COVID-19 Information

Online Teaching Guide

1. For LSA Technical Services support, reach out via email at lsait@umich.edu or by calling 734.615.0100 for the fastest service.

2. Keep Teaching @ UM - How to get started with remote teaching  

3. Resources for Teaching Remotely

4. CRLT's Getting Started with Teaching Remotely in An Emergency

5. Teaching Remotely: Instructional Tools and How To

6. LSA COVID-19/Teaching and Learning Remotely FAQs

7. Strategies for Online Teaching
 

Remote Tools:

The four tools that UofM has license for to allow faculty to hold classes live (synchronously) in a virtual/online environment and that are free to all faculty, staff, and students, are:

• Bluejeans Meeting: best for small-to-medium-sized discussion classes, focused on face-to-face, or more managed for 40-80-seat engaged learning classes using the Breakout Room feature.
  • Teaching with Bluejeans
• Bluejeans Event: best for large classes (100+), focused on lecture.
• Canvas Conferences: best for small-medium classes, focused on materials; advantage comes from having everything integrated together in a single Canvas environment.  Please note that we are aware of issues with this feature being throttled and are working on possible resolutions. Thanks for your patience.
  • Teaching with Conferences
• Zoom: cloud video conferencing, for both small and large online meetings, group messaging and webinars. 
  • Getting Started with Zoom (Faculty, Staff and Students)
  • U-M Zoom training and webinar recordings
• Google Hangouts Meet:  great as a backup option, temporary capacity to 250, recording, and broadcasting / streaming up to 100k users until 07/01/2020. See:
  • Livestream a video call (up to 100,000 viewers)
  • Record a video call
  • Hangouts Meet training and help
  • Hangouts Meet cheat sheet
   
  All of these tools are different from Lecture Capture and Kaltura Capture or other screencast methods (which are all for asynchronous viewing).  For these, email lsa-iss-ltc@umich.edu for help and see our training at: https://ttc.iss.lsa.umich.edu/ttc/sessions/tag/lsa-remote-teaching/.

Additional Resources

• BlueJeans How To (videos)
• BlueJeans for Teaching
• Canvas FAQ
• How to download class roster for upload to BlueJeans
• ITS' Remote Resource Guide
• Provost's Instructions on Remote Instruction
• Access to Remote Instruction for Students and Faculty with Disabilities
  

Questions?

• Canvas: email (for Psychology Instructors only) psych.canvas@umich.edu
• Teaching Remotely: email LSATeachingRemotelyQandA@umich.edu
• Walk In Support Locations and Hours

• COVID-19: Research Operations at U-M (UMOR)
• Institutional and Agency Responses to COVID-19 and Additional Resources

LSA Students: Report Your Illness

LSA Students: Direct your general COVID-19 questions to LSA here: lsa-covid-help@umich.edu  

LSA Resources for Graduate Students

Students may withdraw from a course up until April 21st with no "W" on their transcript.

Advising Support

• Psych/BCN advisors are still available for virtual advising appointments, and some things no longer require an appointment. Read the details and schedule your appointment here. 
  
• Find answers to common advising-related questions here.

LSA Technical Services support

• For LSA Technical Services support, please contact 4help@umich.edu.
  
• Need a laptop or iPad to attend class? IT has them available for loan on a first come first served basis. Update 3/24/20 - there are still some laptops available! Visit their website for more information, or call 734.615.0100 to set up an appointment.
  
• For getting connected outside Ann Arbor: Anyone with a uniqname and password can access eduRoam networks, worldwide.

Food, Housing, Transportation, and Other needs

• Maize & Blue Cupboard - free food distributions for members of the UM community
• Huron Valley Mutual Aid Resources Spreadsheet - crowdsourced spreadsheet to offer or request services to the UM student community (use tabs)
• Free Internet - Comcast offering free "Internet Essentials" for 60 days for new customers and low-income customers (News Article | Sign up)
• Low Cost Windows 10 Laptop or Computer - if you qualify for Comcast "Internet Essentials," you can purchase a Windows 10 laptop or computer for $149.99 + tax
• 30 Days Free Self-Storage from U-Haul - for college students affected by COVID-19
• Access to Remote Instruction for Students and Faculty with Disabilities
• Graduate students living in Munger, Northwood 1, 2, 4 and 5, and the Lawyer’s Club are strongly encouraged to leave but have not been mandated to do so. (Information current as of 3/20/20.)
• MDining is offering boxed meals during specific hours of the day.

Learning & Technology Resources

• How to Adjust Your Study Habits during COVID
• LSA Technology Tips for Students - Student’s how-to guide for using Canvas features and BlueJeans
• Instructional Support Services (ISS) - Equipment loan centers in G340 Mason Hall and ISS Media Center 2001 MLB where LSA students may borrow a computer and other equipment of a short-term basis
• Public computing sites - available on campus and in residence halls
• Reservable rooms - Multi-media locations around campus are still open and can be used for instructional purposes to collaborate using Bluejeans or Google Hangout
• Students in need of internet access - A listing of national internet providers with free or significantly discounted access.  There are also MCard discounts that you can get with various cell phone providers.  See more at the University of Michigan Finance Page.

Financial Assistance 

• Office of the Provost - comprehensive list of financial resources for students
• Grad Students who are facing financial hurdles, please contact the Rackham Resolution Office for potential emergency funding

Loss of Employment 

• Student Employment Office for work study students
• Michigan unemployment

International Students

• COVID-19 resources for international students

• CAPS is providing both on-site and telephone counseling sessions.

Grading Policy Questions/Answers

• Winter 2020 Undergraduate Grading FAQ
• Winter 2020 Rackham Grading FAQ

• Michigan COVID-19 Pandemic Resource Guide - Provides information on how to access various resources aimed at supporting Michiganders through the coronavirus pandemic and the related economic slowdown
• Guidance for supervisors on communicating with employees regarding confirmed cases of COVID-19.
  
