[Faculty] 3-15-2020 College of Engineering COVID-19 Update

[Eugene Olevsky]

Dear Engineering Faculty and Staff,



I would like to thank everyone for your efforts in complying with
University policies in regards to COVID-19, as the situation is changing
rapidly.  As a follow-up to the recent message of the SDSU President, I
would like to provide a brief summary of the important updates (some
updates below supersede prior information provided):


*1)* *Transitioning from in-person meetings and classes to distributed or
fully virtual modalities:*

All instructional activities and office hours – including for any remaining
lab courses – *will now only utilize virtual platforms*. We had planned for
some face-to-face labs to be continued this week, however this is no longer
the case.



As previously announced, SDSU has provided an instructional pause from
March 16 to March 22 for those faculty who need time to prepare for
teaching in the virtual environment. During the pause, instructors should
continue their efforts to develop new approaches for delivering a
meaningful educational experience to our students that will achieve primary
course learning outcomes.



All the exams planned after March 13, 2020, will have to be conducted in a
virtual mode with no exceptions.



*2)* *Resources for transition to fully virtual modalities:*

As announced earlier, additional information regarding training and course
material assistance to faculty adopting virtual methods for their classes
can be found on the SDSU Coronavirus (COVID-19) Academic Continuity
Preparation web page <https://comm.sdsu.edu/R00p1Z7Mrw0000K0B6PEIz0>.



Contacts for transition to virtual mode:  The following faculty and staff
have been charged with the following in regards to the transition to
virtual mode and should be contacted directly with questions accordingly:

   - Interim Assoc. Dean Ozturk - Coordinating logistical plans of
   transition to virtual mode

E-mail: yozturk at sdsu.edu

   - William Nguyen, Lead IT - Technical aspects for transition to virtual
   mode

Email: wnguyen at sdsu.edu



*3) College Research Activities:*

Undergraduate Research - Any *in-person undergraduate research is suspended*,
and undergraduate researchers should contact their faculty if work can
continue remotely.



Graduate Research - Graduate researchers should be allowed to continue
conducting their research at this time, subject to social distancing
expectations (*i.e.*, to be separated by 6 feet). Faculty are encouraged to
be flexible in working with graduate students who are reluctant to be on
campus.  If presentations are required, students should be offered the
option of doing them via Zoom or some other platform.



Thesis Defenses - Currently permitted with social distancing of six feet
per person.



Research Labs - At this time, research labs remain open. For those of you
with crowded labs, please organize things so that researchers are able to
exercise appropriate social distancing (*i.e.*, to be separated by 6 feet).
It is prudent for PIs to develop a continuity plan for an orderly,
temporary closure, should it become necessary.



*4) University Travel:*

Presently all international travel and non-essential domestic travel is
suspended through May 31, 2020. This travel cancellation policy also
applies to all previously approved T2s. Please email me if a consideration
of an exception is needed.



*5) College of Engineering Events & Gatherings:*

Currently SDSU is making event and meeting-related decisions on a
case-by-case basis. Faculty and staff event organizers should consult with
me on decisions regarding campus events.



*6) Faculty Candidate Interviews:*

I am in direct contact with the Department Chairs regarding the status of
any remaining faculty candidate interviews. The Department Chairs will
provide an update to their respective faculty search committees.



*7) College Faculty Committees:*

College Faculty Committees are to suspend their work through April 6, 2020
for faculty to focus on converting their courses to the virtual mode.



Please note that the following Committees still need to continue their work:

   - College and Departmental level faculty and staff search committees
   - College and Departmental RTP committees
   - Executive Committee



*8) College of Engineering Student Organizations and Clubs:*

All College of Engineering student organization and club activities *are
suspended through April 6, 2020*.  This includes all access to spaces
utilized by the College of Engineering student organizations and clubs.



*9)  Operational Status of SDSU:*

SDSU remains open. Departments should identify whether remote work
opportunities or flexible work arrangements for staff are possible while
ensuring that the essential functions of the department are met, and
services and other operations central to our core mission are provided.



We are all experiencing an unprecedented time, and the course of events is
evolving very rapidly. We will work together as we navigate through these
challenges.



Please take good care of yourself.



Thank you,


Eugene
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