Tag: provost

Dear Spalding Community,

We are excited for the start of the 2020-21 academic year and cannot wait to see our students again soon. The fall semester will continue Spalding’s rich tradition of innovative teaching and learning across multiple formats. While we are, of course, looking forward to the safe restart of in-person instruction on our campus, we are also continuing to grow and enhance our online course offerings. We are mindful of the important work our students, faculty and staff have been doing since March, when we transitioned to remote learning in a matter of 10 days.

Following last spring’s unprecedented movement of courses, information and people – including transitioning faculty, staff, and students to work from home – we wanted to review the important direction that Spalding University was moving, regarding teaching and learning, prior to the pandemic. We also want to discuss how those activities connect to the directions we are heading as we prepare for classes in fall 2020.

Several important educational outcomes have been realized at Spalding since early 2018 in the delivery of academic programs, courses and services. Here are some of the important developments that have taken place:

• Since February 2018, an intentional transition has been taking place to provide a broader ecosystem of course modalities and options for traditional and nontraditional learners at the undergraduate and graduate levels.  In 2018, a 14-person online taskforce of faculty and staff studied and recommended taking more programs online and providing more hybrid options as well. As a result, between Academic Year (AY) 2016-17 and AY 2019-20, undergraduate online and hybrid courses grew as a percentage of all courses from 16% to 24%, while master’s courses grew from 4% to 7%, and doctoral courses grew from 12% to 14%. Hence, online, hybrid, and remote learning options have been growing at Spalding and providing additional accessible platforms to complement face-to-face courses. More digital immersive options will be coming for Spalding students.

• In line with the vision of the 2018-19 Spalding online taskforce, the University has also linked its online courses and programs to an online program management organization, Symbiosis, that will build up to 20 new online courses for our faculty in AY 2020-21.  The University will utilize funds from the Higher Education Emergency Relief program (part of the CARES Act) in order to deliver new courses that will be connected to both hybrid and fully online programs. The Provost, Academic Deans and a number of faculty leaders are currently working with Symbiosis on identifying courses for development.

• All Spalding students have access to the internet, computers and technology aides, and Spalding’s staff in information technology and online learning have equipped our students with the tools they need to successfully complete their academic coursework. In August 2020, Chief Information Officer Ezra Krumhansl will unveil a new video conferencing platform for faculty and their students in classes: Office Suite HD Meeting. HD Meeting is a branded Zoom product that will allow both full-time and adjunct faculty access to video conferencing for both real-time instructional use in the classroom and one-on-one and group meetings with students. Additionally, HD Meeting has a classroom-style “breakout groups” feature that divides synchronous classes into breakout groups during the class session. CIO Krumhansl will announce HD Meeting training soon.

• The University has continued to invest in the latest tools and applications in regard to cutting- edge educational technology. This summer faculty and students got access to our new learning management system—Canvas. Not only is Canvas the higher education industry’s gold standard, but it provides a state-of-the-art mobile app for students that will allow them to access course content and communication quicker, easier and better.

• The University continues to invest in academic support services for undergraduate and graduate students with an excellent writing center and math lab and increased graduate assistant support for various faculty and staff units so both undergraduate and graduate students will be supported in their quest to become better students in their academic, personal, and leadership endeavors. Continuing to offer these services in a hyflex/hybrid online and in-person format in AY 2020-21 will be one of the goals of the student success area.

• Spalding continues to provide financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants and loans for both undergraduate and graduate students, and graduate assistantships provide $450,000 per year for approximately 75 graduate students. An increasing number of students will receive some form of financial aid in the coming year, making a high-quality Spalding degree affordable.

In March 2020, we were able to adapt not to a storm, but a climate shift in higher education due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  With our commitment to the best in face-to-face and remote learning, Spalding is making 21st century education accessible and attainable for our students.  Each student is important at Spalding.  Our commitment is to allow students to have a highly individualized experience that is cutting-edge and academically rigorous and yields the outcomes that will help each student not only find intellectual satisfaction but apply the Spalding mission of “meeting the needs of the times.”

We look forward to serving you in the coming academic year!

Sincerely,

Dr. John Burden, Provost
Dr. Tomarra Adams, Dean of Undergraduate Education
Dr. Kurt Jefferson, Dean of Graduate Education

March 25, 2020

Dear Spalding Students,

As concern continues over the spread of the coronavirus, the safety of our students and employees remains our top priority. As a result, Spalding’s academic leaders have decided to extend the University’s suspension of face-to-face and hybrid classes through the entirety of Session 5.  All classes will be conducted fully online until at least May 11, 2020.

