Dear IU School of Optometry Students, Faculty, and Staff,
To follow up on Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie’s directive to move to online classes, provide a telecommuting option for some faculty and staff, limit travel, strongly discourage campus visitors, and cancel events between now and April 6, I wanted to give you a picture of what that means for IUSO for the next three weeks and possibly for the remainder of the semester.
Timeline
There are two scenarios:
1) The campus is under the current directive for the next three weeks.
2) The directive is extended for the remainder of the semester.
We need to be ready for the second scenario as this is not unlikely.
Staff: If you have not already, discuss with your supervisor options for telecommuting or changes to the work environment. These options will be highly dependent on your type of work.
Teaching Plan
Lectures
We are following the President’s directive and moving all classes online. Faculty members must communicate with Executive Associate Dean Rowan Candy with their specific plan for spring courses. Dr. Candy is ready to help faculty with getting their courses online.
Students, you must follow the directives from Dr. Candy about having the proper software installed (e.g. Kalutra and Zoom) on your personal computers. You will be hearing from individual instructors about specific course requirements, etc.
Labs
In-person course labs are cancelled through April 5. Faculty will determine which labs can be substituted with a video demo, reading materials, postponed, or eliminated. In the event that the directive is extended through the remainder of the semester, we have already discussed and will be preparing contingency plans for crucial labs being given at a later time.
Clinics
Atwater Eye Care Center and Indianapolis Eye Care Center will remain open.
4th-Year Students
You are expected to be in clinic as usual. Extern rotation attendance is determined by the local site.
3rd-Year Students
You are NOT required to attend clinic in the two weeks following Spring Break. HOWEVER, if you are in Bloomington you can volunteer to be scheduled to see patients at AECC. Please contact Dr. Neil Pence to do so. Starting April 6, all 3rd-year students are expected to be in Bloomington and attend clinic.
2nd-Year Students
During the two weeks after Spring Break, scheduled clinic dispensing times are cancelled.
Student Events and Clubs
All student events and club meetings are cancelled until April 6. This includes off-campus dinners or events. This is subject to change if the directive is extended.
Students can use school study spaces, however sustained activity in groups is highly discouraged. If you are in the building, please follow the recommended hygiene, i.e. washing hands, shielding sneezes on the elbow sleeve, do not come to the school if coughing, sneezing, or have a fever.
Follow health directives: https://news.iu.edu/stories/2020/03/iu/inside/10-coronavirus-preparedness-tips-for-employees.html
For those who need to work in the school, each work group will be responsible for daily wipe down of surfaces, door handles, or other shared touch surfaces. Isopropyl alcohol wipes, chlorox wipes, or dilute bleach solution (which we have prepared and can provide fresh) can be used. We have been told that janitors will disinfect door knobs daily. Janitors will disinfect surfaces, but they need to be totally cleared of objects.
Please keep in mind that while some age groups are more susceptible to severe illness from coronavirus, we are all potential vectors. So even if you are not in a high risk group, limiting social interaction will help in reducing the spread of the disease.
Thank you for your cooperation as we navigate this difficult time.
Joseph A. Bonanno, OD, PhD
Professor & Dean, Indiana University School of Optometry
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