This week marks a month since UFV suspended face-to-face classroom instruction and started preparing to move instruction online. In a single month, our learning, our work, our routines have been transformed – so much so that we now refer to this state as the “new normal.” And I’m inspired by the collective efforts of UFV students and employees to continue our mission of engaging learners, to working together to overcome challenges, and as our Chief Medical Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry commonly says, to finding ways to be kind to one another.
We are all wondering what the next few months may bring. Our health officials are urging us to recommit to physical distancing and self-isolation and asking us to prepare for a much longer disruption than anyone anticipated. We know there will be difficulties, ripple effects, and impacts that could stretch out for weeks and months.
While we acknowledge the challenges ahead of us, please know that we are planning and preparing and equipping the university to meet these challenges head on. Collectively we must work together to meet the expectations of UFV students no matter where COVID-19 takes us. It may be a winding road to a new normal, but I am heartened by the efforts of my colleagues across the university to engage in the work with an open mind and an open heart. At this moment in time, our best approach is in hoping for the best, while planning for the worst.
We are planning for several possibilities for the delivery of UFV education this fall. We’re analyzing a variety of scenarios in which virtual and face-to-face learning and working happens in ways consistent with our responsibilities to keep everyone healthy and safe. We’re drafting a road map through unfamiliar territory to an uncertain destination – its difficult work that requires us to do deep analysis and make assumptions.
Our Provost, Dr. James Mandigo, and Faculty deans and associate deans are working through many different scenarios for fall term. During the coming weeks our faculty and staff, the FSA, and all levels of administrators across the university will be encouraged to engage in this planning. And ultimately our Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training and the Ministry of Health will review our choices.
I appreciate that it is a challenging time for all. Please know that we will provide updates as soon as we can. And rest assured, we are up to the challenge and fortunate to have colleagues across the institution who are both capable and caring; and who will help us keep the best interests of students in mind while our learning experience evolves.
Over the coming weeks, I will be asking some of these colleagues to share their experiences, thoughts and advice to students on this blog. My hope is that these different voices and points of view will complete the picture of what it looks like to be a learner, leader and/or seeker at UFV in a time of profound change.
Read the post from Joanne’s first guest blogger, Dr. Alisa Webb, VP of Students.