Message to Students

Good evening Bulldogs! 

I hope this letter finds you safe, healthy, and enjoying the summer sunshine.   

Last week, our academic college deans emailed all students regarding course delivery methods for fall. Today, I am writing to share additional details of our extensive preparations for the start of fall classes on August 31.

FALL CLASSES 

To protect everyone’s health and safety, and allow for proper physical/social distancing in classrooms and campus buildings, things will look different this fall.  As shared by our academic deans last week, Ferris will provide three course delivery methods as outlined below.   

  • In-person classes: These are the typical, traditional classroom classes, but they will take place in rooms adjusted to allow for each student and the instructor to maintain six feet of distance from each other. Physical locations will show on your course schedule. 

      • Some in-person classes will appear in your schedule as “face-to-face with online supplement.”  In-person classes with this designation will be in person, but may not meet for the usual length of an in-person class and the remainder of the “classroom” time will be spent in our Learning Management System (CANVAS).  The time spent in person and in CANVAS will vary and be course specific.  For example, a course that normally would be in-person three days a week, may meet two days a week and the remainder of the course time would be delivered within CANVAS. 

  • Hyflex classes: These classes will blend in-person and online learning in an effort to reduce the number of students on campus and in classrooms at one time.  Hyflex provides the instructor the option of meeting with part of the class in person and part of the class live stream.  How you participate will be determined and at the discretion of your instructor. 

  • Fully online classes: These classes will be conducted fully online, in a synchronous (one set meeting time for all students) or asynchronous (no set meeting time, allowing students to access course materials at any time) format. 

These screenshots show how these delivery methods appear in your detailed course schedule in MyFSU.  

Additionally, to reduce the number of people in the same space on campus at any given time, class sizes have been reduced, course delivery methods have expanded and changed, classes have been moved to larger spaces across campus, and the university will not schedule large indoor events this fall.   

EXPECTATIONS & REQUIREMENTS FOR IN-PERSON LEARNING 

Life on campus and at our statewide locations will be different this fall. The new normal includes:  

  • Completing the daily self-screening symptom checker  
  • Wearing face coverings over your nose and mouth inside buildings and outside when physical/social distancing of six feet cannot be maintained  
  • Staying home when feeling ill  
  • Frequent hand washing 
  • Avoiding large gatherings and crowds, and 
  • If necessary, contact tracing, quarantine, and isolation.   

Maintaining a healthy environment is a shared responsibility for our entire Bulldog community and will require you to take conscious steps to protect the health and safety of yourself and all members of our community.  Campus signage and communications will remind you of this new normal.  And please keep a face covering handy at all times, and make sure to wear it correctly – over your mouth and nose.  

Ferris State has always been a caring community, but now more than ever, we must show our caring for others, every day, and in every situation. This will make a difference in protecting the health and well-being of our campus and community.  

HOW TO ACCESS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

We have prepared a student specific FAQ to address the most frequently asked questions we are receiving from you and your families.  Please spend some time in this document to become familiar with our current plans for this fall.   

Finally, we know you may still have questions and concerns about the fall semester. COVID-19 and the world’s response to it remains a rapidly evolving situation.  We continue to make decisions rooted in guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and our local public health department, taking into account federal and state regulations.   

Please continue to check your email for my weekly updates and frequently visit the University’s COVID-19 webpage for updated information. Please direct any unanswered questions to the appropriate contact listed below: 

  • For academic questions, contact your advisor or your academic dean's office: 
    • College of Arts, Sciences and Education: 231-591-3660 
    • College of Business: 231-591-2420 
    • College of Engineering Technology: 231-591-2890 
    • College of Health Professions: 231-591-2270 
    • College of Pharmacy: 231-591-2254 
    • College of Optometry: 231-591-3706 
    • Retention & Student Success: 231-591-2360 
    • Kendall College of Art and Design: 616-259-1203 
    • Statewide location email contacts vary and are located online
    • If you are unable to reach your advisor, please contact your College (numbers above) or [email protected]   

I remain optimistic that all of this work will lead to a rewarding semester of education and engagement on campus this fall. However, we ask that you remain flexible and have adaptable plans. Our faculty and staff will provide an exceptional education while following public health guidance, and state and federal regulations, while making the necessary adjustments along the way to ensure your success with the least amount of disruption. 

Take good care. And let’s all move #FerrisForwardTogether.  

Joy N. Pulsifer 
Dean of Student Life