Student Well-being:
If you are struggling for any reason (COVID, relationship, family, or life’s stresses) and believe these may impact your performance in the course, I encourage you to contact the Dean of Students at (208) 426-1527 or email deanofstudents@boisestate.edu for support. Additionally, if you are comfortable doing so, please reach out to me and I will provide any resources or accommodations that I can. If you notice a significant change in your mood, sleep, feelings of hopelessness or a lack of self worth, consider connecting immediately with Counseling Services (1529 Belmont Street, Norco Building) at (208) 426-1459 or email healthservices@boisestate.edu.
Many Boise State classes have resumed face-to-face meetings in the midst of a global pandemic and a recent local surge of infections. Our goal is to have a successful academic year while keeping our students, faculty, and local community healthy and safe. Public health requirements are in place to achieve that goal, the primary mechanism for which includes the mandatory use of facial coverings that protect all of us.
We have adapted our learning spaces to allow for physical distancing and taken other health precautions so that you can still have the option of a face-to-face course. However, there is still inherent risk associated with face-to-face courses during a pandemic because of proximity to others and length of potential exposure to the virus. Therefore, as members of this learning community, it is imperative that we all engage in behaviors that protect the overall public health.
You have elected to enroll in a face-to-face course, and this format offers a number of benefits that appeal to many students. If you would like to preserve your access to this face-to-face option, though, you are required to wear facial coverings in all face-to-face learning environments. You must keep your mouth and nose covered at all times throughout class — facial coverings cannot be pulled up or down. Eating and drinking will NOT be permitted in the classroom.
By enrolling in an in-person course, you agree to comply with Boise State’s rules and precautions which include, but are not limited to, facial coverings, frequent hand washing, hand sanitizing, and physical distancing.[1] You understand that failing to comply with these rules and precautions is a violation of Boise State’s Student Code of Conduct. Failing to comply will subject you to university sanctions and discipline.
University policy states that I am not allowed to begin/continue with instruction unless and until everyone present has a facial covering in place.
This course is designed to be accessible to all students. A very small percentage of people cannot wear facial coverings for reasons related to medical conditions or disabilities. If this is your experience, please contact the Educational Access Center to document your condition so that we may determine the best accommodation for you (such as participating remotely, wearing a face shield). Until an accommodation is in place, you will need to participate remotely. If you need to read lips or facial expressions to understand what people are saying, please let the Educational Access Center and me know via email. During the first few weeks of classes, there will be stations set up around campus to help students understand the process for applying for accommodations.
If you are unwilling to wear facial coverings, you cannot participate in person; please dismiss yourself and either inquire whether you may participate in the class fully remotely, or contact the Registrar’s Office at (208) 426-4249 to pursue your learning experience in a different, online section. Should you refuse to cover your mouth and nose and also refuse to leave the classroom, I will dismiss the class and you will be reported to and contacted by the Dean of Students Office.
Mutual Guidelines for Safe Learning Environments
While these public health measures are essential to protecting our individual and communal health, they also complicate how we engage in teaching and learning. The following guidelines should ease our comfort and communication with one another:
- In the classroom, we must wear a facial covering that covers our mouth and nose at all times. If you or I let our facial coverings slip, we will politely remind one another to secure our masks.
- In the event that we need to step closer to examine someone’s work during class, we will refrain from commenting until we are at a safe distance.
- Facial coverings muffle voices. I will use the classroom microphone to amplify my voice through my mask. In addition, I will repeat your questions and summarize comments to ensure we all can follow any discussion.
[1] For details, see the Campus Reintegration Guide. On facial coverings, it states, “Until further notice, individuals on university owned or controlled property must wear reusable, clean facial coverings or single-use disposable facial coverings at all times except outdoors where physical distancing can be achieved, in living spaces, or in enclosed offices in which only a single individual is present.”
Course Success
