Provost Issues Update on Spring Registration

Today marks the beginning of registration for the spring 2021 semester. As I mentioned in my  Oct. 1 message, the spring term will look very similar to the fall as it relates to course modalities (in-person flex, A-B days, or fully online) for faculty and students.

I want to provide some helpful information related to registration, including:

• Students who need to attend their courses online
• Selecting course modality in Banner
• Wrapping up the fall semester

For those students with any needs similar to this semester (health needs for either themselves or a member of their immediate household, travel restrictions or other concerns), they can choose to attend their courses fully online in the spring. The Attribute column in Banner enables students to see the modality for each course section, including those that are fully online, and to choose the appropriate option for them.

I am asking all students to reserve those online-only sections for those who truly need it (those with a need to attend their courses remotely). If you are able to attend in-person, please select courses that are listed as in-person flex or A-B day (unless there are no other options available). I want to ensure that all of our students are able to continue their progression towards graduation, regardless of how they need to attend their courses.

When students start registering for classes –– based on their registration date –– they will be able to see the course modality in Banner. The Action dropdown next to the Status field enables students to choose how they will attend their courses. Having this option in Banner means we will not need to conduct a student survey for the spring semester. Please see these instructions for additional information.

As you have seen from many of our messages this semester, we have made incredible progress in remaining on campus and keeping each other safe. Our in-person semester ends in just over three weeks, after which almost all students will return home for Thanksgiving, finals, and the winter break.

Finals will be conducted virtually during the week of Nov. 30-Dec. 4. I recognize that not all courses have traditional final exams, and faculty have been encouraged to offer final projects or papers where it makes sense. For those courses with a traditional final exam, your faculty will be able to conduct exams virtually.

Remember that if you have concerns about your ability to take your final exams from home (due to internet issues or household concerns), please contact Housing and Residence Life to remain in your on-campus housing assignment during finals week. Students may also contact the Dean of Students office at deanofstudents@slu.edu for additional support services for both the end of the semester and during winter break when the University is open.

Thank you all for your diligence this semester, and for showing us what OneSLU is all about.

Sincerely,

Michael Lewis, Ph.D.

Interim Provost