Hi all, Senate did indeed have a robust and positive discussion about the date change. After senators last night expressed concerns regarding the workload burden this places on faculty who have already created their Canvas courses for the spring (it can be quite cumbersome to revise dates already set up in the system, particularly for large multi-section classes), Senator Parkhouse committed to providing support to faculty whose workload has been impacted by the change. This led to a broader discussion of concerns regarding workload impacts brought about by the pandemic. As a member of Senate, I was pleased to see Faculty, Student, and Administration Senators positively engaging in this important discussion.
If you hear of anyone in need of support in adjusting their course dates in Canvas (or otherwise impacted by added workload as a result of this change), please let them know that there should be support available. Thank you to Senators for raising the workload issue and to Senators Parkhouse and Dauvergne for responding supportively!
Dan
Begin forwarded message:
Subject: Delaying start of classes in spring/summer 2021 to support well-being and a quality student experience
Date: November 27, 2020 at 8:58:19 AM PST
This message is sent on behalf of Catherine Dauvergne, vice-president academic and provost. It has been sent to all faculty, staff and students. Colleagues, This year has delivered unprecedented challenges to universities and the communities they serve. And from what I’m seeing in my first official week with you, SFU has shown the compassion and the flexibility to quickly make changes that benefit the health and welfare of our students, staff and faculty. To give students a longer break over the holidays, and faculty more time to prepare for the spring term, we are delaying the start of classes to January 11, 2021. The start of classes in the summer term will also be delayed by about a week. There are no changes to dates for the fall term 2021. We are making this change following consultation with academic and administrative leaders, and following a robust exchange at Senate on November 26, 2020 (yesterday evening). Senator Osob Mohammed expressed the support of the Simon Fraser Student Society for this calendar adjustment. Why we’re doing this We recognize everyone is tired as we deal with the changes this pandemic has brought to how we teach and how our students learn. We also know our students, our staff, and our faculty, are craving social connection. Delaying the start of classes, and the associated start of term work, should mean that people can make better use of the holiday closure time to reconnect with family and friends and other support systems. Our students will also have time after academic standings are calculated, starting January 4, to seek advising support if they need to before classes begin. And, those additional days, between when the university re-opens January 4 and classes begin January 11, provide a bit more time for busy faculty as they prepare for spring courses. By supporting the well-being of our community we can help ensure the quality of the education we provide and the excellence of the student experience.
What's changing
| Details | Original Date(s) | Revised Dates(s) | | Spring term class start | Tuesday, January 5 | Monday, January 11 | | Spring term class end | Monday, April 10 | Friday, April 16 | | Spring term exam period | Wednesday, April 12 to Sunday, April 22 | Saturday, April 17 to Wednesday, April 28 | | Summer term class start | Monday, May 10 | Monday, May 17 | | Summer term class end | Monday, August 9 | Thursday, August 12 | | Summer term exam period | Wednesday, August 11 to Friday, August 20 | Friday, August 13 to Tuesday, August 24 |
I want to thank all of you for your continued dedication to our students, staff, and faculty. Universities are learning a lot through this pandemic about making quick decisions in the best interests of our communities. I am so proud to join an organization that is effectively using its compassion and its sense of caring to do the right thing. If you have questions about how these changes will impact your area, please reach out to the academic leader in your area. If you have questions about how we are managing COVID-19, please continue to check the COVID-19 FAQs on sfu.ca, which are continually updated with the latest information. If you have questions that are not answered there, please email covid19@sfu.ca Sincerely,
Dr. Catherine Dauvergne, QC
Vice-President Academic and Provost
Simon Fraser University
******************************* Along with SFU, I acknowledge the unceded traditional territories of the Coast Salish People, including the Katzie, Kwantlen, Kwikwetlem, xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Qayqayt, Semiahmoo, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), Stó:lō Nations, Tsawwassen, and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) First Nations, on which our three campuses stand. ******************************* Daniel A. Laitsch, PhD Associate Professor, Simon Fraser University President, Confederation of University Faculty Associations—BC < http://www.cufa.bc.ca> Co-Editor, International Journal of Education Policy and Leadership < http://www.ijepl.org> |