UHCL reopens for the fall 2020 semester

UHCL’s fall 2020 semester offers 1642 courses, 7.4% hybrid, 19.4% face-to-face, and 73.2% online, some of which may have some face-to-face components dependent on the course. 

Faculty and students remain mostly remote. However, some coursework requires special equipment and facilities like classrooms, studios or laboratories.

The bimodal course instruction model allows students to attend a percentage of their classes online and in-person. The percentages of each are determined by the faculty member, but most courses limit students to individual or small group attendance for meetings on campus. Additionally, classrooms and computer labs are socially distanced with hand sanitizing stations, single-use masks and disinfectant wipes available for use.

In addition to bimodal courses, UHCL also offers all student services online, including counseling, advising and programming for students via Zoom. More information about upcoming online and on campus events can be found on GetInvolved.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring, UHCL leadership created two workgroups, one for academic affairs and another for future campus operations. The result of those workgroups, in collaboration with senior leadership and guidance from Governor Greg Abbott, UH System Chancellor Renu Khator and Board of Regents, is the existing UHCL reopening plan.

“All of our decisions were focused around creating a safe learning environment and meeting the needs of students,” said Provost Steven Berberich.

In addition to an updated plan, UHCL established protocols for students and employees returning to campus. Self-reporting forms are also available for students, staff and faculty on campus to report any exposure to or diagnosis of COVID-19. Reported cases may result in an interview to determine the extent of the reporter’s exposure and any potential spread on campus. Twenty campus employees are currently trained in conducting contact tracing interviews.

For employees, reporting exposure and symptoms via these forms is mandatory. Although they aren’t mandatory for students, Mark Denney, Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration, strongly encourages students to fill out the forms if they have any potential diagnosis of or exposure to COVID-19. 

“It’s not just about that student, it gives us an insight into what’s happening on our campus,” said Denney. “Who is contracting? How frequent is it? How far spread is it? Knowing this enables us to make decisions as to whether or not we should go back online if we are creating an exposure risk on campus.”

The Academic Affairs workgroup worked with leadership across the program from the faculty senate, Center for Faculty Development and instructional design team. The group sought input from faculty experts, feedback via surveys and sent weekly communications during the online transition and subsequent planning for the fall semester.

“I would like to give recognition to the fact that faculty have been working nonstop,” said Elizabeth Beavers, president of the faculty senate and associate professor of special education. “Faculty at UHCL value that we are a teaching institution, and that we are here to serve our students, and I think that is what has driven faculty to go above and beyond all summer, even still to continue to strive to offer the best experiences that we can, and I don’t know that students would fully be aware of how much faculty have committed of themselves to do the best that we possibly can in this ever-evolving situation.” 

The Future Operations workgroup led by Denney worked with Facilities and Maintenance, Student Affairs, Finance and Administration, Human Resources, and separate Planning, Operations and Logistics teams to plan the campus reopening.

“I have been heartened by the level of collaboration, cooperation and support at every turn across campus to do what is right and stay focused on supporting our students,” said Denney.

In addition to guidance from Abbott, Khator, and Board of Regents, UHCL’s Director of Environmental Health and Safety/Emergency Management Al Black coordinated with various local public health and emergency management agencies for guidance on operating campus facilities, contact tracing and best practices for maintaining safety. 

“Mark Denney and his team have been unbelievably instrumental in making sure we got the Personal Protective Equipment and everything so that we are safe,” said Beavers.

UHCL received an estimated $6 million in federal CARES Act funding in two tranches. The first was granted to UHCL as Higher Education Emergency Funding (HEEF) in the amount of $5.4 million. This tranche of funding was split evenly so that students would receive 50% ($2.7 million) of the money in financial aid and the remaining 50% would be used to cover institutional costs, including equipment for safe campus operations.

UHCL received an additional tranche of $400,000 because of their status as a minority-serving-institution, which was awarded in its entirety to students in financial aid grants. UHCL has given $2 million of the money directly to students through grants and other financial assistance programs, including the ongoing Online Learning Assistance Reimbursement Program (OLARP). 

“Total expenditures are hard to say…in the end my guess is that there will be about $4.7 million in total costs or lost revenue,” said Denney. 

Approximately $600,000 was spent on materials for safe campus operations, including hand sanitizing stations, single-use masks, disinfectant wipes, plexiglass desk shields, and other accommodations. Students can pick up a welcome kit containing a washable UHCL mask and other helpful supplies for the semester on campus at the Dean of Students office.

“[Provost Steven Berberich] is in the process of forming a spring workgroup that will look at some of what we’ve done well, what is arising as issues or challenges, and we’ll begin problem-solving and putting forth recommendations,” said Beavers. “It is hard to pinpoint specific challenges, but one of the most critical will be to continue to improve how we communicate to faculty and students.”

“I am amazed at the commitment of our faculty in stepping up to the plate here for everything they did in the spring and fall and that they continue to do in scholarship and in service,” said Berberich.

The initial spring workgroups concluded their planning processes for Summer and Fall 2020 in early August and have begun planning for Spring 2021.