As Students Return

Dear Twin Cities faculty and instructors

As students return to our campuses across the University, I would like to share resources and policies to support your instruction this spring semester. I am deeply aware of the pressures and challenges we are experiencing in this moment.

As President Cunningham recently expressed, we are steadfast in our commitment to provide a safe place to learn, work and contribute to our world. This is reflected in the actions we take, and it is in that spirit that I'm sharing the following updates.

I know each of you will be navigating the start of the semester, even while you have your own concerns about our campus and extended communities. Our shared values guide us toward collective action, supporting each other and providing calm, present and empathetic leadership to our students and colleagues.

As always, our goal is to focus on the best, most nuanced approach to caring for all members of our community and especially learning and social connection for our students.

Our community is one with incredible compassion and dedication to our work and caring for each other. University leaders are actively engaged in addressing questions and concerns unique to the coming weeks. Please know you will receive additional information from President Cunningham, other University leaders and me to help support you in your valued and critical work.

Instruction Delivery

I have empowered the schools and colleges to approve learning accommodations for students as appropriate. Further guidance and communication from your dean's office on how this will work in your school or college will be forthcoming by Friday. Given that each school has varying needs, geography, and educational formats these decisions on hybrid accommodations will be guided by the deans, as they are best positioned to understand the specific issues of their school and learning needs. I strongly encourage us all to proceed with care and flexibility.

Instructors are expected to deliver instruction as scheduled, in the modality specified in the course schedule, and on topics relevant to the stated learning objectives. Classes should not be canceled or rescheduled for personal reasons without the concurrence of your dean’s office.

Excused Absences

University policy describes circumstances for excused absences and the opportunity for makeup work. I want to be clear that students will not be penalized for excused absences. Instructors have the discretion to grant excused absences for reasons not on this list, but those decisions must be made in a viewpoint-neutral way and in concurrence with your academic unit.

It is particularly important to communicate attendance requirements to students — attendance requirements and penalties for unexcused absences must be clearly stated in the syllabus. Recommended syllabus language for this and other policies is available on the University Policy Library website.

Supportive Environment

Instructors have a responsibility to establish and maintain a civil and supportive learning environment in their classes, free from discourteous, threatening, harassing or other aggressive behaviors. In what we anticipate may be a semester of heightened political discourse, instructors are uniquely positioned to help foster a respectful exchange of views and maintain a productive and inclusive learning environment.

As it is helpful, review the faculty and staff resources from the Office for Community Standards. The Office for Equity and Diversity has developed an online set of resources, Teaching in Times of Crisis, which you may also find useful. If you encounter a student in urgent distress, the Red Folder can provide resources to help you respond quickly and appropriately.

Thank you for taking care of our students and each other — and for your ongoing commitment to educational excellence.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Ritter
Executive Vice President and Provost