In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, UNM administrators have made a variety of changes to university policies including on grading, the tenure timeline and teaching evaluations. See our list below and drop us a line if you have a question that hasn’t been answered about these policies. Our list of resources for teaching and working from home have been added to this compilation.

Note: We’ve deliberately repeated information in a couple of places to make it easier for you to find what you’re looking for. Do you have suggestions for other links and information we should track? Is there additional support that ADVANCE can provide? Let us know!

Local information dashboards

UNM

UNM’s main COVID-19 information page is here.

UNM’s daily COVID-19 Dashboard, reporting number of tests, people coming to campus, and COVID cases is here.

Changes in policies impacting faculty are negotiated with the faculty union, UA UNM. The current MOU between the academic leadership and UA UNM regarding COVID-19 is here and available through the UA UNM Bargaining Tracking Tool.

Read about COVID related research at UNM here.
CABQ, APS and Bernalillo County
State of NM

Faculty support

Recent updates in Faculty Policies and Processes

The Office of the Provost lists Faculty-relevant COVID-19 information here.

Temporary Voluntary Reduction (TVR) of FTE: Faculty can receive a one-course reduction during Spring 2021 by temporarily reducing their FTE from 1.0 to 0.93 for the academic year. The best consideration deadline is Oct 30th, and the information on requesting the FTE reduction is here. Faculty considering the TVR should consult hrbenefits@unm.edu to ask questions about the impact of the FTE reduction on benefits. Additional information about this opportunity can be found here.

Provost Holloway has consistently stated that milestone evaluations (mid-probationary, promotion & tenure, promotion to professor) are based on faculty records of research, teaching,and service and are not impacted by budget constraints.

Faculty can choose to include sections on the impact of COVID-19 in research, teaching, and service statements as part of milestone evaluation dossiers (mid-probationary review, P&T, promotion to professor), as well as in annual review information.
Automatic Tenure Extension

The automatic tenure-extension applies to all assistant professors, including those starting this year. The policy and an FAQ document can be found on the OFAS home page and on our COVID-19 Policies and Resources for Faculty page. A key element of this policy is that faculty don’t have to decide about the extension until the Spring before they are scheduled to come up for tenure.
Spring and Fall Student Evaluations of Teaching

Student evaluations of teaching for courses taught during Spring 2020 and Fall 2020 can’t be used in annual or milestone reviews of faculty unless the faculty member being reviewed chooses to include them. Additional information is in the MOUs with UA-UNM and on the Provost’s COVID-19 page.
Hear it from the Provost

Provost James Holloway and Senior Vice Provost Barbara Rodriguez had a Town Hall in May with assistant professors who are scheduled for a milestone review in the next two years. They answered a range of questions including about the tenure extension policy, on-going support for current faculty, considerations in promotion & tenure decisions, and planning for the fall. Read an edited transcript here.

The Provost had an October session with faculty who were recently promoted to Associate Professor. Watch that meeting here.
On-going Discussions and Efforts
Some ideas require multiple discussions and consultation with faculty and staff, in addition to negotiations with UA-UNM. On-going discussions with Deans and Chairs:
- The Provost meets with Deans every other week. There was a Deans’ Council discussion on the ADVANCE Faculty Experiences report, including encouragement to do “less with less” re service, committee work, and curricular changes. Discussions on COVID-19 impacts and ideas in support of faculty, staff, and students are usually on the agenda.
- Deans and some Chairs have been reminded that they can balance faculty workload across multiple fiscal years.
- Some Deans have followed up on Deans’ Council meetings by discussing options for doing “less with less” in meetings with Chairs and Directors, some of whom are having conversations in departments and programs.
- Department Chairs and Directors met with Provost James Holloway, Senior Vice Provost Barbara Rodriguez, and Associate Provost for Faculty Success Bill Stanley to discuss aspects of P&T. Provost Holloway started and ended the meeting with reminders that COVID-19 will be impacting us for years and that it needs to be taken into account in faculty reviews (annual or milestone). He also said that Chairs should expect less from faculty and from themselves while we are dealing with COVID-19.
- AP Bill Stanley met with Department Chairs and Directors to discuss peer evaluation of teaching during COVID-19. This is a current topic of discussion between the academic leadership and UA-UNM.
Annual and Milestone Reviews (starting next year for P&T and continuing for the indefinite future)
- Template for letters to external reviewers are being developed, reminding reviewers that the evaluation period includes COVID-19
- Deans and Chairs have been reminded that the impacts of COVID-19 will have to be taken into account in annual and milestone reviews. Discussions so far are preliminary. The reminder that things are not normal and the impact will be felt for years is an important start.

