UC San Diego Campus Notice
  OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE VICE CHANCELLOR

  OFFICE OF THE CHAIR, ACADEMIC SENATE, SAN DIEGO DIVISION 

September 7, 2022
ALL ACADEMICS AT UC SAN DIEGO

Fall 2022 Instructional Update 

Dear Colleagues,

We hope you had an enjoyable summer and feel renewed to return to the classroom this fall. In the 2022-23 academic year, we will continue moving towards a sustainable future for instruction as we, hopefully, approach a steady state of living with the coronavirus. 

Fall courses will primarily be taught in-person. The Academic Senate did not issue a limited-term exception to the Policy on Distance Education Courses for the 2022-23 academic year to continue allowing non-R courses to be taught remotely. The exceptions granted from spring 2020 through summer 2022 were in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and given the current situation, the pandemic-related exceptions granted to allow for emergency remote instruction are ending. Individual instructors seeking alternative teaching assignments based on personal factors should speak with their department chairs and deans about options and potential next steps.

We recognize there is interest in incorporating more online teaching into the curriculum with an emphasis on quality course development. Remember that currently up to 49 percent of a course may be delivered remotely without requiring the R-course designation. That means that up to 49 percent of instruction, not including office hours, may be remote. Faculty interested in developing courses with more than 50 percent of instruction occurring remotely are advised to consult with their department or program and follow the guidelines established in the Policy on Distance Education Courses to prepare a course proposal for Senate approval. 

Here are a few other reminders related to the instruction for the development of R-courses and teaching in the fall quarter:
  • The Senate makes decisions about course modality based on pedagogical reasons. These decisions are not based on individual instructor circumstances. Decisions about instructor assignments for particular courses are made by departments. If an instructor has a disability, they should contact Disability Counseling and Consulting (DCC) and work within the interactive process, in conjunction with their supervisor, to find an appropriate accommodation. 
  • Just as before the pandemic started, we continue to encourage instructors to demonstrate flexibility with students who become ill and cannot attend classes. Faculty may make arrangements directly with students who have short-term illnesses or other emergency situations, and these arrangements may vary depending upon the course requirements and conditions. 
  • Students with temporary or permanent disabilities need to register with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) so that accommodations can be determined and an Authorization for Accommodation (AFA) letter may be issued. Please note, accommodations for students with disabilities are determined by the OSD, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other state and federal regulations, and must be followed. Should faculty have any concerns or questions about accommodations, they should email osd@ucsd.edu for consultation. These consultations can help faculty meet ADA requirements in the context of their specific course structure.
  • As many of you may be aware, the EVC’s Office has funded a pilot to test the concept of a centralized testing service for the campus community. The purpose of the pilot Triton Testing Center (TTC) is to assess whether such a service would provide relief to overworked academic departments (particularly in terms of handling accommodated testing) while offering convenient, easy to use, and integrity-centric testing services to UCSD students across all departments. For more information about sending test takers to the Triton Testing Center, please email tritontesting@ucsd.edu as soon as possible so arrangements can be made.
  • The Teaching + Learning Commons’ Engaged Teaching Hub offers a wealth of resources and teaching strategies that support student learning and inclusive teaching. Please take advantage of this information, as well as other resources offered on campus.
  • Masking is still required in indoor classroom/instructional settings, clinical areas, and on Triton/university transportation until further notice. Please check online for the additional masking guidance and where to obtain free masks. 
In closing, we’d like to express our continued deep appreciation for your resilience and for the exceptional efforts you have undertaken over the past two-and-a-half years to create rich learning environments for your students, despite the obstacles. 

With best regards,
Elizabeth H. Simmons
Executive Vice Chancellor

Nancy Postero
Chair, Academic Senate, San Diego Division 
University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA, 92093