Greetings!
Welcome to the Academic Affairs newsletter. Browse updates and announcements, connect to tips and resources, and check out stories from around campus.
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Dear Colleagues,
Three weeks into fall quarter, we are seeing record student enrollments and hearing great student enthusiasm for the in-person courses they’ve attended and also for the creative designs of their remote classes. Our campus also continues to release a steady flow of outstanding scholarly and creative work, much of it supported by external grants or recognized by prestigious prizes-- a testament to the campus’s robust intellectual life, that refuses to be quenched by the pandemic. And, because of the outstanding efforts of staff working both on the front lines and remotely, the campus health status, university operations, student support, and research facilities are also on a steady keel. Thank you for bringing us to this point through your dedicated, collaborative work.
We may anticipate some intense moments ahead in the next couple of weeks as national and local elections reach their culmination. As discussed in this newsletter, our 2020 Elections Sensitive Issues Response Team has prepared a variety of materials and events to help us all sustain one another as a community. While individual viewpoints will differ in a campus as diverse as ours, we can all unite in the conviction that it is essential to support one another as fellow Tritons and to explore our differing perspectives through civil discourse that enlightens and enriches us all.
Finally, I wanted to remind us all, once again, that at UC San Diego, we are committed to teaching and assessing all our students, as well as doing our best to make all students feel welcome and supported. During the pandemic, when much learning is hybrid or remote, some of our students will have significant or intermittent challenges with participating in a course session in real time for personal, technical, or safety reasons (e.g., internet outage, computer failure, illness, caregiver obligations, or time zones). We don’t want these to become demoralizing barriers to their full academic engagement. In recognition of this, we are operating under the shared expectations that course material should be made available in an asynchronous format and that an asynchronous equivalent (or readily accessible alternative-time accommodation) should be provided for any synchronous learning experience (including assessments) an instructor or TA chooses to offer.
At the same time, our faculty have the freedom and responsibility to design courses, learning experiences, and assessments that are, in their academic judgment, best suited to the subject matter, the students’ level of preparation, and the intended learning outcomes. The faculty are best positioned to determine exactly how to accommodate the situation of a student who cannot join a synchronous session or what an appropriate equivalent learning experience might be. The expectations above are couched in very general language precisely to preserve the flexibility for faculty to exercise their creativity and judgement in devising specific pedagogical solutions for their particular courses and students.
Again, you have my deep appreciation and that of the campus community for all that you are doing to keep our campus’s research, teaching, and community engagement efforts strong despite all of the unusual constraints the pandemic has brought us.
Best wishes for your health and well-being!
Elizabeth H. Simmons
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2020-21 Enrollment update
One of the big questions looming over all universities for the last eight months was how the pandemic might impact student enrollments. We maintained steady numbers last spring and had record attendance in our summer courses. Just this week, our official Week 3 snapshot has been taken -- and it reveals that we have over 40,470 students registered, which is more than 800 additional students compared to the last academic year. The headcount of registered undergraduate students is over 31, 840, up 3.4% from 2019-20, including students from California and from around the world, and also including both students who enter as first-years and those who join us by transferring from elsewhere.
Our ability to continue attracting a diverse cohort of outstanding students despite the challenges associated with COVID-19 is a testament to the university we have built together. It reflects work done at every stage of the student experience: community engagement to build interest; recruitment and admission of an incoming class; and then outstanding classroom, research, college, co-curricular, and other campus experiences to retain students through the completion of their degrees. Thank you to the many staff, faculty, and students who co-create a campus environment that aims for every student to thrive.
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In-person teaching options for Winter Quarter
Our students have greatly appreciated the opportunities available to them for in-person instruction during the Fall Quarter, and they are hoping there will be additional in-person courses during the Winter Quarter. To hear more about the in-person teaching experience during fall from your faculty colleagues, please watch a recording of the recent town hall.
Departments and faculty potentially interested in in-person teaching for winter are greatly encouraged to express this interest to the Registrar now (and to contact AVC-EI Jensen with questions), so we can accommodate everyone’s requests before students start signing up for classes in mid-November. An instructor or TA may always change their mind and decide to teach remotely after all, even on short notice. Shifting a class from remote to hybrid or in-person on short notice is much harder, because of classroom constraints and because some students who signed up for a remote class might not live locally.
