Detailed "Go Forward" plans, and WFH Pros/Cons: Eduvation Insider for May 8

For many of us, we’ve now made it through 8 weeks of confinement. If you’re lucky enough to live in BC, Manitoba, or New Brunswick, perhaps you can even look forward to getting a professional haircut! Hairstyles aside, though, the repercussions of the Great Pandemic are projected to persist until 2022 – on the economy, household debt, and on campus health restrictions. In the past few days, we’ve started to see very detailed campus reopening guidelines, from the ACHA and the BC government. Read on – I’ve saved some positive news for last! 

Finances

Economic Recovery by 2022

Deloitte calculates that the Canadian economy lost 10% in Q1 and will lose another 50% in Q2, before beginning a slow recovery that will not reach its pre-COVID level until early 2022. The education sector GDP will decline 11.2% in 2020, but gain 13.8% in 2021. The energy sector in AB, SK and NL will be particularly hard-hit, as will tourism in the Maritimes. Canadian households, businesses and governments will be saddled with significantly greater debt for years to come. Deloitte

Tuition Refund Lawsuits

One US law firm has received thousands of inquiries at collegerefund2020.com, and filed 18 class action lawsuits for tuition refunds from uMiami, Drexel, Columbia, uPenn and a dozen other institutions. Other law firms are suing Brown, Vanderbilt, Arizona State, Liberty U, Michigan State, Purdue and 12 state universities in Florida. “Judicial deference towards academia” means plaintiffs rarely win such cases, and the schools could certainly plead force majeure – but some may settle to avoid costly fact-finding processes. Forbes   

WFH

5 Changes to the Workplace Post-COVID

The pandemic has forced interactions to become virtual between employees, clients, customers and vendors, and may shape some permanent changes. Highly skilled workers may be able to demand the freedom to WFH. Managers may learn to measure performance based on outputs instead of hours logged, and to allow employees more latitude to set their own hours. There may be new respect for work-life balance, and better communication. Fast Company

Disadvantages of WFH

Matt Reed observes that working and studying from home for a protracted period could have some negative consequences for our institutions and our society – not just in the way it magnifies inequity for those without supportive families, quiet neighbours, and broadband internet access. Instead of working and learning on campus where we are exposed to diversity in people and perspectives, spontaneous conversations and casual interactions, WFH has the potential to narrow our worldview: “Zoom is great for conversations you know you need to have. But it doesn’t really work for conversations you didn’t know you needed until they happened.” IHE

Reopening Campus

Campus Reopening Guidelines

The American College Health Association warns that COVID19 health restrictions will need to stay in place “for the next 12-18 months, if not longer,” and that reopening will be phased, gradual, and fluctuating. Invest now in health services, PPE, and mental health supports. Employees can forget break rooms, shared coffee makers, and reusable kitchenware. WFH, virtual meetings and hybrid courses should be encouraged. Occupancy limits on all rooms need to be revised downward, and course sections should be 30 or fewer. The full 20-page document includes detailed recommendations for Health Services, Housing, Dining, Athletics, and Communications. ACHA

BC’s Go-Forward Plan

BC has released an evidence-based “Go-Forward Management Strategy” to “safely and sensibly reboot the economy” by moving from the current “30% social interaction” to no more than 60%. It encourages office staff to WFH part of the time, use staggered shifts, create smaller teams and forgo meetings. Retailers are encouraged to extend business hours to reduce density. In K-12 settings, routine daily screenings of all staff and students, smaller class sizes, no high-contact sports, and increased online learning. Gatherings of more than 50 people remain banned. BC

Testing 65,000 People a Month

UC San Diego has unveiled a “Return to Learn” program that may ultimately test 65,000 staff and students for COVID19 every month. Self-administered nasal swab test kits will be available at several designated sites on campus, and identified using a bar code scanned via smartphone app. A pilot test starts May 11 for more than 5,000 students currently on campus. UCSD

Campus Updates

Memorial is reviewing its scenarios for a phased resumption of academic, research and administrative activities, in light of NL’s five-level approach announced last week. MUN

UNB is preparing various scenarios for fall and is aiming to provide more detailed information on June 1. UNB

York is advising instructors, “as you plan and develop your Fall academic curricula, given that the need for physical distancing will likely continue for some time, it is clear that most courses will need to be delivered to students at least in part using remote/online/flexible teaching techniques.” York’s Teaching Commons is offering one-on-one support, intensive PD, and web resources. York

Tyndale University announced yesterday that “there is not yet enough information to make a formal announcement concerning course delivery for the Fall. Tyndale will be ready to deliver its programs whatever the circumstances… Planning for in-person, online and multi-access models are being considered.” The same announcement indicated “several temporary staff layoffs,” suspension of new hires, and deferral of non-essential operating expenses. Tyndale

UFV responded to the BC Go Forward plan last night by indicating: “We understand the pandemic will change how programs and services are delivered. For many programs, alternate forms of delivery will continue. Time and resources have been dedicated and will continue to be dedicated to ensure you have the support needed to effectively study, teach, and work remotely as required in September.” UFV

TRU president Brett Fairbairn explained yesterday that the BC Go Forward strategy means “many of our programs will no doubt continue to be offered in alternate format” but “where appropriate there will be increased numbers of face-to-face classes, particularly where experiential hands-on learning is required.” TRU

TGIF

Public Trust in Science

At least in Germany, a positive side-effect of the COVID19 pandemic is that public trust in science and researchers seems to be rising. Four times as many Germans “wholeheartedly” trust science and researchers this year compared to last (although it’s still just 36%). Respondents trust doctors more than scientists, but both more than politicians or journalists. A possible explanation for the shift is public anxiety for information about COVID19 has led them to pay closer attention to scientific explanations and methods. THE

Virtual Convocations in the Nexus

A small group of high school seniors has launched Nexus, a cross-platform app to host virtual graduations and year-end celebrations in immersive 3D, incorporating customizable avatars and realistic campus simulations based on Google Maps. “Designed by students, for students,” the multiplayer immersive platform improves on the experience of web conferencing with Unity3D’s rendering engine, spatial realtime audio, and administrator security. All profits go to COVID19 research. Nexus

(To get these updates in your inbox every morning, please subscribe to my free email, the Eduvation Insider.)

Ken Steele is Canada's leading higher ed futurist and strategic consultant, through his company Eduvation. He delivers virtual presentations and facilitates virtual retreats or workshops centred on emerging trends, enrolment management, pedagogical innovation, and strategic planning. [email protected]