Updates on Remote Education in College of Design

Message from the Office of the Dean
March 20, 2020

Dear College of Design Faculty and Staff,

As we shift our thinking and approach in the face of the COVID 19 crisis, the community’s mobilization and sense of collective purpose has been very heartening. Once again, I am so proud to be a part of the College of Design community.

With the most recent directives from President Schill and Governor Brown, we are clearly moving into a new phase of the crisis response. We now know that we will be delivering education remotely for the entire spring term and that, for everyone’s benefit, our movements and interactions need to be far more restricted. University buildings are now locked and accessible only to faculty, staff and students, with proxy access through your university ID.

In alignment with institutional changes, the College of Design has moved to remote work for all staff whose duties can be completed safely and effectively through remote means. Greater campus restrictions will allow for stronger social distancing and safety for staff whose work requires them to be on campus.

To contribute to society-wide efforts to limit congregation and exposure, we will be closing access to studios and shops, supporting and encouraging students to find alternatives to work completely off-site. Faculty can facilitate these necessary changes by adjusting course assignments and mentoring students on making productive use of these limitations. We are critical thinkers and creative problem solvers by definition, and I appreciate the ways that you are all framing the limits as educational opportunities.

For the latest information—including a list of adjusted or suspended operations on campus—please visit uoregon.edu/coronavirus and read the FAQs. Questions, concerns, or suggestions should continue to be directed to this web form or to a new coronavirus information line at 541-346-7007 (the line will be staffed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., PT, on weekdays).

My best,

Laura Vandenburgh
Interim Dean, College of Design