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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It’s great to see that Week 1 of Fall Quarter has gone so smoothly. This is a real testament to your hard work, your dedication to academic continuity, and your attention to safety basics like masking, distancing, completing the daily symptom screen, joining CA COVID Notify, and getting a free test every other week.
Because communication is ever more important in times like these, I wanted to mention a few recent developments in this arena:
Again, thank you for everything you are doing to support our students. They rely on us not only for academic courses, research opportunities, and logistical help -- but for mentoring, advising, and encouragement. All of this takes a lot of energy on your part -- so please remember to seek the support of your colleagues and networks, and to prioritize your own well-being.
In closing, here’s a brief video with some recent images of what’s been happening on campus.
Stay safe and stay in touch!
Elizabeth H. Simmons
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Senate guidance on temporary policy changes
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In-person classes and safety precautions
Remember that whenever anyone on campus tests positive, our contact tracing team performs a rigorous investigation; if anyone has been exposed, they will be personally contacted by phone. Again, please do your part by accepting calls from the contact tracers and answering their questions to help protect the community.
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Disruptive student behavior
To minimize the potential for behaviors that may negatively impact the learning environment, instructors are encouraged to provide students with clear expectations about appropriate ways to engage in the course at the start of each quarter. Review this guide with recommendations for creating a positive learning environment and managing disruptive student behavior.
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Reminder: Considerations for engaging international students
Some of our international students have reported facing additional challenges adjusting to the remote learning environment and staying connected to university resources from their home countries. Please bear in mind that students may have significant technological difficulties, and major online platforms may be blocked entirely. Instructors should use Canvas and Kaltura for posting course content, rather than restricted websites like YouTube. Staff should use multiple platforms to advertise their programs and services; e.g., Kaltura and Canvas have features that can be used to reach students.
Please be patient with students who may be having connectivity issues and make them feel comfortable sharing other problems they may be experiencing in the remote learning environment. Your providing all course material asynchronously and making an asynchronous equivalent of each learning experience available for students who cannot participate in your synchronous sessions will ensure that technical difficulties don’t derail a student’s academic progress.
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Show you care!
Sign up for Triton Community Connection
In response to findings from the Remote Student Experience Task Force, we are pleased to announce a new program designed to support a message of kindness and support for our Triton community. The goal of the Triton Community Connection program is to establish personal connections between faculty, staff, alumni, and our students through proactive outreach. The intention of this campaign is to enhance student engagement with meaningful, human communications and is not intended as a replacement for formal advising or other student services.
Volunteer “connectors” will have regular phone calls with students to ask how they’re doing and remind them they are not alone during these challenging times. Training and resources will be provided to give connectors everything they need to facilitate such conversations.
If you can spare 30 minutes a week, please sign up today and support our Triton student community.
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Research digital technology in the next decade
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UC Women's Initiative for Professional Development
UC WI is a unique, experiential professional development program committed to enabling the full participation, success, and advancement of women identified professionals across the UC system. The program is open to all who support this mission and are interested in learning concepts to improve their effectiveness at work. Mid-career faculty, academic personnel, and staff are invited to apply now through October 14, and selected participants will be notified by October 23. Review this flyer or visit the UC WI website for more information.
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Leaders for Equity Advancement and Diversity
The application period for the LEAD Fellows Program is open now through November 1. LEAD Fellows are champions who lead crucial conversations around improving organizational learning and campus climate. Fellows receive extensive training to promote diversity and excellence across campus and the Health systems. Review the campus notice or visit the LEAD Fellows website for details.
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Homecoming is Oct. 19-25!
2020 Homecoming is less than two weeks away! Please visit homecoming.ucsd.edu to learn more about all the events and activities being offered this year, and register to join!
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Need a THA team?
Trained student Triton Health Ambassadors (THAs) are available to support friendly compliance with COVID-19 safety requirements and celebrate good public health behaviors. Please complete this form to request THA services and help enforce health guidelines in your area.
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Disability Awareness Month
In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), UC San Diego is offering a series of activities throughout October to create awareness and recognize the value of our diverse workforce. Please visit the Disability Awareness Month website for more information about upcoming events, including a panel discussion about Crip Camp - winner of the Sundance Film Festival's Audience Award for U.S. Documentary, co-directed by a UC San Diego alum.
Now through October 30, academics, staff, and students are invited to complete the survey on the disability experience at UC San Diego to reflect on what they have observed on campus as it relates to people with disabilities, and share their input on how we can better support our Triton community members with disabilities. Please check your email for the link to your survey.
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#BeCyberSmart this October
October is also National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) and we’re excited to offer a vast array of activities to support security awareness and encourage habits that will help keep UC San Diego secure. Join the sessions, come play games, and spread the word to #BeCyberSmart https://blink.ucsd.edu/go/ncsam
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Reserving remote teaching classrooms
Four (4) fully-equipped Zoom classrooms are available for interested faculty to teach live or pre-record course lectures. Only the instructor will be in the room - all students will be remote. The spaces even have blackboards for instructors feeling nostalgic!
Rooms will be reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis, and we ask that faculty only book the minimal amount of time needed so other instructors can use the space. We may expand the program if there is a demand for such services. Instructors who are interested in reserving a remote classroom should contact their department chair about making the arrangements.
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Zoom licenses for large courses
Departments may reach out to Education Technology Services (ETS) to request add-on Zoom licenses to host classes with more than 300 participants or webinars with 10,000 attendees. The cost of the add-on license will be charged to the requesting unit. Please review this form for additional information or to submit a request.
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Community distance learning hubs
The Fleet Science Center is offering activities to help bridge the gap between your child’s home and classroom learning experiences. The hubs provide more than 25,000 sq. ft. of space where students in grades 1-6 can have hands-on learning experiences and participate in their school’s online learning environment while their parents are busy at work. Please visit their website for details and be sure to review the Early Care and Education Program Overview for additional information about childcare services available to parents in the UC San Diego community.
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Library services available remotely
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Institute for Materials Discovery and Design Launches
The UC San Diego Institute for Materials Design and Discovery (IMDD) formally launched on September 29, 2020. IMDD applies data analytics and machine learning together with rapid materials synthesis and multi-scale characterization in order to accelerate the discovery, design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel functional materials. Watch this video of the launch celebration, featuring keynote remarks from 2019 Nobel Laureate Professor Stan Whittinghamm.
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Nobel laureate Mario Molina, who helped reveal damage to ...
UC San Diego researcher Mario Molina, who shared the 1995 Nobel Prize in chemistry for helping discover that a class of household chemicals known as CFCs was destroying Earth's delicate ozone layer, died on Wednesday. He was 77.
Read more
www.latimes.com
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Trust in Science in Uncertain Times: Oct. 22
From wearing masks during the pandemic to questions surrounding vaccinations, science has been thrust into the center of our lives with social media, allegations of fake news and political mistrust fanning flames of doubt. In a program co-sponsored by the Research Communications Program, a panel of experts will discuss core issues of science communications, public distrust and authenticity, with a focus on issues intertwining the COVID-19 pandemic. Click here to register for the event.
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Have an idea for our newsletter? We'd love to hear from you! |
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