A message from the Chair
Dear MBE (minor, undergraduate, and graduate) students,
In response to Dr. Tromp’s announcement that all courses should be delivered remotely for the remainder of the semester, I wanted to connect about a few things. This is likely the first of several emails you’ll get from me (or others in MBE or COEN) with official communication. Please do your best to read them as they will have important information about your courses, advising, and other logistical matters related to remote learning and work.
As an instructor (and even apart from my professional role), I am feeling overwhelmed by the last couple of weeks and the changes we’ll need to make going forward. The uncertainty is hard for me. I suspect that many of you may be feeling the same way.
This change will ask a lot of all of us and I’m hoping that you’ll keep a few things in mind in the next few weeks:
- Be patient: Each of your instructors is doing their best (and that will look different from person to person). Many have never taught an online class before and having to do so with a moment’s notice is not easy. You can expect the same from your instructors though as you also make an abrupt (and possibly unwanted) transition to fully remote learning.
- Stay well: This is a stressful time and social isolation isn’t easy, even when you’re an introvert like me. Be mindful of how you’re feeling. Make time to do things that you enjoy. Get outside. Read a book. Connect with friends and/or family (but at a safe distance!).
- Stay tuned: The faculty had as little notice about this change as you did and now have to figure out what this will look like. You can assume that your instructors will share information as they figure it out themselves. I know that for me this means a series of emails which start with, “I know ___ is a problem and I’m working on it.”
- Stay in touch: Communicate with your instructors about how this is going for you; they are learning as we go and knowing how / when you’re struggling is helpful to them (whether it’s related to class or not). Should you have broader concerns, please feel free to connect with me directly (start by email and we can shift to a different medium if needed).
- Be proactive: Make sure that you have access to all of your courses in Blackboard. It’s likely that lots of classes will shift to using zoom. Get access now (either by downloading the app or the desktop client). Find a webcam if you can. (I hope the university will send more guidance for students in the days to come.)
If there are things in life that mean that this shift might be harder on you than others (e.g., lack of access to technology, needing to care for others, etc.), please let me know. The information will be kept confidential, but we’ll see how we can work together to get the support you need.
Hang in there. Let me know how I can help. Be supportive of each other from a distance. We can do this together.
Dr. Don Plumlee
Chair and Associate Professor
March 16, 2020