Remote learning extended for remainder spring semester

Interim Wright State University Provost Douglas W. Leaman sent the following message March 13:

Dear Campus Community,

Let me start by saying how much we appreciate you and your patience through this difficult time. As you know, Wright State University’s Dayton and Lake campuses do remain open with a variety of limitations in terms of activities. Nevertheless, we are working around the clock to ensure that our policies keep everyone safe while still allowing students to progress toward their goal of becoming a Wright State graduate. While the situation remains fluid, I wanted to provide a few updates on where things stand as of today. Although most of these updates are targeted to students, we want faculty and staff to know that future emails will be targeting issues of utmost importance to them.

Will remote delivery of course materials extend beyond the current two-week period?

As of today, Wright State University has made the decision to extend the remote instruction timeframe through the end of the spring semester. This is in line with nearly every other state institution and will provide clarity on expectations going forward through the final six weeks of the spring semester. Students should therefore factor this new information into their decision-making processes.

Faculty can continue to use resources that have been made available from the Center for Teaching and Learning and University Libraries.

Please remember that Dunbar Library and computer labs remain open. Please review the libraries’ hours prior to your visit.

Faculty should plan to arrange for remote office hours.

Will on-campus instruction of any type occur or be required?

We strongly recommend that every attempt be made to avoid any face-to-face instruction or meetings of any kind. Some exceptions may be necessary, and in those rare instances, students will be contacted by their instructor.

How has the pandemic affected academic support for students?

Beginning on March 16, Student Success Services will move to fully remote delivery. This means that instead of in-person appointments, we will offer a variety of connection options to help maintain the health and safety of students and staff. Please be assured, our goal remains to get students the academic help and support they need. Student appointments will be offered as follows:

• University Academic Advising: via Webex video conferencing, email, and telephone
• Career Services: via Webex video conferencing, email, and telephone
• Academic Success Centers:
  • Tutoring Services: via Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
  • Math Learning Center: via Blackboard Collaborate Ultra and email
  • University Writing Center: via email

Additional instructions on using the technologies described above are available at Student Success Services – COVID-19 Updates.

Will student housing remain open?

As of now, we intend to keep on-campus student housing open. Students may choose whether to continue to live on campus or move out. We also have a number of students who rely on the services provided by Residence Life and Housing and we want to continue to be supportive of those students.

Will internships, clinical experiences, student teaching, or other forms of experiential or service learning continue?

Those decisions will be made at the programmatic level and will follow not only best practices, but also align whenever possible with the approaches at other institutions across the state. Please be aware that practicum, internship, or clinical sites may themselves have COVID-19 policies in place that will supersede university decisions. Students should remain in contact with their program advisor and instructor, as well as follow the rules of the site or sites at which they are serving.

Will student employees be allowed to work during this period?

At this time, we will strive to allow students the opportunity to continue their employment. This may not be possible in all cases, particularly if divisions have scaled back services or times of operations, but in every case possible, we hope to provide work opportunities for students. Students will not be penalized if they cannot work and/or if they wish not to work during this time.

Will student groups and organizations be allowed to meet during this time?

The university has prohibited all non-essential student meetings and group events. Generally speaking, if small groups need to meet for a critical reason, we recommend social distancing, including maintaining a six-foot distance between participants.

As a reminder, all official university events, receptions, gatherings, and student activities are suspended until further notice.

Will the academic calendar be altered as a result of the COVID-19 situation?

Some dates have been altered already, including the extension of the withdrawal period to March 27 (from March 20), and we have extended the last day for students to drop Spring 2020, B Term classes and receive a 100 percent refund to Friday, March 20 (from March 13). Please note that this is for B term classes only. If any other changes occur, we will notify affected students directly.

I was planning on doing study abroad this summer. Has anything changed about that?

Out of an abundance of caution, Wright State University is making the difficult—but necessary—decision to suspend all summer 2020 Ambassador Programs departing on or before May 31.

Given the fluid nature of the situation, we will continually monitor to see if any cancellations should be made to future study abroad programs.

Faculty leaders and students enrolled in these programs should contact the Study Abroad office at studyabroad@wright.edu for further details.

How will this situation affect students’ ability to graduate this semester?

Wright State is committed to ensuring continuity of curriculum, even if delivered in alternate ways.  Please continue to progress in your coursework and communicate with your instructors and program directors as to how any changes in content might affect your requirements.

We want you to know that we truly appreciate the significant impact this pandemic is having on your daily routine. It has been unexpected and quite disruptive. We want you to understand how much your patience means to us, and we will work hard to keep the communications coming.