Morning Update – March 20

March 20, 2020

Morning Update – March 20

Alternate Exam Decision

We have heard from some members that they have received messages from their Dean and Teaching and Learning Services saying that a higher than expected number of teaching staff are choosing online exams as a new and exceptional assessment tool in their courses. Some members believe that they are being pressured to choose an alternative method, such as a take home exam or no exam at all.

CUASA is aware of these concerns, and we want to assure members that your final assessment tool is entirely your choice. If you determine that an online exam is what is best for you, then that is how you should proceed. Anyone who feels they are being pressured into a different form of assessment is encouraged to contact Pum van Veldhoven at [email protected] and Christal Côté at [email protected].

Teaching Evaluations for Winter Term

The University has decided that, in light of the unprecedented situation and unplanned shift to complete the remainder of this term in an online forum, student teaching evaluations will be suspended for all winter term courses. As announced by the Provost, anyone needing official documentation regarding teaching performance for the purposes of upcoming professional opportunities will be provided with a letter from their Dean.

Summer Term

The Provost also announced yesterday that courses for the summer term will be delivered online or through other methods of distance learning. The University has delayed registration for these courses until April 16. It has also announced that all international internships, co-op placements, etc. have been cancelled for the summer term.

Some CUASA members, scheduled to teach in the summer, are asking how this will affect those plans. Rest assured, we will seek those answers when we next meet with University officials on Monday afternoon.