Semester plans

Finishing the Fall Semester
In light of the Governor’s Executive and Public Health order issued on Friday, November 13th, previously issued plans have been modified. The most recent information is here and students were sent this information.
- November 16-21 is a transition week, and any classes operating f2f should transition to remote as quickly as possible
- All classes will be remote beginning November 23rd, and remain remote through the rest of the fall semester
- Everyone who can work at home should do so
- Essential research can (for now) continue at 25% occupancy under COVID-safe practices. Essential research is considered to be (i) activities necessary to maintain critical research infrastructure, (ii) urgent research required to satisfy degree requirements, and (iii) research that UNM is contractually obligated to perform on a specified timeline, which includes most federally funded research.
Winter Break (Dec. 23rd - Jan. 4th)
Spring 2021
The spring semester schedule is unchanged. Class modalities are very similar to the fall with 4% of classes scheduled to be f2f and 16% scheduled to be hybrid. More detailed information is available here.
- Classes start Jan 19th (the 18th is the MLK Holiday), and will be remote for the first week so students who traveled can quarantine
- Spring Break is scheduled for March 14-21
- We do not currently have plans for going all remote for teaching after Week 1

Student support

Updated Semester Plans
Switching to CR/NC grading for Fall 2020
Resources for Assisting Students

If you aren’t sure where to direct a student, the LoboRESPECT Advocacy Center is a great starting point. They provide a wide range of services including confidential support, helping students navigate academic pressures, and access to the Lobo Food Pantry.

Additional support is available through the Women’s Resource Center, the Veteran’s Resource Center, The LGBTQ Resource Center, African American Student Services, El Centro de la Raza, American Indian Student Services, and the College Enrichment Program.

UNM has consolidated mental health resources in a website page. If you are concerned about the health and safety of a student, fill out a CARES report.

The Computer Lab in Dane Smith Hall is remaining open for students who need internet access. Hours of operation and other information can be found at the consolidated Computing Resources site. This site includes campus-wide software licenses, computer purchases, WiFi access, the student computer loan program and other resources available through IT, University Libraries and HSC.

CAPS, the Center for Academic Program Support, is offering on-line tutoring.
Resources specific to Graduate Students

Graduate Studies has made changes to deadlines and policies to support graduate students, found here. Note that the Spring 2020 semester is not counted in the time-to-degree.

The Advance workshop on mentoring graduate students, and related material, can be found here.

If your students will need IRB approval for their research, consider having them do their CITI training now or suggest an IRB workshop. There is extensive information available on the IRB Training website.

What to do if

Information on positive COVID tests

What to do if a student tells you they have tested positive for COVID-19: There is a relatively straightforward process and form for instructors to fill out; department chairs and directors then have additional steps to take. Undergraduate and graduate students with Coronavirus health concerns can find resources here.

If you test positive for COVID-19 should tell your Department Chair and fill out the self-report form. You are eligible for emergency paid leave.

If you need to care for a family member who tests positive for COVID-19, you can still request a Temporary Voluntary Reduction in FTE.

Information on building and facilities closures due to COVID-19 exposure is here.

Research Support

Research Operations and Guidelines

Essential research is currently allowed at 25% occupancy under COVID-safe practices. Essential research is considered to be (i) activities necessary to maintain critical research infrastructure, (ii) urgent research required to satisfy degree requirements, and (iii) research that UNM is contractually obligated to perform on a specified timeline, which includes most federally funded research. Current information is summarized here and Research Guidelines are here.

At this time, research labs will be allowed to continue operating during the Winter Break (Dec. 23rd – Jan. 4th). COVID-screening logs must be maintained during for any on-campus work. There will be no daily COVID-19 check-in email.

Facilities closures due to COVID-19 exposure are here.
COVID-19 Funding Opportunities
Faculty Research Development Office
National Labs

The Sandia Labs Academic Alliance 2019 Collaboration Report is now available here. UNM is one of 5 academic institutions included in the alliance. As a reminder, you can find the video from our recent workshop on developing collaborations with Sandia here. This webpage includes a short guide on ways UNM faculty can initiate interactions with Sandia scientists and engineers.
IRB

The UNM IRB has prepared a plan to address the gradual resumption of in-person human research activities. This guidance is meant to assist researchers with considering and preparing plans to address risks related COVID-19 exposure when conducting in-person study procedures. The UNM IRB will neither consider nor approve any requests to resume UNM-affiliated in-person research until UNM Administration releases official guidance on restarting research on campus. Once this occurs, the OIRB will prioritize the processing of amendment requests specific to resuming currently halted research. You can find the IRB plan here, and the workshop schedule is here.
University Libraries
IT and Computing Support

The Computer Lab in Dane Smith Hall is remaining open for students who need internet access. Hours of operation and other information can be found at the consolidated Computing Resources site. This site includes campus-wide software licenses, computer purchases, wifi access, the student computer loan program and other resources available through IT, University Libraries and HSC.

Adobe Creative Campus information is here.

Research IT has announced a Research Technology Catalogue that includes information on data management, storage, and security; HPC services, getting an IT consultation, etc.

