Deans Message #2 (7/29/2020)

Message 2 (7/29/2020)

Dear School of Music Family;

It's hard to believe that the month of August is already upon us!  We've spent the summer preparing for the start of the new academic year, which we will face together with prudence, optimism, and an openness to new possibilities. We are eager to support your good work in an environment that is both caring and complicit with safety measures.  No one can predict what the future will hold, or which plans we'll need to rethink and adjust along the way.  What we do know, however, is that our decisions will always prioritize the health and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff.  Together, we'll make it a rich, productive, and rewarding year!

Recent trends in the continued spread of COVID-19 call upon us to exercise utmost vigilance throughout the Fall semester. In our planning, the outcome we seek is zero cases of COVID-19 exposure in our Music building and among our music participants.  In my last message to you, I conveyed basic information about physical distancing throughout the building, hand-washing/sanitization, and contact tracing.  In recent weeks, we have received new research, updated guidance from our Physical Plant and Biosafety experts, and new information from the University administration.  Accordingly, please observe the following, current as of July 28, 2020: 

  • All members of our University Family will need to take and pass COVID-19 online safety training.  That training is available now to faculty and staff and will be available August 1st to students (students should watch for the announcement).  For employees of the University, the training can be found at https://louisville-ky.safecolleges.com/  on the main page under “My Assignments."  The School of Music has arranged to receive reports on August 4th, and again on August 17th, listing those in our unit who have successfully passed the training. 
  • Our Physical Plant and Biosafety experts have instructed that we NOT open windows in practice rooms and classrooms.  They have advised us that the HVAC systems use mechanical ventilation that mixes in fresh outside air, filters and then tempers the air before returning it to the space.  Contrary to our earlier assumptions, we now know that our HVAC system works most efficiently if those windows are closed while rehearsals or lessons are underway, and if those rooms are then allowed to have 30 minutes of vacancy between uses in order to support this automatic process.  Graphics will be distributed to show the most advantageous placement of students and teachers within studio and other spaces as it relates to the airflow within the rooms. 
  • For practice rooms, there will be sign-out system that will schedule in the 30 minutes of vacancy to support the air filtration system. 
  • Audiences for performances in Comstock and Bird will be managed through a pre-selection process.  Ensemble directors and applied teachers, in consultation with their students, will be given the opportunity to pre-select individuals to attend their performances, up to a maximum number compliant with COVID-19 safety regulations. Those persons will then be admitted to the performance halls through a ticketing system.  Chris Dye is coordinating audience management for the Fall semester, and he will have additional details about this process in the coming weeks. 
  • We are creating four additional stations in the Music building (two Mac, two PC) to facilitate online applied lessons.  More information about these stations will be available as we get closer to the start of classes. 
  • Upon return to the building, you will notice that chairs in classrooms will already be pre-spaced for the mandated six feet of physical distancing.  Additionally, you will see directional signage on hallway floors.  Please comply with this directional signage, as it will further reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure. 
  • Final arrangements and decisions regarding ensembles are still being worked out.  Fred Speck, Amy Acklin, Ansyn Banks, Chris Fitzgerald, and the entire membership of the Conducting and Ensembles Concentration have attended meetings throughout the summer and have worked diligently to gather important information.  Our goal is to support safe ensemble instruction to the fullest possible extent. 
  • UofL is making COVID-19 testing available to our campus community.  This testing, administered by Campus Health, will focus on those with COVID-19 symptoms and those possibly exposed to people with COVID-19. Anyone who suspects that they may have COVID-19 or may have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus should contact Campus Health immediately for instructions.  Additionally, the School of Music can arrange testing for any of our own faculty, staff, or students who have special circumstances (aside from COVID-19 symptoms or exposure) for which they feel testing is needed.  Those persons should contact Kaelah McMonigle for further information. 
  • In accordance with a recommendation from the Undergraduate Studies Committee, I am directing that all undergraduate Music majors be granted a blanket waiver for required MUS 097, Recital Attendance, for the Fall 2020 semester.  Any undergraduate student may register for MUS097, Recital Attendance, and receive credit (a COVID-19 Fall 2020 "freebie") towards his/her degree requirement.  The Undergraduate Committee will take up any special cases not covered by this blanket waiver on a case-by-case basis. 

 

Please know that we care about you and that your concerns and aspirations are extremely important to us. This is a unusual time for everyone, but we will absolutely get through this together!  I look forward to joining with you to welcome the beginning of the new school year. Please stay tuned for more information. 

 Warmly,

Teresa