<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:DengXian;
panose-1:2 1 6 0 3 1 1 1 1 1;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Tahoma;
panose-1:2 11 6 4 3 5 4 4 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"\@DengXian";
panose-1:2 1 6 0 3 1 1 1 1 1;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.xmsonormal, li.xmsonormal, div.xmsonormal
{mso-style-name:x_msonormal;
margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
span.EmailStyle21
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:30806158;
mso-list-template-ids:-1784634404;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-tab-stop:.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-tab-stop:1.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-tab-stop:1.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-tab-stop:2.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-tab-stop:2.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-tab-stop:3.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-tab-stop:3.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-tab-stop:4.0in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-tab-stop:4.5in;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l1
{mso-list-id:1419865917;
mso-list-template-ids:-2066172952;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple" style="word-wrap:break-word">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal">For those that may not be aware. The International Plant and Animal Genome conference in San Diego (Jan 8-12) has just been canceled (see
<a href="https://www.intlpag.org/2022/attend/news-xxix/446-pag-xxix-is-cancelled-and-we-are-planning-a-virtual-meeting-via-zoom">
https://www.intlpag.org/2022/attend/news-xxix/446-pag-xxix-is-cancelled-and-we-are-planning-a-virtual-meeting-via-zoom</a>).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their discussion of the issues is on point.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">David <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Plsfaculty <plsfaculty-bounces@list.cals.arizona.edu>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Yadegari, Ramin - (yadegari)<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, January 5, 2022 10:39 AM<br>
<b>To:</b> Jenks, Matthew - (jenksm) <jenksm@arizona.edu>; Plsfaculty@list.cals.arizona.edu<br>
<b>Cc:</b> Stevens, Amanda M - (amanda84) <amanda84@arizona.edu><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Plsfaculty] Hypothetical question<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#2E74B5">Since no one in this institution seems to be moving forward
<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vaBgtRqnwjCzrjAvu5yeeKfn1uSoYIuvuifa90iOmO4/edit">
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vaBgtRqnwjCzrjAvu5yeeKfn1uSoYIuvuifa90iOmO4/edit</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#2E74B5"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#2E74B5">Ramin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#2E74B5"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Galbraith, David W - (galbrait) <<a href="mailto:galbrait@arizona.edu">galbrait@arizona.edu</a>>
<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, January 3, 2022 22:31<br>
<b>To:</b> Palanivelu, Ravishankar - (rpalaniv) <<a href="mailto:rpalaniv@arizona.edu">rpalaniv@arizona.edu</a>>; Yadegari, Ramin - (yadegari) <<a href="mailto:yadegari@arizona.edu">yadegari@arizona.edu</a>>; Jenks, Matthew - (jenksm) <<a href="mailto:jenksm@arizona.edu">jenksm@arizona.edu</a>>;
Baltrus, David A - (baltrus) <<a href="mailto:baltrus@arizona.edu">baltrus@arizona.edu</a>>;
<a href="mailto:Plsfaculty@list.cals.arizona.edu">Plsfaculty@list.cals.arizona.edu</a><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Stevens, Amanda M - (amanda84) <<a href="mailto:amanda84@arizona.edu">amanda84@arizona.edu</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> RE: [Plsfaculty] Hypothetical question<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ravi:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanks – your information and suggestions are thoughtful and very useful!
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I agree with everything discussed so far. Based on my monitoring of the spread of the pandemic (if anyone wants some background, I have an Excel spreadsheet of US COVID incidence tracked daily since 3/8/2020 (5:13:15 PM) when there were
541 confirmed cases!), I assume omicron will dominate here rapidly when the undergraduate students return – we already see disturbing changes in incidence on the UA dashboard (50% positive, anyone?). All indications suggest omicron is much more infectious
but less severe than delta. But this will place our administration in a quandary: if many (most?) students come down in the next few weeks with detectable omicron, what do they do, and, more importantly, what do we do?
