1 00:00:03,520 --> 00:00:07,260 Hi everyone, Jim Ryan here, and I hope you’re all doing well. 2 00:00:07,260 --> 00:00:10,830 We have had a very good couple weeks in terms of our covid numbers. 3 00:00:10,830 --> 00:00:13,949 My thanks to all of you for keeping these numbers low. 4 00:00:13,949 --> 00:00:20,710 We currently have 77 active cases and only 5% of isolation space and 6% of quarantine 5 00:00:20,710 --> 00:00:25,200 space are occupied and hospitalizations remain low. 6 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:30,570 We are now over halfway through the fall semester, with five weeks left until Thanksgiving. 7 00:00:30,570 --> 00:00:34,520 Five weeks is a long time, and there is still plenty of work to be done and fun to be had. 8 00:00:34,520 --> 00:00:38,920 But we’ve also started thinking ahead, and today I’d like to share some of our plans 9 00:00:38,920 --> 00:00:42,610 around Thanksgiving, J-Term, and the beginning of the spring semester. 10 00:00:42,610 --> 00:00:47,450 You’ll be hearing more about all of this in the weeks ahead, but here’s a preview. 11 00:00:47,450 --> 00:00:51,739 First, to prevent the spread of the virus, students who return home for Thanksgiving 12 00:00:51,739 --> 00:00:56,211 should not return to Charlottesville until the start of the spring semester, whether 13 00:00:56,211 --> 00:01:01,220 you live on Grounds or Off—unless there are extenuating circumstances or Charlottesville 14 00:01:01,220 --> 00:01:02,899 is your primary home. 15 00:01:02,899 --> 00:01:08,090 After Thanksgiving, all remaining classes will be held online, exams will be virtual, 16 00:01:08,090 --> 00:01:09,690 and dining options will be limited. 17 00:01:09,690 --> 00:01:14,329 Students and faculty in professional schools, which may follow a different schedule, should 18 00:01:14,329 --> 00:01:15,979 check with their deans. 19 00:01:15,979 --> 00:01:21,200 To help ensure a safe return to home communities and prevent further spread of the virus, we 20 00:01:21,200 --> 00:01:25,719 are planning to offer every student a COVID test before they leave the area. 21 00:01:25,719 --> 00:01:30,850 Students living on-Grounds will take pre-departure tests through the regular student testing 22 00:01:30,850 --> 00:01:35,680 program, and we will provide students living off-Grounds with the same “Let’s Get Checked” 23 00:01:35,680 --> 00:01:39,749 test kits that were used for pre-arrival testing over the summer. 24 00:01:39,749 --> 00:01:45,210 We also have the capacity to provide tests to any faculty or staff who need them. 25 00:01:45,210 --> 00:01:50,810 Looking ahead to next year, remember that, in addition to fall and spring classes, undergraduate 26 00:01:50,810 --> 00:01:56,539 tuition this year also covers one J-Term course and one course in the first summer session 27 00:01:56,539 --> 00:01:58,420 of 2021. 28 00:01:58,420 --> 00:02:02,880 Students interested in taking a J-Term course can register starting the week of November 29 00:02:02,880 --> 00:02:06,090 9th and all classes will take place online. 30 00:02:06,090 --> 00:02:10,790 We’ve designed a new set of J-Term courses specifically for this academic year, and you’ll 31 00:02:10,790 --> 00:02:15,390 hear more about them from our provost, Liz Magill, in just a minute. 32 00:02:15,390 --> 00:02:19,540 After consulting with public health experts, we have made the decision to start the spring 33 00:02:19,540 --> 00:02:24,390 semester a little later than usual—the first day of classes will be February first instead 34 00:02:24,390 --> 00:02:27,400 of the original date of January 20th. 35 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:31,200 This change will cut down on the time that students are together on Grounds during the 36 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:33,370 height of the flu season. 