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K-State Today

July 17, 2020

A summary of university changes related to COVID-19

Submitted by Division of Communications and Marketing

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the university has made several changes to operations. The following is a summary of the changes announced July 13-17. 

Read a full list of communications related to COVID-19

Progress has been made on planning for academic instruction in the fall.
In a July 16 letter, Provost Chuck Taber shared information about finalizing and communicating the fall 2020 academic schedule and what to expect during the next few weeks. He also provided updates on promoting face covering usage

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security rescinds guidelines for international students taking online classes only.
Current international students at K-State can continue their studies remotely and not have it affect their visa status because the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has rescinded guidelines for the Student Exchange Visitor program requiring that they take some in-person classes. 

K-State is allowing flexibility for mid-year and annual reviews of USS and unclassified professional staff.
The university has decided to offer flexibility to annual evaluation requirements for University Support Staff and unclassified professional staff through calendar year 2020. Information on faculty evaluations for fiscal year 2021 will be coming soon.

A K-State study is the first to show that SARS-CoV-2 is not transmitted by mosquitoes.
A new study by K-State researchers at the Biosecurity Research Institute is the first to confirm that SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, cannot be transmitted to people by mosquitoes. 

A College of Education study finds the top challenges of Kansas K-12 teachers during the COVID-19 crisis.
More than 800 teachers in rural, urban and suburban school districts across the state participated in the project, "Access, Engagement and Resilience During COVID-19 Remote Learning." 

The university has signed a research agreement for a COVID-19 vaccine candidate.
The research agreement, coordinated through K-State Innovation Partners, is the fourth license agreement between K-State and corporate partners on technologies related to COVID-19. 

K-State forms a new child care and education partnership.
The College of Health and Human Sciences and the Division of Student Life announced the creation of the Kansas Institute for Early Childhood Education and Research, a strategic partnership between the university's academic and service components.