Hi everyone, Jim Ryan here, and I hope you’re all doing well.
We have had a very good couple weeks in terms of our covid numbers.
My thanks to all of you for keeping these numbers low.
We currently have 77 active cases and only 5% of isolation space and 6% of quarantine
space are occupied and hospitalizations remain low.
We are now over halfway through the fall semester, with five weeks left until Thanksgiving.
Five weeks is a long time, and there is still plenty of work to be done and fun to be had.
But we’ve also started thinking ahead, and today I’d like to share some of our plans
around Thanksgiving, J-Term, and the beginning of the spring semester.
You’ll be hearing more about all of this in the weeks ahead, but here’s a preview.
First, to prevent the spread of the virus, students who return home for Thanksgiving
should not return to Charlottesville until the start of the spring semester, whether
you live on Grounds or Off—unless there are extenuating circumstances or Charlottesville
is your primary home.
After Thanksgiving, all remaining classes will be held online, exams will be virtual,
and dining options will be limited.
Students and faculty in professional schools, which may follow a different schedule, should
check with their deans.
To help ensure a safe return to home communities and prevent further spread of the virus, we
are planning to offer every student a COVID test before they leave the area.
Students living on-Grounds will take pre-departure tests through the regular student testing
program, and we will provide students living off-Grounds with the same “Let’s Get Checked”
test kits that were used for pre-arrival testing over the summer.
We also have the capacity to provide tests to any faculty or staff who need them.
Looking ahead to next year, remember that, in addition to fall and spring classes, undergraduate
tuition this year also covers one J-Term course and one course in the first summer session
of 2021.
Students interested in taking a J-Term course can register starting the week of November
9th and all classes will take place online.
We’ve designed a new set of J-Term courses specifically for this academic year, and you’ll
hear more about them from our provost, Liz Magill, in just a minute.
After consulting with public health experts, we have made the decision to start the spring
semester a little later than usual—the first day of classes will be February first instead
of the original date of January 20th.
This change will cut down on the time that students are together on Grounds during the
height of the flu season.
During the spring semester, students will once again have a choice as to whether to
be here in person or not.
We will offer as many classes as possible in-person, and all students who wish to study
and live on Grounds will be welcome to do so.
In-person classes will also have an online option for students who either can’t or
don’t want to be on Grounds—with the exception of a small number of labs and practicums.
Everyone on Grounds will be required to follow policies around wearing masks, avoiding large
gatherings, practicing physical distancing, and meeting testing requirements.
As part of our efforts to limit travel to and from Charlottesville, we will replace
the traditional week-long spring break with multiple, shorter breaks.
We’ve heard from students that the lack of a fall break this semester has been difficult,
and we want to make sure everyone gets a chance to rest and recover this spring.
Students will be encouraged to stay in the area during these breaks, and we will announce
specific dates soon.
I’ll end with two final points.
The first may be obvious but is worth repeating nonetheless: February is a long way off, and
as always, we will have to adapt our plans if circumstances change—especially as the
weather gets colder and we contend with flu season in addition to COVID.
The second point is that we have learned a great deal over the past several months, as
a community, about how to live with the virus, which will help us in the weeks and months
ahead.
Last spring, we had to scramble to respond to an unfolding crisis—changing the way
we did just about everything in a matter of days.
This semester hasn’t been perfect, but thanks to the creativity, flexibility, and resilience
of our students, faculty, and staff, we have come a long way.
Online classes have improved, we’ve figured out ways to connect with each other safely,
and together we’ve kept the virus largely under control within our community.
The spring semester won’t be easy, and it will require additional sacrifice from all
of us.
But we are getting better at this.
We have learned a great deal.
And together we will continue to make the UVA experience the very best it can be.
Thanks for everything you’re doing, and I look forward to finishing out this uniquely
challenging but ultimately rewarding semester with all of you.
And now over to you, Zeno. Thanks very much.
Zeno here and I’m back like I left something.
Coming to you with the #Youva team to talk all things covid and news on grounds.
