Dear Colleagues:
We hope you are having a relaxing and rejuvenating summer. From our vantage point, the summer has provided welcome opportunities for us to begin collaborating with President Sullivan, engage in ongoing planning with the deans, meet new cohorts of students, and build community at our summer socials.
As we turn our attention toward fall, we wanted to offer an update on teaching. Our expectation is that teaching will take place in-person for all courses except those that are associated with one of SCU’s online programs. Below, you will find information regarding requests for an exemption from teaching in-person. Additional updates will be shared in the coming weeks, including a summary of COVID protocols and updated syllabus statements.
Similar to last spring, masks will continue to be required in all classrooms. The course administration expectations established in Fall 2021 remain unchanged: in-person classroom time should account for at least 70% of the course contact hours, unless the course is part of an established online program.
Request for an Exemption from Teaching In-Person
We will continue to support faculty requests to teach online due to a documented underlying medical condition that places them at risk for severe COVID-19. There are two pathways to seek an exemption to teaching in-person:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Approved Accommodations: Faculty with a disability as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act can seek formal accommodation through the reasonable accommodation process managed by the Department of Human Resources. This procedure was revised last year in dialogue with the Faculty Affairs Committee and leaders of the Disabilities and Chronic Illness Network. Faculty who seek an ADA accommodation should contact Indu Ahluwalia (iahluwalia@scu.edu).
Modified Duties: Faculty who have a documented medical condition associated with high risk for severe COVID-19 can request modified duties, which may include teaching remotely. Faculty who are seeking modified duties will need to submit documentation from a healthcare provider. Individuals who are seeking modified duties should download this form and share it with their healthcare provider. The completed paperwork should be submitted by the faculty member to Indu Ahluwalia (iahluwalia@scu.edu). Human Resources will inform the Dean that modified duties are appropriate. The dean and department chair will then work with the individual faculty member to draft a memorandum of understanding that outlines the modified duties.
Note: This process for requesting modified duties without being granted a Leave of Absence falls outside of the definition of modified duties in the Faculty Handbook. Therefore, in the coming year, the Provost’s Office will work with the Faculty Affairs Committee and the Faculty Senate to consider formalizing this policy change.
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. As ever, we appreciate your continued dedication to our students during these challenging times.
Sincerely,
Kate Morris
Acting Provost
Ed Ryan
Acting Provost