Colleagues,
As we celebrate our Spring and Summer graduates, we move into the next phase of our return to campus. In essence, we will move from teaching and learning on campus when value is added, to more courses being held on campus, but with added precautions including mandatory mask-wearing by students in on-campus classes, pre-entry student testing, voluntary random testing through the semester, self-screening using an app, and pre-entry education. Many of these steps are part of a united Alabama-wide effort to make our campuses safe. We are indebted to UAB for its leadership and technological and logistical resources, and to the Governor for helping to fund these strategies.
Attached you will find a document that provides guidance related to how we will conduct education and business for the fall academic semester. A draft version of the guidelines was originally shared with both Faculty and Staff Senates in an effort to solicit input and guidance. We anticipate additional changes to the document as circumstances dictate and as we are updated by UAB. We will share developments in campus communications and on our
Return to Campus website
.
I recognize that the past few months have been unprecedented as it relates to how we operate as a university. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused Athens State, along with every university in Alabama and across the nation, to evaluate all aspects of our instructional model in order to deliver quality courses to our students. This has certainly not been an easy task and has required the contributions of many. I would like to recognize the efforts that have been made that have contributed to our continued success:
- ABM -- As our third-party cleaning service,we have asked ABM to implement stringent cleaning measures to ensure that we are able to provide a safe environment for our faculty, staff and students. Being a national company and having contracts with many higher education institutions, ABM has embraced the responsibility and has proactively implemented new products and cleaning protocols to address COVID-19 concerns.
- Alabama Center for the Arts (ACA) -- As a joint partnership with Calhoun Community College at the ACA, a number of adjustments have been necessary that would accommodate both institutions. The faculty and staff at the ACA have worked diligently in every way to ensure that our current students, as well as our future transfer students from Calhoun, have been made to feel safe and valued.
- Academic Affairs -- The deans and the faculty have stepped up and modified course delivery modalities at the drop of a hat, supported by our Academic Technology team, led by David Walker. Even in the midst of the chaos, academic personnel have continued our efforts to bring new programs to our Board of Trustees for approval. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) approved our change in instructional role allowing us to increase the number of graduate programs we offer, and we are in the process of hiring new faculty and adding new majors both at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
- Campus Security -- Jerry Crabtree and his dedicated group of full and part-time officers were actively involved in the design of our access plan and have manned our entrances from the very outset. They will be asked to take on increased gate responsibilities as we transition to fall, and I am sure they will continue to exhibit the professionalism they show every day.
- Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) -- Although in-person delivery has been difficult to provide due to the hands-on nature of many of their offerings, the staff at the CLL has transitioned to a virtual format that allows for continued service to the community.
- Chasteen Hall -- Both the Adult Degree Program and Testing Services have faced challenges that have required them to alter how they provide services to our students. Testing was particularly challenged due to the closure of test providers nationwide. In both cases, the staff has risen to the occasion and students are able to continue their academic progress.
- Enrollment Management -- Of obvious concern during this whole process is how students would be impacted both in terms of learning outcomes and their ability to continue due to financial constraints. Everyone in enrollment management from recruiters, financial aid, success coaches, the registrar’s office, ADA, career development, inclusion, veteran’s affairs, and student communications has banded together, along with volunteers from across campus, in our efforts to contact every student via phone and discuss with them their options and services available that would allow them to persist.
- Facilities -- Kerry Warren and all of his maintenance and grounds crew have been asked to do some extraordinary things in short timeframes that directly contribute to the safety of everyone on campus. They have coordinated our efforts to ensure social distancing is possible in classrooms, hallways, restrooms, and office spaces, as well placing hand sanitizers in all buildings, installing new HVAC filters and working with ABM on cleaning procedures.
- Faculty -- We have had multiple emails and conversations with faculty senate presiding officer Debra Vaughn along with virtual meetings with the faculty and faculty senate in an effort to solicit input on many issues that we have faced. In return, we have received quality feedback that has allowed us to address difficult situations and make informed decisions.
- Finance -- Jonathan Craft and his team have worked with Paula Bullington and others to identify needed resources, such as hand sanitizer, face coverings, plexiglass, thermometers and disinfectant and have been diligent in procuring those difficult-to-find resources quickly.
- Foundation -- Over $50,000 has been given to students affected by the pandemic to purchase such items as laptops, hotspots, food, gas, as well as money to pay rent and utilities. In addition, the Foundation voted to award maximum funding for scholarships for the 2020 academic year. We continue to address needs through the Student Emergency Assistance Fund as they arise.
- Human Resources -- Suzanne Sims and her HR team have provided guidance to employees related to new federal guidelines and benefits issued as a result of COVID-19. Additionally, the HR team has addressed situations where symptoms and contraction of the virus have been identified, and within the proper guidelines, have successfully guided individuals through the necessary steps to ensure safety for both the individual and the campus community.
- IT -- From the moment it became clear that it would be necessary to transition all courses online, our IT staff led by Gary McCullors have stepped up to the challenge. We have invested and continue to invest significant resources into technology in order that we can deliver the absolute best quality instruction in a safe environment, regardless of modality.
- Kares Library -- As a division of Academic Affairs, our staff in the Library have been required to alter how we provide services to students in a manner similar to that of faculty. As we begin the fall semester, their ability to meet the needs of our students both in-person and online will be crucial for academic success, particularly for those who struggle in online courses. The work of the Writing Center and the resources they provide students will also contribute to our students' academic progress.
- Marketing -- Chris Latham and his staff have spent countless hours coordinating communications for faculty, staff, and students as well as making numerous changes to the University website. The staff in Publications has continued to provide mail delivery as well as making certain that all printing needs are met.
- Refocus Solutions, LLC -- Refocus Solutions, LLC, a third-party HR consulting company led by Jeff Powers, has been instrumental in the development of the screening protocols implemented at campus entrances as well as off-campus locations. Refocus Solutions has also assisted HR with the interpretation of the new federal programs and guidelines related to leave and employee benefits due to COVID-19 and the implementation and communication of these new programs.
- Staff -- We have worked with Chris Latham, presiding officer of Staff Senate, to set up multiple meetings with staff and Staff Senate. From these meetings, we have received questions and feedback that have helped us develop campus protocols that are safe and address the needs and concerns of all involved.
- Students -- Summer enrollment increased almost 9% over summer 2019. Athens State students made it clear that their education was a priority for them, and we are doing everything within our power to make certain they have the resources necessary to be successful. We know that many would have preferred more on-campus instruction, and we thank them for their willingness to learn in a different modality.
- Tutoring and Labs -- As some of the areas most directly affected due to the nature of the services provided, our transition to online tutoring and virtual labs continues to be a work-in-progress. We are committed to investing in these services in order that students receive the assistance and instruction that are necessary to be successful.
You can clearly see that in these past few months, we have witnessed a herculean effort put forth by everyone at this university. Your contributions have been apparent not only to me, but also to our Trustees who at their recent meeting expressed appreciation of our collective handling of the COVID-19 crisis. I simply could not be more proud of a group of dedicated folks, and I appreciate your continued support.
Sincerely,
Philip Way
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