While our infections have been down at the University, we know many students have had
to find ways to live with the virus, sometimes right in their own apartment.
What should you do if you are living with someone who has covid?.
Pick a room in which the person with Covid can stay alone and do not let other people
or pets into that room.
Open windows to get some air circulation going.
If the person is your roommate, think about sleeping on the couch or temporary mattress
in another space -- it’s not ideal, but neither is Corona.
If you must sleep in the same room, remain 6 feet from them, sleep head to toe, or consider
putting up a tarp or cardboard for separation.
We are tapping into kindergarten art class with this, but we must do it to protect
one another.
You have to clean often: Disinfect doorknobs and other surfaces and the person with Covid
in the house should wear a face covering when around others.
Remember that the person with Corona is going through a lot so try to connect and support
virtually or leave some snacks or a care package at their door.
As always, be mindful of your health and contact student health about getting a test.
And if you’ve had COVID, please continue to be careful for your sake and for others.
It’s not just University policy, there is still a lot we do not know about this virus.
And Dr. Costi Sefri is going to tell us more.
The thing I’d like to talk to you today about today is some questions on what to expect
this winter.
There’s a lot of concern, I think appropriately so, of the potential of a winter surge of
Covid infection.
This year we’re already starting to see some hints of that in Europe and parts of
the United States where it’s starting to get colder, and it does raise the specter
that we may be seeing or may see a winter surge of Covid-19 here locally.
As we head into the cold and flu and now, Covid season, it’s also important to, this
year more than any other, to get a flu vaccine.
The flu vaccines are effective, they reduce rates of infection by 50% or more, those people
who get the flu after getting the vaccine have milder symptoms and for shorter periods
of time.
We know that people are going to get the flu this year, but if we can prevent people getting
the flu and going to the doctor’s offices that’ll really help us out.
A question that’s come up recently is, “What happens after you get Covid, can you get Covid
infection again?”
We don’t think Covid infection after an initial episode of Covid is particularly common,
we also can’t say that it’s impossible.
So, because of that, as we enter the cold and flu season, even if you’ve had an episode
of Covid in the past, it remains important to continue to practice mask-wearing, social-distancing,
handwashing , and again, doing the practices that we know that keep ourselves and our friends,
safe.
Fortunately, over the last two weeks or so, we’ve seen a reduction in the number of
Covid cases here in Charlottesville and specifically here at UVA, so I think that’s a testament
that we’re doing the right things to do to control the virus.
However, just a word of warning, we really have to be on guard against complacency.
The virus, unfortunately, is tenacious, it finds opportunities.
So, thank you for your strong and dedicated efforts, keep it up.
If you’re looking for a fun and safe way to get some exercise or looking for a way
to give back to the Charlottesville community.
There is an event where you can put both of them together.
Make sure to check out the 29th annual 4th Year 5k, hosted by the Peer Health Educators.
This race is virtual this year and is happening between Oct. 25th and Nov. 1.
And no.
You don’t have to be a 4th year to enter, and the registration fee is $10.
All proceeds from the race go to the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation’s Community Emergency
Response Fund.
Follow the PHEs on Instagram for more info leading up to the race!
There are also plenty of other ways to get out and explore, we’ve got a few ideas for
you.
Go for a hike on one of the trails behind Gooch and Dillard dorms.
It’s an easy way to get into nature, and it’s beautiful at this time of the year.
You can even see the observatory that O-Hill is named after.
If you’re feeling the Halloween spirit, take a trip to Barracks and pick up some pumpkins
to carve with your friends.
Hitch a ride with Charlottesville city buses, it's free for UVA students.
McIntire park is within walking distance for many students and is a great opportunity for
some socially distanced outdoor fun, it’s beautiful and there’s a skate park!
Hop on the free trolley to the IX Art Park, where you can check out some local art and
interactive exhibits.
And less than 15 minutes from Grounds is Riverview Park, where you can walk the Rivanna trail
and see some beautiful views of the river.
Those are some great ideas and there are so many ways to get outside.
One sculpture class has even moved their studio outside.
Let’s take a look.