37 00:02:33,370 --> 00:02:37,480 During the spring semester, students will once again have a choice as to whether to 38 00:02:37,480 --> 00:02:39,230 be here in person or not. 39 00:02:39,230 --> 00:02:43,890 We will offer as many classes as possible in-person, and all students who wish to study 40 00:02:43,890 --> 00:02:47,100 and live on Grounds will be welcome to do so. 41 00:02:47,100 --> 00:02:51,730 In-person classes will also have an online option for students who either can’t or 42 00:02:51,730 --> 00:02:57,840 don’t want to be on Grounds—with the exception of a small number of labs and practicums. 43 00:02:57,840 --> 00:03:03,170 Everyone on Grounds will be required to follow policies around wearing masks, avoiding large 44 00:03:03,170 --> 00:03:08,140 gatherings, practicing physical distancing, and meeting testing requirements. 45 00:03:08,140 --> 00:03:12,760 As part of our efforts to limit travel to and from Charlottesville, we will replace 46 00:03:12,760 --> 00:03:16,790 the traditional week-long spring break with multiple, shorter breaks. 47 00:03:16,790 --> 00:03:20,780 We’ve heard from students that the lack of a fall break this semester has been difficult, 48 00:03:20,780 --> 00:03:26,240 and we want to make sure everyone gets a chance to rest and recover this spring. 49 00:03:26,240 --> 00:03:29,970 Students will be encouraged to stay in the area during these breaks, and we will announce 50 00:03:29,970 --> 00:03:31,470 specific dates soon. 51 00:03:31,470 --> 00:03:33,500 I’ll end with two final points. 52 00:03:33,500 --> 00:03:39,260 The first may be obvious but is worth repeating nonetheless: February is a long way off, and 53 00:03:39,260 --> 00:03:43,800 as always, we will have to adapt our plans if circumstances change—especially as the 54 00:03:43,800 --> 00:03:48,700 weather gets colder and we contend with flu season in addition to COVID. 55 00:03:48,700 --> 00:03:52,450 The second point is that we have learned a great deal over the past several months, as 56 00:03:52,450 --> 00:03:57,450 a community, about how to live with the virus, which will help us in the weeks and months 57 00:03:57,450 --> 00:03:58,450 ahead. 58 00:03:58,450 --> 00:04:02,610 Last spring, we had to scramble to respond to an unfolding crisis—changing the way 59 00:04:02,610 --> 00:04:05,550 we did just about everything in a matter of days. 60 00:04:05,550 --> 00:04:10,600 This semester hasn’t been perfect, but thanks to the creativity, flexibility, and resilience 61 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:14,550 of our students, faculty, and staff, we have come a long way. 62 00:04:14,550 --> 00:04:19,209 Online classes have improved, we’ve figured out ways to connect with each other safely, 63 00:04:19,209 --> 00:04:23,360 and together we’ve kept the virus largely under control within our community. 64 00:04:23,360 --> 00:04:27,599 The spring semester won’t be easy, and it will require additional sacrifice from all 65 00:04:27,599 --> 00:04:28,599 of us. 66 00:04:28,599 --> 00:04:30,139 But we are getting better at this. 67 00:04:30,139 --> 00:04:31,629 We have learned a great deal. 68 00:04:31,629 --> 00:04:37,110 And together we will continue to make the UVA experience the very best it can be. 69 00:04:37,110 --> 00:04:40,990 Thanks for everything you’re doing, and I look forward to finishing out this uniquely 70 00:04:40,990 --> 00:04:45,979 challenging but ultimately rewarding semester with all of you. 71 00:04:45,979 --> 00:04:49,629 And now over to you, Zeno. Thanks very much. 72 00:04:49,629 --> 00:04:51,319 Zeno here and I’m back like I left something. 73 00:04:51,319 --> 00:04:54,970 Coming to you with the #Youva team to talk all things covid and news on grounds. 