UARM Chancellor Dr. Phillip Wilson remains in constant communication with students since the coronavirus outbreak when campus was forced to close and transition to online courses or remote instruction methods. He provides weekly updates and encouragement to finish strong.
The largest news to report to last week included a virtual meeting of the UA System Board of Trustees. Members voted for all UA System schools’ summer sessions to be taught exclusively online or remote instruction method. They also voted that all summer camps at all campuses are cancelled. For UARM, this will include the very popular Kids/Teen College led by Ms. Penny Lunsford will not be held for 2020.
Last week’s announcement also included the faculty chamber approving a new grading scheme for the spring semester, recognizing the unexpected hardships they have endured.
Students who earn an A, B, or C can opt to change their grade to a P, which will not calculate into the GPA but indicates passing the course.
Students who earn a D can opt to change their grade to a CR (credit), which will not calculate into the GPA but indicates passing the course with a D (may not meet prerequisites for certain courses).
Students who earn an F can opt to change the grade to an NC, which will not calculate into the GPA but indicates no credit for the course.
Wilson also announced that a new webpage had been created to help address the students’ and community’s questions during this new “normal”. The page is: https://www.uarichmountain.edu/coronavirus-faq.
Internet is also critical to students who all have been catapulted into online learning. The Mena campus currently has WiFi parking lot access and now the Mt. Ida campus in Montgomery County also has access. “In both locations, we ask that you respect social distancing guidelines and remain in your cars,” said Wilson. Network name for Mt. Ida access is RichMtnWifi and password is RichMountain.
Wilson congratulated students who are planning for brighter days ahead and have already completed their registration for the Fall semester. “I’m extremely grateful to our dedicated admissions and financial aid staff as well as our advisers who created a new method to assist students who couldn’t physically walk into their offices to complete this process. They are completely focused on assisting students during this historic time and doing all they can to minimize the disruption to their educational goals.”
