Regarding Two MOU’s – Content Restructuring and Disruptions in Productivity

Joint Communication Regarding Two MOU’s – Content Restructuring and Disruptions in Productivity

September 1, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

This joint communication provides information regarding two recently signed Memoranda of Understanding: Content Restructuring: Preparing Canvas Course Shells for Fall 2020, and Disruptions in Productivity in Scholarly Activities and Service due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Content Restructuring: Preparing Canvas Course Shells for Fall 2020

On June 22, 2020 the university community was informed that the University partnered with a team of instructional designers at Instructure, the company behind Canvas, to assist the University with improving teaching and learning. Instructional design services was offered to some faculty who teach courses that primarily enroll first-year students to make existing course content clearer and easier for students to navigate. The commitment to faculty ownership of course content is memorialized in this Memorandum of Understanding.

Disruptions in Productivity in Scholarly Activities and Service due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has substantially disrupted the ability of bargaining unit faculty members to conduct scholarly and creative activity, present the results of their scholarly and creative activity, and perform their service obligations (particularly those that require work with groups off campus).

At the first stage of the merit, promotion, reappointment, and tenure processes for the 20-21 review year, chairs/directors will advise each BUFM that reasonable accommodations will be made in their evaluation due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that each BUFM should also specify in writing to their merit committee and chair/director what reasonable accommodations they believe are fair given their specific circumstances. Consult the Evergreen Calendar for review deadlines and semesters to include for merit.

Regards,

Joe Whitehead, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

David Jackson, Ph.D.
President, BGSU Faculty Association