The campus will remain closed except for the small group of students still living in the residence halls and the employees who are needed to ensure their care.  Students who left the residence halls earlier this month should expect to remain at home until at least May 9, 2020.

We hope everyone is adjusting well to the move to fully online learning that began on Monday for most students. Please maintain contact with your instructor during this time. We have asked all faculty to be as flexible as possible to meet student needs during this crisis.

Commencement decision in late April 

We expect that many students have questions about our plans for Commencement, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 6. We continue to hope that we will be permitted to host some variation of Commencement. To keep this hope alive, we will wait until the last reasonable moment to make a final decision. Because students will need to order regalia, and families might need to make travel plans, we will announce our decision in the last week of April. We suggest that students postpone ordering their regalia or making travel arrangements for their families until we announce our decision.

Students who plan to graduate should still submit their Application for Graduation through Web Advisor. Applications should be submitted no later than 8 a.m. on Friday, April 24.  Commencement 2020 is open to all graduating students who have already or will complete requirements from Oct.9, 2019 through Aug. 15, 2020.

We thank everyone for their understanding and for adapting to this unprecedented disruption to our campus operations and the way of life in our country. The Spalding community is strong, and we will get through this together.

Sincerely,

Dr. John E. Burden
Provost
Professor of Chemistry
Spalding University

Good Afternoon Spalding Students,

The impact of the COVID-19 crisis is being felt by all members of our campus community – students, staff, faculty and alumni.  I wanted to share how proud I am of our University community during this time of uncertainty.  I ask that we continue to be patient and understanding with each other as we work our way together through this crisis.

As we begin Session 5, I wanted to make you aware of changes to the University’s pass/fail policy. These changes are in response to the switch from face-to-face and hybrid instruction to online-only instruction. This policy revision is in effect for Spring 2020 only. Please carefully consider the implications of taking a course pass/fail, in particular if you are an undergraduate who plans on applying to a graduate or professional program. You should also consult your academic and financial aid counselor if you are considering this option. Students who receive tuition assistance through their employer should contact their Human Resources department.

The revised policy includes:

  • All Session 5 and 6 University Studies courses and electives may be taken pass/fail.
  • The policy has been extended to all Spring 2020 courses, including graduate courses.
  • Courses graded P/F may satisfy major and concentration requirements, including minimum credit requirements. In some cases, academic units may restrict the use of the Pass/Fail option for courses that satisfy requirements in the major; students should check with their instructor to verify that the option is available in their course.
  • Students have up until one month after the end of the course to change from a letter grade to pass/fail.  This will be done through an online form that is currently under development.
  • While faculty will record individual letter grades on assignments, if students have chosen the P/F grading model, the final grade will reflect either a “P,” or “F.” A grade of “P” carries no grade points and is not included in a student’s session or cumulative GPA. A grade of “F” (failing) is recorded normally and computed into a student’s GPA.
  • Since instructors will still record letter grades for assignments, students will be able to request an official letter attesting to those grades, if necessary. This request must be presented within two weeks after the completion of the class. This letter would only attest to grades, not to GPA. Spalding will ensure that those who need evidence of their academic achievements during this time will be able to get it.
  • For students who are retaking a class to replace a previously earned “D” or “F”, the “P” grade will not be calculated into the GPA, though the credits will count toward major and degree requirements.
  • Students who plan on applying to graduate or professional programs should check with their advisor first so that they may review the requirements of those programs to ensure that a P/F grade would be acceptable.
  • The current limitations of 12 hours total of pass/fail coursework and one course per session or term have been waived.
  • In the event that the revised policy needs to be extended beyond Spring 2020, that will be approved and communicated at a later date. Should you have any questions, please contact your instructor and/or academic advisor.

Please continue to check the Spalding Healthy Together – Coronavirus Disease Information Page.  Here you will find the latest updates and links to resources such as:

  • Accessibility Services
  • Academic Advising
  • Counseling and Psychological Services
  • Career Development
  • Math Lab and Writing Center

We are committed to ensuring that students have the resources to successfully complete all of their coursework with the least amount of disruption possible. Please make sure that you stay in contact with your instructor. We have asked all faculty to be as flexible as possible to meet student needs during this crisis.

Thank you,

Dr. John E. Burden
Provost
Professor of Chemistry
Spalding University