Academic Instruction

At this time, we are planning to start the semester as scheduled. However, those instructors teaching hybrid or face-to-face classes may wish to delay in-person meetings at the beginning of the semester for a week or two to allow students an opportunity to be tested one or more times before coming to class. This decision is up to the instructor based on the pedagogy of the course, essential need for in-person meetings at the beginning and layout of the learning environment.

The UWRF Faculty Senate has voted to cancel the 2021 Spring Break, March 22-28, 2021, and end spring semester one week early. This vote follows similar action taken by other UW System campuses, as a precautionary measure to help prevent increased spread of COVID-19. The last day of classes for spring semester will be April 30, 2021.

Courses will be delivered in one of three formats:

• Face-to-Face
• Hybrid
• Online

Students should review their eSIS accounts to understand how their course will be delivered and see adjustments to their schedules. If a student wants to revise their schedule, they should speak with their academic adviser.

Face-to-face engagements will necessarily require use of physical space on campus. Through Facilities Management, classroom capacity numbers will be adjusted to reflect physical distancing needs. Classrooms will have up to 50% normal occupancy numbers and in most cases less. Extra furniture will be removed from those rooms with movable desks, tables and chairs to maintain revised capacities, and the remaining furniture appropriately spaced. Classrooms with fixed furniture will need special considerations. In addition to regular classrooms, other spaces across campus, such as in the University Center, will also be evaluated for occupancies as classrooms for fall 2020. The four dean’s offices will work with the Registrar’s Office in the rescheduling of spaces across campus to accommodate those courses needing face-to-face engagements.

Seating Charts

• When proper physical distancing is not observed for more than 15 minutes, contact tracing will need to identify those points of contacts.
• Whenever possible, you should sit in the same seat in the same class or cohort group meeting every time. Reducing your network of contacts is key.
• FFIT had originally indicated that seating charts would be required. However, due to refinements in the contact tracing process, and increased reliance on the Centralized Attendance Tracking System (CATS) tool, seating charts will not be required in most cases
• If classroom occupancy floorplans are not followed as posted, then a seating chart must be submitted to the Contact Tracing Team.
• Some laboratory spaces may not comply with the 6’ apart guidelines.
• In any space where individuals are less than 6’ apart for more than 15 minutes, a seating chart and attendance tracking is required.
• Seating chart submissions
  • If you require the same seating for each cohort group, submit a single seating chart at the beginning of the semester for each cohort.
  • If you do not require same seat seating from session to session, you will need to submit a new seating chart each time.
  • Suggested methods of recording seating: clearly write W#’s on seats, scan the document to PDF or using Adobe Acrobat enter in name and W# information on each seat.
  • Send information to contact.tracing@uwrf.edu with email including a roster of who was included on the seating chart. This will allow for easier data searching when needed.
  • After submitting a seating chart, you may destroy it unless you would like to keep it for your own use or records.

Due to concerns for health and safety of students in physical settings, as well as their level of access to online (distance) delivery of course materials, instructors are asked to relax any policies in which strict attendance is used as part of grading policies.

Face coverings shall be required in all indoor public spaces, including classrooms, and strongly encouraged outside when physical distancing is not possible.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for individuals unable to wear a face covering. Requests for reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. It is the responsibility of the individual requesting the accommodation to contact the appropriate office below to obtain an approved reasonable accommodation.
 
• Employees requesting a reasonable accommodation, should contact Human Resources and complete the Reasonable Accommodation request form located here.
• Students requesting a reasonable accommodation due to disability, should contact Ability Services and may find more information here.
• Students requesting a reasonable accommodation for a reason other than a disability, should contact the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Excellence & Student Success.
 
Students with an approved reasonable accommodation will receive an approved accommodation form from the Ability Services Office and must present that upon request to a university official or instructor. Return to Campus-COVID 19 Policy, Page 3 A student or employee who has been granted a reasonable accommodation by the university is not required to explain to others the underlying basis for the accommodation.

Individuals who do not adhere to the face covering policy directive (and do not have an approved accommodation) may be asked or directed to leave campus. Students and employees who choose not to comply with this policy may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please use this form for submitting concerns relating to violations of UW-River Falls' policies and directives regarding COVID-19.  (Do NOT use this form to relay concerns that you or someone else has COVID-19.)

Examples of what to report include: failure to wear a face covering, failure to physical distance, failure to quarantine or follow contact tracing policies or other violations (intentional or unintentional) related to COVID policies etc. 

If you would like to discuss an incident with the Office of Student Conduct & Community Standards, please contact Jennifer Larimore at 715-425-4603 or email jennifer.larimore@uwrf.edu. The official policy is AP-06-121.

Textbook Services has modified book issue to provide a safe environment for you to collect the textbooks for your courses.  To promote physical distancing and limit the potential spread of COVID-19 we are having a no-contact book issue.

Schedule your pick-up time on the Textbook Services website.

Picking Up Your Books

• Show up at Hagestad Hall as close to your scheduled time as possible.  Bring you campus ID and wear a face covering. 
   
• A staff member will check your ID and direct you to the appropriate table where your books will be checked out, bagged, and waiting for you. 
   
• Once you have your bag, head to the back where another staff member will make sure the correct bag is paired with the correct person.
   
• If you need to reschedule your appointment, the confirmation message sent to your UWRF email has a link to modify or cancel your reservation. 

Not on Campus?

• If you are taking online only classes and/or are unable to come to campus, please fill out the form to request your textbooks be mailed to you: https://www.uwrf.edu/TextbookServices/Mailing-Books.cfm 

Please direct questions to textbookservices@uwrf.edu  and check out www.uwrf.edu/TextbookServices for the latest information.

There are multiple ways to try and connect with your instructor. You can connect with them via email, through Canvas, dropping into their virtual office hours, or scheduling an individual appointment with them. If your instructor is unresponsive, you can contact the Department Chair.

First, please make sure that you have clearly communicated to each of your instructors that you are in quarantine and/or isolation to make sure they know you need extra accommodations. Each instructor has a lot of flexibility on how they can do this. Some examples include having students virtually join a lab session, or reviewing the materials after the session has completed.

We understand this can be frustrating. DoTS has been working hard to select and utilize one common platform around campus. Faculty may be using platforms that they feel more comfortable utilizing so they can continue to provide you with the best experience possible. As an institution, we are encouraging faculty to use Canvas as much as possible because it has many great features and benefits.  
 
We also encourage you to let your instructors know if you are having issues with using different platforms. You can do this through an email at the end of class or leaving comments on the mid-semester or end of semester evaluations. Instructors might not know you are having issues accessing the materials and this can be really helpful feedback.

Yes! Please visit our Tutoring Services website to schedule an appointment or get your questions answered.
The Online Writing Lab is fully accessible in our virtual environment.

You should reach out to your academic advisor if you are considering withdrawal. You will need to work with the Registrar's Office and the Student Billing Office to discuss your options and for recovering any potential tuition costs.