- Summer A and C online and remote only
- Remote work extended to April 17
- Assistance for students, business and the community
- Commencement tickets have been refunded
Dear members of the university community,
We hope you are having a good week of learning and working remotely. As the coronavirus continues to spread in our area and around the nation, on Monday, Governor Ron DeSantis signed an executive order urging South Floridians to stay home through mid-April. As a university community, we will continue doing everything in our power to support social distancing and help prevent the spread of the virus.
Remote Summer A and C
In keeping with federal, state and local guidance, Summer A and C courses will proceed with online (typical online delivery) and remote (class originally designed as a face to face class, being delivered remotely) teaching. There will be no on-campus Summer A and C classes. Decisions regarding Summer B will be made at a later time.
Over the next two weeks, the course schedule for Summer A and C will be amended to ensure the most appropriate course offerings. Please be on the lookout for course changes that may impact your existing registrations and additional courses being added to the schedule.
The option of converting letter grades to Pass/No Credit Earned will not be available in the summer. This option is only available for the spring semester, after consultation with advisors.
Remote work
Likewise, for the benefit of the entire community, remote work for faculty and staff is extended until at least Friday, April 17, 2020.
Supervisors and human resources liaisons are asked to review and update the list of essential personnel as it relates to the current situation. Any employees who are required to be on campus to perform their duties will do so while observing social distancing for their safety and that of others.
Faculty and staff working from home are asked to continue fulfilling their duties and work hours, take steps to work securely online and stay in touch with colleagues and supervisors. Please visit the remote work frequently asked questions page for more information.
How FIU is helping
Students: To request emergency assistance, complete the aid request form and a representative will reach out to you to discuss your needs. Assistance offered through this process may also be in the form of referrals or non-financial assistance. Assistance is subject to availability of funds and student eligibility.
Health workers: This weekend, to ensure the availability of equipment that may offer some benefit to health care providers during the COVID-19 outbreak, FIU delivered the first batch of 3D-printed face shields to Baptist Health. More shields are being made and we are sharing our process with others who have 3D printers, so that they too can help make this important equipment to be used by trained health care workers.
Small businesses: The Florida Small Business Development Center at FIU, hosted by the College of Business, is working to support local small businesses. Consultants are available to offer confidential, no-cost advising to business owners impacted by COVID-19. Florida SBDC at FIU has also set up a special email list for businesses that would like to receive regular updates. To join, send an email to sbdc@fiu.edu. The SBCD has two good webinars on disaster loans and business information and resources. Later this week, the Office of Governmental Relations is hosting a virtual session with the SBDC for staff of local, state and federal elected officials.
Hospitality workers: FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management is helping to put money into the hands of cooks, servers, dishwashers and other people at South Florida’s favorite restaurants and bars through a new partnership with the South Beach Wine & Food Festival®. The SOBEWFF® & FIU Chaplin School Hospitality Industry Relief Fund will provide immediate financial support to the employees of independently owned and operated restaurants and bars impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.
Commencement ticket refunds: Graduating seniors who purchased tickets to spring commencement should expect a refund in the next three to five business days. If by April 10 you don’t receive the refund, please reach out to Ahiza Fernandez at abeers01@fiu.edu. Information on virtual commencement will be available soon.
Please continue observing social distancing guidelines and stay informed about the latest news from FIU by visiting the FIU coronavirus page, which is being updated regularly.
Stay well, Panthers.