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The health and safety of our campus community is the utmost priority. Please take care of your health by following CDC guidance and stay up to date by visiting the University's main COVID-19 page.
There's a lot of information being shared right now. In CALS, we've launched this Daily Digest email as a way to highlight an important resource, tip, or service and also share a summary of announcements.
We'll continue to publish the weekly CALS Connect (for undergraduate students) and the monthly Master the Month (for graduate students) but, for the time being, you'll also receive this Daily Digest Tuesday through Saturday.
Highlight & Announcements
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Student Financial Emergency FundDean of Students Office
The University of Arizona utilizes the Student Emergency Fund to support our students who are in danger from withdrawing due to an unexpected, temporary financial hardship as a result of illness, family crisis, natural disaster, or other emergency or crisis situations. The fund is intended to assist UA students by providing subsidies solely for unexpected emergency expenses.
The Student Emergency Fund is intended to cover temporary costs that may hinder a student from succeeding academically or from meeting their basic needs. Therefore, students may ordinarily only apply for assistance once per academic year.
The support of the fund is carefully vetted by a review committee including campus partners familiar with high risk circumstances that directly impact student success. The committee is well trained and educated on the resources available not only on campus but in the Tucson community and regularly uses these resources to assist students on a variety of levels.
The Student Emergency Fund can be used to assist students with situations such as: - Accidents, student illness, illness or death of a family member, vandalism, theft (e.g., apartment break-ins), natural disasters, and / or unexpected changes in financial circumstances.
Typical expenses eligible for such assistance may include, but are not limited to: - Living expenses including housing costs, utilities, food, etc.
- Travel costs related to the severe illness or death of a family member.
- Medical expenses not covered by insurance including medications, delinquent bills, other costs related to medical area.
- Books and other essential academic expenses, or replacement of essential personal belongings due to theft, fire, or natural disaster.
- Safety needs.
In addition to providing sufficient documentation of the emergency situation and resulting financial hardship, students must meet the following criteria:- Be a registered, degree-seeking UA student, enrolled in at least 6 units.
- Have not received emergency funds in the same academic year.
- Have exhausted all University financial aid offers, including loan offers and work study.
- Have considered all other possible resources and determined none are available or sufficient.
- The intent with the fund is to directly support the unexpected circumstances that might limit a student’s academic success.
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Correction: P/F and Grade AverageGeneral Advisors, CALS Career & Academic Services
On Wednesday, 3/25 we highlighted "5 Things to Consider with a Pass/Fail (P/F) Option." Below is a correction to point #2, "Have you consulted with your professor?"
In CALS we care about you. Your academic success and well-being matters, and It’s important to note that the decision to switch to P/F does not need to be made right away. This Spring 2020, for P/F option you can wait until the end of the semester, and then use the switch to P/F as a “safety parachute”.
During this transition to online instruction, you will not miss out on quality instruction, and want to remind you to give yourself and the instructor some time to settle in to this online format. You may do just fine with the normal grading format, and P/F parachute is always available to you toward the end of the semester. This may also relieve some anxiety about whether to drop the course.
Give it some time, knowing that it doesn't have to cost you in terms of GPA, but you could still continue earning the credits and get you closer to degree completion. Your Academic Advisors, Instructors, and Graduate Program Coordinators are available to offer assistance and guidance.
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Things to Consider Before Withdrawing
General Advisors, CALS Career & Academic Services
We acknowledge this is a time of transition and know that you are not alone in navigating academic decisions. Your Academic Advisor is your GPS to the University. Ensure you are communicating with them to review all your academic support options that may assist you instead of withdrawing from the course. It is valuable to know all your options to help you make an informed decision. 1. A grade of ‘W’ will still be on your transcript- We are past the regular drop deadline that would prevent a ‘W’ on your transcript for 16 weeks courses. If withdrawing from a course or courses is what you and your Academic Advisor find to be the best option, the ‘W’ will still be placed on your transcript.
2. Finances- Many scholarships and Financial Aid require full-time status (12 units) per semester or more. If you withdraw from a class that brings you below a certain amount, you could be foregoing your aid or have to make up units at a later time.
- A $25 fee will be placed on your Bursar’s account upon withdrawing per class.
- Know that a P (pass) grade, instead of a W (withdrawal), may be an option and would satisfy the unit requirements.
3. Refund deadline is not being extended4. How will this affect your degree progression?- Talk to your Academic Advisor to make sure withdrawing will not affect the progression of classes you need to graduate (for example pre-requisites or specific-semester classes are offered).
- Know that a P grade, instead of a W, may be an option and would apply towards degree progression. The P grade option applying towards all degree requirements is for Spring 2020 semester only.
5. Maximum of 18 units of Withdrawal for Undergraduate Students- After meeting with your Academic Advisor if you two decide a withdrawal is what is best for you, there is an exception to the maximum of 18 units of W’s for the Spring 2020 semester only.
6. How to Complete a Course Withdrawal- This is a decision that should be discussed with your Instructor. You may learn you are doing better than you think or that you have opportunities to successfully complete the class. Also talk with your Academic Advisor before you proceed.
- You can submit a course(s) withdrawal through UAccess Student Center through April 14, 2020. After April 14, 2020 the withdrawal process requires instructor and college dean’s approval via an online form and petition process. Your Academic Advisor can provide you with options and discuss further details on the process.
We all care about your success and want to convey that you don't have to decide on these options right away. Continue with all your classes. Give yourself and the instructor some time to transition into the online format. Ask them questions and embrace this learning together. Change may bring about what one thinks is a challenge, but results in an opportunity for growth. Better yet in this instance, it can lead you closer to completing your degree. Also remember that your Academic Advisor is available to assist you in navigating your options.
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Drive Up Hot Spots: Main Campus & UA South
Drive Up WiFi access has been deployed to the following areas. Additional Extension office locations are coming online in the days/weeks to come.
Click to download a .pdf of each location.
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How Are you Doing? A Short Survey
CALS Cares! So that we can better understand how you are doing and provide support for you, please complete this brief survey.
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CALS eNewsletter Archive
Check out the CALS Daily Digest eNewsletters to learn about tips, tools, and services to help you cope with adjusting to online learning and changes implemented as a result of the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
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Questions? Suggestions?
What questions do you have? What tips, tricks, or suggestions do you have that will improve the online educational experience for all CALS students? Email your questions, suggestions, or comments to advising@cals.arizona.edu.
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