[Plsgs] Grads: update 3/16, COVID-19 response

[Mcmahon, Michelle M - (mcmahonm)]

Dear SPLS grads,

Things continue to move quickly, as I am sure you are all aware!

Research activities: the UA has updated its policy, and you can view this and further updates here (including related links): https://research.arizona.edu/covid-19-guidance-research-students-postdocs. In response to the situation and updated restrictions, faculty have been asked to work with each of you to modify your research plans as needed. I'll here paraphrase highlights from an email last night from Dr. Jenks to the SPLS faculty:

  *   The overarching priority is the safety and well-being of our research community.
  *   Per UA leadership, we must hold the line on absolutely minimizing the number of people coming to campus. Only the most critical activities are to be staffed on the campus.
  *   PIs / Major Advisors will be initiating effective mitigation plans over the next few days. The policy page linked above has some guidelines about what should be included in the mitigation plan for your research program. Although the direction will come from your PI, you can play an important role in helping to ensure that your plan achieves what you need it to -- how and how often do you communicate with your advisor or collaborators, who keeps the plants alive, etc.

Lab meetings, committee meetings, and exams: you will need to hold them online -- the UA has issued a policy that meetings may not exceed four people. https://provost.arizona.edu/news/2020/03/covid-19-campus-mitigation-plan-events-meetings-and-gatherings

Instruction activities: I assume all of you who are TAs are working closely with your faculty instructors and are scrambling to pivot to remote instruction. The UA just sent out the following regarding TAs: https://provost.arizona.edu/news/2020/03/guidance-student-workers-academic-instruction-roles, which includes the policy that if you come on campus, you must strictly adhere to the 4-person max rule.
Please reach out if you have any issues, or if I can help in any way as you help your instructor and your students make this transition.

International students: International Student Services has assured us that your full-time enrollment will not be affected by the switch to on-line classes: "As long as [the student] remains enrolled full-time, the switch from in-person to online format will not impact her visa. Since so many U.S. colleges and universities are having to switch to remote or online instruction due to COVID-19 concerns, the DHS Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has provided [the ISS] office for procedures on how to report this change so that our students’ immigration status is not negatively impacted."

Program support: I'll keep you posted by email as policies/procedures develop further (and, you'll continue to get emails from Dr. Limesand at CALS and Dean Carnie at the Grad College). You may also hear from me or Georgina individually, regarding various issues. Georgina and I will be working remotely, but we are both available by email and by zoom, and here is my cell to text anytime: 520-610-2191.

Let me know if you have any questions as we forge these new routines!

My best to all,
Shelley

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__________________________
Shelley (Michelle) McMahon
School of Plant Sciences
University of Arizona
mcmahonm at email.arizona.edu<mailto:mcmahonm at email.arizona.edu>
520-626-0479
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