Summary of Academic Affairs Recommendations to Re-Opening Operations Team

Guided by the University’s mission, available science, evolving public health directives and our model of shared governance, the Re-Opening Operations Team has relied on multiple subcommittees to advance recommendations early in outbreak of the pandemic and to develop various contingency plans that will ensure a healthy Seton Hall. The following is summary of those recommendations to Academic Affairs.

Summary of Recommendations
Recommendations (From Who)	Key Elements
Academic Schedule (from Calendar Committee)	8/24/20 classes begin; 11/24/20 classes conclude (students leave campus); 11/30/20 – 12/4/20 is a Remote Learning Week; Final exams (remote) are scheduled 12/7/20-12/11/20.
HyFlex model (from Contingency B1)	Implementation of hybrid, flexible (HyFlex) blended approach to resuming classroom instruction.
Law School HyFlex Plan (from Law School)	Law School, AA
Advising and Office Hours (HICT-AA)	Office hours and advising must be remote (see Restart Plan – Instruction)
Technology investments (D o I.T. and HICT-AA)	Audio-visual equipment purchases to convert 40+ classrooms on the South Orange Campus, and all classrooms at the IHS Campus, to support the HyFlex model.
Fall Calendar and implementation details (HICT-AA)	Earlier start to the fall 2020 semester, with the intention to go remote after Thanksgiving.
Law School Fall Calendar and implementation details (Law School)	See Law School calendar on website
Selected graduate classes (HICT-AA)	Graduate Classes will be treated in the same manner as undergraduate classes in that they will be reviewed with Deans and Chairs making initial, local decisions about graduate online courses in their respective areas. All such decisions are subject to the review and approval of the Provost, and reporting on the implementation of the HyFlex model by School/College (See University Restart Plan Appendix A).
Library Plan (Library)	Library Plan (available through the University Restart Plan - Library)
Study Abroad (third party)	The University cannot restrict students who wish to take study abroad experiences with a third party provider, e.g. Semester at Sea. However, any student who does elect to take such courses must be quarantined at home for a minimum of 14 days before returning to campus, as recommended by CDC guidance (available through the University Restart Plan – Study Abroad)
Study Abroad (Seton Hall)	The University will not offer academic study abroad trips during the fall 2020, winter break and spring 2021 semesters. The situation may be re-examined in spring 2021 for summer study abroad (available through the University Restart Plan – Study Abroad)
Clinical and field placements recommendations	It was estimated that approximately 1,850 rotations and/or placements will be needed between now and the conclusion of the fall semester. Such experiences can, in part, be satisfied remotely in accordance with accreditation and certification agencies. The availability of sites, and requirements around access and PPE, are taken on a case-by-case basis.
Faculty Travel	Suspension of all University sponsored non-essential domestic and international faculty travel until the CDC and federal proclamations lift restrictions and the University freeze on non-essential travel is lifted. Travel that faculty deem essential must be approved by the dean of their school or college and by the Provost. Remote conference presentations are encouraged.
Suggested Guidelines for Teaching	Suggested recommendations for class management.
Large / Medium Courses and Designations	Suggested size of classes that should be considered online or deviated from the HyFlex mode of instruction.
Student Internships	Recommendations and report plan
First version of Guidelines for Adjustments in Work Arrangements for Faculty	Recommendations of specific adjustments to be reviewed with Chairs, Deans and Provost’s office.
Seton Hall Classroom Recording Policy (UNDER REVIEW)	Ability to record HyFlex courses
South Orange Teaching and Research Labs	Standard operating procedures have been established across the natural sciences and psychology departments. In the case of teaching laboratories an alternating schedule of in-person and virtual labs that is consistent with the HyFlex model will be employed. Protocols were recommended related to PPE usage, entrance and egress, cleanliness and mitigation, and so forth.
IHS Teaching and Research Labs	Standard operating procedures for the teaching and sim labs, procedures for mitigation, and entrance and egress protocols are outlined. Where labs are paired with a didactic experience for students, the didactic portion, in the majority of cases, will be remote, whereas the lab is anticipated to be delivered via the HyFlex model.