澳门六合彩图库

University Response During COVID-19

The News Magazine of HCU

As Spring Break 2020 drew to a close, HBU, like the rest of the country, dealt with a new reality. The University issued directives that the following week, March 16-20, 2020, professors would prepare for remote delivery of residential courses.

Michael Rosato

鈥淲e were talking to colleagues at other universities,鈥 Dr. Michael Rosato, HBU provost, remembers. He and University leadership understood that online and residential courses differ greatly in delivery and structure. The decision meant quick action and participation University-wide.

In one week, HBU moved nearly 800 classes to remote delivery, using the learning management system, Blackboard, as the primary instructional and assessment vehicle. There was a flurry of activities behind scenes as the Provost鈥檚 Office organized faculty training, established virtual support including a Faculty Communication Center, and more. The main objective for Rosato and professors was to maintain learning outcomes.

鈥淓very time I describe it, I am so proud of our faculty and staff,鈥 he said 鈥淲as it perfect? No. Was it very good? Yes. Because we did some things early on like surveys with students and faculty and focus groups. We got feedback early on about what was working and what was not.鈥

Some professors who had rarely used instructional technology adapted quickly. 鈥淥ne professor three weeks in said, 鈥業 have learned so much about how to deliver my course remotely. I鈥檓 going to use some of these techniques residentially.鈥 It鈥檚 interesting how when people are forced to do new things in different ways, they鈥檙e better for it and our students are better for it,鈥 Rosato said. 鈥淣ot all students loved the way they had to finish certain assignments. Others said, 鈥業 have never taken a class remotely鈥 and were pleasantly surprised. There was a whole host of comments; most students felt pretty good about what we were doing.鈥

Whit Goodwin

For the students who needed to remain on campus, HBU continued providing a residence for them and offering food service. Whit Goodwin, associate provost for 澳门六合彩图库, said, 鈥淭he University鈥檚 response to COVID revolved around

making sure our students, faculty and staff were safe. We鈥檝e given them the opportunity to continue toward graduation and engagement with the distinct HBU experience.鈥

Kimberly Ramos, senior director of Student Success & Advising, reflected how well her department and others at HBU pulled together to serve students. In one week, the Academic Success Center moved all tutoring to an online format. The TRIO and First-Year Success programs transferred coaching to remote meetings. 鈥淪taff members were heavily involved with assisting students with resources and questions, helping meet the needs of students with resources and helping talk them through the processes of remote coursework.鈥

Kimberly Ramos

For students who needed access to computers and WiFi, the HBU Looper Learning Commons was made available. The IT department brought in additional computers equipped with the Respondus LockDown Browser necessary for tests in some courses.

鈥淭he staff has been absolutely phenomenal,鈥 Ramos said. 鈥淭hey鈥檝e worked tirelessly to meet the needs of students during late hours, odd hours and weekends. They have been able to really fill in the gap for students so they鈥檙e able to continue working. The students have been appreciative.鈥

Whit Goodwin, associate provost for 澳门六合彩图库, credited HBU staff, saying, 鈥淩esidence Life figured out how to house, move out, and quarantine if needed, more than 800 students in the matter of a week.聽It was remarkable, and then we had almost 200 students stay due to needs.聽It was really incredible work they did and it was literally 24/7. Student Involvement took an entire social and educational experience that relies on in-person interaction and made it a program that students engaged in from afar, keeping them incredibly well-connected to HBU and each other.鈥

Colette Cross

Even Spiritual Life activities continued with Zoom discipleship and Bible studies, a weekly live prayer service, and more. Colette Cross, HBU director of Discipleship, said, 鈥淭he COVID quarantine has been such an interesting experience in learning new ways to provide ministry opportunities. I am so聽 proud of our faculty, staff, students and parachurch group leaders for not missing a beat in ministry and care for our students.聽We have seen five students come to know the Lord as their personal Savior this semester and three of these have been since Spring Break through virtual ministry. It just shows us once again how amazing the Lord is and not even a pandemic can get in the way of the love He has for His people.聽HBU is special for many reasons, and I am grateful to serve in a place that cares for its students, faculty and staff and celebrates the amazing God we serve!鈥

The Hodo Residence College

Goodwin said, 鈥淩esidence Life, Student Involvement, and Spiritual Life hit homeruns in regard to making an engaging, safe, and quick new paradigm for the spring.鈥

The Admissions Office has engaged future students with live chats, remote tours, streaming presentations, phone calls and more. Future Huskies will participate in Husky Drive-In events in which students will engage with faculty and staff, as well as the president and first lady, from their vehicles as they drive through campus to receive important information and HBU gear along the way.

For the Fall 2020 semester, the HBU family looks forward to welcoming students back on campus. The University has gained valuable insight for the future, Rosato said.

鈥淭his whole time that we鈥檝e been in is unprecedented 鈥 we鈥檝e never had a spring like this 鈥 almost every college and university student was taking courses through distance education, and for the first time in the history of education, we had almost every professor teaching through distance education. Because we were forced to do that, higher education will probably not be the same in the future. What I鈥檓 surmising is we鈥檙e going to have a lot more faculty who were technology-averse in the past start using technology to enrich their instruction on a regular basis,鈥澛 he said. 鈥淚 really expected far more problems and complaints from students and faculty and it hasn鈥檛 happened. I think it鈥檚 a real testament to our faculty members who know and love the Lord, understand our mission, and are willing to face challenges and answer the call.”