Georgia State University prepares for the chance that a majority of courses in the fall semester will be held online due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to an email to faculty and staff by Provost Wendy Hensel.
“We now must face the reality that we are at the beginning, not the end, of an unprecedented period of change. I am writing to ask for your help in meeting the strategic challenges facing higher education and our community,” the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs writes.
The email is not an announcement that fall classes will transition online. However, the provost has already directed university deans to collaborate with their department chairs and faculty to look into the possibility for individual courses.
“I encourage faculty to think creatively and help identify ways to offer high-quality courses under the social distancing constraints we may be facing,” the provost says.
The message makes it clear that faculty must be skilled in teaching courses both online and in-person, urging training through the Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning (CETL). Deans are also instructed to collaborate with department chairs to certify that university faculty have all the training needed.
The university expects to compensate faculty who accommodate to online instruction through the normal salary structure. The provost adds that incentives will be offered to faculty who grow master courses, provide digital mentorship and surpass their typical responsibilities.
“We enter this new world together with a commitment to your success. We have a history of finding innovative solutions to challenging problems where no playbook exists. We will rise to the occasion again here. Thank you for your continued support of Georgia State,” Provost Hensel says.
The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents approved not to increase tuition rates for the 2020-2021 academic year on April 14.
On April 14, Georgia State President Mark Becker expressed difficulties are expected to arise for the fall semester due to job and revenue losses.
Researchers from Harvard School of Public Health say social distancing practices may be necessary until 2022.
Note: This article was written for PRN, the student-led news station at Georgia State University.
