Fall return to campus for very limited staff and a partial return for hybrid classes primarily for testing and clinical labs or clinical placements, internships, field placement, or practicum.1.5% or less on-campus classes, testing and clinical with very strict guidelines adhering to safe social distancing, minimizing number of students in a room to ¼ or 1/3 maximum capacity, wearing masks or face-coverings and cleaning and disinfecting after each use, following all procedures and protocols established in the Phase 1 plan and outlined in the attached instruction plans.

Applying a Risk-based Approach to Decision-making

Lehman College employed a series of steps that included a risk-based approach in developing its delivery modality plan for fall 2020 reopening. These steps included consultations and conversations with school deans and department chairs, discussions at the Provost’s and Deans’ Council (PDC), the President’s Cabinet, and the Phase 2 Reopening Task Force. The reopening plan was also informed by guidance from CUNY and NYS criteria on safety protocols.

Overall, approximately 3,000 course sections are scheduled for fall 2020 across our four academic schools. Of this number, we have 0% of the traditional on-site in-person sections scheduled at the college. The 1.5% of courses scheduled and identified in CUNYfirst as on-site in-person instruction are a modified version of the fully traditional in-person sections that will have very minimal campus presence. These modified in-person sections include a small number of labs and tutorials that will come to campus periodically. Additionally, we have a small number of fieldwork and clinical placements taking place off-campus (mostly from the School of Education for graduate students and the School of Health Sciences, Human Services, and Nursing). These fieldwork and clinical placements were determined in consultation with employers and they provide opportunity for students to meet requirements for degree completion.

In deciding which course sections are to be delivered utilizing the modified on-site in person modality, school deans applied a risk-based approach to determine which classes are safe to be held in person to minimize the likelihood or the potential for viral transmission. This approach required defining the issue and the challenge (i.e. on-site delivery in a full or modified format in the midst of the pandemic), examining potential options and risks, and making and implementing a decision.

The decisions about which courses were to be offered using the modified version of the traditional in-person format were based on an understanding of the risk-benefit balance and uncertainties associated with implementing fully on-site, traditional in-person instruction.

Specifically, each school dean and the associate provost for academic programs worked with department chairs to submit a reopening plan to the Senior Registrar using a 4-stage process for plan development presented by the Provost at the Provost’s and Deans’ Council (PDC).

The process included 1) Stakeholder Engagement, 2) Using the 90x10 Framework based on a CUNY analysis 3) Submission of Plan for 10 percent in-person instruction, and 4) Plan Implementation. The plans submitted by each dean and the associate provost identified courses to be offered on-site. An initial list of 1285 hybrid sections and 479 in person sections was provided. The submissions were then subjected to a comprehensive assessment by the college’s facilities office led by the Vice President for Administration and Finance. Additional discussions were held with school deans, department chairs, and faculty regarding the initial list of courses submitted to review options, revise options, validate and accept the revised plans. Over multiple meetings and several weeks, the number of course sections initially submitted for on-site instruction was reduced to 20 in-person nontraditional sections. The seven in-person sections are all taught off campus.
In sum, this risk-based approach to decision-making resulted in determination by the college to offer zero on-site fully traditional in-person courses in fall 2020. Given a careful analysis of the risks involved, the college also determined that only a small percent of the 3092 course sections planned for fall (that is 1.5%) will be offered in fall utilizing a modified format of the fully traditional in-person offering. Under this plan, very minimal presence will be permitted on campus, and appropriate social distancing and safety requirements will be provided on those occasions when the class meets on-site these safety measures applied to License Prep exams, dance initiatives and Nursing simulations.

On-Campus Hybrid Courses by School

Ninety-eight percent of Lehman College classes will be held online in the fall. A list of those classes or activities that will be occurring on campus is below. A detailed plan of action for each class can be found here starting on page 23. For a full list of all in-person hybrid classes for fall semester, go here.

School of Natural and Social Sciences | School of Arts and Humanities | School of Education | School of Health Sciences, Human Services, and Nursing | School of Continuing and Professional Studies |

School of Natural and Social Sciences

All classes and labs will be taught on-line without exceptions, all tutorials, thesis research and independent student will be conducted under the research rules. Research lab protocols can be found here.

School of Arts and Humanities

Most classes will be taught on-line with the following exceptions, which are hybrid courses taught partially on-line and partially in-person.

Compliance with NYS Health Requirements

For all classes:

• Physical distancing according to College requirements
• Everybody wears masks at all times
• Keyboards are covered and covers are being exchanged after every use
• All equipment will be wiped between and after every use by user, under supervision of instructor
• Each faculty member will submit the list of students that will attend each week following the normal college procedure – through the Dean’s Office.