We’re standing in the Ruffin courtyard; we are in this big outdoor sculpture studio
space and during the time of the virus this is our main classroom.
When the word went out whether you wanted to teach online or in person, I answered right
away that I wanted to teach in person.
So, we are in person, but we have made modifications.
Our mid-term exam is coming up, which will be an exhibition that will be in Ruffin Hall.
My advanced class have harvested Tree of Heaven, which is an invasive species, it carves beautifully,
it sands beautifully, and we’re turning them into sculptures.
We also have pieces from Isabella Whitfield who’s a fifth-year student and Margaret
Kim who’s a fourth-year double major in studio art and biology.
I’m actually very interested in the ancient art makers; they were outside all the time.
I find it to be exhilarating to be outside, the light is good, the air is good.
I’m essentially an optimistic person so I look at restrictions as being opportunities.
That’s awesome and some of you are way more artistic than I’ll ever be.
Now last week we heard from Chief Operating Officer, J.J. Davis, this week I’ll leave
you with a message from Provost, Liz Magil.
Hit the @YOUva team on Instagram or email us at youva@virginia.edu with questions, concerns,
and good news.
This has been Zeno and I’m out like a light.
Hi.
I’m Liz Magill, the provost and chief academic officer here at UVA.
The pandemic has had an enormous impact on almost every aspect of the work we do in the
provost’s office.
We have had to re-imagine how we deliver content in the classroom, how we recruit new faculty,
and how we can carry out our research safely.
I have been continually impressed and humbled by the creativity and innovation of our faculty
and staff as they have met and addressed these challenges.
No one wishes to find themselves in the midst of a crisis, but I am proud to say our faculty,
and our staff have continued to create innovative solutions to the complexities
generated by the pandemic.
I believe many of these innovations will remain in place at UVA long after this period in
our lives is over.
One great example of crisis breeding creativity is our new Signature J-Term courses.
This year regular tuition includes one J-term course and one course in Summer Session I.
As we explained in a, long, message to the community in June, in addition
to our regular classes offered at those times, we are designing new, “Signature” interdisciplinary
courses for the January and summer terms.
These courses will be taught by professors from across the University and will explore
some of today’s most relevant and pressing topics—from the science of pandemics, to racial justice,
to the importance of democracy, to an examination of sustainable cities of the future.
J-Term enrollment opens during the week of November 9 and full details about J-Term can
be found at January term dot Virginia dot Edu.
I know students will be excited to take these challenging and relevant classes
and I know faculty are excited to offer them.
Another example is the new UVA Edge program, a collaboration between the College of Arts
& Sciences and the School for Continuing and Professional Studies.
UVA Edge is a one-year, undergraduate experience for working adults with little or no college
credit.
Students will learn in-demand, professional skills and earn 20 credits from UVA.
We are piloting the program with a small group in 2021, with the plan to grow the program
in future years.
UVA Edge serves as a meaningful and compelling way to broaden access to the University and
to earn college credit, and I am really proud of the team responsible for its launch.
Let me also highlight the hardworking and creative team in global affairs, including the international
studies office.
So many students were disappointed by the unexpected termination of their study abroad
this spring, and the cancellation of this year’s programs.
But our staff quickly discovered there was a thirst for remote international work.
They developed a course called “Interning Abroad in Virtual Conditions” and partnered
with several international non-profits to place our students.
This past summer, UVA students took part in global virtual internships in India, Morocco,
Thailand, and Peru.
Several students elected to continue their internships into the fall, because they were
learning so much and had established such strong relationships with their international
colleagues.
This program was even more successful than we had imagined, so much so that UVA plans
to offer it again this spring.
I know that these are incredibly hard times for all of us, our faculty, our staff, and particularly our students.
Nothing is as our students imagined it would be.
I hope that all of us can take heart from stories like these.
Character and grit is best revealed not in the easy times, but in the hard times.
I that that despite our the current hard times, we can use this opportunity to demonstrate
our very best.
These few examples, for me, highlight the creativity and the resilience of the very
the very best of UVA.