Dear Students,
As you are aware, the university has canceled classes from March 16-20. After spring break, beginning March 30, all spring semester classes will be taught remotely and will not be taught in-person, however we are committed to your educational continuity regardless of location.
Last week you received an email from EVC Moberly asking you to test your access to the internet and any programs you need in order to work away from campus. I hope you accomplished that testing and feel confident in your ability to work away from Andersen Hall. If you have experienced issues, please contact your academic adviser. We are committed to providing you with an excellent education, and with that in mind, I want to advise you of several items:
Email
Check your huskers.unl.edu email regularly for messages about your courses. Here's how to turn on Canvas notifications: community.canvaslms.com/docs/DOC-10624
Courses
For your courses, access to materials will likely be through Canvas, and your professors will communicate to you any alterations in how the course objectives will be met. This might be through readings and discussion, readings and examination, online lectures, sessions with email communications, chat sessions, or some other means. Faculty members may alter projects and presentation methods and/or requirements for assignments. Patience, flexibility and grace will be needed by everyone as we go forward.
Remote learning resources
Here are some resources to help you with the move to remote instruction:
A guide for remote learning can be found at teaching.unl.edu/keep-learning.
The Center for Academic Success and Transition has regular business hours this week. Students can meet with success coaches in-person with social distancing measures in place and via Zoom, Skype, phone, email, and text messaging. Appointments can be scheduled in MyPLAN or by contacting CAST at 402-472-1880 and success@unl.edu.
Advising resources continue to be available online in MyRED, MyDegreeAudit, Undergraduate Catalog and MyPLAN. The Enrollment Scheduler and Degree Planner are both available within MyRED.
Academic Tutoring and Resource Centers will be open this week and offer remote access options to students.
The Writing Center will reopen March 30 offering remote consultations for the rest of the semester. You can schedule an appointment at unl.mywconline.com.
Priority Registration
To give you additional time to connect with your academic advisor, priority registration is moving to April 6. Your individual student enrollment appointment (the time you may begin registering) in MyRED will be reassigned. Check MyRED during spring break to find your new appointment time.
Attendance Policy
Also, the university has approved a temporary campus-wide attendance policy for students. Under this new policy, if you are sick or under self-quarantine under the direction of a public Health Department or your personal health care provider, you will not be required to provide formal documentation and will not be penalized for absences. You'll still need to notify your instructors, keep up with classwork as you are able, and work with your instructors to reschedule exams, labs or other academic advisers. The policy is posted in full at covid19.unl.edu/students.
Checkout Room
The CoJMC Checkout Room will be open this week. Your professors will be developing innovative ways for you to complete your coursework without required equipment. Check the Tech Resources page in Canvas for updates on the checkout room.
Building Access
Students will continue to have access to Andersen Hall 24/7 and the main office will remain open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Social distancing and enhanced preventative public health and hygiene measures are encouraged. Students can reserve the audio studios or sound booth by going to go.unl.edu/scheduleit.
Travel
All university-sponsored summer study abroad programs scheduled for departure on or before June 30 are canceled. If you are enrolled in a study abroad course, please contact the Office of Education Abroad. Additionally, all non-essential university-sponsored international and domestic travel for students, faculty and staff is suspended until the end of the semester. If you had college-sponsored domestic travel planned, please contact your professor.
If you are concerned about how the cancellation of these trips may impact progress toward your degree, please schedule an appointment in MyPlan with your academic adviser.
We strongly encourage students to consider whether personal travel is essential, including travel over spring break. COVID-19 is spreading rapidly both internationally and domestically; limitations and bans can be put into effect with little or no warning. If you become ill, you run the risk of not being able to return or infecting others upon your return.
Events
The college is cancelling all student and public events through May 1.
The most important skill for your success in these unprecedented times is communication. Although we may not be together in the coming weeks, stay connected and informed. Reach out to your friends, your faculty and your advisers. Seek help, ask for guidance and continue conversations. We are here for you. Together we can find ways to support each other, continue learning and succeed.
For the latest updates, please visit https://covid19.unl.edu/2019-novel