Resources for teaching online

Current Semester Information
The most recent information is here and students were sent this information.
- November 16-21 is a transition week, and any classes operating f2f should transition to remote as quickly as possible
- All classes will be remote beginning November 23rd, and remain remote through the rest of the fall semester
- UNM’s regular CR/NC policy applies this Fall. A summary of the pros and cons of switching to CR/NC, and links to the forms, is here.
Find support from the Center for Teaching and Learning here.

Student evaluations of teaching will be implemented during Fall 2020, but faculty are not required to include them in annual or milestone evaluations. Faculty should use these evaluations in thinking about future teaching and may chose to include them in future reviews. Additional information is in the MOUs with UA-UNM.
UNM online teaching resources
Tools to know about

Techsmith, which makes several helpful online teaching tools like screencast recorders, is offering some of its software for free during the pandemic.

Zoom and Zoom Pro can help professors hold class meetings. It is free with a UNM net ID. You can share your screen with students.

This video, How to hold a class with Zoom, an iPad and a digital pencil by Michelle Pacansky-Brock @brocansky has helpful hints.

Google Hangouts allows groups to join a video conference. Allows screen sharing.

Blackboard Collaborate, which is built into Learn, allows group video chats and has a white board function that allows you to share Power Points, etc.

Skype is another free tool for delivering class lectures online. Here’s a video tutorial.
Other tips for managing online classes

How to Make Your Online Pivot Less Brutal is a good place to start.

The Teaching Effectively in Times of Disruption guide by technology specialists at Stanford University is full of recommendations and resources.

The Chronicle of Higher Education has this guidebook for teaching online.

Inside Higher Ed has this piece where 17 instructors offer their peers advice on teaching online.

The EduBlogger has this extensive list of resources and other info for teaching online, written by Kathleen Morris (@kathleen_morris).

Building Rapport to Improve Retention in Online Classes, by Rebecca Glazier Offers tips on how to build rapport with students in online classes in order to increase student success.

Inside Higher Ed also offers advice here: So you want to temporarily teach online.

Other UNM Resources and Support

Mental Health
OEO

The OEO and Title IX Offices are operating. You can learn about recent changes to Title IX policies in this short video, part of the ADVANCE “5 Things to Know” series. This document from the Office of Equal Opportunity has a variety of support resources for the campus community.

You can report concerns anonymously through the UNM Compliance Hotline and on-line via Ethicspoint.
DEI

The DEI COVID-19 page is here and a list of Post Election Resources is available here.

DEI has had four panels on the impact of COVID-19, focusing on students, faculty & staff, UNM community members who are Asian & Pacific Islanders, and parents. Links to all of the panels can be found here. A link to the Town Hall “Addressing Anti-Blackness at UNM” is also available on page.
IT and Computing Support

The Computer Lab in Dane Smith Hall is remaining open for students who need internet access. Hours of operation and other information can be found at the consolidated Computing Resources site. This site includes campus-wide software licenses, computer purchases, WiFi access, the student computer loan program and other resources available through IT, University Libraries and HSC.

Adobe Creative Campus information is here.

Research IT has announced a Research Technology Catalogue that includes information on data management, storage, and security; HPC services, getting an IT consultation, etc.

Parenting and Childcare

Help us help you!

Main campus HR has developed a page on childcare resources that includes instructions on how to advertise for in-person or virtual help from a student on the UNM student employees website.

Meanwhile, we know times have gotten tougher recently for many parents, so we’re updating this section. What resources have been the most useful for you parents and caretakers out there? Email us at advance at unm dot edu or drop us a line

Distractions for Everyone

Fun stuff for the whole family
Ask the Maxwell: The UNM Maxwell Museum of Anthropology has a range of resources online. One potentially fun opportunity is the “ask Maxwell Friday.” Ask a question or encourage your kids to send questions!

The UNM Art Museum has virtual exhibitions here.

You can engage with the Albuquerque Museum online. In addition to on-line content, watch for special events during 3rd Thursday Online.

The New Mexico Museum of Natural History has a number of Science@Home resources.

Albuquerque Murals Tour is an informative and beautiful tour of murals throughout Albuquerque.

There are interactive educational resources for parents and teachers on the ABQ Biopark Connect.

“Try This at Home” includes local resources consolidated on this city website.

Check out the creative activities for kids at the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. They also have parts of the collection on-line, as well as webinars for adults.

The New Mexico Museum of Art has a searchable art museum and some on-line exhibits.

Links to museums on Santa Fe’s Museum Hill are here. Most of them have extensive online content. For example:
- The Museum of International Folk Art has thousands of objects on-line and allows you to search through them a number of different ways.
- The Museum of Indian Arts & Culture has on-line exhibits, in addition to educational resources, and a coloring book
- The Wheelwright Museum has a number of video interviews with, and about, artists
This New York Times article provides links to The Best Live Animal Feeds from Around the World. Don’t forget to check the Panda Cam to watch the baby panda at the Washington Zoo.