Coronavirus Update

March 22, 2020

Remote Learning Guidance and Support

Dear BSU Students:

Thank you for your cooperation as we transition to a remote learning environment for the remainder of this academic year. This communication will provide you with guidance to ensure you are well prepared to transition effectively to a remote learning modality during this time of ongoing concerns for COVID-19 and the need for social distancing.

Our BSU faculty have come together as a community to migrate all courses online to ensure that you, our students, continue to have the best education possible. Please read thoroughly each bullet item to achieve the optimal outcome. Emails are listed should you need additional assistance.

Step One

You are enrolled in the “Blackboard Student Orientation for Online Classes” course that is self-paced. It is critical that you take the course before your remote learning starts on Monday, March 23, 2020. Please follow the following link to take the course.

The “Blackboard Student Orientation for Online Classes” course guides you on how to download the Blackboard Application for students.

Step Two

Sign on to your courses at the regularly scheduled time. To ensure orderly remote learning, all courses are delivered at the same time your face-to-face classes were scheduled. Your courses will be visible when you log into Blackboard.

Step Three

To report any academic, technical and non-technical issues, beginning 7:45 a.m. on Monday March 23, please email your inquiry to covid19academics@bowiestate.edu. We have established a designated academic response team to assist with any issues you may encounter as you begin remote learning.

Additional Assistance:

Those students with special learning needs, please reach out to Dr. Michael S. Hughes, Disability Coordinator, for assistance at mhughes@bowiestate.edu.
Those students with counseling needs please reach out to Dr. Tonya D. Swanson, Senior Director of Counseling Services, for assistance at tswanson@bowiestate.edu.
Special assistance for students without access to WIFI off campus will be provided in The Library Computer Lab (Room #090) on the lower floor of the Thurgood Marshall Library, which will be open Monday, March 23-Thursday, March 26 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. only for students who will not be able to access their courses remotely at this time. Social distancing protocols must be practiced and will be strictly enforced. During this next week we will assess the ongoing need for off-campus WIFI support. Please email covid19academics@bowiestate.edu by March 25 to indicate your special circumstances and need for ongoing additional remote (off-campus) WIFI support beyond March 26. The staff will work with individual students to provide continued support as needed.
Tutoring services will be available and more information will be forthcoming.
If you have any general questions or concerns about university operations during this crisis situation, please send an email to covid19@bowiestate.edu.

We acknowledge and understand the challenges and stressful time that you all are facing. We remain committed as we continue to deliver the best education possible, and we appreciate everyone coming through, and working together as a BSU community. Thank you for PLANNING NOT PANICKING.

As this is a rapidly evolving situation, we will continue to provide updates as needed on the university’s Coronavirus Updates webpage.

Again, please remember to use the email addresses cited in this letter should you have any questions or concerns as you transition to a remote learning and operational platform:

Academic Issues: covid19academics@bowiestate.edu General Questions and Concerns: covid19@bowiestate.edu

Thank you for your patience and cooperation with these necessary measures to support your academic success for the remainder of the spring semester.

Best wishes,

Judith A. Kirkpatrick
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs