Dear Faculty and Staff,
We are excited to be starting a new semester and we look forward to providing our students with a safe and successful academic experience.
I am sharing a communication that went out to students on Thursday, August 24, regarding guidance around how to proceed if a student tests positive for COVID-19. While many COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, UAlbany remains committed to the health and safety of our community and we are encouraging students to continue to follow CDC protocols.
As is our policy, we ask that instructors use their best judgment when accommodating student absences or missed assignments. Instructors should provide appropriate and reasonable accommodations consistent with existing policies and work directly with the student to determine the appropriate accommodation.
Please take into consideration that special circumstances may arise due to student COVID-19 illness, the need to isolate, or COVID-19 related personal hardship that may require additional flexibility. Instructors are encouraged to accommodate students who are unable to complete course requirements for a short period of time (e.g., 5 days), but are still able to satisfy the course requirements by the final grading deadline. Reasonable accommodations include, but are not limited to, the following:
Allowing a student to complete an exam or assignment past the due date, but prior to the final grading deadline.
Permitting a student to engage in remote learning and assessment opportunities in the event mandatory self-isolation requires absence from in person class meetings.
Thank you, as always, for your commitment to our students and our university.
Sincerely,
Carol H. Kim
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
University Hall Room 308, 1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222
Phone: 518-956-8030 - provost@albany.edu
