Addressing the Welfare of the Loyola Schools community in the time of COVID-19
10 March 2020
MEMO TO: The Loyola Schools Community
MEMO FROM: (Sgd) Maria Luz C. Vilches, PhD
Vice-President for the Loyola Schools
SUBJECT: ADDRESSING THE WELFARE OF THE LOYOLA SCHOOLS COMMUNITY IN THE TIME OF COVID-19
The Loyola Schools is in support of the memo sent out yesterday, 9 March, to the Ateneo de Manila Community by our University President, Fr. Jose Ramon T. Villarin, SJ.
We want to clarify that the suspension of on-site classes in the Loyola Schools for the dry run (12 March – 18 March) only means that classes will not be done face to face on campus. Teaching and learning will continue via the online mode (e.g. readings may be assigned and requirements may be submitted by email; podcasts, webchats, and webinars may be conducted; teachers may curate videos for their students to view; etc.) or other alternative modes (e.g. students continuing work on class group or individual projects). This entire time (from today till 18 March) is also for use by students in catching up on assignments and projects. Departments and programs will likewise use this time to fine tune preparations for the delivery of online instruction.
The current suspension of on-site classes has to be taken as additional measure against the further spread of COVID-19 given its local transmission. It is not a time used for non-essential travelling or engaging in activities, especially in public places like malls, movie houses, parks, etc. that occasion our exposure to possible local transmission of the virus. When we take care of ourselves individually, we consequently take care of our entire community.
As we do this dry-run of university contingency plans, we may possibly have to rearrange work assignments in offices - e.g., going on a work-from-home mode which entails the provision of a skeleton work force in offices. The LS HR Services is in coordination with OHRMOD in the implementation of any arrangements that have to do with office work bearing in mind personnel welfare. Let us be mindful of one another as we continue to serve the community.
Guidelines and Contingency Measures
The Loyola Schools has developed guidelines on contingency measures related to particular aspects of life in this community:
1. International Travel and Academic Activities for Students and Employees
a. Memo on International Student Mobility Programs in the Time of COVID-19 (5 March 2020)
b. Memo on International Travel for Students and All Employees of the Loyola Schools in the Time of COVID-19 (09 March 2020)
c. The Student Mobility Coordinators have been asked to get in touch with the current JTA students to inquire about their welfare and to closely coordinate with the Office of International Relations on this matter.
d. The Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (ADAA), in coordination with the Office of International Relations (OIR) at the Office of the Vice President for University and Global Relations (UGR), is opening the option for LS students currently on JTA to return to Manila at this time of this health crisis and offer suitable programs that will address their academic needs in view of helping them complete their programs of study without delay. The ADAA is poised to contact these students by early next week.
e. International students who are currently enrolled in the Loyola Schools, if recalled by their institutions, will continue to receive online instruction (e.g. via email, podcasts, webchats, webinars, etc.) to assist them in finishing their courses. For further inquiries, they can contact the OIR at director.oir@ateneo.edu.
f. All students participating in AdMU’s inbound mobility program are required to comply with the university’s health protocols including, in some cases, a 14-day self-quarantine.
g. Regrettably, new applications to the inbound mobility program are temporarily suspended in countries identified by WHO as having a high incidence of COVID-19: China, Italy, Iran, and South Korea. Queries can be sent to the OIR at director.oir@ateneo.edu
h. In the case of inbound visiting administrators, faculty, and other academic guests, the LS departments and offices should coordinate with the Office of the Vice President for University for Global Relations for proper guidelines.
i. The Rizal Library continues to be open but access is limited to AdMU employees. Students should use library online databases using this link: http://bit.ly/rl_offcampus_access (available 24/7 to anyone enrolled this semester with an internet connection and an OBF email address). For special requests, they may email rizal.library.ls@ateneo.edu or call a librarian during office hours at 84266001 and get connection to any of the following resources: 5559-Reference; 5555- Circulation; 5558-Filipiniana; 5567-American Historical Collection; 5561-Ateneo Library of Women’s Writings; 5552-Pardo de Tavera; 5570-Microforms & Digital Resources Center.
2. Curricular, co-curricular, and other activities
a. A memo, dated 8 March, jointly signed by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs was sent to the Deans (discussed at Dean’s Council meetings and cascaded by Chairs to their departments) to provide guidelines on modes of off-site instruction and other curricular activities during class suspension at this time of crisis. Faculty members are working on the specifics of how these guidelines are to be implemented. They are to inform the students on details of procedures.
b. The Associate Dean for Student Formation is sending out a memo on guidelines regarding Student Formation Cluster Activities.
c. A memo to the different LS offices is being finalized by the Associate Dean for Student and Administrative Services on the proper management of events on and off campus as a way of articulating precautionary measures that can minimize prolonged exposure of people to large crowds whether indoor or outdoor. The general measures include (a) putting a cap of up to 100 participants in an event at a venue that allows a generous elbow room between people; (b) cancelling or postponing events where participants are expected to be beyond this cap; (c) using alternative ways (e.g. aided by technology, if possible) of fulfilling the goals of the cancelled/postponed event; (d) observing strict screening of participants in on-campus events. The forthcoming memo will provide guidelines and procedures that offices in charge of LS events are to observe.
The memos that have been released by the Loyola Schools are subject to government and school protocols that may be issued subsequently in response to the COVID-19 situation as it develops.
Nothing beats a positive spirit!
In these intimidating times, we pray for a serene heart, a courageous disposition, and wise judgment as we continue to serve one another, with care and compassion, in our community.
