Preparations for the 1st Semester SY 2022-2023 (OVPLS Memo)

MEMO TO:                Loyola Schools Community

MEMO FROM:          [Sgd] Maria Luz C Vilches, PhD

                                   Vice-President  

RE:                             Preparations for the 1st Semester SY 2022-2023

In June, we welcomed more employees and students on campus for the Intersession term. As we hurdled the challenge of returning to onsite mode after two years of fully online work and classes, we constantly strived to gather feedback from members of the Loyola Schools community. After reviewing and tweaking processes based on this feedback, I am confident that LS is prepared and well-equipped in the first semester to handle fully onsite classes or those that are neither fully onsite nor fully online.  No, we are not completely letting go of the online learning infrastructures we have built over the past two years. Canvas will continue to be our LMS and Zoom, our video-conferencing device.  Maintaining these infrastructures will make for a more resilient and disaster-ready campus.

Modes of Learning/Teaching

We will have three modes of teaching and learning in SY 2022-2023:

Onsite

This is the regular mode of classes. The majority of contact hours will be onsite with online components (synchronous/ asynchronous) to supplement face-to-face classes. Students who have been approved for fully online classes will not be allowed to register for onsite classes

Flex

The majority of contact hours will be onsite with provisions for synchronous online participation, and asynchronous components. Flex classes will accept both online and onsite students.  But approved online students may not, in any circumstance, attend onsite meetings.

Fully Online*

All contact hours will be online with asynchronous components to supplement synchronous classes. Students who have been approved to attend fully online classes because of health reasons are given priority to enroll in this class. Regular students may register for this class depending on how classes are tagged by the different departments.

*The Loyola Schools will no longer be accepting non-medical reasons as bases for application for fully online classes in the 1st and 2nd semesters. (please refer to the 28 June 2022 OVPLS memo on REQUIREMENTS FOR ONSITE CLASSES IN 1ST & 2ND SEMESTERS, SY 2022-2023)

Classroom Preparations

The Office of Facilities and Sustainability (OFS) and the Office of Management Information Systems (OMIS) have been working tirelessly to ensure that our classrooms are prepared for the First Semester. LAN cables have been laid out in classrooms so that teachers have unhampered internet access. By late 2022, we hope to have stronger WIFI connectivity in most classrooms.

Classrooms will gradually be outfitted with speakers, microphones, and webcams to help teachers deliver Flex classes in a more seamless manner.

Class Schedules

Starting SY 2022-2023, the Loyola Schools is implementing a new class schedule framework. Lecture classes may be delivered as follows.

Twice a week at 1.5 hours, Monday-Thursdays

Twice a week at 1.5 hours, Tuesday-Fridays

Once a week at 3 hours, Wednesdays

Once a week at 3 hours, Saturdays

Laboratory class schedules are aligned with the schedule slots of lecture classes to minimize conflicts in student schedules. The activity period will now be on Tuesdays and Fridays from 5:00-6:30 p.m.

Continued hope

It is inspiring to see more and more students and employees come back to the Loyola Schools grounds to study and work.  As we prepare the path for the First Semester of SY2022-2023, I trust in our concerted efforts at maintaining a safe and healthy campus. Such cooperation is highly appreciated.  It continues to generate hope and ignites courage for life-giving action.