On the eve of the start of Fall Quarter, I’m sure each of you is far busier than you could ever have imagined. This edition of the Academic Affairs newsletter is intended to give you a few quick updates on some timely items.

First, you’ve hopefully all received the campus notice about the Exposure Notification program that the state of California is allowing us to pilot on our campus as part of our multi-faceted strategy for minimizing the impacts of COVID-19.  Please consider joining me in this voluntary and anonymous program -- the more of us who participate, the better it can help us protect our health.  

Second, the campus has established a rapid intervention framework so we can respond in a swift, coordinated manner if acute COVID-related issues arise.  The framework includes continuous data monitoring, tailoring of interventions to address emerging trends, and engagement of student, Senate, and campus leadership. Please continue reading this newsletter for details.  

For the latest information on campus plans, please visit the RTL website or take a look at our recent presentation to San Diego County.  Our colleagues in the County’s Public Health Department have been very thoughtful and supportive partners in these challenging times.

Looking into the future, colleagues are starting to ask about how we will structure our research and teaching in the winter and spring quarters.  We anticipate that winter will be much like fall -- mostly remote, with options for in-person teaching at the discretion of the instructor-of-record or TA.  That is the assumption being used by departments as they build their winter schedules.  At this time, it seems likely that spring will be similar -- and academic units should plan for this in thinking about how to enable students to complete courses required for their degrees.  

As we continue to plan for the weeks and months ahead, we will be taking into account the feedback that academic appointees provided about the impact of COVID-19 on their professional lives through the Academics@UCSD survey.  A link to a summary of the results is included below.  

And finally, I wanted to make sure you were aware of the note the Chancellor and VC-EDI sent out today, reminding us all of the importance of standing with and being supportive of our Black colleagues and community members at this time.
I am deeply grateful for all of the hard work each of you has undertaken over the past six months to keep the scholarly, educational, and service mission of the university intact in unimaginably difficult circumstances.  Your dedication, creativity, and generosity toward your colleagues and students are inspiring.