Update on power outage for faculty teaching in Summer Quarter

This message was sent to all faculty teaching Summer Full term and B term classes.

As faculty scheduled to teach either full or B term this summer, we wanted to send some updates about the ongoing power outage on campus. Currently, campus operations are fully remote through July 20. More information can be found in the Chancellor’s all-campus message. Please note that it could be longer. Look for an all-campus update on Monday, which will be the most timely and accurate source of information.

Your students will receive an email from Vice Chancellor Hynes-Wilson on Sunday night.

Some information that might be helpful for you:

• All student support offices are open remotely and take appointments online. See the student email for more information. Note that the Pantry and the Cupboard will remain closed until further notice. Here is a link to find food resources within the local community. 
• Library staff are available remotely to help you with ebook purchasing should licensing be available (especially if you had put a print textbook on reserve) and meeting 1:1 via Zoom with students for research support. ILL document scans outside of the UW Tacoma Library remain operational. Reach out to your subject librarian. Support for students, staff, and faculty accruing fines can be provided by UW Library Accounts Services. 
• If you have instructional needs due to switching to remote, please reach out ASAP so we can provide resources and alternatives (see help list below).  
• We are still figuring out how students can pick up books from the UW Tacoma Bookstore. Please stay tuned for additional information when it becomes available.

We are working on problem-solving individual faculty issues, so please reach out for help if you need anything. Where to go for more help: 

• Contact your dean or their staff with most of your immediate concerns. If campus-level attention is needed, they can contact the response team.
• Academic Affairs can also help!
  • Darcy and Chris in the Office of Digital Learning are available to help with instructional design and support for shifting online.
  • Cheryl Greengrove is responding to research-related issues.  
  • I can help with student support or instructional issues. I will be at a conference next week, so copy me and Cheryl. One of us will follow up.
  • Your subject librarian is here to help with a range of issues.
  • There is no wrong door. Reach out for help and we’ll loop in the right people.

On one hand, many of us are prepared to move online due to our experience with COVID. At the same time, some of us are feeling extra anxiety due to the memory of that experience and the unexpectedness and remaining uncertainty of this change. During our open office hours, faculty and staff discussed the need to connect with others. While our campus and most of the business on Pacific Avenue remain closed, many spaces around campus are open. These include: Campfire Coffee, 7 Seas (coffee shop now open), Anthem Coffee, and Camp Colvos. You can also use Tacoma Public Library spaces where you don’t have to purchase anything. 

Hope you are staying cool and looking forward to seeing you on campus soon!