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K-State Today Student Edition

January 13, 2021

Preparing for the spring semester

Submitted by Chuck Taber and Thomas Lane

Dear Students, 

Last Friday, President Myers announced that the first two weeks of the spring semester will be in a remote instruction format. The temporary shift to remote instruction for most classes will begin on Monday, Jan. 25. The university plans to return to the hybrid and in-person teaching modalities on Feb. 8. As with the fall semester, once the two-week remote teaching period ends, faculty will have the ability to temporarily adjust class modalities due to COVID-19 impact on in-person class attendance or changes in the pandemic situation. 

Since Friday's announcement, we have understandably received a number of detailed questions from many of you. This letter includes responses to many of these questions about academic instruction, student and campus life, tuition and fees, and visitors and events as they relate to the remote instruction period.

Academic instruction

1. My course schedule includes a lab, studio, performance, or clinical course. Will my class meet in person during the remote instruction period?
All classes that can be effectively delivered online will be. Some labs, studios, performance, or clinical experiences may begin the semester in face-to-face mode as approved. Students should expect that all courses will meet online for the first two weeks of the semester unless they are notified by the instructor. Faculty have been asked to communicate with students by Jan. 19 to confirm the instructional mode for classes, regardless of whether they will be meeting in person or online. 

2. In the case that courses are in person, how will students know?
Instructors will communicate with students no later than Jan. 19, to inform them of the in-person class mode. If you have not heard from an instructor by Jan. 19, send the instructor an email to inquire about the status.

3. How will office hours be offered?
Office hours will be offered virtually for the two-week remote instruction period.

4. May undergraduate and graduate students working or conducting research on campus continue to do so?
Yes. Undergraduate and graduate students working or conducting research on campus should consult with their supervisor.

5. As an international student, I am concerned about the remote instruction period impacting my visa status. What should I do?
International students with questions about their visa status should visit with their International Student and Scholar Services advisor.

6. Will academic advising be available in person?
Academic advising will be offered virtually for the two-week remote instruction period.

7. Will tutoring, help sessions and other academic support be available in person?
Tutoring, help sessions and other academic support will be offered virtually during the two-week remote instruction period.

8. Will the library be open during the remote instruction period? 
Student services such as on-campus housing, libraries, recreation centers and Lafene Health Center will be operational on Monday, Jan. 25, following the same safety protocols as the fall semester. Building hours and services are available on the website.

9. Does the remote instruction period change the academic calendar?
The remote instruction period does not change the spring 2021 academic calendar.

10. What is the status of spring 2021 commencement?
Planning is underway for the spring 2021 commencement ceremonies. Because it is impossible to predict the status of the pandemic in May and we plan to host graduation ceremonies for spring and fall 2020 and spring 2021 graduates, we will hold in-person commencement in an outdoor venue. Information regarding confirmed dates, location, and details for participation by graduates will be available on the commencement website.

11. Following the two-week remote instruction period, will classes shift to in person?
After the two-week remote instruction period, the university plans for all classes to shift to the mode in which they were scheduled. As in the fall semester, faculty and students should be prepared to shift to remote learning during the semester if warranted by pandemic conditions or the impacts of COVID-19 on class attendance.

Student and campus life

12. Are students allowed to move into campus housing as originally scheduled?
Move-in dates for spring 2021 on-campus housing will not change. Residents will receive an email on Monday, Jan. 11, with details regarding their return to the residence halls. 

13. Will the K-State Student Union be open during the remote instruction period?
The K-State Student Union will be open during the first two weeks of the semester. Building hours and services are provided on the website.

14. Will the Rec Center be open during the remote instruction period?
Student services such as on-campus housing, libraries, recreation centers and Lafene Health Center will be operational on Monday, Jan. 25, following the same safety protocols as the fall semester. Building hours and services are available on the website.

15. During the remote instruction period, will students have access to isolation and quarantine space
Yes, students will have access to isolation and quarantine space as outlined in university guidance.

16. During the remote instruction period, may student organizations host in-person meetings?
No, In-person meetings or retreats of student organizations currently scheduled during this period should be moved to a virtual format. 

Tuition and fees

17. Does the remote instruction period change tuition and fee charges?
Spring 2021 tuition and fees, including the campus privilege fee, will not be affected by the decision to start the semester in remote instruction mode. The pricing remains the same based on the modality assigned to the courses in KSIS. Spring 2021 housing and dining charges are also not impacted.

Visitors and events

18. Is the university hosting in-person events during the first two weeks of the semester?
No. Events will be virtual for the first two weeks of the semester. In-person events originally scheduled for this time, including student organization meetings and events, will be moved to a virtual format.

We hope that these FAQ are helpful as you plan for the spring semester. Please check the weekly summaries of COVID-related news in K-State Today and the university's COVID-19 website for information. We also encourage you to review the student digest for spring 2021 and the returning to K-State checklist to help you make plans for a successful return to campus. 

We urge all members of our communities to practice prevention behaviors. Wear face coverings, stay at least 6 feet away from others, avoid crowds, and wash your hands often. We remain hopeful that better days are ahead. Our willingness to redouble our efforts to protect ourselves and each other by following the health and wellness protocols is necessary and the promise of more widespread access to vaccinations is encouraging.

The last year has not been easy. Yet, our students, faculty, staff, and communities are showing great resolve in the face of uncertainty, tremendous change, and fatigue. Thank you for doing your part to keep our communities as safe as possible.

Please take care of yourself and each other. 

Sincerely, 

Chuck Taber, Provost and executive vice president

Thomas Lane, Vice president for student life