74 00:04:54,970 --> 00:04:58,350 While our infections have been down at the University, we know many students have had 75 00:04:58,350 --> 00:05:02,220 to find ways to live with the virus, sometimes right in their own apartment. 76 00:05:02,220 --> 00:05:04,669 What should you do if you are living with someone who has covid?. 77 00:05:04,669 --> 00:05:08,689 Pick a room in which the person with Covid can stay alone and do not let other people 78 00:05:08,689 --> 00:05:10,580 or pets into that room. 79 00:05:10,580 --> 00:05:12,309 Open windows to get some air circulation going. 80 00:05:12,309 --> 00:05:16,490 If the person is your roommate, think about sleeping on the couch or temporary mattress 81 00:05:16,490 --> 00:05:19,870 in another space -- it’s not ideal, but neither is Corona. 82 00:05:19,870 --> 00:05:22,800 If you must sleep in the same room, remain 6 feet from them, sleep head to toe, or consider 83 00:05:22,800 --> 00:05:25,680 putting up a tarp or cardboard for separation. 84 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:29,439 We are tapping into kindergarten art class with this, but we must do it to protect 85 00:05:29,439 --> 00:05:30,439 one another. 86 00:05:30,439 --> 00:05:34,680 You have to clean often: Disinfect doorknobs and other surfaces and the person with Covid 87 00:05:34,680 --> 00:05:38,139 in the house should wear a face covering when around others. 88 00:05:38,139 --> 00:05:41,160 Remember that the person with Corona is going through a lot so try to connect and support 89 00:05:41,160 --> 00:05:45,280 virtually or leave some snacks or a care package at their door. 90 00:05:45,280 --> 00:05:49,129 As always, be mindful of your health and contact student health about getting a test. 91 00:05:49,129 --> 00:05:52,809 And if you’ve had COVID, please continue to be careful for your sake and for others. 92 00:05:52,809 --> 00:05:56,969 It’s not just University policy, there is still a lot we do not know about this virus. 93 00:05:56,969 --> 00:05:59,979 And Dr. Costi Sefri is going to tell us more. 94 00:05:59,979 --> 00:06:04,240 The thing I’d like to talk to you today about today is some questions on what to expect 95 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:05,240 this winter. 96 00:06:05,240 --> 00:06:10,120 There’s a lot of concern, I think appropriately so, of the potential of a winter surge of 97 00:06:10,120 --> 00:06:11,120 Covid infection. 98 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:14,440 This year we’re already starting to see some hints of that in Europe and parts of 99 00:06:14,440 --> 00:06:18,280 the United States where it’s starting to get colder, and it does raise the specter 100 00:06:18,280 --> 00:06:23,610 that we may be seeing or may see a winter surge of Covid-19 here locally. 101 00:06:23,610 --> 00:06:28,740 As we head into the cold and flu and now, Covid season, it’s also important to, this 102 00:06:28,740 --> 00:06:32,120 year more than any other, to get a flu vaccine. 103 00:06:32,120 --> 00:06:38,059 The flu vaccines are effective, they reduce rates of infection by 50% or more, those people 104 00:06:38,059 --> 00:06:43,300 who get the flu after getting the vaccine have milder symptoms and for shorter periods 105 00:06:43,300 --> 00:06:44,300 of time. 106 00:06:44,300 --> 00:06:48,259 We know that people are going to get the flu this year, but if we can prevent people getting 107 00:06:48,259 --> 00:06:53,210 the flu and going to the doctor’s offices that’ll really help us out. 108 00:06:53,210 --> 00:06:58,499 A question that’s come up recently is, “What happens after you get Covid, can you get Covid 109 00:06:58,499 --> 00:06:59,499 infection again?” 110 00:06:59,499 --> 00:07:04,199 We don’t think Covid infection after an initial episode of Covid is particularly common, 111 00:07:04,199 --> 00:07:07,050 we also can’t say that it’s impossible. 