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COVID Response

In the School of Education, we’re working to provide learning that is flexible and responsive to student and faculty needs, maintains our high standard of educational excellence, and adapts as needed to an evolving public health situation.  

View the Healthy Together Checklist for steps that must be taken by all faculty, staff and students as we strive to keep the entire community safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Path Forward offers detailed information related to health & safety, as well as information for students and faculty and staff. The FAQs below offer additional details specifically related to the School of Education.   

Courses 

Courses this spring will be offered in a variety of delivery modes to give students as much flexibility as possible in planning their schedule. Each course has been assigned an attribute in Banner designating the planned course delivery mode. View descriptions of the course delivery attributes.  

What if a course I need to take is only offered face-to-face, but I’m not comfortable coming to campus?  
Contact the course instructor to see what options are available. Many faculty will be capturing classes on video and offering alternative ways of participating in class sessions, even those held on campus.  

What if I get sick or can’t continue coming to campus for face-to-face classes? 
Speak with your instructor to find out what options are available.  
Building Use 

The university is developing guidelines to facilitate a safe and healthy return to campus, which must be strictly followed by every member of the community. In the School of Education, you’ll see new signage and new configurations of classroom, working and gathering spaces designed to maintain physical distancing.   

Is school building open during regular hours for individual student use?  
While classes are in session, the school building is open and accessible, but please bear in mind that physical distancing is critical in ensuring the safety of everyone in our community. As much as possible, we ask that you limit your time in the building. Masks must be worn inside and outside for all visitors to the building. For a list of limited exceptions to this rule, visit the Path Foward website.

What cleaning and sanitizing procedures are in place?
All faculty, staff and students received a PPE kit with facemasks, wipes and hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizer stations have been added at all main entrances, and disinfecting wipes will be available in every classroom. Before class starts, faculty and students should wipe down their own workspaces. To protect the safety of all staff, housekeeping staff are not entering individual offices. Faculty and staff may wipe down surfaces in their offices with wipes from their kit or from one of the central distribution points. Restrooms will be sanitized twice per shift, and classrooms will be cleaned and sanitized each weekday.
 
Are staff available to assist with issues related to registration, graduation, etc? 
In order to de-densify the building, most of our administrative staff are continuing to work remotely, but will remain available through phone, chat and Zoom. Visit our staff directory to get in touch with our staff members.   
 
Will the LRC be open? 
While classes are in session, the Learning Resource Center is open on weekdays, but capacity and study space are reduced.  If you need research assistance, you can make an appointment with Rebecca Beasley, director of the LRC, or any W&M librarian. 

How can I reserve a student locker?
Students who are interested in having a locker to use in the building should complete the Locker Request Form. A staff member will contact you to set up a time for key pick up.
 
Will the building be open to visitors and other community partners? 
For the 2020-2021 academic year, use of space at William & Mary is dedicated to our core mission activities — teaching, learning, research, and student groups and activities — and restricted to the campus community. 

Will the PDC be available to external groups?
Because space in the building must be available both for academic purposes and to help facilitate physical distancing on campus, the Professional Development Center and other conference spaces will not be available to external individuals or groups. 
Graduate Assistants 

Will GA agreements continue as planned if campus must be closed again? 
We are committed to supporting our students and honoring these agreements. Since campus was closed in March, supervisors have been working with GAs to continue their work in a remote format. Assuming remote work is an option, we expect to be able to continue GA positions as planned for 2020-2021. 
Placements and Internships 

School placements, practica and internships look different this year, and we’re working diligently with VDOE, CACREP, NASP and other governing bodies to modify field experiences as needed so that students can complete their programs and pursue licensure as planned.  

What will K-12 placements for student teaching, K-12 administration, school psychology and school counseling look like? 
The VDOE, CACREP, NASP and other accrediting bodies prioritize face-to-face field experiences when possible, but we are prepared with other options if school systems are only open virtually. Visit the following links for information on partner division plans: 

What safety precautions are required of students working in K-12 schools? 
All students are required to follow the safety protocols of the schools in which they’re working. Contact your cooperating teacher or designated supervisor in the school to learn more.  

What do practica and internships in clinical mental health counseling programs look like? 
Students follow the practices in place at the sites where they’re working. This may include telehealth services and modifications of group counseling practices.  

Are counseling students receiving training in telebehavioral health practices? 
All counseling students working in telehealth settings have access to telehealth training. 

Who should I contact with questions about field experiences? 
Teacher Education: [[ksclark,Kelley Clark]] 
K-12 Administration: [[meconstantino,Peggie Constantino]] 
School Psychology: [[lparris,Leandra Parris]] 
Counseling (on-campus): [[jmbren,John Brendel]] 
Counseling (online): [[nstgermainsehr,Noelle St-Germain-Sehr]]
More Questions? 

Have a question that's not addressed above or in the Path Forward website? Submit your question here. Please include your name and email address if you'd like an individual response.