RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FOR FACULTY, STAFF

Provost issues memo detailing resources and support in place for faculty, students

As we face this global pandemic together, our great university is rising to the challenge. This disruption to our daily lives is unlike any of us have ever experienced. But, as I reflect on the last few weeks, I have seen our university community show great strength, resilience, flexibility and creativity. For the health and safety of everyone, we have made major changes in a very short time. What we have been asked is nothing less than a complete reimaging of higher education, and we have had very little time to do it. Thank you for you work in making this transition as smooth as possible for our students.

With a switch to alternative instruction methods, please know that a number of support resources are available to faculty and students. To ensure we are operating from the same perspective, answers to some questions are offered below. I hope you will find this information helpful as we move forward in a truly unprecedented time.

What support resources are available for faculty to help with the transition to alternative instruction delivery? Where can I receive assistance?

• Resources available to faculty include a recently updated instructional continuity guidelines website which links to best practices for this event, available technologies, and library and faculty development resources as well as comprehensive guidelines from the system office, and frequently asked questions.
• ECU has many online tools available for remote teleworking and teleworking tips for faculty and staff and offers a host of tools and services that can be accessed through the ITCS website.
• Faculty online training on learning management systems, WebEx, and other tools are available daily. Key trainings will be recorded and made available for continued use and review by faculty. We are migrating to Canvas but all courses have an active course shell within both Canvas and Blackboard and these are available to you to use. Academic Technologies is available for consultation and support by submitting a ticket via the Help Desk system.
• Professional Development sessions that are most relevant and timely remain on the OFE calendar but will be offered via WebEx instead of face-to-face.  Trainings that had been scheduled by our research consultant are being made available via WebEx or (when applicable) by video. Faculty who need general support related to teaching online can contact the OFE for 30-minute consultation appointments: OFE Contact Form.
• The libraries are offering a variety of resources, tools, and support to faculty moving online including consultations, video creation, and assistance locating resources.
• The Walk-in IT Help Desk is currently closed. However, faculty and staff can make an appointment to drop off or pick up a computer. Submit the Department Computer Support service request or call 252-328-5401.
• The IT Help Desk is providing support online and can be reached at 252-328-9866 or 800-340-7081, or through online chat or by submitting a ticket.
• To support our need for communication, ITCS is extending access to WebEx for non-faculty assisting with online instruction (ex. Sr. Residents, contract staff).
• As stated in the memo sent last week, the UNC proctoring system has canceled face-to-face proctoring. UNC Online has notified students that the only proctoring option now open to them is online, as to avoid COVID-19 exposure. We strongly encourage faculty to adapt course assessments this week and use assessments that do not require online proctoring.

Please consider options such as using the LMS (e.g., Canvas or BlackBoard) for assessment, assigning alternatives such as papers, recorded presentations on the computer or smartphone, cumulative projects, or discussions.  More information on testing alternatives is available here.

In the rare case where an exam must be proctored due to accreditation, then the dean of the college or a college representative should email Greg Miller at millerg@ecu.edu ASAP to discuss. 

What supports are in place for students to assist with the instructional transition?

• There are many resources available to students working remotely. Students can use the Virtual Computing Lab to access software packages and software is available for download at download.ecu.edu. All students have access to web conferencing tools and a variety of other technology resources.
• Both Pirate Techs locations are closed to walk-in traffic. However, support is available Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please call the IT Help Desk at 252-328-9866 | 800-340-7081. Hardware repairs should be directed to your computer manufacturer or warranty provider.
• The IT Help Desk is providing support online and can be reached at 252-328-9866 or 800-340-7081, or through online chat or by submitting a ticket.
• The University Writing Center will be fully online starting March 23, and has already communicated with students and the campus community about their plan for moving ahead. Also included in their communication was a link to Frequently Asked Questions students may have.
• The Pirate Academic Success Center (PASC) is working with students through this transition. Study skills services can be requested by emailing tutoring@ecu.edu. Two free tutoring sessions weekly is available for students via Tutoring Match Services. Please call 252-737-3009 if you need have questions.

If all instruction has transitioned to alternative instruction delivery, will I be required to come to campus?

As faculty members whose workload shifts primarily to the online environment, you may elect to engage in your instructional preparation and delivery away from the campus. Your office remains accessible should you need to come in; however, faculty should work from home if at all possible. If you need to visit your office, remember the buildings will be secured; thus, employees will be required to use ID cards/keys to access their buildings and offices.

Will the computer labs be accessible to students, and could faculty instruct students to use the ECU computer labs to complete assignments (if they lack computer and internet access of their own)?

Computer labs will not be accessible to students; therefore, faculty should not instruct students to use ECU computer labs to complete assignments.

When conversing about academic advising or course registration with students virtually or over the phone, how can I verify the student’s identity to ensure I do not violate FERPA regulations?

Five standard questions that you may pose to students to verify their identity. My recommendation is that you ask at least three of these questions to verify identity. These questions are:

• What is your Banner ID number?
• What is your birthdate (month and year)?
• What courses did you take in [choose a semester]?
• Pick a course and inquire, “What grade did you receive in [name of class] that you completed in [articulate semester and year]?”
• Pick a course and inquire, “Who was your instructor for [name of class] in which you enrolled in [articulate semester and year]?”
• What were (are) your dates of attendance?
• What degree were you awarded? [if alumni]

What should I do if a student (or students) report that they do not have access to the internet?

Given the students whom we serve and some of their financial situations, this issue is a reality. It is important that everyone handle these reported issues case-by-case. It is imperative that everyone reach out to students during the first few weeks of the transition to alternative instruction delivery and identify students that are not participating in the online course. Faculty are encouraged not to rely solely on email in these types of situations. If students do not have a technological device or internet, then they will not receive your email message, so it is important that phone numbers stored in Banner be used to call students to inquire what may be happening. If students report they do not have internet access, then please report that information to department chairs/academic directors/deans so that a course of action can be determined to assist them. For more information, visit the Instructional Continuity Internet Tips page.

What should I do if a student (or students) report that they do not have access to textbooks?

With the transition to online learning, some students may have lost access to course materials that they previously shared with classmates or instructors or accessed via the library reserve program. To support these students, ECU has partnered with a digital course materials provider, VitalSource, and leading publishers, who have launched VitalSource Helps. This is a program that provides free access to as many as 7 ebooks to all ECU students through at least May 25, 2020. Students may begin accessing these materials today at bookshelf.vitalsource.com. In the event one of the needed titles is not available, you may want to consider an alternate reading assignment that is available.

-Acting Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Grant Hayes