planning and jellyfish
Bill Maurer
Wednesday Apr 22 17:32:29 PDT 2020
Dear all,
Some important updates for this hump day. First, you may have seen
the news that Cal State Fullerton is planning to begin the Fall term
online. You'll note from the article that at this point this is a plan
based on the assumption that the situation will not be conducive to
a full, in-person reopening. Things might change in a more favorable
direction. University Business, a trade rag for higher ed, also reports
more and more universities and colleges planning for online or remote
instruction and/or a phase-in of in-person instruction during Fall.
I am a big big advocate of planning--even if the plans never have to be
executed. Here at Irvine, the Chancellor has convened a new strategic
advisory group to come up with a number of different scenarios for what
our re-opening will look like. We can expect to hear more soon. At a
meeting with the deans today, the Provost committed to invest in what we
will need to be successful if we do need to offer more remote instruction
in the Fall. Such support will also likely include resources for graduate
students to assist in instructional development and design, during summer
and into the academic year--and that's a good thing, too. Stay tuned.
Speaking of grad students, I ask faculty members please to read the
email you received today from Pramod Khargonekar and Gillian Hayes about
thinking creatively with research funds at your disposal to support grad
students during the summer. Feel free to reach out to me or Mike McBride
if you need help thinking about how to do this.
Also, the campus has launched a new website for all Covid-19 related
information: oc-covid19.org. Check it out!
And finally: Happy Earth Day! Here is a jellyfish swimming through the
Venice canals! It brightened my day and I hope it does the same for you.
Bill