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Desks positioned 6 feet apart, faculty members and students clad in masks for face-to-face instruction, and a rotating schedule for class attendance will be part of the new collegiate experience this fall at the University of North Georgia (Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û).

"Our main objectives are to keep as much face-to-face instruction as possible while ensuring the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff," said Dr. Chaudron Gille, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. "With those two goals in mind, our campuses have devised different ways to teach students, which include a mix of in-person, online and hybrid instruction."

For fall 2020, course schedules will be marked with an instructional modality for each class. The modes are:

• (F) Fully at a distance — All or nearly all sessions will be online. Students will not be required to travel to a classroom for instruction, but they may have an orientation event or exam in person.
• (H1) Hybrid 1 with 25% to 50% face-to-face instruction— Technology will be used to deliver 50% to 75% of class sessions. Students will attend class on a regular rotation based on room capacity with social distancing.
• (H2) Hybrid 2 with 25% face-to-face instruction — More than 75% of course will be delivered online. Students will attend class on a regular rotation with social distancing.
• (H3) Hybrid 3 variable face-to-face instruction: Technology will be used to deliver a percentage of class sessions. Because the class format necessitates close physical proximity with others, personal protective equipment in addition to masks may be required.
• (T) Technology enhanced — Technology will be used in delivering instruction, but no class sessions are replaced by technology.
• No technology — No technology will be used in delivering instruction.

For all hybrid classes, students will be notified of their attendance requirements before the first day of class.

More information about the instruction modalities can be found on the Nighthawks Together website.

To prepare students for hybrid and online courses, the division of Distance Education & Technology Integration (DETI) has expanded its student resources. Students may self-enroll in an eLearning (D2L) Tutorial learn how to navigate the online learning management system or use the remote learning guide.

Changes to the instruction method are not the only changes. Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û has revised its academic calendar as well, with course instruction concluding before Thanksgiving on Nov. 24. All students, regardless of instruction method, will take final exams online from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4.

For students to be successful in this new educational environment, they will be required to have the proper equipment and safety gear. Face coverings are required by students, faculty, staff, and visitors in Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û buildings and facilities where 6 feet of social distancing may not be possible. Students also will need access to a computer with video and audio capability to participate in courses and complete tests. A webcam and headset with a microphone will be needed if it is not part of the computer or laptop's configuration.

Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û's Bookstores have Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û Information Technology Services-approved Dell laptops, webcams and accessories available in-store and online. Students also may rent a computer through the Laptop Loaner Program.

For freshmen and transfer students, Orientation and Transitions Programs (OTP) will introduce the new way of life during orientation events on all five campuses.

"We will have our orientation programs in classrooms that have been set up with social-distance seating," said Darcy Hayes, director of OTP. "We will point out the signage for one-way stairwells and other elements affected by the COVID-19 restrictions."

Presentations will be delivered virtually, with a large focus on the health and safety of students and technological resources available to them.

"We will spend time on how to access the Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û mobile app, Microsoft Teams and Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û Connect," Hayes said. "I would advise students to take time to learn the technologies that we use. They will be different from what they were exposed to in high school or other higher education institutions." 

Students may familiarize themselves about instructional changes on the Nighthawks Together website and learn what to expect in the classroom. They may also learn what to expect on campus as well as access a return to campus checklists, FAQs, and other information.