Academics

These plans are based on federal, state, and local health regulations and guidance available at this time. As the situation with COVID-19 is fluid, they are subject to change.

Periodic details and updates will be provided in the weeks to come from the Office of the Provost and/or the Dean of your College. Email provost@umhb.edu with questions related to academics. Students should check their UMHB student email and Canvas at least daily.

CRUflex Course Delivery

Spring semester classes will begin on January 11. Like in the Fall Semester, UMHB has implemented a hybrid learning approach called CRUflex, which permits students flexibility in how they take courses. This hybrid-flexible approach addresses any challenges and uncertainties which may occur during the Spring Semester due to the current pandemic. As always, if you have questions, please check in with your Student Success Coordinator who can assist you.

Face coverings should be worn by students at all times during face-to-face classes.

There will be some changes to CRUflex in the Spring 2021 Semester. Students will take courses primarily in two modalities: 1) face-to-face (in class attendance) and 2) synchronous attendance (Zoom during class time). Asynchronous learning will be available in two formats: 1) completely online courses and 2) CRUflex courses, by petition under extraordinary circumstances (see below). Note that not all courses will be offered in the asynchronous modality.

• If you need to take a class asynchronously, your advisor can assist you in taking a completely online version of the course. If you have special circumstances that require an asynchronous class and no version of the course exists online, you can petition the Dean to take the class asynchronously. The Dean that you should contact is the Dean of the college that supervises the course, not the Dean of the college that supervises your major. (See the Dean contact information below).
• Except for extraordinary circumstances (like COVID related illness) you will not be able to move back and forth between the face-to-face/synchronous modalities and asynchronous. Thus, if you choose to take a CRUflex course, you cannot later decide to attend class only by way of the recorded videos. Instead, you will be required to attend the course either face-to-face or synchronously via Zoom.
• Instructors will have the prerogative to require students to turn their cameras on when they are attending class synchronously via Zoom. Students who have concerns about keeping their cameras on during class should address those to the course instructor.

Some courses are designated non-CRUflex (NCF). NCF courses require some kind of face-to-face component that typically necessitates the student being on campus. The face-to-face component varies considerably by NCF course, so contact the instructor for details about the attendance requirement.

The grading system for cohort-modeled courses will remain A, B, C, D, F as outlined in the 2020-21 UMHB catalog.

Classroom Cohorts for Face-to-Face Instruction

As in the Fall Semester, UMHB will adopt a classroom model that divides many Fall classes into cohorts when the enrollment is larger than the classroom capacity. For classes which utilize this cohort model, students will attend classes face-to-face on certain days and online synchronously (or at the same time as the class) via Zoom at other times. Class sessions will continue to be recorded, so students can review class sessions outside of class time. Students who do not wish to attend face-to-face can elect to attend all classes synchronously online via Zoom.

Professors will notify individual students in cohort-modeled courses of their face-to-face days schedule and other details no later than Friday, January 8. If, as was the case often in the Fall Semester, there is enough classroom capacity to seat everyone who wants face-to-face instruction, courses can discontinue the cohort model. This decision is left to the discretion of the instructor.

Students will have an opportunity to review their schedules, see the planned delivery methods, and make changes prior to the start of the semester or before the add/drop deadline at 5:00 p.m. on January 14.

As of now, there are no anticipated changes to the academic calendar, and Spring Break will occur March 15-19.

For additional information about CRUflex, please click here for the CRUflex FAQs.

Clinical and Lab Courses, Student-Teaching and Internships

Be aware that some courses and related educational experiences cannot be conducted in a wholly online format. Most clinical rotations cannot be completed online. Students will be required to attend face-to-face in these educational experiences. Student-teaching and internship experiences may not be available in a remote format. Such classes are subject to cancellation by the University if necessary for reasons of health and safety; subject to cancellation by a school district, internship site, hospital or other clinical or laboratory affiliate; or subject to extended time frames if courses must be continued or Incompletes awarded until instruction can resume.

