Update to incoming and returning students from President Houston Davis
As we quickly approach the start of Welcome Week and the first day of classes, I want to take some time to address the issues that have garnered the most questions among students and your families. I hope this email helps provide a better understanding of what your fall semester will look like in the classroom and while you are on campus.
First and foremost, our focus is on student success and well-being. Please know that there are many, many resources available to you as a UCA student. Support services include, but are not limited to:
Explore the opportunities and resources available to you, and plan to make the most of the fall 2021 semester.
Second, we want to emphasize that the courses that you are registered for will be offered in the format that has been published on your schedule. This fall we have a variety of course types available, including face-to-face, hybrid (with elements of both face-to-face and online), and fully online courses. If you are uncertain about the instructional method of a course you are registered for, you can contact your academic advisor or instructor for clarification. You can expect that your classes will be taught in the instructional mode identified, although every semester we have to make some modifications. As has always happened, students will be notified if one of their courses will have an adjustment to the instructional method.
With that being said, there may be periods of time where an individual student, a full class, or the institution overall needs to move to online instruction for a brief period of time. We have no plans to permanently move any courses online that are not scheduled to be online. Professors will communicate with their students clearly at the beginning of the term regarding their expectations found in the course syllabus and the protocol should an individual or the entire class need to move online for a limited period of time.
Finally, we know there may be times that a student has to miss a course due to being in isolation or quarantine, or for some other extenuating circumstance that is pre-approved by the instructor. All courses are being prepared to accommodate remote learning if required. The Student Health Clinic or another provider can and should provide you documentation if it is necessary for you to miss class due to illness or quarantine orders. Your instructor may ask for this documentation, and you will be expected to provide it to receive appropriate accommodations.
Remember, if you are sick then do not come to class. COVID-19 testing is free, fast, and convenient at UCA’s Student Health Clinic.
Your safety and success are our priorities. In order to guarantee the best chance of success, we are currently requiring masks while in indoor group settings on campus, and we are strongly encouraging vaccinations. The COVID-19 webpage is a great resource for you to stay up-to-date on the latest guidance and protocols from the university. You can also expect to receive regular communications from my office.
I look forward to seeing all of our incoming students during move-in this weekend, and the rest of the student body as classes begin on August 19. Let’s have a great semester!
