BOT Meeting 3/30/2020

March 30, 2020 by

Here’s a writeup of the BOT meeting on March 30, and a copy of the comments by FA President Dave Johnson read into the record as part of the virtual public comments portion of the meeting.

BOT Approves Authority to Refund Fees

DJohnson to BOT Mar 30 2020

Filed under COVID

3/20 Announcements

March 27, 2020 by

A couple of COVID-19 related items: The NEA’s summary of what the latest congressional bill has for education, including higher education, and the agenda for the special BOT meeting on Monday, where they will give the president the authority to refund some student fees.

NEA CARES Act Summary

BOT agenda Mar 30 2020

Filed under COVID

COVID 3/20 (second email)

March 21, 2020 by

Here’s the second email sent to faculty on 3/20.

Dear colleagues,
Apologies for multiple messages this afternoon/evening. 
See below for an important message that is making its way down the hierarchy this evening. Faculty (and presumably GA’s with instructional roles) will continue to be allowed access to private offices for work deemed essential. Given the normal rate of communication from deans and chairs, it’s possible this message may not make it to all instructors in a timely basis, so I thought I’d send it out promptly. I’ve also been able to clarify one thing with Dave DiLalla this evening.
The policy of allowing faculty continued office access will come as a relief to many colleagues, but also raises issues we are all only starting to think through. Coming to campus will impose some risk, despite everything being done to keep campus safe. We have clarified with the administration this evening that faculty (and presumably GA’s) are not required to come to campus. 

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Filed under 2019-2020 Newsletters, COVID

COVID news from 3/20 (first post)

March 21, 2020 by

Two separate newsletters/announcements came out on Friday, 3/20. Here’s the first.

Dear colleagues,
Please carefully read the new update from the Chancellor regarding the latest developments on campus, particularly in response to the state’s “stay at home” order. Such campus messages can be found here: 
https://shc.siu.edu/coronavirus/campus-messages.php
Locally, there is some good news. I am happy to say that communication and consultation between the administration, unions, and constituency heads has been strong, particularly over the last couple of days. Some of our recommendations have yet to be implemented, and more questions will arise in the days to come, some of which will probably prove controversial, given the range of issues facing us. But so far we are doing a pretty good job of facing the crisis together. 

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Filed under 2019-2020 Newsletters, COVID