Supporting Faculty During COVID-19
MiCHAEL G. STRAWSER
For good reason, universities are focusing on student-centered learning outcomes as we navigate COVID-19. The necessity for institutions to assess every facet of daily operations, chief among them instruction, has never been more prevalent. It is important to consider, as resources emerge to transition face-to-face classes to an online modality, that faculty are on the front lines of this instructional shift. The conversation surrounding student support should not be under-emphasized. However, it is also necessary to focus on other higher education stakeholders, like instructors.
As administrators, I am sure your level of stress and anxiety right now is at a (potentially?) all-time high. Thankfully, we know our God is in control. If you are struggling right now to trust that the Lord is Sovereign and good and that he is merciful to His children, I would encourage you to read Todd Wagner’s semi-recent piece in The Gospel Coalition about anxiety and COVID-19. The truths Wagner reiterates are timeless, biblical, and helpful as we face crisis together. With that said, I want to give a few practical tips to help you support your faculty members as they change all facets of their instruction this semester and beyond.
Tip 1: Remember, faculty are ‘people’ too.
I have been amazed, in a good way, at how understanding the ‘system’ has been of students. Many weeks ago I suspended judgement for how people are handling COVID-19 recognizing that all are struggling to engage our current situation. Some have lost jobs, some have been sick, some have lost family members or friends. The situation is unprecedented. Try to suspend judgment. I tend to not feel too isolated or overwhelmed, but I am also at home in a family of five with one on the way...my situation is different. Likewise, as a faculty member, I am not struggling with feelings of isolation or loneliness. In addition, I am tenure-track and, as such, am not too concerned about my job status unlike several colleagues who may be on a visiting line or serving as adjunct faculty. All are dealing uniquely, not matter how we react, remember we are all human.
Tip 2: Remind your faculty, gently, of their mission and vision.
Christian higher education is unique in that you can remind faculty that they not only have a student-centered mission, but a kingdom-focused vision. This means, unlike faculty at secular institutions, there is something more, a grander narrative that your faculty understand and appreciate. Without being overbearing, remind them of their place in God’s story. They can have a great impact on the spiritual lives of their students based on how they react and communicate during COVID-19.
Tip 3: Support Online Efforts
The web is replete with articles and resources right now on transitioning to online instruction. I am a former instructional designer and have a graduate certificate in distance learning. I am always ready, and willing, to assist universities in their online efforts. With that said, be careful to not supply too much information. In some ways, we are in an ‘infodemic’ not just a pandemic. Your faculty members probably feel overwhelmed with the amount of information they are receiving about the virus. Think strategically about how and when you provide information. Potentially adopt an urgent weekly newsletter/update to streamline messages. Make sure your institution is housing core online instructional materials on their own teaching and learning resource websites (don’t trust that faculty will always find the most credible resources on their own).
Tip 4: Support Other Efforts
Many of your faculty, on top of moving courses online, are still writing, conducting research, and serving the institution in other ways. Do not forget about these efforts. Research and service are still valuable to the institution, recognize good work and ask faculty what support they may need right now. In addition, you may consider a blanket institutional response to teaching evaluations for SP2020 and/or encouraging tenure-track faculty to extend their tenure clock.
Tip 5: Communicate Clearly
In some ways this tip connects to Tip 3 but overall make sure your messaging is consistent, transparent (when possible), and efficient. You have varying stakeholders right now including students, parents, trustees, etc. Each group is unique. Supply necessary information when appropriate.
Ultimately, you are in the trenches. Enrollment numbers are discouraging, budgets are rapidly declining, and we, collectively, face unparalleled uncertainty. As we navigate through, may we remember that the God who knows when a sparrow falls knows us too. It is hard to know how to lead others while facing such a trial. I have been thinking, probably too often, about Andrew Jackson’s famous recollection: that he was born for the storm and the calm does not suit him. We, in essence, were born for this storm because we are in it. We long for calm, for peace, but know that will not be achieved fully until the new creation. For now, we can support our students, our faculty, our staff, our board, ourselves, and all those looking to us for guidance by leading with wise, yet bold, biblical humility. As you seek to support your faculty:
· Remember they are ‘human’
· Remind them of their mission
· Support them where you can
· Communicate clearly
Michael G. Strawser serves as Assistant Professor of Communication at the University of Central Florida and as Principal, Legacy Communication Training and Consulting. He is a graduate of two IACE institutions, Cedarville University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.