Coronavirus Update: Remote Instruction Information for Students
March 12, 2020
Message from Dr. Nolan Atkins, Provost
To all NVU Students:
As NVU and the Vermont State Colleges System (VSCS) respond to the evolving COVID-19 outbreak, I am following up on the message sent to you Wednesday, March 10, about the possibility of “remote instruction.” For your reference, I have included that email below.
As you now know, President Collins has announced that NVU is temporarily moving to “remote instruction.” All in-person, face-to-face instruction will be suspended at the end of the day Friday, March 13, 2020. Classes will transition to remote instruction beginning Monday, March 23, 2020, for at least two weeks, continuing through at least Friday, April 3, 2020.
I have been working closely with faculty to ensure that this transition is seamless and that the quality of your academic experience is preserved. To that end, you will soon be hearing from all your faculty with further instructions about how they intend to deliver “remote instruction” for your classes. Faculty may connect with you through email, Canvas, or other means, so please stay connected. If you don’t hear from your instructors by Wednesday, March 18, 2020, please let my office know so we can follow up with the faculty. Please see below for contact information. Make sure you take home relevant files, projects, textbooks, etc. to ensure continuity with your class experience. Finally, if you have technology concerns, please make sure you fill out the “remote learning” survey at NorthernVermont.edu/RemoteClassSurvey.
Again, thank you for your time, patience, and cooperation.
Provost Office contacts:
Johnson students: Jo Ann Lamore: Jo.Lamore@NorthernVermont.edu
Lyndon students: Tracy Sherbrook: Tracy.Sherbrook@NorthernVermont.edu
March 10, 2020
Message from Dr. Nolan Atkins, Provost:
To all NVU students:
As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve, we need to prepare for a variety of possible outcomes. At this point in time, our plan is to continue with our normal learning (face-to-face, hybrid, and online). As the outbreak evolves and new information becomes available, this plan may change at any time.
One of the possible outcomes that we are preparing for is the temporary suspension of campus operations impacting face-to-face instruction for a short period of time. In this scenario, NVU would continue to offer classes “remotely.” Faculty have been asked to ensure that every section can be delivered “remotely.”
Remote instruction may include any of the following:
- Course materials may be posted to Canvas (slides, videos, etc.)
- Use or enhanced use of the Canvas discussion board
- Zoom video conferencing to connect to all or individual students
- Assigning readings ahead of time
- Phone call
- Other
This is not intended to be a full-scale move to online instruction. It is a temporary solution to ensure courses continue to move forward in the event that we temporarily curtail face-to-face instruction. To prepare for possible “remote” instruction, please take our survey regarding the preparedness of students to participate in online and/or remote learning opportunities at NorthernVermont.edu/RemoteClassSurvey.
We anticipate that some faculty will move course materials to Canvas. If you are not familiar with Canvas, there are some great tutorials and videos for you to check out at this Canvas site.
Again, no decision has been made at this time to move all NVU classes to “remote” instruction. We continue to closely monitor and follow CDC and the Vermont Department of Health guidance. To stay up-to-date, please go to /about/nvu/coronavirus-covid-19.*
Thank you for your time, patience, and cooperation.
*At the time of this original email, the decision to transition to temporary remote instruction had not yet been made.