School of Music COVID-19 Preparedness and Response
Students, Faculty and Staff of the School of Music
A message from Director of the School of Music, Michael Kim
March 18, 2020
Practice Studios, Classrooms and Rehearsal Spaces
After consulting with the CLA Dean’s office, and in consideration for the health and safety for all members of our School of Music community, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY, access to ALL School of Music practice rooms, rehearsal spaces, classrooms, and student access to teaching studios is suspended until April 1. This suspension applies to all student and faculty rehearsals.
Instructors and staff may continue to access office and instructional spaces as needed in order to facilitate remote teaching and other necessary University business, but these spaces may not be used for in-person instruction, lessons, rehearsals, or student practice.
Applied Lessons
Applied faculty will be in touch with students in their respective studios to make remote teaching arrangements (e.g.- Skype). As confirmed by the Office of the Provost, SoM students are NOT to be taught in a faculty member’s home or other venue during the U’s suspension of in-person instruction.
Student Recitals
After further discussion with the Office of the CLA Dean, Provost, and legal counsel, it has been jointly determined that all SoM student recitals and Ultan Hall events will be postponed through April 1st. We will continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation and be in touch to determine future steps past April 1. Please be assured that we will continue to actively consult with SoM applied faculty members on mitigation options (as necessary) to best ensure academic continuity and timely completion of curricular/graduation requirements for our students. (Updated as of 3.14.2020)
Ensemble Concerts and Rehearsals
All School of Music ensemble concerts, rehearsals, and events are canceled for the remainder of this Spring semester. Ensemble directors will be in touch with members of their respective ensembles regarding next steps. In addition, as confirmed by the Office of the Provost, ensemble rehearsals —including chamber coaching— are NOT to be scheduled off-campus during the U’s suspension of in-person instruction.
Graduate Oral Exams
Please conduct all exams via Zoom, or other appropriate online platform.
Virtual Administrative Offices and “Room 100”
Main Office
Phone: 612-624-5740 | Email: mus-adv@umn.edu
Hours: 8-4 pm Monday through Friday
Intranet: z.umn.edu/musicintranet
Please see the School of Music website for all other offices and staff contact information.
Advising Appointments
All advising appointments and prospective student meetings will be conducted remotely. Students should contact an advisor directly to schedule an appointment and determine the best mode of communication for the conversation (phone, email, zoom, etc.).
- Undergraduate Advisor & Course Scheduler — Erica Evilla, evill001@umn.edu | 612-624-4028
- Graduate Program Coordinator — Adam Rappel, rapp0056@umn.edu | 612-624-0071
- Recruitment & Events Coordinator — Natalie Wilson, wils1509@umn.edu | 612-624-2847
Ferguson Hall Building Hours beginning March 20
Based on guidance from the University, and with the safety of our students and employees in mind, Ferguson Hall is now closed to everyone except essential University personnel. Effective March 20, 2020 - there are no University hours for Ferguson Hall. Any in-person instruction in Ferguson Hall is absolutely prohibited. Unauthorized individuals may be escorted off campus by UMN security or the UMPD. Full time faculty and staff who currently have U-Card access to the building will continue to have access as usual, but may only enter the building if absolutely necessary to continue the duties of their job. To be absolutely clear, this access is not meant for keeping office hours on campus or for personal practice. You may only enter the building if you need materials or resources you've not already taken to your remote working location. If you have questions or would like to request or verify your employee u-card access, please email our facilities and operations manager, Peter Remiger (premiger@umn.edu).
Teaching Remotely
Please see the “Teaching Remotely” link z.umn.edu/cla-covid19 for a range of resources. A few items are highlighted below that may be helpful.
- Triage Requests: If your course requires special support, please send requests to LATIS at teachremote@umn.edu, but be ready to expect delays
- Live Zoom Training Sessions: Group-based live training and consultation sessions to guide instructors through this process and to learn more about some tools. Click here for descriptions, dates, and times.
- Accessibility/Accommodations: Instructors are urged to remember to provide accessibility/accommodation needs via closed captioning and transcripts (machine driven). Further information is available at accessibility.umn.edu.
- Class Times: Stick with designated class times
- Internships/Service Learning: The instructional part of these courses should continue. More information is forthcoming
I fully recognize the above is not a comprehensive list, and there will be further questions and concerns. Please continue to share these with us here - your input and observations are very important to us.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our wonderful staff, who all have been working tirelessly on our behalf. I am also deeply appreciative of the patience and civility that has dominated all our discussions and consultations thus far in the SoM - the care, kindness, and compassion that we have already shown towards one another will carry us through this challenge, and others to come.
With my deepest appreciation and respect,
Michael Kim
