Dear AUA Community:
I am writing to share important updates as a result of the spread of COVID-19 in Armenia. The following changes affect all members of our community and include details that impact our students’ learning via online instruction, our faculty’s teaching resources, and faculty/staffs’ working arrangements.
We are taking these actions in support of AUA’s commitment to protecting your health, safety, and well-being. We had hoped our intermediate steps would be sufficient, but it is clear that we need to take additional actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. From March 16 to April 14, AUA, including all regional offices, will shut down the majority of its daily operations and limit all face-to-face interactions on campus. Faculty and staff are authorized to work from home until further notice. Consult with your immediate supervisor regarding your duties. Essential operational personnel is expected to report to work. Our ICTS department will still be available to support your technological needs. Building maintenance will operate on a limited capacity to ensure basic functions. All other departments will transition to virtual and online offices.
Students
Coursework will continue; courses will be completed, and students currently on track to graduate this term will graduate if they satisfy course requirements.
All classes have transitioned to a hybrid instruction and are being conducted remotely until further notice.
If you have not yet heard directly from your instructors, we ask you to be patient as your instructors adjust their current courses to the new format. You will hear from your instructors soon about next steps.
Many courses will be using Zoom to set up live virtual classroom meetings. When held, live meetings will take place at the same time as your regularly scheduled classes. You do not have to subscribe to Zoom. When you receive a Zoom invitation you will be prompted to download the software on your computer or mobile device. If you have trouble downloading the software or accessing the internet from home, contact ICTS [email protected]
The University will keep you informed of any updates. We are all trying to deal with a difficult situation; we all need to be flexible and patient. Keep watching your AUA email for additional information.
Instructors
Thank you to our faculty for responding quickly to adjust your modalities of instruction. Please take these next couple of days to adapt to the new format. Virtual class time and office hours should be scheduled with students. The Office of Institutional Research and Assessment has shared resources and will continue to offer online support and virtual workshops. For assistance in teaching and learning, faculty should contact [email protected] or their program chair or dean.
Faculty have received an email from ICTS regarding Zoom and how Zoom is now embedded into Moodle.
Faculty are asked to keep in regular contact with students as adjustments to course schedules and assignments are made. If you have any questions, please contact your program chair or dean.
Events and Travel
All events scheduled on campus have been canceled until further notice. Watch for updates on our official channels.
We ask everyone to avoid travel. For those who have recently returned from foreign countries, you are required to self-quarantine for two weeks and follow the instructions of the RA Ministry of Health. You may contact them via these hotlines: 8003, or (010) 55-06-01. All travel since March 1 should be reported here.
We will continue monitoring the news and remain in contact with the Ministry of Health and The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport of RA. We will keep the community updated with further information as appropriate.
Best wishes and stay healthy!
Karin Markides
President
Updated: 03/17/2020, 3 PM