January 31, 2024
From Interim Provost Mercer: Academic continuity updates
Submitted by Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President
Dear Colleagues,
Now that we are in our third week of classes, I want to echo President Linton's thanks for all you are doing to make this a successful start to the spring 2024 semester. I know we are all working hard to maintain academic continuity, so I want to make sure that you are aware of the progress that has been made this week.
New video resources: Faculty who have had to reproduce video content for their courses have been working extra hard to keep their courses on track this semester and I sincerely appreciate their efforts. The Global Campus instructional design team provided some updates, including how-to videos, to K-State's Video Resources page. The team is also available for consultations and support to those of you continuing to update video content. We know the loss of Mediasite content is frustrating and difficult right now. Please know that IT has prioritized this issue. Please note that courses will not be canceled due to the Mediasite disruptions.
Flexibility: We ask that faculty show flexibility with students who missed coursework or participation during the first two weeks of the spring 2024 semester. This includes the ability to make up online quizzes and exams. Students may work with the Office of Student Support and Accountability if they are asked to verify that they had an IT-related disruption.
SSC Navigate: KSIS data is now running each morning and is back to normal levels, as is the Canvas data integration. At this time, Navigate query functions should be used to support student success efforts which utilize Navigate tools for messaging campaigns. If a data download is deemed necessary, please download only to SharePoint/OneDrive — do not store data on local hard drives or the W: (or Network Drive). Please note that you should not download this data to feed other systems or processes.
New K-State Transfer Pathways website: The launch of a new Transfer Pathway website was expedited. Members of the transfer evaluation and recruitment staffs have already built the top 10 transfer majors for each Kansas community college. As of Tuesday, there were 100 transfer pathways built and available. Additional pathways will be published each Monday and will be available for review. This early launch will help us move forward with our transfer recruitment goals.
Graduate students: The graduate application processing via College Net is working normally. However, Etrieve is not available right now. The Graduate School created a temporary solution to the graduate forms as Etrieve is not accessible. They created fillable PDF forms for the most frequently used graduate forms. Graduate students should use fillable PDF forms and submit them to the Graduate School by email at grad@k-state.edu. We will return to Etrieve forms as soon as they are available.
For less frequently used forms, the drop-down menu on the forms page provides contact information for the Graduate School staff member who can assist you. For questions about the forms, or support with the forms, please email grad@k-state.edu.
New student eIDs: The Office of the Registrar and IT have established a two-step manual process to assist spring 2024 students with missing eIDs or WID in KSIS. First, deans office staff or advisors should quick enroll the student in classes. Once enrolled, the college dean's office should send an email to registrar@k-state.edu to let the university registrar know that the student is now registered for spring 2024. Work is continuing on a viable option for summer and fall 2024 students.
Resources available to students: Students who have experienced technology issues with access to email, Canvas or other technological issues should first contact K-State's IT Service Desk, as they will best be able to assist. Students should work with their faculty members regarding possible extensions of due dates for assignments due to issues accessing courses online. Online students can receive further assistance from K-State Global Campus Student Success and Advising by emailing online@k-state.edu, or by contacting their academic advisor.
Additional student resources available to both on-campus and online students include: Academic coaching if students need assistance managing assignments or help with general study skills; Student Support and Accountability may assist students who may be experiencing challenges with extenuating circumstances; and Tutoring Services offers free tutoring in multiple disciplines or on success skills.
As we move forward with our response to our IT disruptions, I again want to thank our faculty and staff for the major efforts to continue our teaching and learning during this difficult time. You all exemplify the K-State spirit of excellence and resilience and make me so proud to serve you during this time.
Sincerely,
Debbie Mercer
Interim provost and executive vice president