SUBJECT: Emergency Planning for Continuity of Instruction

Given the rapidly developing nature of the coronavirus (COVID-19) global reach, it is important and wise for us to collectively plan and prepare for a situation where a campus closure becomes necessary.

Dear Faculty and Staff:

Given the rapidly developing nature of the coronavirus (COVID-19) global reach, it is important and wise for us to collectively plan and prepare for a situation where a campus closure becomes necessary. Uninterrupted operations are critical not only for our students’ best interests, but also for the continuity of our enterprise. 

A number of universities overseas have had to close their campuses and transition to an online course format mid-semester, so this sort of situation is not necessarily hypothetical. As always, we hope that our campus will remain open, but must be ready to transition our courses swiftly to an online modality if the need arises. To that end, we have taken steps to ensure that vital campus operations, and in particular instruction, can continue during such an event.

• As you think about and create a plan for transitioning your course online, I encourage you to visit the Hub for Teaching and Learning website on teaching strategies for Inclement Weather and Emergency Campus Closures as well as the Digital EducationToolkit.
• If you would like some assistance creating a plan for transitioning your courses online and need help finding and using the right tools, please sign up for the special 30- or 60-minute consultation sessions at the Hub during the upcoming Digital Teaching for Instructional Continuity support series. If none of those times work for you, please request an Instructional Design Consultation.
• If you would like assistance with synchronous/asynchronous audio and video tools (Canvas conferences, BlueJeans, Google Hangouts and MiVideo/Kaltura), please attend one of the following Office of Digital Education sessions at the Mardigian Library, room 1212:
  • Wednesday 3/4 - 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Tuesday 3/10 - 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
  • Monday 3/16 - 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
  • Thursday 3/26 - 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
• If you would like assistance with collecting student work (assignments) or fostering interaction (discussions) in Canvas, please attend one of the following Office of Digital Education sessions at the Mardigian Library, room 1212:
  • Wednesday 3/4 - 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
  • Tuesday 3/10 - 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.
  • Monday 3/16 - 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
  • Thursday 3/26 - 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• If you would like to meet virtually to discuss other Canvas tools and options, please schedule a one-on-one meeting with Scott Alexander, Christopher Casey, or your unit’s Canvas Support Personnel.
• You can also visit the library's Online Access to Library Resources page for information and instructions about accessing their databases and resources from off-campus. Librarians and library staff are available to answer questions from faculty and students, either by email ([email protected]) or chat (library.umd.umich.edu/ask).

We will continue to monitor the situation and work to ensure our campus is prepared in case of an emergency situation. Please contact the Hub for Teaching and Learning for any questions related to continuity of instruction and the resources listed above. 

Go Blue!

Ilir Miteza
Associate Provost for Graduate, Global, and Digital Education