FAQ: COVID-19/Coronavirus

As they say, this is a fluid situation, which may change and evolve in the coming weeks.  LEO is in constant contact with HR, relaying questions from lecturers and communicating concerns.  We are all committed to making this difficult process as transparent and relatively painless as possible.   

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.  Please feel free to write to virusinquiries@leounion.org if you have questions or concerns that are not addressed below.

Is the University closed?
No. Classes are cancelled for two days (Thursday and Friday) and will resume online on Monday.  Staff is still working on normal functions of the U and supporting the conversion to online teaching.  Students are still in their dorms, although many may be leaving in the coming days. Library, art studios, etc. are still open and available.  You can still meet with students, staff, and colleagues, as you wish, although larger gatherings should be avoided.  

Why are we only getting two days to convert our classes, when other institutions are providing a week?
Good question!  Sadly, we were not consulted when that decision was made.  Had we been, we would have pointed out that unlike tenure-track faculty, many lecturers teach three and four classes, and converting those in two days is burdensome, to say the least.

That said, no one is expecting instructors to have a fully redesigned course ready online by Monday morning at 8 am.  In our discussion with HR, they have made it clear that they understand the challenges, and that they get it that this will be a work in progress.  They are pursuing possibly having some IT support available over the weekend, but this will probably be up to individual departments. In general it is really important that you stay in touch with your department as you make the conversion.  No one is expecting you to be a hero and figure it all out alone. If you are not getting the IT support you need, let us know (at email above). 

So we would suggest you start by taking a look at your syllabus.  It has been clearly communicated to us that no one is expecting that instructors necessarily teach exactly the same course as they had originally planned.  If you are anxious about being ready by Monday, you can craft a relatively simple set of assignments for next week, and then gradually bring the course fully online.  

Will I get extra compensation for all this extra work?
Again, a super question! We are pursuing that question with management.  No decision has been made yet. We may be sending out a survey to get a sense of the additional workload for lecturers.

What about my spring or summer classes?  Will they be running?
At this time, no decision is made about spring or summer classes on campus.  It is simply too early to know what will happen.  Regarding spring semester (May and June) study abroad programs, they have been cancelled.  We have had discussions with HR regarding compensation for that missed work; they have indicated that they are aware of this problem.  It is also possible that some of the cancelled spring classes abroad will be taught on campus by the same instructors. Right now, the focus is on the immediate transition to online teaching, but a decision about individual classes will be made in the coming week.  

I am concerned about the impact on my end of term evaluations.  I have never taught online and this is all new to me.
Everyone understands that this is new territory.  We have solid contract language about how “an isolated incident” cannot be the basis for failing a review.  That said, if an instructor runs into problems with an online class not functioning properly, you should be in touch with your supervisor immediately. 

I am currently abroad and worried about the new travel ban from Europe.  When can I return to the US?
As we understand the situation, if you are a US citizen or green card holder/permanent resident, the ban does not apply to you and you will be able to come back.  If you are not in those categories, please let us know asap. 

Also if you are abroad with students, some of whom may not be US citizens, you will want to be in touch with your Department as soon as possible to figure out how we can help those students return.  

Once students return, there is an additional concern about where they will live and what they will be doing, which the University is currently attempting to solve.  If a lecturer has problems finding a place to live upon an unplanned return, please get in touch with us and we will advocate on your behalf with the employer.  

IN CONCLUSION, as things evolve, this may well be the first of several FAQs.  Please be assured that we are all in this together, and that as your union LEO will do its best to help out in this unprecedented situation.