By Emily Rachael Miller, Senior Copy Editor
Faculty members and students should prepare to have an open dialogue about classes and scheduling this Fall 2020 semester, as the coronavirus may create complications for both groups. Saint Leo University is also trying to ensure the safest experience for the University Campus community.
The “Stage 2: Fall 2020 – A Framework for Returning to the Pride,” which was sent on June 24, and various follow-up emails about classes both outline the general changes to the physical classroom experience.
The framework and emails explain that masks and social distancing are required outside of dorms. They also discuss the hybrid classroom and online classroom options. However, the packet still left some students and faculty wondering how exactly hybrid and online classes might operate in the Fall 2020 semester.
Dr. Mary Spoto, VP for Academic Affairs; Dr. Melanie Storms, Executive VP; and Dr. Jen Shaw, VP for Student Affairs, were all happy to answer questions and fill in details that the framework left out through an email-conducted interview.
Students who decide to take hybrid classes will be split into an A group and a B group and alternate between classes through Zoom and face-to-face.
“Students may have Zoom one class and be in person for the next. There are a large number of spaces on campus to “attend” a Zoom class including Benedict’s Coffeehouse, Benedict’s Patio, SAB and SCC loggias, SAB lounges, Cannon Memorial Library, library patio, Tapia College of Business lobby, Kirk Hall lobby, Kirk upstairs, empty classrooms, etc.,” write Spoto, Storms, and Shaw.
In other words, commuters may have to stay on campus for some class meetings on Zoom if their preceding class is in person and they cannot make it home in the 20-minute time period between classes.
The “Return to the Pride” framework states that “students who attend [class]via Zoom when they are expected to be in the classroom may be considered absent with regards to attendance policies.” Spoto, Storms, and Shaw say this may also apply for students who do the opposite—attending class in the classroom rather than via Zoom. Those not following the mask-wearing requirement cannot attend class in the classroom for their safety and the safety of others.
The physical classroom set-up will accommodate for social distancing requirements as well. Classrooms will have less desks, tables, and chairs and more space between said furniture.
Additionally, “many locations on campus have had furniture removed. Other spaces will use signs to mark furniture that should not be used,” write Spoto, Storms, and Shaw.
These are not the only precautions Saint Leo plans to take for in-person classes.
“Classrooms and other facilities will be cleaned frequently and thoroughly. And sanitizer and disinfecting supplies will be available for every classroom,” Spoto, Storms, and Shaw write.
Thus, students and faculty do not have to bring or buy their own cleaning supplies, but they may take advantage of the ones available for extra precaution.
“Return to the Pride” and the follow-up emails discuss classes online as well; specifically, they mention that one course for most students will be fully online and taken over an eight-week period.
“[S]elect campus courses were chosen because they had an online counterpart that could be taught by the same instructor scheduled to teach the campus version of the course,” write Spoto, Storms, and Shaw. “The changes are reflected in the student class schedules, but schedules are still in flux at this point, so students should work with their Success Coaches/Advisors regarding their schedules.”
Success Coaches and Advisors can likely be reached through email. Success Coaches are organized by college and students can find their Success Coach or Success Coach contact information online at saintleo.edu/university-campus-student-success-coaching.
Class schedules are not the only thing to change this semester; class content must also accommodate for preventing COVID-19. This shift in content is up to faculty. Tests throughout the semester may be online or in-person and group projects may still be part of a professor’s curriculum.
“Faculty will determine how [tests]will work best for their course content,” state Spoto, Storms, and Shaw. “Group projects will likely be featured in many professors’ plans and may be managed virtually or in-person only when space and physical distancing allow.”
Faculty and students may work together on the structure of a given class, however. Faculty members are expected to discuss with students who will be in group A or group B for hybrid classes. As for directed studies, each one may look different.
“Each student should work with their faculty member to determine how directed studies will work,” write Spoto, Storms, and Shaw.
In other words, some directed studies may be conducted fully online and some may be hybrid, depending on the needs for the study, the professor, and the students.
Students and faculty will be adjusting to new face mask and social distancing regulations as well as different class content and structure. With these complications in mind, communication between students and faculty may be advised to ease confusion and worry. In any case, Saint Leo plans to keep facilities clean and the community healthy.
