Academic Year 2020-2021 FAQs

After a detailed and thorough review of a range of teaching models, BUSSW adopted the Learn from Anywhere, or LfA, model for the Fall 2020/Spring 2021 semesters for the CRC program. A blend of simultaneous remote and in-person learning, it is a model in which the live face-to-face components of a course could also be accessible remotely. This new practice will enable students to participate in the classroom or remotely, as necessary. The goal of offering teaching and learning in both modes, simultaneously, is to give our students the flexibility they need to attend BUSSW in the fall and potentially beyond.

We implemented a maximum 2-cohort class rotation that will allow at least 50% of students per class to attend MSW courses in-person, while the other half will participate remotely. With a 2-cohort model, every student will have the opportunity to attend an in-person session every other week, although there may be some variations in the implementation of this plan. Our course planning schedule will be continually updated with the latest information.

Please refer to this BU Today story on the LfA approach — this article details the undergraduate model which will be similar to the BUSSW On-Campus approach.

The 2020 student-led orientation took place remotely on Tuesday, September 8 from 10:30-4:30pm (ET). You can find an agenda and details here on the BUSSW website.

Based on several important factors – including that BUSSW cannot predict or control when the off-campus host sites will open in a way that meets public safety standards, and with the technology to provide the LfA model – the safest and least disruptive option for our off-campus and hybrid programs is to offer our courses remotely, not in-person, for the Fall 2020/Spring 2021 semesters. 

When it is safe to do so, we will offer students the option to participate in-person or remotely as described in the full LfA model.

Yes, the LfA model is designed to allow students the flexibility to adapt to whichever mode they are comfortable with throughout the semester. 

Classrooms are being outfitted with technology that enables remote learning, and seating density will be greatly reduced. In accordance with the University’s Learn from Anywhere teaching format, many in-person classes may be divided into smaller groups that take turns attending classroom sessions, while other students attend class remotely.

• Each classroom will have one camera in the back of the classroom facing the instructor
• That camera will record the instructor and the back of the in-class students’ head.
• Instructors have the option of a tight shot angle or a wide shot angle which will allow them to move around.
• Microphones will hang from the ceiling in the classroom to pick up conversations.
• Students using computers in the classroom will need to have their computer audio muted.
• Students will need to bring their laptops to class.
• In-class students will be on their computers using Zoom.
• Students will not need a headset since there will be microphones from the ceiling to pick up all conversation.
• Break-outs will be done with all students using Zoom

Guidance on remote learning can be found here.

There are two pathways offered to MSW students in the CRC, OCP and Worcester Hybrid programs:

Pathway 1:

Beginning in Fall 2020, students living in Boston or in the New England area may attend classes in-person, and/or combine in-person and remote learning. On the CRC campus, they may attend field placements in-person, remotely, and/or by combining in-person & remote, depending on the field placement agreement.

Pathway 2*:

Students not living in Boston or New England area who choose to attend classes remotely during Fall 2020 may begin their field placement in spring 2021, once they return to the Boston or New England area. If this option is selected, the student will work with both the Office for Academic Programing and Advising and the Field Education department to develop a program plan to support learning and obtain field competencies.

Continuing Students: If you are a continuing student with a confirmed placement for the 2020-2021 academic year and you have selected Pathway 2, please contact the field education office immediately to discuss next steps.  

*Please note: Selecting Pathway 2 could delay initial dates indicated for graduation.

Specific questions regarding your field placement can be sent to sswfed@bu.edu.  

Yes, faculty are working with a group of experienced Remote Teaching Coordinators and coaches to develop a robust, dynamic curriculum that can be delivered both in classroom and remotely. 

BU has offered faculty the option to teach in-person or to request a workplace adjustment according to CDC guidelines.  Once all requests have been reviewed, BUSSW will assess which classes may require additional teaching support to deliver the course. To date, it has not impacted the number of classes offered. 

If an instructor is approved for a workplace adjustment, their classes will be conducted remote-only. To review remote-only courses and others that will be taught using the LfA model, please visit our BUSSW course planning schedule. Updates will be provided if more workplace adjustments are approved, so please revisit this page for the latest information. Students who have registered for a course that is now remote-only, or if it becomes one at a later time, may switch to a LfA in-person section on the student registration page if one is available. Please understand that some courses only have one section and it might be offered remote-only. 