112 00:07:07,050 --> 00:07:12,169 So, because of that, as we enter the cold and flu season, even if you’ve had an episode 113 00:07:12,169 --> 00:07:19,199 of Covid in the past, it remains important to continue to practice mask-wearing, social-distancing, 114 00:07:19,199 --> 00:07:23,650 handwashing , and again, doing the practices that we know that keep ourselves and our friends, 115 00:07:23,650 --> 00:07:24,650 safe. 116 00:07:24,650 --> 00:07:28,120 Fortunately, over the last two weeks or so, we’ve seen a reduction in the number of 117 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:35,539 Covid cases here in Charlottesville and specifically here at UVA, so I think that’s a testament 118 00:07:35,539 --> 00:07:39,590 that we’re doing the right things to do to control the virus. 119 00:07:39,590 --> 00:07:45,349 However, just a word of warning, we really have to be on guard against complacency. 120 00:07:45,349 --> 00:07:50,399 The virus, unfortunately, is tenacious, it finds opportunities. 121 00:07:50,399 --> 00:07:56,050 So, thank you for your strong and dedicated efforts, keep it up. 122 00:07:56,050 --> 00:07:58,911 If you’re looking for a fun and safe way to get some exercise or looking for a way 123 00:07:58,911 --> 00:08:00,899 to give back to the Charlottesville community. 124 00:08:00,899 --> 00:08:03,919 There is an event where you can put both of them together. 125 00:08:03,919 --> 00:08:09,029 Make sure to check out the 29th annual 4th Year 5k, hosted by the Peer Health Educators. 126 00:08:09,029 --> 00:08:13,479 This race is virtual this year and is happening between Oct. 25th and Nov. 1. 127 00:08:13,479 --> 00:08:14,479 And no. 128 00:08:14,479 --> 00:08:18,169 You don’t have to be a 4th year to enter, and the registration fee is $10. 129 00:08:18,169 --> 00:08:22,539 All proceeds from the race go to the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation’s Community Emergency 130 00:08:22,539 --> 00:08:23,620 Response Fund. 131 00:08:23,620 --> 00:08:27,629 Follow the PHEs on Instagram for more info leading up to the race! 132 00:08:27,629 --> 00:08:31,400 There are also plenty of other ways to get out and explore, we’ve got a few ideas for 133 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:32,740 you. 134 00:08:32,740 --> 00:08:36,880 Go for a hike on one of the trails behind Gooch and Dillard dorms. 135 00:08:36,880 --> 00:08:41,000 It’s an easy way to get into nature, and it’s beautiful at this time of the year. 136 00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:44,010 You can even see the observatory that O-Hill is named after. 137 00:08:44,010 --> 00:08:48,470 If you’re feeling the Halloween spirit, take a trip to Barracks and pick up some pumpkins 138 00:08:48,470 --> 00:08:50,150 to carve with your friends. 139 00:08:50,150 --> 00:08:54,620 Hitch a ride with Charlottesville city buses, it's free for UVA students. 140 00:08:54,620 --> 00:08:58,940 McIntire park is within walking distance for many students and is a great opportunity for 141 00:08:58,940 --> 00:09:03,940 some socially distanced outdoor fun, it’s beautiful and there’s a skate park! 142 00:09:03,940 --> 00:09:07,690 Hop on the free trolley to the IX Art Park, where you can check out some local art and 143 00:09:07,690 --> 00:09:09,450 interactive exhibits. 144 00:09:09,450 --> 00:09:14,910 And less than 15 minutes from Grounds is Riverview Park, where you can walk the Rivanna trail 145 00:09:14,910 --> 00:09:22,050 and see some beautiful views of the river. 146 00:09:22,050 --> 00:09:25,930 Those are some great ideas and there are so many ways to get outside. 147 00:09:25,930 --> 00:09:28,210 One sculpture class has even moved their studio outside. 148 00:09:28,210 --> 00:09:29,940 Let’s take a look. 149 00:09:29,940 --> 00:09:35,850 We’re standing in the Ruffin courtyard; we are in this big outdoor sculpture studio 150 00:09:35,850 --> 00:09:41,400 space and during the time of the virus this is our main classroom. 