Dear Continuing & Distance Education (CDE) Students: We know that many of you have been waiting for more information about the fall semester and are wondering how information going out to all students pertains specifically to you. In an effort to distribute this information as broadly as possible, we’ve included all past, current and prospective Continuing and Distance Education students. Please disregard if this information doesn’t apply.

As you consider whether you are ready to commit to an on-campus experience in the fall semester, some of you have asked whether an at-home option is available to continuing education students. Knowing that your enrollment plans vary based on your academic goals, a single option such as all online/remote or all on-campus may not be realistic. We realize that you may need a more flexible enrollment plan.

To help students make choices that support on campus or remote activities, the Schedule of Courses (SOC) has been revised to include four different attributes that are defined below. Continuing education students will be able to register or adjust their schedules starting July 30.

INPR: In-person classes

MIXD:  Some in-person sessions and some synchronous remote sessions

REMT: Assigned meeting time live online

ONL: Asynchronous online format with online discussions, activity, and content, but no scheduled meetings or live sessions

Enrollment Options

  • For those interested in being on campus, you can participate in a mix of in-person, online (asynchronous), and remote (synchronous) instruction.

  • For those who would like to participate remotely, please choose only online or remote courses. Be aware that the remote courses will meet live online at the time listed in the SOC (Eastern Standard Time).

Other Considerations

  • Students with on campus courses will be required to complete UVM COVID-19 Training and sign the Green and Gold Promise, pledging to follow all social distancing and health and safety protocols, including regular mandatory COVID-19 testing and health screening checks. Details about implementation of these components will be forthcoming.

  • As an “at-home” student enrolled in online or remote courses, you will be exempt from the COVID-19 testing protocol. Once the semester begins, you will not be able to change your registration to include any fall campus-based courses or attend any class meetings, laboratories or in-person clinical experiences. And you will not have a CATcard access to on-campus facilities.

  • There will be no change in academic year 2020-21 tuition or comprehensive fees, regardless of your mix of courses.

  • Please contact Student Financial Services (email: sfs@uvm.edu) regarding any change to financial aid options associated with your living expenses if you will not be in the Burlington area.

Additional Information Regarding Health and Safety

  • The UVMStrong Fall 2020 Planning Team has been working closely with Vermont State officials to ensure that campus operations, residence halls, and classrooms reflect the high health and safety standards expected of all Vermont higher education institutions. Our fall return will look different than in the past as there are several expectations to be met. Overarching guidance comes from the State of Vermont Mandatory Guidance for a Safe and Healthy Return to Campus. UVM has also developed a specific plan for the University.

Arrival Quarantining and Testing

  • If you are coming to campus in the fall from outside the Burlington region, you will need to meet current quarantine regulations. The regulations will depend on your current location and means of transportation to get here. You can determine your specific quarantine requirements through this Interactive Tool. For planning purposes, below is state guidance about quarantines based on the distance individuals need to travel.

  • Home state: If traveling to Vermont in a private vehicle without making a prolonged stop, quarantine at home for 14 days immediately prior to traveling to Vermont (individuals may complete a shorter quarantine if they receive a negative COVID-19 test after day 7 in their home state and travel directly to Vermont without breaking the quarantine); OR

  • In Vermont after public or multi-family transit to Vermont: If traveling to Vermont with people from multiple households, via bus, rail or commercial airlines, individuals must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival to Vermont (after day 7 the individual may get a COVID-19 test and upon receiving a negative result, end their quarantine); OR

  • Non-quarantine counties: Students traveling to Vermont from a non-quarantine county as identified by the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development on August 1, who travel in a private vehicle without making a prolonged stop, may arrive without completing quarantine.

  • Those receiving tests 48 hours before coming to campus must travel directly to campus in a personal vehicle.

  • Once on campus, all students (no matter where they are from) will be provided a test conducted within 48 hours of arrival.

  • All students will again be provided a second test 7 days after arrival.

Students Who Quarantine in Vermont

  • Students may quarantine in one of the following locations:

    • At a private residence in Vermont, including the student’s Vermont apartment (for off-campus students); OR

    • At a lodging property in Vermont including hotels and short-term rentals.

COVID-19 Testing and Health Screening

  • All students will be required to complete a daily on-line health screening before attending classes or being on campus in general.

  • All students who will be on campus will be required to participate in regular sampling and testing for COVID-19. This process will be available on campus and at no cost to students.

Classrooms and Instruction

  • Face coverings are required to be worn by all faculty, staff, students, and visitors when in the presence of others and in public. Students will be provided three reusable face coverings. Students and faculty are required to wear face covering or other PPE in the classrooms, labs, studios, etc.

  • Students, faculty, and staff are expected to observe strict social distancing of 6 feet while on campus. The occupancy of classrooms, labs, lounges, study spaces, meeting rooms, and other designated common areas have been adjusted so that students, faculty, staff and visitors maintain strict social distancing of no less than 6 feet per individual.

Warm Regards,
Dean Cynthia Belliveau


PUBLISHED

07-22-2020
Cynthia Belliveau, Dean, CDE