Graduate Student Updates for Fall 2020

Over the last few weeks, I hosted a series of listening sessions, first with graduate program directors, then with graduate students. In this email, which has also been shared with all faculty and University leadership, you will find guidance on the following:

·         Graduate course formats and options

·         Considerations for international graduate students

·         COVID-19 and academic progress

·         Stipend payments for international students

·         TAs and graduate instructor expectations for in-person instruction and workload

·         TA resources for hybrid teaching

·         Health and safety in the classroom and frequently asked questions

Graduate course formats and options

Most, but not all, graduate courses will include in-person instruction. Many in-person courses will also include online components to accommodate social distancing requirements and students who require remote learning. A smaller subset of classes will be provided in online-only format. As such, the general expectation is that graduate students who are able to arrive in Syracuse for the start of classes should be on campus to attend courses in person. It is also understood that health concerns for individual graduate students may require that you attend courses remotely. For that reason, nearly all courses can also be taken remotely. You are encouraged to consult with faculty from within your individual program to confirm best options for online only courses. A process for indicating that you intend to enroll for remote instruction only will be forthcoming.

Considerations for international graduate students

We recognize that because of delays in visa processing or travel restrictions, many of our new and continuing graduate students will be unable to arrive on campus in time for in-person instruction. For international graduate students who are unable to return to campus, most programs will offer the opportunity to complete coursework online from their home country. A process for international students to indicate their intentions to complete course work online or in-person will be provided in a future communication. All affected students are encouraged to consult with faculty leadership from your program to determine options for online study, in-person course work, leaves of absence or—for new students—whether program deferral is necessary.

Regrettably, new students from Iran, Syria, Sudan and Cuba will have to defer admission because of previously existing government sanctions. Students from these countries may not start the semester fully online.

Given the guidance provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) this week, international students who intend to be on campus for the fall should understand that, to remain in immigration compliance, you must register for classes that include in-person instruction. You will also be permitted to take one or more online courses, as necessary for your degree progress. The details of this requirement are still being clarified. For now, rest assured that we will work closely with all international graduate students to ensure that you are able to register for in-person courses under our hybrid instructional model.

For Ph.D. and master’s students who are finished with all or most course work but who are still completing research requirements, dissertation and master’s thesis work is considered “in-person.” You will need to register for appropriate credits (e.g., GRD 998), maintain your full-time status and work with the Center for International Services to complete necessary paperwork to assure your valid immigration status. More detailed information concerning the new ICE guidelines will be provided as it becomes available. As Chancellor Syverud noted in his message late yesterday, Syracuse University is joining an amicus brief in support of litigation filed by Harvard and M.I.T. challenging the ICE directive. We value all of our international students and the many ways that you enrich our academic community.

COVID-19 and academic progress

Some graduate students’ research progress may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Degree completion timelines follow departmental guidelines. Departments are asked to be compassionate in reviewing expectations for student progress. Where appropriate, students may petition for an adjustment to their degree completion timeline. For more information, please contact Associate Dean Gabby Chapman.

Stipend payments for international students

I have received many questions about the possibility of paying stipends or other wages to international students who hold research or teaching assistantships, part-time instructor positions, fellowships, instructional assistant or other hourly positions, but who are unable to return to Syracuse due to travel restrictions. Based on current guidance and after a detailed examination of the applicable laws and regulations, the University has determined that it will not be possible to pay students who remain outside the United States stipends or other wages in exchange for work. This restriction includes students who have a U.S. bank account but are studying online from their home country in the fall. Students designated to receive funding from a fellowship can still receive the fellowship stipend, assuming their home department is in agreement with the arrangement.

We will continue to monitor regulatory guidance pertaining to wages for international students who are currently outside of the U.S. If new guidance becomes available, we will revisit the policy regarding international student payments.

