Coronavirus Updates for College of Design Students

Message from the Office of the Dean
March 16, 2020

Dear College of Design Students,

The coronavirus has presented an unprecedented situation, prompting the university to move to providing remote final exams and remote instruction for the first three weeks of the spring term. In this context, our goal is to continue our academic functions and support your continued studies, while mitigating exposure for our entire community.

I want to assure you that faculty and staff in the College of Design are committed to your academic progress, as we adapt and innovate to meet these challenges. The studio work, community engagement, and experiential learning we are so proud of in the College of Design also present particular complications as we make this shift. But as a community of creative problem-solvers, the faculty are equal to the challenge and are devising innovative ways to approach instruction for your spring courses. Look for upcoming communications from your spring course professors.

The university and the college remain open in support of your studies, with new protocols in place to ensure your safety. On campus, you will continue to have access to computer labs, libraries, and other resources. For those of you in our studio programs, your studio spaces will be available for you to continue to work, as your interactions with faculty move to remote delivery for a while.

We know you will have academic questions. Our capable advisors in Student Services and within the departments will be available remotely to answer questions about classes, degree requirements, or other issues. Faculty will be available through virtual office hours to mentor and support your progress. And you can find additional academic guidance on the UO’s main coronavirus FAQ page.

Technology resources are available to help you get connected remotely for your courses. Instructors will be making use of the expanded features within Canvas and videoconferencing tools such as Zoom. We are working to ensure access to specialized applications necessary for your degree programs. If you need any support accessing appropriate technology or troubleshooting software issues, visit this Information Services web page for support or you can reach out to get direct assistance 541-346-HELP.

Please share these messages and links with your family so they know the latest information. In the face of these uncertainties staying connected—with your friends, your family, your faculty, and the rest of the community—is essential. As a community, the College of Design is committed to your safety and academic success. We are a resource to support you as we work through this situation together. If you or your family have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office. You can reach me by email at dsgn@uoregon.edu.

The situation will continue to evolve each day, so we will do our best to keep everyone updated with the latest information available. Please remember to check your email. The University will be sending out frequent updates about your experience at the University. You can also access the UO’s most recent information on the UO’s main COVID-19 webpage.

I wish you the best as you prepare for finals and as you move into the spring term. Take care.

Sincerely,

Laura Vandenburgh
Interim Dean, College of Design