151 00:09:41,400 --> 00:09:46,410 When the word went out whether you wanted to teach online or in person, I answered right 152 00:09:46,410 --> 00:09:48,770 away that I wanted to teach in person. 153 00:09:48,770 --> 00:09:55,520 So, we are in person, but we have made modifications. 154 00:09:55,520 --> 00:10:01,500 Our mid-term exam is coming up, which will be an exhibition that will be in Ruffin Hall. 155 00:10:01,500 --> 00:10:07,060 My advanced class have harvested Tree of Heaven, which is an invasive species, it carves beautifully, 156 00:10:07,060 --> 00:10:12,040 it sands beautifully, and we’re turning them into sculptures. 157 00:10:12,040 --> 00:10:16,720 We also have pieces from Isabella Whitfield who’s a fifth-year student and Margaret 158 00:10:16,720 --> 00:10:21,820 Kim who’s a fourth-year double major in studio art and biology. 159 00:10:21,820 --> 00:10:28,680 I’m actually very interested in the ancient art makers; they were outside all the time. 160 00:10:28,680 --> 00:10:35,130 I find it to be exhilarating to be outside, the light is good, the air is good. 161 00:10:35,130 --> 00:10:43,010 I’m essentially an optimistic person so I look at restrictions as being opportunities. 162 00:10:43,010 --> 00:10:49,460 That’s awesome and some of you are way more artistic than I’ll ever be. 163 00:10:49,460 --> 00:10:53,550 Now last week we heard from Chief Operating Officer, J.J. Davis, this week I’ll leave 164 00:10:53,550 --> 00:10:55,620 you with a message from Provost, Liz Magil. 165 00:10:55,620 --> 00:11:01,850 Hit the @YOUva team on Instagram or email us at youva@virginia.edu with questions, concerns, 166 00:11:01,850 --> 00:11:02,890 and good news. 167 00:11:02,890 --> 00:11:05,440 This has been Zeno and I’m out like a light. 168 00:11:05,440 --> 00:11:06,440 Hi. 169 00:11:06,440 --> 00:11:11,200 I’m Liz Magill, the provost and chief academic officer here at UVA. 170 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:15,840 The pandemic has had an enormous impact on almost every aspect of the work we do in the 171 00:11:15,840 --> 00:11:16,840 provost’s office. 172 00:11:16,840 --> 00:11:22,350 We have had to re-imagine how we deliver content in the classroom, how we recruit new faculty, 173 00:11:22,350 --> 00:11:24,740 and how we can carry out our research safely. 174 00:11:24,740 --> 00:11:31,500 I have been continually impressed and humbled by the creativity and innovation of our faculty 175 00:11:31,500 --> 00:11:35,080 and staff as they have met and addressed these challenges. 176 00:11:35,080 --> 00:11:39,410 No one wishes to find themselves in the midst of a crisis, but I am proud to say our faculty, 177 00:11:39,410 --> 00:11:43,990 and our staff have continued to create innovative solutions to the complexities 178 00:11:43,990 --> 00:11:45,470 generated by the pandemic. 179 00:11:45,470 --> 00:11:50,970 I believe many of these innovations will remain in place at UVA long after this period in 180 00:11:50,970 --> 00:11:52,660 our lives is over. 181 00:11:52,660 --> 00:11:58,400 One great example of crisis breeding creativity is our new Signature J-Term courses. 182 00:11:58,400 --> 00:12:04,110 This year regular tuition includes one J-term course and one course in Summer Session I. 183 00:12:04,110 --> 00:12:09,070 As we explained in a, long, message to the community in June, in addition 184 00:12:09,070 --> 00:12:13,810 to our regular classes offered at those times, we are designing new, “Signature” interdisciplinary 185 00:12:13,810 --> 00:12:17,300 courses for the January and summer terms. 