As the country laments the first anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic, faculty and staff at the Valenti School of Communication continue to adapt their classes and teaching styles to ensure students are taken care of in the online learning environment.
Dr. Youmei Liu, who teaches information and communication technologies at Valenti, is one of the many professors who responded to this challenge by pushing back deadlines, granting students extra time to complete projects and even rearranging tests to be taken at the convenience of students.
鈥淢y topmost priority,鈥� said Liu, 鈥渋s to release students from stress鈥�.
Other professors, like mass communication lecturer Robyn Lyn, have also placed a premium on kindness and consideration. Lyn has worked with students by offering an incomplete grade when needed, allowing them a year to make up a class without having to pay for tuition a second time.
Both Lyn and Liu offer an incomplete grade to their students, choosing to help students as much as possible, despite the extra time and effort it may take on their end. Additionally, Lyn has led with flexibility by modifying class expectations, demonstrating her deep understanding of students鈥� struggles and the importance of their mental health.
鈥淚 made some things optional and I offer extra credit鈥�, said Lyn. 鈥淚鈥檓 lessening the load on some of the things that make a lot of stress for students. I just think the anxiety over having to finish testing and all this other stuff is compounded by the pandemic, by personal relationships, by family illness and personal illness. As a professor, you鈥檙e at school for your students. If an incomplete grade is what they need, then let鈥檚 do it.鈥�
In the same vein, Dr. Allison Archer, an assistant professor who focuses on political communication, has recognized the simple power of acknowledging the state of the world and how it could be affecting students鈥� lives and their class performance.
鈥淎cknowledging what is going on outside of the classroom is even more important right now,鈥� said Archer. 鈥淭hat can mean a lot to students. It allows them to open up to feel comfortable asking for extra time for an assignment or if they just want you to know that something is going on.鈥�
Inevitably, this approach to flexible, compassionate teaching can help students navigate hardships that have emerged due to the pandemic, recent natural disasters and run-of-the-mill college challenges. Still, many Valenti faculty and staff also emphasize the importance of reaching out to their students, especially during times of crisis.
鈥淭he first thing I do when students email me and tell me they鈥檙e stressed is tell them about CAPS,鈥� said Lyn.
CAPS, or Counseling and Psychological Services, is available to all UH students, staff and faculty. Talking to these mental health professionals can provide students with better coping mechanisms and improve their psychological and academic functioning.
Lyn is a proponent of CAPS, as she benefited from their mental health services as an undergraduate and graduate student herself.
鈥淭here鈥檚 no shame in caring for yourself and your mental health,鈥� said Lyn. 鈥淚 just want to make sure that students understand that whatever it is they鈥檙e going through, let鈥檚 talk about it. Let鈥檚 find out what you need and get you where you need to be so that you can complete your degree.鈥�
This deep compassion from professors aims to alleviate students of additional stress and pressure as the pandemic rages on.
Yet, it also positively impacts our faculty.
鈥淥ur students鈥� resilience is always encouraging,鈥� said Archer. 鈥淚 feel like I walk away from class meetings energized by the conversations that we have by students bringing in their real-world observations and tying that into class material. I think [about] students鈥� commitment to just showing up for class in the middle of this pandemic. They are what make a big part of the classroom experience. We鈥檙e all showing up for each other and that makes me really proud.鈥�
In light of this resilience, Valenti faculty have been even more compelled to offer support:
鈥淎nything that I am able to do to help, I will do,鈥� said Liu.
NOTE:
If you have a life-threatening emergency, dial 911. For all other crises, CAPS is available 24/7 at 713.743.5454. If it is after business hours, please follow the prompts to be connected to the after-hours counselor on call.
CAPS will resume Teletherapy (phone and video) AND in-person services at their Health 2 location only for the following conditions: 1) Individuals in acute crisis or 2) Individuals without access to technology or privacy needed for teletherapy services. These will be by APPOINTMENT ONLY, 8:30 am 鈥� 4 pm.
The following services are available virtually:
and Essential Skills workshops.
The Online Support Series.
, informal mental health consultation for any member of the UH community by calling 713-743-5454.
. Complete the registration form to sign up.
and information are immediately accessible for the UH community.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e going through something -- share. Share with your professors, share with a staff member that you trust, or call CAPS and make sure that you get someone to talk to.鈥� -Professor Robyn Lyn