I am writing to provide you with further guidance on undergraduate non-classroom academic activity in an environment of remote instruction. Unfortunately, we will be limiting many of these experiences, all of which are high-impact practices. I appreciate the significant value of these opportunities for our students, but we must balance that with considerations for health, safety, and our responsibilities to social distancing practices.

For purposes of this guidance, a practicum is defined as a required component of the curriculum in a professional program leading to licensure. Under the direction of the dean and the accrediting body governing the program, in-person practicum experiences may continue during the period of remote instruction.

Regardless of the location of the service learning course site, service learning courses should transition to remote delivery.

Internship for Academic Credit

Students currently participating in internships, regardless of location, should contact their internship sites and request remote internship assignments. If it is not possible to continue the internship remotely, the experiential component of the internship should conclude. The remaining academic component of the internship should continue via remote delivery, and may be added to if the experiential component ends early. If necessary, the portion of the internship grade related to the experiential component can be based on the work completed in the first half of the semester.

Decisions regarding non-credit internships are the responsibility of the participating student and the site.

Undergraduate Research in UVM Facilities

Students who reside locally and are currently enrolled in for-credit research in UVM facilities should contact their research supervisors and request remote research assignments. If it is not possible to continue the research remotely, and if the research activity is deemed essential by the dean, the activity may continue. If the student does not reside locally, or is not comfortable returning to the facility for health or safety reasons, the final research write-up, project, or presentation can be based on the research conducted to date, or the faculty may modify the research assignment so that it can be completed remotely.

Local students who are participating in non-paid non-credit research in UVM facilities and wish to continue should contact their research supervisors and request remote research assignments. If this is not possible, and if the research activity is deemed essential by the dean, the activity may continue.

Students who are paid for their research assistance are considered student workers. Student workers who are local are currently allowed to continue working if they able.

Student Initiated Access to Academic Activities and Facilities

Students who reside locally may seek access to academic facilities such as studios, practice rooms, research labs, and maker spaces to continue essential academic activities.

Decisions about whether students may access these spaces shall be made in consultation with the dean or his/her designee. Access decisions should consider the following:

• Academic equity between local and non-local students, including articulating options for remote completion or alternative work for non-local students
• Credentials and training of the students
• Adequate facility staffing to ensure safety and security
• Ensuring that no student feels compelled or coerced to work in a campus facility during our remote instruction.

This guidance is all subject to change as conditions evolve.

Please remember that social distancing practices are the most effective way to minimize the spread of the virus, and should be observed in the case of all continued activities. Gatherings of more than 25 are prohibited.

Thank you.