fall 2020 course schedule was released, indicating changed classroom locations and modes of instruction. Students and instructors are encouraged to review the schedule now and periodically throughout the summer, as adjustments to individual courses can still occur until the start of the semester.
Students and instructors will note that the schedule reflects only three types of instruction: face-to-face courses, online asynchronous courses and online synchronous courses. While instructors might use other forms of hybrid instruction for their face-to-face courses, the current schedule does not indicate all of those options. The definitions for all modes of instruction have been updated in the WVU catalog. Instructors are encouraged to reach out to their students to let them know if a course is synchronous or asynchronous and if they plan to use any form of hybrid instruction in a face-to-face course.
In addition to changes in the course schedule, there also are revised policies for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Anticipating potential absences due to illness and quarantines, the University has amended its attendance policy for University sanctioned absences to reflect the impact of COVID-19 and has instituted a new emergency leave policy that provides guidance if a student should be unable to participate in class for more than a week. Both can be found in the WVU catalog under the “Enrollment” tab.
In addition, the University has developed guidelines to help instructors ensure safe classroom behavior. While we trust that students will understand, support and adhere to the classroom expectations, non-compliant students will be reported to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities and may be removed from the classroom and face disciplinary action.
Additional details have been shared with students and with all instructors of record via email.
Lastly, everyone is reminded to make note of the revised academic calendar for the 2020-2021 school year.
The Fall 2020 semester begins on August 19. To reduce travel during the semester and decrease students’ risk of exposure to the virus, Fall break is cancelled. Fall recess (or Thanksgiving break) begins on Wednesday, Nov. 25, and students will not return to campus after the break. Instead, there will be a week of online instruction through Dec. 4, followed by online finals Dec. 7-11.
Spring semester begins Jan. 19. While there is no spring break in 2021, WVU campuses will schedule study days throughout the semester during which no instruction takes place. The last day of classes will be April 30, with finals week currently scheduled to be held on campus May 3-7.
Continue to monitor MIX emails, ENEWS and the Return to Campus website for updates.