Open letter from the Faculty Senate COVID-19 committee

Greetings and welcome to the 2021 fall semester at UAF. While many things have changed for the better, COVID-19 is still with us. This requires that faculty and the university continue to respond with increased flexibility and compassion towards our students and innovation in our teaching. 

The Faculty Senate COVID-19 Academic Policy Ad Hoc Committee continues to work to establish and monitor academic policies and guidelines during the pandemic. Many classes have returned to face-to-face instruction. With effective vaccinations available and the university's masking policy, faculty and students who wish to continue with face-to-face instruction have the opportunity to do so. 

Distance learning and hybrid options are also available, and United Academics and the University of Alaska have signed an MOA allowing faculty to request to move their courses to distance this semester if they feel they need to. Any faculty members who have questions and concerns about their teaching situations during the pandemic should bring those issues to the Faculty Senate, the Faculty Senate Academic Policy Ad Hoc Committee, or your UNAC organizational vice president. 

For more information contact the UAF Faculty Senate Office at uaf-faculty-senate-office@alaska.edu.