Our program on Thursday, July 30, 2020, featured Phil Reid, Ph.D, Vice Provost for Academic & Student Affairs at the University of Washington.
Dr. Reid is responsible for initiatives and services that improve the student and faculty experience at the University of Washington. Activities include development and support of modern pedagogy, instructional space planning, alignment of student curricular and co-curricular activities, student success and retention analytics, development and deployment of IT systems that support teaching and learning, support of enrollment management, development and support of faculty development initiatives. Dr. Reid is a Professor of Chemistry.
Dr. Reid told is that the University of Washington began to monitor the coronavirus as early as January 2020.
The campus is not closed today, but is scaled back. Approximately 2,000 people are still working there.
Making the quick shift to online programs was a challenge. Two thousand students requested financial aid for things like food, rent and Internet access. Many students, he said, were really struggling. Two thousand computers were sent out in two days. Zoom is now a normal part of the workings of the University–the license for which was only first activated this year.
For the fall, Dr. Reid is planning for a hybrid instructional model. there will be some programs that require onsite instruction, such as labs. Many programs, including large classroom settings, will be fully online.
The residence halls are open, but are expected to be abut sixty percent of capacity.
Dr. Reid was generous in answering questions. He closed by noting that the University of Washington is more than an academic institution. It is an institution of learning, fellowship, and community.
Important roles that are compromised under the current conditions.