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In-person instruction spaces
Our traditional campus classrooms are fully prepared for indoor teaching: specific, socially-distanced seats are clearly marked; signage directs ingress, egress, and movement within the classroom; rooms are sanitized at least twice daily and self-cleaning supplies are available for cleaning one’s desk, podium, and chair.
In addition, construction is nearly finished on our new outdoor classrooms and study spaces. The four 80x60 outdoor classrooms are ADA compliant with the capacity to seat up to 50 students socially distanced. Each space features a comprehensive A/V setup, including boosted wifi, zoom and podcasting equipment, weatherproof pendant speakers, microphones, and LCD display screens located throughout the space, as well as traditional whiteboards. They have raised floors in case of inclement weather and will have the same enhanced cleaning services as our traditional campus classrooms. They also offer plenty of fresh air! Check out the video below for a time-lapse representation of the construction so far.
AVC-EI Carlos Jensen is offering tours of the outdoor classrooms for instructors interested in potentially using them for their courses. Please contact his office (ei@ucsd.edu) for more information or to request a tour.
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Synchronous and asynchronous FAQs
There are several resources now available to add further detail to the shared expectations and faculty responsibilities discussed in the opening note of this newsletter.
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Defining student success
The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has forced students and instructors to adapt to new ways of learning and connecting outside of the traditional campus environment. How can we continue to support each other and our students to succeed? What tools and resources are needed? How can we maintain connectivity and sustain a sense of community? Listen to this recent episode of Triton Tools and Tidbits to hear how your fellow tritons define and work to achieve success at UC San Diego and in life.
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Biomedical Library Building open for socially-distanced study
Select floors in the Biomedical Library Building are open for limited, controlled study space during designated hours by reservation. The space offers individual seating, computers, tables for student-parents, as well as self-serve printers, and a high-end book scanner. There is no open seating and Tritons are only allowed to be in the building during their reserved time slot.
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Celebrating first-generation scholars
Join your peers from UC and other higher-ed institutions across the nation on November 13 for the UC First-Gen Virtual Symposium. The events will explore four major themes, including Asian American and Pacific Islander first-generation students, first-gen populations in graduate schools, supporting first-gen student career readiness, and a critical look at the evolution of higher education during times of unpredictable change and opportunity. Register for specific sessions here.
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Cabinet Conversation with EVC Simmons
Due to technical difficulties, the session has now been rescheduled for Tuesday, October 27 10:00-10:45 am PT. The event is an opportunity to get to know EVC Simmons and ask her your Academic Affairs related questions. Please register and submit your questions by Monday, October 26. We hope to see you there!
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Inclusive Excellence Awards - Nominate someone today!
The nomination period is now open for the annual Inclusive Excellence Awards, which honor staff, faculty, students, departments or units who make UC San Diego a better place to work and learn by promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in our university community. Review the campus notice for details. Questions? Contact Equal Opportunity services (858-534-3694 or eosaa@ucsd.edu).
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UCPath and Financial Information System Town Hall - November 4
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Customer satisfaction survey - We want to hear from you!
Earlier this week, you should have received an email inviting you to participate in this year’s academics and staff customer satisfaction survey. The questionnaire takes about 5 minutes to complete and your confidential feedback provides valuable information for the 62 participating units about how they can better support the university community. Please visit https://customersat.ucsd.edu/ to submit your responses now through November 20.
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University pre- and post-election planning
With the current rhetoric around electoral processes causing concern for many, and the changing landscape caused by COVID-19, it is more important than ever that institutions are prepared to communicate updates and effective practices for eligible students, faculty and staff to be able to exercise their right to vote this fall. UC San Diego is home to politically active and engaged Tritons who are eager to make a difference. To help prepare our campus community for the upcoming election, the Election 2020 Sensitive Issues Response Team has developed two resources: Check out the Election Activities Calendar to learn more about how you can get involved and support civic engagement; Review the Election 2020 Faculty Support and Information guide for faculty to help create a positive and supportive learning environment during this election period.
For more information and resources about free expression at UC San Diego, visit freespeech.ucsd.edu.
