COVID-19 Continued Crisis and Online Classes
Dear Colleagues,
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the enormous efforts you are exerting toward converting your courses into online delivery during the current crisis. LAU is once again standing out from the crowd due to your dedication. You are impressive!
Nevertheless, these efforts will have to intensify as the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic continues to escalate in Lebanon and a prolonged shutdown is anticipated. We will have to continue transitioning most of the remaining courses into online delivery:
- All lecture type courses should be delivered online
- Clinical, Lab, and Studio courses should have their lecture and discussion components delivered online. Make up sessions for the non-compensated components will be scheduled once the University resumes normal operations.
- Exams need to be reconfigured and rescheduled. You may schedule online exams or preferably adopt instead other approaches to remote assessment. Whenever possible, assign projects, essay type questions, and take-home type exams.
In support of your efforts, those of you who have a limited internet connection at home may purchase extra bandwidth and submit the receipts for a possible reimbursement of up to 75,000 LL per month. However, LAU cannot offer this to all our students; therefore, it is important that you record your lectures (preferably using Panopto) and upload downloadable material whenever possible. When it is necessary, schedule your live sessions during the regular class time.
Following President Jabbra’s message that LAU has switched into a strictly-essential-services-only mode starting Saturday, March 14, 2020, you will be able to access campus if necessary. In addition, all the CIL, IT, and other required staff members will continue to be available on campus to support delivering online learning. All 4 CIL studios will remain open during normal operation hours. Kindly contact cil@lau.edu.lb if you need to reserve them.
Furthermore, the CIL has formed a Distant Learning Support Unit composed of our CIL Faculty Fellows to promote better online delivery practices and support you individually while transitioning your courses into online delivery. The CIL is organizing numerous webinars and remote support sessions that will continue throughout the crisis.
Finally, considering faculty travel during the current coronavirus threat, the University has decided that all business travel will be suspended until further notice. Faculty personal travel should be limited to emergency situations and will require pre-clearance and approval of the school dean.
I wish you safety and well-being!
Sincerely,
George Nasr
LAU Provost