What's Happening Around the Union
D2L is offering a
COVID-19 Course for Leaders, Educators, Learners, and General Public. This is an Open (free) Course to help understand the scientific, social, and economic perspectives of the current global pandemic. As more incidences of COVID-19 are being diagnosed around the world, we want to assure you that we are here to support your rapidly changing needs. Some clients are transitioning quickly from classroom or blended learning to fully online courses, and we understand the toll that can take if you feel under-prepared.
The IFT and AFT want you to be informed and prepared in the event coronavirus directly impacts you. Most importantly, we want you to know how to prevent the infection and spread in your home, school or office.
To prevent catching or sharing the virus, the Illinois Department of Public Health recommends:
- wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
- avoid close contact with people who are sick
Faculty Home Work
Remote work is proving difficult for many professors, given the circumstances and despite some early predictions to the contrary. What institutions are doing and can start doing to ease the pressure.The good news for faculty members is that colleges and universities appear to be listening to these reality checks about working from home.
As reported in the McDonough County Voice, the Board of Trustees (BOT) special meeting at Western Illinois University which was supposed to take place via teleconference March 30, was canceled. The meeting will be rescheduled. The coronavirus crisis was expected to be the focus of the discussion, including a resolution to temporarily allow Interim President Martin Abraham to make decisions during the crisis without board approval. UPI Local 4100 WIU Chapter President Bill Thompson said that there was “strong pushback” from both faculty leadership and individual faculty and staff within the Macomb and Quad Cities campuses.