Dear Students,
First of all, I want to say ‘Thank You,” to the more than 500 students who shared their concerns and ideas with us in recent surveys about this new and uncertain environment in which we are living and learning.
Your thoughts were truly insightful. As educators, we were focusing our attention on providing you with a world-class experience in the classroom. You let us know that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing a ripple effect of anxiety and stress that is not just impacting your health, but every other aspect of your lives.
Support for You
Since Spring Break ended, I’ve been meeting every day with the leaders of our college to continue to improve our efforts to educate and support you to our fullest. The recent surveys you filled out helped us broaden our focus to provide you with more support.
In response to your concerns about grades, WSU developed Pass/Fail Grade Option this semester. To help alleviate concerns about access to computers, WSU has loaned out more than 100 computers. And we continue working to provide mobile hotspots to help improve your WiFi access. This has been the hardest problem to solve and we know that we’re not there yet. If you’re still experiencing problems, please fill out the survey and reach out to the VCEA team and let them know.
In the classroom, our faculty and staff continue their Zoom and Panopto training to provide you with a quality online education. I shared some of your feedback with them, including the need to continually communicate, record classes, and to manage expectations as we learn these new communications tools.
The survey results showed online classes are going a little better than expected for most of you. Many of your concerns lowered a little, but you are all under a lot of stress right now.
As we move forward, if you experience any technical difficulties, Crimson Service Desk is available to help Monday – Friday 8-5 p.m. PST with Zoom live chat and a hotline: 509-335-4357.
As always, our academic advisers and Voiland College Student Success Team will continue to provide you with the high-quality tutoring, advising, and mentoring services to which you are accustomed- over the phone, on their website, and via Zoom. They’ve developed some Frequently Asked Questions that can help you find the answers you need quickly.
And if you experience problems in the classroom, have concerns or need assistance, reach out to your professors. If they can’t help, reach out to your school/department chair. If that doesn’t work, send us an email at VCEA.COVID19@wsu.edu or send me an email at mary.rezac@wsu.edu. We’re here to help!
Help Support Others
Lastly, I would like to once again ask for help from you. As you well know, this pandemic has disrupted the lives of each and every one of us in countless ways. One of those ways is creating an uncertainty for our future. As you complete your semester or complete your education here at Washington State University, there are many current and prospective students who are unfortunately considering alternatives to continuing their education during these difficult times.
If you can, please take a moment to fill out this form and provide them with your thoughts, wisdom, and advice. We’ll share them as a reminder that in good times or bad, Cougs Help Cougs.
Thank you.
And,
Go Cougs!
Mary Rezac (she/her/hers)
Dean, Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture
Washington State University
Email: mary.rezac@wsu.edu
Phone: 509-335-5593
Twitter: @VCEA_Dean
vcea.wsu.edu