Finally, Ph.D. and select master students who, in consultation with graduate program faculty, choose to begin or continue graduate studies from their home country can still be awarded remitted tuition if that was originally included as part of their admissions package.

TAs and graduate instructor expectations for in-person instruction and workload

In planning for our fall 2020 academic start, the health and safety of our students, staff and faculty is our first priority. The University is adopting extensive measures to protect community health and safety, including the use of rigorous testing and surveillance protocols, required use of masks on campus, and adoption of alternating day class attendance and hybrid instructional approaches to ensure sufficient social distancing in our classrooms, studios, performance venues and other instructional spaces.

We anticipate that a majority of undergraduate and graduate courses will include a face-to-face component. It is also understood that health concerns for individual graduate students and their family members—as with individual faculty—may require that teaching activities be limited to remote instruction only. Schools, colleges and programs will provide an opportunity for graduate instructors and graduate TAs to indicate if a health concern necessitates an online-only instructional approach. You will not be asked to disclose any personal health information as part of this request and the University will not penalize you in any way for making the decision that is best for you.

If you require a TA assignment that does not include in-person instruction based on a health concern for you or someone you live with, please communicate this need directly to your TA supervisor, graduate program director or department chair.

The Fall 2020 semester will be unusual, and we understand that graduate teaching assistants will be asked to assist with hybrid and flexible course formats in new ways. That said, it is still an absolute expectation that departments stick with the time commitment specified in your teaching assistantship appointment letter, typically 20 hours or less per week.

If, after consulting with relevant faculty members in your department, you still have concerns or questions about your TA assignment or workload expectations, please don’t hesitate to contact Graduate School Dean Peter Vanable or Associate Dean Gabby Chapman for additional support.

TA resources for hybrid teaching

Information Technology Services (ITS) and the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE) staff will offer three webinar-style sessions on Online Teaching for TAs: Getting Started for Fall. The sessions will provide an overview of course delivery models and typical TA roles within those formats. The facilitators will demonstrate Syracuse University-supported web conferencing, video streaming and other instructional tools integrated in Blackboard, and answer questions. Sessions will be held on the following dates:

·         Tuesday, July 28, 2-3:30 p.m.

·         Monday, Aug. 10, 9:30-11 a.m.

·         Thursday, Aug. 20, 1:30-3 p.m.

TAs and other graduate students involved in instructional activities (e.g., instructional assistants, part-time instructors) may register online for the session of their choice. Additional sessions will be provided if warranted based on demand.

Note that if you are a TA in a course and will be responsible for recitation(s), your lead faculty TA supervisor should soon be in touch to discuss responsibilities. The lead faculty member can provide you direction for outcomes and information regarding expectations for those sections. We also encourage you and your faculty mentor to make an appointment with help@syr.edu to be directed to a teaching and learning team member who can assist in planning. Team members are ready to support faculty-TA teams in working through instructional expectations for recitation sections.

All graduate instructors of record teaching this fall are also encouraged to utilize the University’s suite of Fall Course Transition Services. Use the Fall 2020 Preparedness Checklist as a starting point, then consult the Fall 2020 Teaching Guide for helpful resources on designing objectives, assessments, assignments, weekly activities and running class sections in a mixed formats. Lastly, for individualized support, the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, Online Learning Services and the Center for Online and Digital Learning can help. To start the process, complete the brief Fall Course Development Form.

In addition, Teaching and Technology Tuesday Discussion Groups are now open to graduate students. Information about these virtual lunchtime sessions is available on Answers, in addition to other teaching and learning resources.

Health and safety in the classroom and frequently asked questions

During our listening sessions, we heard—and answered—many detailed questions about health and safety in the classroom. Answers to these and other related questions can be found on the Fall 2020 website.

The Graduate School is here to serve you during this time of uncertainty. We welcome your questions and encourage you to contact us at gradschool@syr.edu or 315.443.2543.

Peter A. Vanable
Dean of the Graduate School
Associate Provost for Graduate Studies