Due to limited capacity, most lab courses may be limited and require some students to participate completely online.

Face masks and other personal protective equipment may be furnished to students in certain clinical or laboratory settings.

Classrooms

All classrooms and lecture halls have been configured to achieve at least six feet of social distancing. Classroom configurations have also taken into account the faculty desk/podium/computer cabinet at the front of the room, if applicable.

• With non-fixed seating, desks may be removed so only those that can be maintained at least than six feet from each other are left. It is the responsibility of all students to keep their desks on the floor markings provided.
• With fixed seating, skipping rows and seats may be utilized to maintain at least six feet of social distancing.
• Signage may be placed on acceptable seating, and/or unacceptable seating will be taped or otherwise blocked off.

This configuration will restrict the number of people in any given classroom, based on classroom size. UMHB will utilize the largest classrooms available whenever possible.

The Music Department is following industry recommendations related to aerosols. This includes performers wearing specially designed masks for all face-to-face rehearsals and performances; cohorts of no more than twelve singers/wind players rehearsing/performing at a time; shorter rehearsals and performances with adequate time in between for air ventilation, and social distancing in all rehearsals and performances.

Students should allow for social distancing in an orderly manner when entering and exiting these venues. Traffic flow may be restricted to ease congestion in hallways during the changing of classes.

Computer Lab Protocols

• Students are encouraged to use their own computer or tablet when possible.
• Computer Labs will be available with appropriate social distancing measures in place. Please do not move furniture or attempt to operate a computer that has been decommissioned.
• Students must wash their hands before and after lab use.
• Commonly touched surfaces, including keyboards, will be cleaned and sanitized once per day.

Clinical Programs Protocols

These protocols will be provided to students in class.

Science Lab Protocols

These protocols will be provided to students in labs.

Student Health and Safety Protocols

All UMHB community members are required to properly wear face coverings or face masks:

• Upon entering all campus buildings
• In all common areas and shared environments on campus, including hallways, restrooms, elevators, or university-provided group transportation (i.e. vans).
• When entering/exiting classrooms and lecture halls and
• For students, throughout the duration of the class, lab, clinical activity, etc.

Faculty must wear a mask until everyone is seated and properly socially distanced in class. So as to assist in communication with the class, faculty may or may not elect to wear a mask while they are teaching.

Students and employees are typically not required to wear face coverings in outdoor areas of the campus, as long as at least 6 feet of social distancing is maintained.

Students are required to furnish their own face coverings or face masks that conform to CDC guidelines; plan to bring at least two to campus.

Hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes will be available in all classrooms, labs and on-campus clinical areas. All students must sanitize hands upon entering a classroom.

Students who do not comply with health and safety protocols in the face-to-face class classroom, lecture hall, labs, or clinical areas will be required to leave the academic activity immediately. Disciplinary action may be imposed by the Dean of Students.

Grading and Students who Need to Miss Class Due to Illness

Students who miss class due to illness may be able to work with their professors so their absence does not interfere with their progress or standing in the course. The CRUflex model will permit students in these classes to continue their classes remotely even if the student is in quarantine or (should they feel like it) if they are in isolation.

Students who cannot complete the required academically related activities of any course (whether face-to-face or remotely) due to illness, and/or who cannot attend required face-to-face clinicals or labs, student-teaching, or internships due to illness which prevents attendance may need to consider medical withdrawal or taking an Incomplete if he/she misses too many days (or academically related activities). In these circumstances, students should consult with their advisor.

Additional Academic Experiences

• Study-abroad programs have been suspended for the Spring semester.
• Numerous library resources will continue to be available digitally. For more information on library services, click here. Faculty Office Hours will be held by teleconference or video meetings whenever possible. If in-person meetings must be held, faculty may arrange for an alternate venue to accommodate appropriate social distancing.
• Advising and other appointments with academic offices will be shifted to virtual meetings whenever possible. Appointments are preferred for in-person meetings.
• For information on Center for Academic Excellence, Writing Center and other student services – click here