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I suggest we all have back-up plans to anticipate converting to on-line only (sorry, if this sounds obvous). Since we have all taught one cycle on-line this should not be difficult to set up. On a more positive/creative note, since we
have all of this on-line material (including zoom recordings via D2L), there should be some way to process this information into pedagogical resources leading a “new-normal” (apologies for using that phrase!) of teaching under conditions where close physical
contacts cannot (or should not) be maintained. This could be a leadership/growth opportunity.
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">David<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Plsfaculty <<a href="mailto:plsfaculty-bounces@list.cals.arizona.edu">plsfaculty-bounces@list.cals.arizona.edu</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Palanivelu, Ravishankar - (rpalaniv)<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, January 3, 2022 3:37 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Yadegari, Ramin - (yadegari) <<a href="mailto:yadegari@arizona.edu">yadegari@arizona.edu</a>>; Jenks, Matthew - (jenksm) <<a href="mailto:jenksm@arizona.edu">jenksm@arizona.edu</a>>; Baltrus, David A - (baltrus) <<a href="mailto:baltrus@arizona.edu">baltrus@arizona.edu</a>>;
<a href="mailto:Plsfaculty@list.cals.arizona.edu">Plsfaculty@list.cals.arizona.edu</a><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Stevens, Amanda M - (amanda84) <<a href="mailto:amanda84@arizona.edu">amanda84@arizona.edu</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Plsfaculty] Hypothetical question<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Thanks, Dave, for asking this important question that is in the minds of everyone. I agree with Ramin's suggestions. I would like to add that CALS Faculty Council could request a response from
CALS about this issue. This way requests can reach them from multiple fronts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">It is almost a crime that we have received no guidance or pointers from the UA administration (as of today). The way UC system decisively moved only makes me crave for such leadership with clarity.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">I am also surprised that there are no workshops or meetings to help prepare Faculty for in-person classes, compared to what were offered before the start of the Fall semester. Perhaps I am wrong
about this. However, If you did not teach last fall and you come across them, please attend, as it helped answer many questions for me and gain access to many resources.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Some pointers and comments from my experience last Fall, may be of some use to those teaching this semester (I am sure others who taught have some more ideas and tactics they adopted):<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt">Testing regularly helped keep my anxiety levels low, prevented from making assumptions, and gave me the confidence to go about my job. I tested every Monday and Thursday (PCR test) in the Student Union and got the results the
following day. Testing is something UA did well (and it is free and no limits), and the whole experience was a snap.
<a href="https://covid19.arizona.edu/covid19-testing">https://covid19.arizona.edu/covid19-testing</a> is the site where you register and signup for appointments. They even now have Take Away Test kit system (attached photo from yesterday) and Forbes lobby is
one of the few pick up and drop off stations at UA.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt">I found masks such as K-95 type, which project away from your mouth, helps students hear you well and your voice is not muddled if you are recording your lectures.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt">Throughout the semester the mask mandate was in effect and all students cooperated very well. I did not have a single confrontation or untoward incident. Classrooms were supplied with masks. Two times a student would have forgotten
their masks and when pointed out they used masks supplied in the classroom.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt">I held all office hours (myself and TA) via zoom to help minimize exposure. And it worked out great.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="color:black;mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3">
<span style="font-size:12.0pt">I encouraged students to stay away from class if they are not feeling well and pointed them to my recorded lectures to make up lost time.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Ravi<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div id="Signature">
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">--
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Ravishankar Palanivelu, Ph. D.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Associate Professor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">School of Plant Sciences<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">University of Arizona<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Tucson, Arizona, 85721<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Phone: 520-626-2229<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Fax: 520-621-7186<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif">Web:
