Hello Students!
We are so excited about the coming semester and can’t wait to see you in class! You heard from the University earlier this week with specifics about class schedule adjustments and what to do before and after arriving on campus. This message provides an update around courses in Engineering, information about how to register (if necessary), and an important update for our international students.
But first, a note about the opportunities posed by the semester ahead.
As engineers, we tackle the wicked problems – and this most definitely is one! Good engineers need to understand problems first-hand. Attending classes and being on campus during this time will challenge you in ways you may never expect. It will require grit, resilience and adaptability – critical traits for good engineers. As a result, you will become better problem solvers and engineers.
Please take a few minutes to complete this survey about your residential plans, tech needs, and concerns so that we can make sure that you have everything you need for a successful semester.
Additionally, please take a moment to review the information below, and RSVP for the Virtual Town Hall with Dean Gallimore on Wednesday, August 12 from 6 – 7 pm (EDT). Click here to RSVP by Friday, August 7. (The event will be recorded for those who are unable to attend.)
Stay Well and Go Blue!
CLASSROOM DECISIONS AND REGISTRATION
Over the past few weeks, departments and faculty have worked to decide whether courses that were previously held in person would be held In Person (indicated as P in Wolverine access), Remotely (indicated as D or DC), or in some combination of the two (MC).
The University noted that approximately 70% of all U-M classes will be offered as remote this fall. In Engineering, almost half of our undergraduate classes are offering an in-person or hybrid version. However, for those of you who choose not to return, we are able to offer a remote option for nearly all of your courses.
A view of your schedule in Wolverine Access shows the mode of instruction for each of your classes. Please go to the Canvas site for your courses for more information about the teaching modality and expectations for your individual courses. If your instructor hasn’t published this information, feel free to contact them via email and ask them for this information.
It is important to note that Remote classes will not be what you experienced in the Winter. All of your instructors have been working hard this summer, attending workshops to arm themselves with expertise and optimizing their courses so they are of the quality we expect here at Michigan Engineering.
Aspects of high-quality teaching, including interactive classroom activities, clear learning objectives and consistent and fair assessments are being incorporated into all of our classes – regardless of their modality. Remote classes will not simply be recorded lectures – both synchronous and asynchronous activities will be included, and students will have plenty of opportunities to interact with their instructors and other students.
Beginning tomorrow, August 7, we expect the schedule of classes to be updated so you can adjust your course selections in Wolverine Access as needed.
- If you are fine with your schedule and teaching modality, there is nothing you need to do
- If you are registered for a course that is either P or MC but you will not be on campus, then you must register for the DC section of the course.
- If you wish to change your schedule you are free to do so, but keep in mind that many courses may already be filled.
TAKING CARE OF MAIZE AND BLUE
We all want to stay healthy and keep our loved ones safe. There are many reasons our students, faculty and staff want to take care of Maize and Blue. If we all closely follow public health guidelines, it slows the spread of COVID-19 – protecting those who need it most and giving researchers time to find the treatments we need.
Requirements for those returning to campus include:
- All students, staff, faculty, and visitors need to wear a face covering that covers the mouth and nose anywhere on campus grounds. With limited exceptions, this includes when inside buildings, outdoors and on U-M transportation.
- U-M students who return to campus are asked to observe a 14-day period of enhanced social distance, either at home or after your planned arrival depending on your location of departure. College of Engineering buildings are anticipated to be open and available for student access beginning August 24.
- You will receive more information soon about an online learning module that will be required for returning students prior to your return.
Once on campus:
- All students will be expected to commit to healthy practices outlined in the student-developed “Wolverine Culture of Care“.
- A daily symptom checker app, ResponsiBLUE, will be utilized to offer advice on where to seek care if you are not well.
- Any student that develops symptoms or tests positive, and needs to quarantine or isolate safely, will have access to support and space, both on and off campus. This includes meal delivery. Additional details will be shared soon.
For more details on how you can stay safe and healthy, as well as how the University will care for those who may become sick, please check out the Maize and Blueprint website, and in particular the FAQ section.
DHS GUIDANCE ON INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ENROLLMENT
As you may be aware, the Department of Homeland Security has recently released new guidance for international students enrolling in the Fall 2020 term. Per the UM International Center:
- Continuing students studying in the U.S. can select in-person, mixed (hybrid) or online classes as they prefer. They must be enrolled full-time, but there is no limit on the number of online credits that they can take.
- Transfer students and students changing educational level (bachelor’s to Master’s for example) who are studying in the U.S. can select in-person, hybrid, or online classes as they prefer. They must be enrolled full-time, but there is no limit on the number of online credits that they can take.
- New students who plan to study in the U.S. for the Fall 2020 term must choose some in-person or hybrid classes. They are not limited to a specific number of online credits, but their classes cannot be completely online. They must be enrolled full-time.
- All students who are in the U.S. can remain in the U.S. if U-M switches to an entirely online model mid-semester, or when U-M switches to all-remote learning as planned on November 30.
- New students who plan to study remotely outside the U.S. can do so and take as many or as few credit hours as they wish. They will remain in initial F-1 status.
- Continuing students studying outside the U.S. will remain in active F-1 status while studying remotely as long they are enrolled full-time.
For students arriving on campus directly from international locations, your 14-day period of enhanced social distancing begins when you arrive, and can be done in your residence on- or off-campus. Depending on your arrival date, this 14-day period may overlap with the start of classes and you are expected not to go to (in-person) class until your 14-day period is complete. Instructors will be prepared for this, but it is important that you communicate with them directly to determine appropriate academic adjustments during this 14-day period.
In addition to the link above, the International Center will be updating its FAQ pages for both newly admitted and current international students this week with information pertaining to this new guidance.
Go Blue,
Joanna Mirecki Millunchick, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education
Jeanne Murabito
Executive Director, Office of Student Affairs