186 00:12:17,300 --> 00:12:21,240 These courses will be taught by professors from across the University and will explore 187 00:12:21,240 --> 00:12:27,480 some of today’s most relevant and pressing topics—from the science of pandemics, to racial justice, 188 00:12:27,480 --> 00:12:33,200 to the importance of democracy, to an examination of sustainable cities of the future. 189 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:37,880 J-Term enrollment opens during the week of November 9 and full details about J-Term can 190 00:12:37,880 --> 00:12:41,140 be found at January term dot Virginia dot Edu. 191 00:12:41,140 --> 00:12:46,170 I know students will be excited to take these challenging and relevant classes 192 00:12:46,170 --> 00:12:48,980 and I know faculty are excited to offer them. 193 00:12:48,980 --> 00:12:53,220 Another example is the new UVA Edge program, a collaboration between the College of Arts 194 00:12:53,220 --> 00:12:56,550 & Sciences and the School for Continuing and Professional Studies. 195 00:12:56,550 --> 00:13:02,950 UVA Edge is a one-year, undergraduate experience for working adults with little or no college 196 00:13:02,950 --> 00:13:04,310 credit. 197 00:13:04,310 --> 00:13:08,850 Students will learn in-demand, professional skills and earn 20 credits from UVA. 198 00:13:08,850 --> 00:13:14,750 We are piloting the program with a small group in 2021, with the plan to grow the program 199 00:13:14,750 --> 00:13:16,200 in future years. 200 00:13:16,200 --> 00:13:21,670 UVA Edge serves as a meaningful and compelling way to broaden access to the University and 201 00:13:21,670 --> 00:13:27,010 to earn college credit, and I am really proud of the team responsible for its launch. 202 00:13:27,010 --> 00:13:31,680 Let me also highlight the hardworking and creative team in global affairs, including the international 203 00:13:31,680 --> 00:13:33,110 studies office. 204 00:13:33,110 --> 00:13:36,730 So many students were disappointed by the unexpected termination of their study abroad 205 00:13:36,730 --> 00:13:40,020 this spring, and the cancellation of this year’s programs. 206 00:13:40,020 --> 00:13:44,920 But our staff quickly discovered there was a thirst for remote international work. 207 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:49,070 They developed a course called “Interning Abroad in Virtual Conditions” and partnered 208 00:13:49,070 --> 00:13:52,650 with several international non-profits to place our students. 209 00:13:52,650 --> 00:13:57,890 This past summer, UVA students took part in global virtual internships in India, Morocco, 210 00:13:57,890 --> 00:13:59,850 Thailand, and Peru. 211 00:13:59,850 --> 00:14:03,740 Several students elected to continue their internships into the fall, because they were 212 00:14:03,740 --> 00:14:08,360 learning so much and had established such strong relationships with their international 213 00:14:08,360 --> 00:14:09,360 colleagues. 214 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:13,320 This program was even more successful than we had imagined, so much so that UVA plans 215 00:14:13,320 --> 00:14:14,750 to offer it again this spring. 216 00:14:14,750 --> 00:14:20,940 I know that these are incredibly hard times for all of us, our faculty, our staff, and particularly our students. 217 00:14:20,940 --> 00:14:23,760 Nothing is as our students imagined it would be. 218 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:27,910 I hope that all of us can take heart from stories like these. 219 00:14:27,910 --> 00:14:33,240 Character and grit is best revealed not in the easy times, but in the hard times. 220 00:14:33,240 --> 00:14:38,610 I that that despite our the current hard times, we can use this opportunity to demonstrate 221 00:14:38,610 --> 00:14:40,050 our very best. 222 00:14:40,050 --> 00:14:46,280 These few examples, for me, highlight the creativity and the resilience of the very 223 00:14:46,280 --> 00:14:48,762 the very best of UVA.