Weber State Announces Plans for Spring Semester Classes
Weber State University has announced its academic plan for Spring 2021, which is to continue with the same flexible course delivery methods developed for Fall 2020, with an emphasis on increased face-to-face instruction where feasible.
Currently, during fall semester, 30% of Weber State classes have at least some on campus component — 11% being completely face to face — 59% are online and 11% offer individualized instruction, including clinical lab supervision.
“The goal is to provide students with a variety of options that allow them to choose a schedule to meet their preferred classroom delivery method while limiting the number of individuals on campus,” said Provost Ravi Krovi in an email to students announcing the decision.
Although it is still early in the fall semester, making this decision now will allow faculty to begin preparations for the spring semester and ensure the student course schedule can be posted Oct. 19 as planned.
The spring semester decision was made following a survey of delivery preferences, which resulted in responses from 1,137 students and 304 faculty members. Overall, survey feedback from faculty and students was positive about the first two weeks of fall semester.
Students did report they strongly prefer knowing well ahead of time the format a professor will use in each course. They also want clear instruction about course expectations and schedules.
But many in the survey reported they have enjoyed some of the advantages of the altered course delivery options
“Having classes on Zoom in a hybrid style is a great way to carry our masters courses,” wrote one student in the survey. “I have found very little change to course load and class structure. However, it facilitates my life since I can go home after work, log in to class, participate live on Zoom, and when I log off, I'm already home. I have more time, and I'm less tired, which means I'm more alert to read my assignments and spend time with my family.”
Another student wrote, “I think my professors are very understanding of the situation. They are trying to be reasonable to a point which is very nice and calms me.”
Faculty and students agreed they would like as many face-to-face options as possible in areas that require hands-on experiences, such as labs, clinicals, arts, dance and anatomy. They would also like multiple delivery options if many sections are available for the same course, such as general education courses.
Faculty and students generally reported the changes have been demanding but necessary.
“The prep for this semester was laborious, difficult, and ate up a ton of my summer,” reported one faculty member surveyed. “However, all that prepping and planning has made this unusual semester go pretty smooth so far. It's difficult not being in the classroom and lab with the students, but things are going well online.”
The university plans to continue to implement various mitigation strategies for spring semester, including maintaining socially distanced classroom spaces and establishing testing protocols and capabilities for symptomatic faculty, staff and students.
For photos of Weber State fall semester 2020, visit this link.
Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Allison Barlow Hess, Public Relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu- Contact:
Allison Barlow Hess, Public Relations director
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu