Warner Reimagined for 2020-21

Please remember that you have access to all the resources available to you as a graduate student of the University of Rochester. Visit the University’s Graduate Education website for graduate student resources, including: professional development and career enhancement; housing, health, and wellness; financial aid and funding opportunities; and other resources to help you succeed in your classwork, research, and beyond.

For the latest University updates, visit the University of Rochester’s COVID-19 website. You may also subscribe to @Rochester to get a daily update from the University. 

Visit the University’s COVID-19 Resource Center for resources and support services available to University students and families during the pandemic, including Travel Guidelines and Graduate Students and Postdocs webpages. Additionally, view the University's Graduate Student Resources.



Below is a list of frequently asked questions for current and prospective students, pertaining to Warner specifically. If you can’t find an answer that you’re looking for, please email DeansOffice@warner.rochester.edu.


Will fall 2021 semester be in-person?
Warner is developing plans for the fall that will include a safe return to in-person learning as our default mode of instruction, but that will also include increased courses that are offered hybrid and online. For course mode, please refer to the Fall 2021 course schedule that will be updated regularly. In staying with the Academic Calendar, our fall semester classes will begin on Wednesday, August 25 and run through Wednesday, December 8.
     Barring something unforeseen, Warner faculty and staff will end remote work and return to campus on Monday, August 2 to prepare for a successful transition for all of our students. See announcement from Dean Sarah Peyre.

Are summer 2021 session courses online?
All Warner 2021 summer session courses (e.g., Summer A, Summer A+B, and Summer B) will remain fully online. In remaining with the Academic Calendar, the summer semester will begin on Monday, May 24 and run through Friday, August 13. They will continue to be offered as appropriate for the learning goals of the course using synchronous and/or asynchronous instruction, and will occur at the times/dates indicated on the Summer 2021 course schedule. See announcement from Dean Sarah Peyre. 

What is the plan for the spring 2021 semester?
The Warner School will remain online for the spring 2021 semester.  In remaining with the university academic calendar, the spring semester will begin February 1, 2021, building in extra time to transition courses effectively to thoughtful and engaging online designs.  See announcement from Dean Sarah Peyre.

Is Warner open? Can I come to LeChase Hall? 
The Warner School of Education is open, with faculty and staff working remotely and classes occurring online as outlined above. LeChase Hall is now open for limited use and services.  Faculty, staff and students should continue to work and study remotely as much as possible, but LeChase is now available for special meetings, study, and printing, if needed. Please remember that masks must be worn everywhere except in private offices when alone, and social distancing must be maintained. 
      Access to the building will be controlled by card swipes, and student IDs will be needed to gain entry.  Please enter through the main entrances via the ramps to Level 1 or stairs to Level 2 (not the ‘utility doors’ on the internal stairwells).  Access to floors 2-4 in LeChase will also be controlled via the card swipes for the Warner community as much as possible.  Once you are swiped into the building, swipe your ID card in the elevator to access floors 2-4. If you use the enclosed stairwells, use your ID card to swipe in on the second floor, and use the central staircase to access floors 3-4.
      We know that some students have come to depend on the computer lab in LeChase Hall for their research, printing and reading.  Students will continue to have access via their ID card to the computer lab in 305A. To promote social distancing, the computers in 305 will also be available. For matriculated students, the student mailroom and doctoral center will also be accessible via your ID card.
 
How do I get my ID?
ID cards can be picked up by visiting a campus ID office: http://www.publicsafety.rochester.edu/idservices-faq.html if you have any questions about locations or hours, the phone number is listed for each office. Once you pick up your new ID, please email cardswipes@warner.rochester.edu so we can make sure it is activated.
 
What will I need to do to return to campus?
Faculty, staff and students must complete an online COVID-19 Safety Training Module. Students must complete the training module by August 1, even if they are only taking online classes and don’t anticipate coming to campus. Students can access the training through Blackboard. It will be listed as “Return to Campus COVID-19 Safety Training.” Faculty, staff, and students will also be required to do a daily screening when coming to campus. Faculty and staff can access the educational module in MyPath before returning to campus and no later than August 1.  Faculty, staff and students will be required to do a daily screening when coming to campus. 

What do I need for my online courses?
Many of our students and faculty have had prior experience in online teaching and learning, but we realize that not everyone has used this technology in an educational setting. It’s best to be in a quiet room, free of loud noises and distractions, when class is in session. For online instruction, you will need to make sure you have access to BlackBoard and Zoom videoconferencing software. University ITS and our Department of Online Education have developed information on preparing for remote teaching, learning, and working and for transitioning traditional courses to online courses. If you have any technical difficulty or need support, you may contact Warner IT Support at support@warner.rochester.edu or blackboard@warner.rochester.edu, or you can call or send a text to 585-270-1870. 

Will doctoral dissertation proposals and defenses continue?
All PhD and EdD dissertation proposals and final defenses will continue, but must take place remotely using Zoom. Your sponsor will identify and communicate to all participants who will serve in this capacity. Your committee and Warner IT Support team will work hard to make conducting your defense as seamless as possible. Contact Warner IT Support for assistance: support@warner.rochester.edu or 585-270-1870.