Welcome to the Academic Affairs newsletter! Browse updates and announcements, connect to tips and resources, and check out stories from around campus.
Message from EVC Simmons
We are now halfway through an unprecedented Spring Quarter, and I would like to thank all of our faculty, staff, and students for your remarkable collaboration, creativity, flexibility, and resilience. You are enabling UC San Diego to continue its educational, scholarly, and community missions during these challenging times -- and to make a difference for California and the world.

Elizabeth H. Simmons
Fall transition back to campus
Thank you for submitting your initial proposal for how to offer fall courses. In the coming days, we will be working with you to achieve a good balance of in-person, blended, and remote instructional formats and the most engaging possible educational experience for all students.

To guide our response to the pandemic, a team of experts are launching the Return to Learn program on May 11 to work towards rapid, l arge-scale testing of students, faculty, and staff on campus. Your participation will help us identify COVID-19 at the earliest stages and minimize its spread among our campus community.

Guidelines for remote course assessments
Recommendations regarding course exams, other assessments, and available proctoring services have been developed and shared with campus partners. While course instructors may determine the most appropriate method for assessing student learning in their course, we strongly encourage faculty to consider pedagogical best practices to support student success in the remote learning environment.

Holistic spring teaching evaluations
Academic units should use holistic teaHching evaluation methods to gain insights about the effectiveness of Spring '20 instruction. While student teaching evaluations will be conducted and shared with instructors, every instructor may decide whether to use the results in their future academic review files. Units should use other methods, such as peer reviews of course materials or instructor self-reflections to identify opportunities to enhance teaching effectiveness. The report of the Senate/Administration Workgroup on Holistic Teaching Evaluation is a useful resource. The Teaching + Learning Commons provides information and services to support effective classroom assessments .
Tools to improve remote lectures
We’ve learned that many instructors are using Kaltura/Canvas to provide asynchronous lectures to students. As we continue to prepare courses for remote instruction in the months ahead, please remember that IT Services offers  tools to help instructors caption videos and insert markers  to make it easier for viewers to find key information about the course. 
Revamped student advising site
The New Student Site has been renamed as New Triton Advising (NTA) within the Virtual Advising Center (VAC). Units should review their websites and update any references to the "New Student Site" or "EVAC." The change introduces incoming students to the Virtual Advising Center and minimizes the number of places they must visit for onboarding. In general, the update does not affect the department advising workflow.

The Educational Continuity Task Force is developing guidance for the broad student advising community about how best to help students plan academic careers as this situation continues to evolve.
Congratulations, Class of 2020
Faculty, staff, and students are partnering to celebrate this year's graduates with virtual commencement ceremonies on June 13, 2020. These virtual ceremonies do not replace our traditional in-person commencement ceremonies, which will be held at later dates.  Students must register to participate in the virtual commencement .
Student Delivers Face Masks to Community Centers in Need
Harry Zhu, a student athlete at UC San Diego, started visiting senior community centers when he was in middle school and founded the nonprofit South Bay Senior Care Organization. When his monthly visits were canceled because of COVID-19, he found another way to help the senior community - delivering supplies to senior centers in need . Read the full story.
Rady Responds to COVID-19
Rady School of Management students are using their business skills to help communities respond to the public health crisis. Members of the MBA'21 cohort have raised over $5,000 and delivered hundreds of safety masks to first responders around southern California . Visit the Rady blog to learn what Rady alumni are doing to help.
Future of Education
In this webinar, the Director of the Office of Innovation and Commercialization leads a panel discussion with the Executive Vice Chancellor, representatives from Associated Students and Graduate Student Association, and a consultant from Cognitive Edge.
Expanded job protections for staff

UC has expanded Paid Administrative Leave to cover employees dealing with issues related to COVID-19. Additional Emergency Paid Sick Leave and expanded Family and Medical Leave are also available under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.


Supporting mental health

CAPS and the Tritons Flourish program are partnering with units across campus to offer virtual wellbeing events throughout May in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month .

The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program provides resources to support employee mental health, including remote counseling services , during these challenging times.

Virtual Professional Development Resources

Want to make the most of your remote working time by continuing your professional development? Explore your options. UC San Diego Human Resources is here to help you with courses on everything from software skills to project management and more.







Resources for Families
Working from home can be challenging, especially for families who now have children home full time. Early Care and Education pulled together resources to help parents and caregivers teach, play, and entertain children during the global health crisis. Check out the full list of resources
Temporary Work Clearinghouse
Human Resources has launched the Temporary Work Opportunity Clearinghouse to connect units looking for assistance with employees who have the skills and capacity to assist.
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