All students will receive helpful communications throughout this summer from their program’s office. We are here to support you. Please email the teams below with any questions or concerns, or just to check-in and talk.

Charles River Program (CRC): Office of Student Services, sswoss@bu.edu

Off-Campus (OCP) & Worcester Hybrid Programs: OCP team, sswocp@bu.edu

Online Program (OLP): OLP team, sswolp@bu.edu 

BU Housing has very limited inventory. They encourage students to explore off-campus options here. 

The University offers a range of resources to help students manage during the pandemic. A detailed list is available in the Graduate Campus Life Guide. 

Most PhD students at Boston University will be able to participate in coursework via Learn from Anywhere this Fall. In general, however, students must be on campus to receive their stipend. For more information, please visit BU’s Fall 2020 PhD FAQs. If you have questions that are not answered by these FAQs, please contact your PhD program directly. 

There are numerous resources to support successful teaching in the LfA model found at the link below:

• BU Digital Learning and Innovation Learn from Anywhere (LfA) FAQs

In partnership with the University’s Medical Advisory Group, subject-matter experts across BU, other similarly situated universities, and local public health authorities, BU has developed wide-ranging measures to help protect the health of our community on our campuses and in our classrooms. Key components of our health and safety plan include:

• An on-campus COVID-19 testing facility with the capacity to test all BU students, faculty, and staff. Details can be found here. 
• Screening, testing, and contact tracing are being handled through a web-based platform called Healthway. It allows faculty and staff to report symptoms, get a confirmation for campus access, schedule a COVID-19 test, and get test results at Occupational Health Connect.
• Required use of face coverings and physical distancing at all campus locations
• Building-specific reopening plans that include signage, visual cues, and de-densification where necessary
• A systematic plan to de-densify class sizes, which includes furniture removal/rearrangement and technology installation, to conform to safe social and physical distancing guidelines
• A comprehensive review of all HVAC systems, upgrading filters as needed
• A planning effort to establish new maximum occupancies for all classrooms and appropriate physical distancing for faculty and students.

Information for graduates students can be found in the BU Graduate Campus Life Guide, which will be continually updated.

A clear explanation of public health precautions for those returning to work on the BU campus can be found here.

The School has two committees in place to focus on this area: one for the building assessment and one for class planning. Both include student representation.

Communal spaces: To comply with physical distancing guidelines, all shared common spaces on campus will have reduced density. Gatherings in lounges and other informal spaces will be limited to no more than 10 people, and every person must maintain physical distancing at all times and wear a face covering over the nose, mouth, and chin. In common areas of a campus building where it is not possible to maintain six feet of physical distance from others—entryways, corridors, stairwells, elevators, for example—everyone must wear face coverings. Furniture in campus lounges and common areas has been carefully positioned to maintain at at least six feet between chairs. Signage will indicate limits for each rooms’ capacity. 

Air circulation/ventilation: BU Plant operations will change AC filters and ensure air flow is maximized. 

For detailed information on which buildings and services will be open in Fall 2020, please refer to the Graduate Campus Life Guide. 

Faculty and staff can now choose between a parking permit or a new daily use program.

The BU Shuttle will operate with a reduced number of passengers on board at any one time, both seated and standing, and riders will enter only through the rear door. Riders must wear face coverings at all times. A new Terrier Transit app (iOS and Android) will be launched in the fall allowing students to consider all their transportation options and routes in one mobile app—BU Shuttle, MBTA buses and trains, walking, bicycling, Bluebikes, and Zipcar. The BU Shuttle fleet will be disinfected following peak service times each day, and at night prior to service the following day. The BU Shuttle fall semester service schedules will be confirmed in August 2020. 

BU Today covered the latest MBTA changes in this story.

BU Parking & Transportation has updated info here. 

On Tuesday, September 1, BU introduced a new benefit, Backup Care, designed to provide occasional alternative care when your regular care plan is disrupted. Please visit the Backup Care webpage for current information about the program.

Please find answers to many questions related to the impact on our community here.