Dear Faculty and Staff,
As an institution of higher learning, our mission is teaching and research. Our responsibility as educators and researchers is to plan and prepare for circumstances that could impact our ability to continue to teach our students and conduct our research. Fortunately, at this point, the Claremont Colleges (TCC) have not experienced any known incidence of the Coronavirus19. My message to you is about what you can do as a faculty member to prepare for academic continuity should the circumstances demand a change to our regular routines. At this time, CGU is not recommending that faculty hold their classes remotely, but here are some steps you should take to ensure you are prepared should it become necessary.
Guidance for Measures to Maintain Academic Continuity:
There are two important measures you can take to prepare yourself for the possibility that in-person meetings with your students may be interrupted, which draw on the use of two technologies: Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) and Zoom video conferencing.
Canvas LMS: Remote access to materials, creating and collecting assignments
- Ensure that your courses are active and published in our Learning Management System (LMS) called Canvas. All courses have a course site created for you at the beginning of each semester. You can access Canvas through the single sign on menu.
- Ensure that your course syllabus and materials are posted and accessible on the Canvas course site for your course.
Zoom web-based video conferencing application
Zoom is the video conferencing platform where many individuals can join the same meeting and share audio and video. It also allows for screen sharing and presentation mode. There is also the option to record the session so that you can upload it to Canvas for individuals to view on demand.
Canvas and Zoom tools are fully supported by our Office of Information Technology. They have established a resource guide website to address the challenges and possible solutions of continuing coursework if meeting with students face-to-face is not possible. As epidemic outbreaks, natural disasters, or other unexpected events can disrupt scheduled courses, the tools and strategies described here can minimize the effects of those unexpected situations. Please note that the website is evolving and will be regularly updated.
Please contact OIT Helpdesk at helpdesk@cgu.edu or (909) 607-1874 if you have any technology questions.
If you have any questions or concerns about your teaching venue, schedule, etc., please contact Carol Suter (carol.suter@cgu.edu; 909-621-8068) in the Provost Office and she will ensure it is logged and responded to in a timely manner.
I appreciate your many questions and legitimate concerns about how to prepare for what we hope does not transpire, but for which we should be ready.
Regards,
Patricia Easton
Executive Vice President and Provost