Fall 2020 Course Schedule (Faculty)

I would like to provide more information on the Fall 2020 schedule in this email with additional information on how better to understand the details of the instructional delivery plan.

The class schedule is now available for your review at:

(https://uisnetpr01.njit.edu/courseschedule/). In addition to detailing section delivery days and times, you will see three possible delivery modes attached to each course section. This will tell you whether the section for which you have been assigned to teach will be delivered in a converged learning mode, synchronously online, or online.

The three delivery modes are explained below:

• Converged learning mode: The class will meet at the scheduled time with some students physically in the classroom and others joining remotely. Those joining remotely will have the opportunity to ask questions and fully participate as if they were physically in the classroom. Because of social distancing restrictions, only a reduced number of students will meet physically at any one time. Towards the end of August students in converged classes will receive information on when they can physically attend the class. A communication to faculty on this issue will be sent at that time.

• Synchronous online: The class will meet at the scheduled time with all students attending remotely. Once again, students will have the opportunity to participate as if they were present in person.

• Online: Students participate at the time they desire, post questions and participate in group chats. The entire course material must be available digitally.

If you have a question on a section to which you are assigned or you wish to find out about a reasonable accommodation for which you have applied, please contact your departmental chair.

Converged learning classes will be managed in a manner consistent with safety standards. Face coverings will be worn at all times and classrooms will be sanitized periodically throughout the day. Cleaning has been factored into the class schedule, and necessitated some changes in class meetings. Classes will begin at 7:30 a.m. instead of the usual 8:30 a.m., while night classes will end later than usual (9:05 p.m.). It has also been necessary for some classes to be scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays.

It is very likely that students may have a schedule that requires them to attend some of their classes in person and some virtually in the same day. Lounge spaces on campus will be made available for these students to remotely attend their classes. The spaces will be monitored, disinfected, and operated to maintain a safe environment, with social distancing.

Students registered for a converged class (other than a non-computer lab section) can choose to attend class remotely even when scheduled to attend physically; they need no special permission to do so. In the case of labs that require physical presence, students who have health reasons preventing them from attending in person should contact the Office of the Dean of Students (DOS) for accommodation. If DOS determines that accommodation is warranted, departments will be notified and will make special arrangements for these students. Students who (for reasons other than health) do not want to physically attend a lab course, will have to contact their academic advisor who may, in consultation with the lab instructor, either grant an accommodation or suggest a change in the student’s schedule to take the lab in another semester.

Due to the pandemic, in the fall semester, current international students are allowed to take as many online courses as they wish; the requirement limiting how many online courses they can take has been suspended. New, incoming international students are required to take at least 1 one converged course. Unlike current students, new students cannot take a program that is 100% online.

To the extent possible, we minimized changing the days a course had originally been scheduled to run, but there are some exceptions. Again, please review your class schedule on the course schedule webpage (https://uisnetpr01.njit.edu/courseschedule/).

Our plan for the fall semester allows maximum flexibility. Depending on circumstances, converged courses may shift to synchronous online or, more optimistically, may be held face-to-face every week for all students who wish to attend physically. Given this flexibility, the fall 2020 academic calendar [Fall 2020 Academic Calendar] will remain unchanged.

Attached is a student Instructional Learning FAQ that has been communicated to students. (NJIT Fall 2020 Instructional Delivery Plan Student FAQ).

Please keep in mind that this is a dynamic schedule that is subject to change.

Additional communications will be sent as soon as information is updated.

Thank you for all your effort in ensuring a successful Fall 2020 semester.

Sincerely,

Jerry Trombella, Ph.D.
University Registrar
Office of the Registrar