COVID-19 Hotline262-243-4344 orcovid19@cuw.edu

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COVID updates for faculty

November 10, 2020

Our program of wearing masks and maintaining social distancing in our teaching and learning spaces has worked well so far, but today we have 64 active cases at CUW and 45 at CUAA, with a number of students, faculty and staff in quarantine due to possible exposures.

Dear CUWAA instructors,

If you have been following the COVID-19 numbers in both Michigan and Wisconsin, you have noticed that they are up significantly. Our campuses reflect this trend; as of today (11/10), we have 64 active cases at CUW and 45 at CUAA, with a number of students, faculty and staff in quarantine due to possible exposures. At the same time, we have no evidence that any of those positive cases have resulted from exposure to COVID in a Concordia classroom or laboratory. FYI, our contact tracing has not identified spread of COVID in our students’ on-campus co-curricular activities (there is some evidence of a few campus student parties adding to our COVID numbers). These observations seem to reflect the experiences of higher education institutions across the country. Our program of wearing masks and maintaining social distancing in our teaching and learning spaces has worked well so far; we are very grateful to all of you for your efforts in this regard. Thank you for being such positive role models for our students.

Because many students have had to isolate or quarantine, we’ve all had to be very flexible and to provide poly-synchronous learning. We’ve already indicated that all courses will be poly-synchronous after the Thanksgiving break (with some exceptions). And, all final exams will be offered virtually this semester.

Between now and Thanksgiving, faculty members will have the option to move a class session to virtual (e.g. on zoom) when 50% or more of the students in that section are unable to attend in-person. This will allow a more consistent and cohesive learning experience for all students in that class session. If you choose to do this, be sure to communicate proactively with your students so that they are aware and can be present on zoom. Please communicate this with your department chair to keep that person informed.

Full-time faculty members, please note that we will not be able to video a faculty procession for the December commencement. Mequon faculty, the 21 November videotaping has been cancelled. Ann Arbor faculty, as Georgia has reported, there will be no attempt to gather together.

We know that this semester has been like no other. We remain so appreciative of your efforts to make a difference in our students’ lives while balancing all that you are doing in your own lives. You continue to demonstrate the traits that people committed to their Christian vocations excel at. You remain in our prayers!

Leah Dvorak,
Vice Provost of Faculty Affairs

Bill Cario,
Provost

Categories: Faculty / Staff