As we continue to navigate the extraordinary situation presented by COVID-19, I urge you to take a flexible and compassionate approach to managing academic accommodation for the remainder of the Winter Term.
As previously communicated, the well-being of students and of the Carleton community is our first priority. The end of term is always a stressful time on campus and this is particularly true during this challenging and unsettling time. Students are under considerable stress as they navigate this crisis and deal with challenges in their personal lives. Now more than ever, we need to do what we can to support mental health and well-being among our community.
Last week, I wrote to all teaching staff to request academic accommodation for students whose participation is disrupted by COVID-19. Since that time, this crisis has rapidly evolved and the disruption is being felt across all academic units. At the same time, alternate course delivery and assessment methods present new stressors such as challenges with technology.
Again, I am grateful for your flexibility and compassion as we continue to navigate these uncharted waters to the safe and successful completion of the winter term.
In order to support our teaching staff, we are extending the deadline for winter final grades. The deadline for submission of all grades for all courses will be May 8, but greater efforts to submit grades for potential graduates is encouraged. We hope that this will give both our students and our teaching staff the flexibility that they need to successfully adapt to these challenging circumstances.
In light of the unprecedented circumstances presented by COVID-19 and in light of the scale of the shift teaching staff have had to make in designing alternative modes of instruction and assessment on a tight timeline, the University has decided, on an exceptional basis, to suspend student teaching evaluations for Winter 2020. Anyone needing official documentation regarding teaching performance for the purposes of upcoming professional opportunities will be provided with a letter from their Dean.
Thank you as always for your continued efforts in supporting our students,
Sincerely,
Jerry Tomberlin Provost and Vice-President (Academic)