Covid-Related Support: Weinberg College

Covid-Related Support

WEINBERG COLLEGE POLICIES AND RESOURCES

The Weinberg College Dean's Office has developed the following resources and policy updates in response to the challenges created by Covid-19, particularly for faculty who are primary caregivers for family members and faculty of color in our College community. In addition, University resources and policies can be found below.

Policy and/or Resource	Contact and/or information page
Additional extension to probationary period (tenure clock): Faculty may apply for an additional probationary period extension according to existing College policies, beyond the Covid-19 Tenure Clock Extension granted in spring 2020 (see below). Faculty members may consult with the Associate Dean for Faculty about this possibility.	Associate Dean for Faculty; Promotion and Reappointment Guidelines
W Awards Research Recovery Grants: The College W Awards Research Recovery Grants will support a course reduction or a quarter of graduate student support, as well as the possibility of modest research funds, for faculty members who qualify due to disruption of research productivity during the pandemic.	Associate Dean for Research; W Awards information and application
Teaching-Track Summer 2021 Curricular Funding Opportunity: For this coming summer (2021), Weinberg College has dedicated a limited amount of funding to providing $5,000 grants for curricular projects, broadly defined but that include focus on inclusive teaching practices relevant for your course and your discipline. Deadline is Monday, February 1, 2021.	Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs and Advising; Funding Opportunity information and application
Service reduction: Reductions or excusal from administrative/service obligations are possible and should be discussed at the department or program level. However, the Dean's Office should be consulted if service reductions cannot be accommodated by the unit.	Associate Dean for Faculty

The Dean's Office has urged departments and programs to be as flexible as possible in accommodating faculty facing Covid-related disruptions and challenges. Departments and Programs have worked to provide support and relief where possible with existing resources. Below are some of the ways units have been able to offer faculty Covid-related support.

NOTE: not all these solutions will be available in every department or program, or applicable to every faculty member's situation. Consult with your chair or director if you feel some of these solutions might provide relief for your situation.

Covid-related issue	Department or Program resource
Childcare/family obligations	Course Reductions Schedule Changes TA/GSI deputized as a "Lead TA/GSI" to act as alternate instructor if family obligation arise Department assigned an extra TA/GSI to course to help instructor Teaching times rearranged to allow faculty to coordinate with their children’s school schedule Teaching assignments rearranged/changed
General Covid-related difficulties for faculty	Number of fall quarter events minimized by departments Opt-out option for on-campus coverage rotation Service obligations reduced Team teaching permitted in many cases Enrollment caps of sections raised to avoid adding additional sections Enrollment caps of sections lowered TAs/GSIs added to assist faculty Supplemental graders provided from department funds Graduate teaching committee on research for remote teaching supported
Visa Problems	Remote teaching permitted (waived College’s residency requirement) Schedule change
Health Concerns/Vulnerability	Remote Teaching Schedule Change
Scheduled Leave	Leave deferral permitted to a time when travel is possible
Research Productivity Concerns	Service Relief
Technological Limitations	Modest grants to faculty to purchase equipment Devices distributed to faculty Hardware/software/licenses purchased by department

UNIVERSITY POLICIES AND RESOURCES

Several resources and policies are in place to assist faculty with Covid-related disruptions to teaching and research.

Covid-related issue	Resource or Policy
Childcare Services	Discounted fees/priority enrollment at local childcare centers and schools Assistance finding childcare through premium access to childcare and school referrals and listings with partner programs Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) New Back Up Care Reimbursement
Senior and adult care	Northwestern Senior Care Planning Caregiver support groups and 1:1 consultation Senior and adult back up care
Mental Health and Well-being	Well-being: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Faculty Wellness Program
Flexibility and Support in Work Arrangements	Alternative Work Arrangement Policy Use of School Visitation Hours for COVID-19 caregiving and/or virtual school support
Faculty advancement and research productivity	COVID-19 Tenure Clock Extension