Department of Art Classes: Art/CGI 421; Art 206/306/722/724/726/728; Art 303/313/730/732/734/736; Art 712/714/716/748/750; Art 107 & Art 107/607; Art 207/307/327/607; Art 208/308

Dance and Theatre Program Classes: DNC209/THE200; DNC345; CUNY Dance Initiative; THE/DNC 225; THE335; THE/DNC425; THE4950

Journalism and Multimedia Studies Classes: FTS215; JRN356; FTS/JRN350

School of Education

All classes will be on-line with the following exception, which are hybrid courses taught mostly on-line with one meeting on campus and visit to museums:

Early Childhood and Childhood Education

ECE 350 – Art – One on-campus class, partially outside, partially indoors, students divided into 3 groups of 6. The indoor class will be held in Carman B40 with class occupancy reduced to allow 10 feet safe social distancing. ECE 350 is a course in Visual Arts in Education and will require one visit to campus where in small groups, students will observe and work with the Olmec Statue outside the Music Building outside and work on art-based activities related to their observations in Carmen B-40 (and please add B-02 as an additional classroom should the number of students enrolled in the class require additional social distancing. As of today, there are 12 students registered for the class.) If students cannot attend, they will be provided materials with photos of the statue and will complete the assignment from home. Part of the class requirement is for students to visit museums. Museum visits will be in person, following each museums’ requirement for visitors pertaining to safe social distancing, wearing masks or face coverings, etc. Students will be required to sign the field and clinical placement agreement to participate.

School of Health Sciences, Human Services and Nursing

All classes will be on-line. The only hybrid exceptions follow:

Health Sciences DFN 330 program

The mid-term exam serve-safe test will be offered in person. We will set up the APEX Auxiliary Gym for 20 students utilizing 10-foot minimum spacing as per the attached plan.

Students have the option to take the exam at home using ProctorU for $35 each. If this proves challenging financially they can request assistance through normal Lehman channels. Additionally, students could take an INC grade and take the test in person in the Spring semester if the public health situation has changed.

Nursing

NYSED is requiring a percentage of in-person clinical experiences and simulation. All Nursing students will be required to wear masks, gloves, and gowns and face shields. For clinical placement in hospitals or other health care settings, students will be required to sign the field and clinical placement agreement to participate and will be provided PPE if not provided by the health facility.

The Department has requested approval from NYSED to reduce clinical hours. If approved, on-campus work can be canceled.  If NYSED does not approve alternatives, the students will have to come to campus in order to complete their course work.  Faculty will work with students to accommodate special situations of individual students.

Proposal to Use Simulation/Skills Labs

The preparation of nursing students require that they develop specific skills and competencies. Simulation and skills labs have been used in the developing of these skills and competencies. Since the COVID-19 pandemic we have to develop new ways of providing instruction in the skills. We will use distance simulation vignettes as appropriate. As a last resort if allowed on the campus we have developed a tentative plan.
In order to provide for safety of our students and faculty the following procedures will be followed

• Labs will be eight students or less.
• The lab times will be staggered so that we will not have more than four students: two in skills lab and two in simulation. Students will be there for the maximum of two hours.
• Students and faculty will be screened regarding illness symptoms, including temperatures, upon entering the building.
• Only students assigned for that day and time will be allowed in the building.
• Students will only interact with their assigned partner and the faculty member.
• Students will use disposable gowns over their uniforms while in lab.
• Students will wear a mask at all times.
• PPE guidelines will of course be followed.
• If unable to maintain social distancing of 6 feet, students will wear face shields.

The Department of Nursing will follow the specific guidelines developed by CDC and the NYC Department of Health.

Social Work

Social work students preparing to take the licensing exam will complete test prep classes in Carman Hall B38 computer lab. Classes will run on Saturday adhering to safe social distancing of 10 foot between students, we will provide disposable keyboard covers, wipes and will locate a hand sanitizing station in the room.

This is an optional non-credit course that no one is required to attend. Students who are unable to attend can use their own study guides, work with a private test prep course, or wait and take this course in the future since it is offered every semester.  Because of licensing restrictions, it can only be offered under the direct physical supervision of a Lehman College faculty member.

School of Continuing and Professional Studies

All classes will be taught on-line with the following exceptions, which will be hybrid lab courses partially on-line and partially in person and TASC (Test Assessing Secondary Completion) testing.

CUNY on the Concourse

TASC testing will take place in the APEX Auxiliary Gym pending approval from NYSED to use the space. There is direct access to the building entrance from Gate 8, the layout can accommodate 40 test takers with 10-foot minimum distance around each, test takers and proctors will be required to wear masks and screen the morning of the test. All areas and surfaces will be disinfected after the test. The APEX Aux. Gym can accommodate 47 test takers with 10 feet between. We are limiting the number to 40 people, plus the proctor. Legal occupancy of the Aux. Gym is 350 persons.