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Dear faculty, advisors and instructors,
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I hope you all had a safe, restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend. It is hard to believe that we are stepping into December and will soon be heading to a winter break. A semester that felt like it was going to be long and drawn out ironically is moving by so quickly. I am grateful to all of you for your hard work, creativity, and resilience that has helped UAF to continue with its high-quality academic offerings, intensive research activities, and many services to internal and external stakeholders.
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There are some important reminders and academic policy adaptations to keep in mind as we step into the last phase of the fall 2020 academic semester.
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Academic calendar and final exams
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UAF is following its normal academic calendar and is maintaining its schedule for all finals, including in-person exams. There may be exceptions in some rural community campuses due to regional needs. Faculty in our rural community campuses should communicate with their ³ÉÈËӰƬ and provide them specific guidance on any changes regarding their classes or final exams.
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As ³ÉÈËӰƬ return to campus after the Thanksgiving break, some will need to practise strict social distancing as they wait for their COVID-19 test results. Some may be in quarantine, and others may be facing other difficulties that make it difficult for them to start with their in-person classes. Some ³ÉÈËӰƬ may need additional time to complete assignments, and others may need to take their final exam remotely. Anticipating COVID-19 and travel-related disruptions, I urge faculty and instructors to to be as flexible as possible in accommodating student needs.
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Appeals for late withdrawals
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The administration is also being mindful and flexible in approving appeals for late withdrawals. Faculty and ³ÉÈËӰƬ should check out the information on how to appeal for a late withdrawal and use this for submission. Some things to keep in mind for late withdrawals:
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- Withdrawals can impact a student's financial aid. In particular, international ³ÉÈËӰƬ, student athletes and ³ÉÈËӰƬ receiving VA funding should not appeal to withdraw from their class without first checking on how it will impact their eligibility and funding.
- If a student is diagnosed with COVID-19 and cannot complete the course, it is reasonable to allow an incomplete for that reason.
- If a student has COVID-19-related issues that have made it difficult for the student to make adequate progress in the course, then a late withdrawal may serve the student better than an incomplete. Academic difficulties related to COVID-19 may be considered as a reason for an appeal for late withdrawal.
For ³ÉÈËӰƬ who continue to struggle and are in need of counseling, please direct them to UAF . Please remind them that
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- the Student Health and Counseling Center is providing telehealth services via SecureVideo. You can call 474-7043 to schedule an appointment.
- the UAF community mental health clinic has graduate-level counseling ³ÉÈËӰƬ providing counseling services. They are accepting new clients for 50-minute counseling sessions once a week until Dec. 4, 2020, and from Jan. 11-April 26, 2021. The fees are negotiable and range from free to $10 depending on client needs. For more information, can contact Director Valerie Gifford at vmgifford@alaska.edu or 474-1999.
- ³ÉÈËӰƬ can always reach out to the for a variety of support at uaf-studentrights@alaska.edu or 474-7317.
— Anupma Prakash, provost and executive vice chancellor
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The is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual. Learn more about UA's . Photos by UAF photographers unless otherwise noted.
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