Dear IU School of Optometry Students,
Indiana University President Michael A. McRobbie has now extended the online delivery of classes for the remainder of the semester. Faculty are preparing to provide the remainder of their courses in this way. Course labs that cannot be delivered via video demo, readings, or other distance mechanisms will be postponed until previously arranged class time during this summer. We will work out a schedule over the next few weeks.
The goal in all of this is to continue building your expertise and we are working to provide you with the appropriate experiences. Our ability to test and assess that expertise is somewhat unclear at this point. We will let you know more about tests and finals as options become clearer. Please just continue to work on your studies and courses so that this educational time is used optimally in your optometric training.
Clinic and Rotations
To keep students safe and in accord with public health advisories to reduce social interactions, we have decided to cancel 3rd-year clinics and the remainder of 4th–year rotations through the end of the spring semester. This has potential implications including making up the clinic time later and, at the very least, having assignments (e.g. writing up case reports or some online CE, etc.) during this time. The American Council on Optometric Education, the body that accredits all optometry programs, has seemingly provided a lot of flexibility in modifying the program during this time, but they want assurances that education is being provided. Our goal is to allow 4th–year students who have completed all required courses with a passing grade to graduate on time and get all other students back on track as soon as possible.
Learning from Home
In the meantime, students should go home. This may be your parents’ home or your local apartment. Wherever, you will need to have good internet capability so that you can engage in online classes. No doubt problems will arise and we will work through them and be flexible so that your education is complete. Keep us informed about any challenges you are facing.
Please travel safely. Exercise all public health precautions: social distancing, good hygiene, do not go out if you feel ill or if someone in your home is ill. Staying put is difficult, but we will get through this and get back to normal soon.
Sincerely,
Joseph Bonanno, OD, PhD
Professor and Dean, Indiana University School of Optometry
P.S. You can visit Indiana University’s Coronavirus COVID-19 website for the latest news updates, travel information, medical resources, and FAQs regarding the university.
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