<a href="http://ag.arizona.edu/research/ravilab">http://ag.arizona.edu/research/ravilab</a><o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center">
<hr size="1" width="98%" align="center">
</div>
<div id="divRplyFwdMsg">
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color:black">From:</span></b><span style="color:black"> Plsfaculty <<a href="mailto:plsfaculty-bounces@list.cals.arizona.edu">plsfaculty-bounces@list.cals.arizona.edu</a>> on behalf of Yadegari, Ramin - (yadegari) <<a href="mailto:yadegari@arizona.edu">yadegari@arizona.edu</a>><br>
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, January 3, 2022 12:24 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Jenks, Matthew - (jenksm) <<a href="mailto:jenksm@arizona.edu">jenksm@arizona.edu</a>>; Baltrus, David A - (baltrus) <<a href="mailto:baltrus@arizona.edu">baltrus@arizona.edu</a>>;
<a href="mailto:Plsfaculty@list.cals.arizona.edu">Plsfaculty@list.cals.arizona.edu</a> <<a href="mailto:Plsfaculty@list.cals.arizona.edu">Plsfaculty@list.cals.arizona.edu</a>><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Stevens, Amanda M - (amanda84) <<a href="mailto:amanda84@arizona.edu">amanda84@arizona.edu</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Plsfaculty] Hypothetical question</span> <o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="color:#2E74B5">I think the information should move in both directions. Minimally, CALS leadership should be made aware of the concerns of our faculty. We could also offer suggestions that may not be so original in the context
of other university’s responses (<a href="https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2022/01/03/colleges-face-question-starting-semester-amid-covid-19?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=8a6fc7a716-DNU_2021_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-8a6fc7a716-198520837&mc_cid=8a6fc7a716&mc_eid=f831ad2f13">example</a>).
What is remarkable is the deafening silence of our central admin on what the university’s response will be at this time.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="color:#2E74B5"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="color:#2E74B5">Ramin</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<p class="xmsonormal"><span style="color:#2E74B5"> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<div>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="xmsonormal"><b>From:</b> Plsfaculty <<a href="mailto:plsfaculty-bounces@list.cals.arizona.edu">plsfaculty-bounces@list.cals.arizona.edu</a>>
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Jenks, Matthew - (jenksm)<br>
<b>Sent:</b> Sunday, January 2, 2022 16:56<br>
<b>To:</b> Baltrus, David A - (baltrus) <<a href="mailto:baltrus@arizona.edu">baltrus@arizona.edu</a>>;
<a href="mailto:Plsfaculty@list.cals.arizona.edu">Plsfaculty@list.cals.arizona.edu</a><br>
<b>Cc:</b> Stevens, Amanda M - (amanda84) <<a href="mailto:amanda84@arizona.edu">amanda84@arizona.edu</a>><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: [Plsfaculty] Hypothetical question<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">Hi Dave,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">Until now, the Provost has to approve any switch from in-person to online teaching. We’ve tried a few times already, and until now, the Provost office is not supportive of making this switch (except in very rare cases). Like you, I’ve
seen what’s happening elsewhere. I’m expecting some kind of comment/guidance out of the President/Provost office soon.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal">Matt <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in">
<p class="xmsonormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">From: </span>
</b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:black">Plsfaculty <<a href="mailto:plsfaculty-bounces@list.cals.arizona.edu">plsfaculty-bounces@list.cals.arizona.edu</a>> on behalf of "Baltrus, David A - (baltrus)" <<a href="mailto:baltrus@arizona.edu">baltrus@arizona.edu</a>><br>
<b>Date: </b>Sunday, January 2, 2022 at 3:01 PM<br>
<b>To: </b>"<a href="mailto:Plsfaculty@list.cals.arizona.edu">Plsfaculty@list.cals.arizona.edu</a>" <<a href="mailto:Plsfaculty@list.cals.arizona.edu">Plsfaculty@list.cals.arizona.edu</a>><br>
<b>Subject: </b>[Plsfaculty] Hypothetical question</span><o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="xmsonormal">Hi all,<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="xmsonormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="xmsonormal">In the absence of University wide messages about modes of teaching for Spring, and since many of our peer institutions are started Spring semester online already, what would happen if we as instructors decided to start our own in person
classes online next semester? Would there be penalties levied by PLS or CALS or the university? <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="xmsonormal">Just curious:)<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="xmsonormal" style="margin-bottom:12.0pt"> <o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class="xmsonormal">Dave<o:p></o:p></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</body>
</html>