• LSA Gateway: COVID-19 Resources
  
• Free Internet - Comcast offering free "Internet Essentials" for 60 days for new customers and low-income customers (News Article | Sign up)
• Available Options for Internet Access - A list of free/low cost options is available here.
• For getting connected outside Ann Arbor: Anyone with a uniqname and password can access eduRoam networks, worldwide.
• TIAA and Fidelity guidance - With health and money on the minds of many, U-M and its partners are working to lighten the load with free financial guidance. Fidelity Investments and TIAA offer free, one-on-one counseling sessions to benefit-eligible employees.

• Faculty and Staff Counseling and Consultation Office (FASCCO)  FASCCO remains open and available to provide support to U-M faculty and staff.
• The CDC Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19 provides a good summary, practical tips, and links to reliable information.  
  
• The National Child Traumatic Stress Network provides a factsheet with details on how to talk with families/children about COVID-19.
  
• Need help relaxing? These videos from MHealthy guide you through simple actions you can take.
• MHealthy Guide to Well-Being During the COVID19 Pandemic
• Helpful Tips for Managing Coronavirus Anxiety
• Staying Psychologically Sound In Light Of Health Concerns From Coronavirus - Dr. Patricia Deldin about what to expect and ways to cope in light of those emotions most everyone is experiencing.
• American Psychological Association Resources
  
• Don’t Go Down a Coronavirus Anxiety Spiral - Dr. Ethan Kross explains why the coronavirus is uniquely stressful, and what you can do to relieve your worries, while still keeping you and your family safe.
• CAPS is providing both on-site and telephone counseling sessions.
  
• Mood Lifters Meetings 
  
  • Coping with the coronavirus
    
  • Coping with social isolation and quarantine
• Shelter in Love Series: self-care and change management relevant to the current pandemic.
• DEI Learning: COVID-19 and beyond

All Undergraduate University of Michigan Related Travel is prohibited. There are no exceptions.

All U-M faculty, staff and students traveling abroad for university-related purposes are required to register their travel plans.

To do so, use the travel registry: 

• The Global Michigan portal has information and links about traveling outside the USA 
  
• Travel abroad health insurance information
  
• LSA travel policy
• U-M Global Travel Restrictions
  

STAY INFORMED ABOUT BIAS & DISCRIMINATION IN RELATION TO COVID19

It is important that we all stay informed about the ways that the COVID-19 health crisis differentially impacts various communities and various members of our community. Below are articles that may help to highlight some important areas of concern:

Impact of COVID-19 planning for DACA Students

• Page, K. R., et al. (March 29, 2020). Undocumented U.S. Immigrants and Covid-19. New England Journal of Medicine.

Impact of COVID-19 on low-income immigrant families

• Low-income immigrants are afraid to seek health care amid the Covid-19 pandemic

• CDC - Reducing Stigma
• Surviving Racism Amidst Covid-19
• COVID-19 - Racial Equity & Social Justice Resources

COMBATTING BIAS, REPORTING DISCRIMINATION, AND BEING AN ALLY

The Asian Pacific Planning and Policy Council (A3PCON) reports that as of March 27, 2020 there have been more than 750 racially biased attacks against Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the US. These attacks have come in relation to the Covid19 health crisis. As a department, we extend our support to the AAPI community and to all individuals and families who are especially vulnerable during this time.

• American Psychological Association statement on “Combatting Bias and Stigma Related to Covid 19.”
  • APA Calls for Destigmatizing Coronavirus
• Reporting discrimination against AAPI individuals during COVID19 crisis
  If you have experienced or witnessed acts of discrimination or aggression of AAPI individuals we encourage you to report these incidents to us and to A3PCON.
• Being an ally
  It is often difficult to know how to be an effective ally for people experiencing bias. Please see the following link for ideas on how to be an effective ally.
• Ways to help in these times
  • GoFundMe to Support Undocumented Families in SE Michigan
  • Food Gatherers donations
    

RESOURCES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS, LOW-INCOME STUDENTS, AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

In the weeks and months ahead, students from various intersecting backgrounds will likely face unanticipated challenges and will need different kinds of supports. Below please find resources that we hope will be helpful.

• Information from the UM International Center
  
• Maize and Blue Cupboard (for students facing food insecurity)
  
• Information for students with disabilities
  
• Resources for undocumented immigrant communities
  
• Steve Fund report on maintaining mental health
• State-wide Covid-19 Resources Michigan from UM Poverty Solutions

• UM CAPS
• CDC on Managing Stress
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Covid Supports
  

Washtenaw County

• Connect2Community - This portal developed by the Ginsberg Center helps U-M community members access a collection of continually-updated and emergent community-identified needs and opportunities.
  
• Donating Funds and Supplies to Michigan Medicine
• Food Gatherers: donate funds, donate food, donate Lunches with Love, volunteer.
• GoFundMe to Support Undocumented Families in SE Michigan
• The United Way of Washtenaw County - COVID-19 Community Relief Fund
• The Washtenaw County Medical Reserve Corps is looking for medical and non-medical volunteers 18 and older. Those interested can learn more.
  

• American Red Cross - Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood. Learn more here.
• Meal Train: Organize a Meal Train for the Essential Workers in your Community
• Michigan.gov Fight COVID-19 - For Michiganders who are able to help to volunteer their time to help combat the COVID-19 outbreak in the state.
  
• Volunteeer Michigan - The Michigan Community Service Commission is connecting volunteers to needs by working with state level networks and associations in helping with the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Undergraduate Student Need-based Scholarships
• Graduate Student Emergency Fund
• Staff Hardship Emergency Fund