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Help with handling difficult situations
Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FASP) is a free and confidential service designed to help all university employees resolve concerns that may be affecting personal well-being and/or job performance. This includes support for campus leaders such as faculty and staff acting as contacts and first responders in our community.
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More mental health wellbeing services & activities
The Blink COVID-19 page for staff has a list of mental health wellbeing resources for staff as well as other campus community members. The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) is offering a host of wellness events this fall, including a series of intention-setting sessions to help participants gain stability, focus, compassion, personal growth, and hope as we navigate the various stressors of today. FSAP Director and Counselor Crystal Green, PhD, LMFT will facilitate these brief, morning sessions Mondays, Wednesday, and Friday November 2 -22. No prior experience is necessary and the program is open to all UC San Diego employees, postdoctoral fellows, and retirees. Please email Crystal (cegreen@ucsd.edu) to sign up.
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Contacts for students in quarantine
Staff continue to check-in and support students in required isolation or quarantine. Undergraduate students who need something while quarantined should contact their college deans of students affairs and graduate students should contact the assistant dean of graduate student affairs; they can help students with things such as communicating with their instructors, connecting to campus resources, retrieving and delivering essential items, and answering non-medical questions.
Undergraduate students - College Deans of Student Affairs:
John Muir College – Jason Thibodeaux (jjthibodeaux@ucsd.edu)
Thurgood Marshall College – Amber Vlasnik (avlasnik@ucsd.edu)
Earl Warren College – Kafele Khalfani (kafele@ucsd.edu)
Eleanor Roosevelt College – Rey Guerrero (rsguerrero@ucsd.edu)
Graduate Students - Assistant Dean, Graduate Student Affairs:
April Bjornsen, (abjornsen@ucsd.edu)
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Childcare services available!
Early Care & Education resumed services on September 28, 2020 and the Early Childhood Education Center has a total of 25 seats available for children aged between 18 months and 8 years. Please visit the Returning to Childcare page for more information.
There are also 16 spots open for the Fall 2020 Knock Around Camp hosted by UC San Diego Recreation. Activities include camp games, swimming lessons, gymnastics, and reading and studying time in accordance with university and County safety regulations. The program is open to UC San Diego parents with children ages 5-14. Student-parents have priority registration. Interested? Please contact Kathryn Shaw-Bullock (kshawbullock@ucsd.edu).
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Remote work extended through Winter Quarter
Employees who are working remotely should continue to do so at least through March 12, 2021 unless notified otherwise by your supervisor. This date aligns with the end of Winter quarter instruction. Please review the campus notice for details, and check out the updated Remote Work Resources page for information and tools to help you and your team work from home successfully.
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Home office support for extended remote work
As employees continue to work remotely, it is important for them to have a suitable home workspace. Supervisors should consider available options to support employees during the extended period of remote work. Visit Human Resources’ Home Office Support page for details about how staff can ensure they have everything they need to work from home effectively, as well as answers to frequently asked questions and discounted offers on home office equipment for departmental or personal purchase.
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Virtual social sessions
The Staff Association continues to support the Triton staff community through virtual social activities. Videos of past events, including trivia and talent shows, are posted on the Social Sessions website. Staff Association welcomes feedback about community-building activities to host in the future. Please share your ideas by emailing staffassociation@ucsd.edu.
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New UC San Diego Changemaker Institute
As a community of Changemakers, UC San Diego is known for its rich history of cutting-edge research, teaching and action in the areas of social innovation, public service, environmental sustainability, and local and global engagement.
Three years ago, UC San Diego was designated as an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus, and as an extension of this recognition, we are pleased to announce the creation of a Changemaker Institute at UC San Diego. This campus-wide initiative will serve as a central hub for changemaking efforts and programs, working closely with our residential colleges, divisions and schools. Review the campus notice for details about this exciting development.
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Inaugural Lifetime Legacy Award
In recognition of UC San Diego’s 60th anniversary milestone, the university has announced the first-ever Lifetime Legacy Award, which will be granted only on the rarest occasions to exceptional campus visionaries who exemplify a dedication beyond philanthropy by personally helping to shape UC San Diego. The inaugural recipients are Irwin and Joan Jacobs, who were previously honored with the Chancellor’s Medal in 2010. Read the article in thisweek@ucsd to learn more about the award and the 2020 Chancellor’s and Revelle Medal honorees.
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