Dr. Robert Wells is an associate professor of Spanish at William Jewell College. Wells is entering his sixth year at Jewell and has demonstrated an outstanding ability to invoke engagement in the classroom. As a Jewell student who has taken a couple of Wells’ Spanish courses, I can attest to his unique ability to make Spanish a fun and enjoyable language to learn, speak and write. Although these times are strange due to the global pandemic, Wells still intends on teaching his courses at the same level of excellence as previous semesters.

Here is how he is doing that:

Wells knew that the pandemic would change the dialogue-heavy style of his courses. Spanish is a language that requires face-to-face interaction so that people can speak to one another. Without this component of learning in the regular classroom, Spanish can prove even more challenging to learn. However, Wells remains committed to ensuring his students learn Spanish, despite the added challenge

Currently, Wells is teaching three Spanish courses this semester through a hybrid model. The hybrid model consists of a blend of both in-person and virtual meetings. For instance, a student enrolled in Spanish 211 will have a weekly hybrid schedule that looks similar to this:

Monday: Meet face-to-face
Wednesday: Meet on Zoom
Friday: Complete activities on Moodle

Wells uses a collaborative, multimedia slide-show that holds images, videos and voice recordings called VoiceThread. VoiceThread grants Wells and his students the ability to converse in Spanish by using the audio recording feature. Wells has integrated VoiceThread as a defining part of his courses during the COVID-19 times. By using this engaging tech-tool, Wells can effectively administer a dialogue-enriched learning environment.

When away from Jewell, Wells continues to put his creative mind to fair use. Wells loves to watch movies, which is helpful as a Spanish professor. Wells also purchased an at-home projector during quarantine, which has enhanced the movie-watching experience. Wells is also a part of a movie club with some of his friends, where Wells and his friends will watch a movie and then discuss their opinions and observations about it over FaceTime. Wells appreciates the artistic and intellectual stimulation he gets from the movie club. In addition to his movie club, Wells keeps up on his reading of various types of literature.

As of late, Wells uses his time to reconnect and catch-up with old friends he has not talked to in a while. Although Zoom and Facetime are the primary ways Wells communicates with his old friends, he stated that “in some ways, I am in better contact with them than before the pandemic.”

Wells enjoys going outside for long dog walks with his border collie mix named Pilar. Wells regards being outdoors as an essential part of his life, especially now. He appreciates the time spent with Pilar and is thankful for their time together.

Something Wells misses are the daily interactions he has with his students and fellow faculty members – he truly values the moments he shares with other people. During the isolation and loneliness, Wells remains hopeful we will all interact like once before.

As of Aug. 1, Wells has been appointed as the Faculty Advisor for The Hilltop Monitor. This is a new position for Wells, and he has been preparing for the role during the 2020 summer while simultaneously teaching his summer online CTI course, The U.S.-Latinx Experience. Wells is excited about his new role and is committed to the importance of journalism.

Wells is a great model for how a person should think and act during COVID-19. In the classroom, Wells is still able to deliver his courses with an engaging atmosphere and provide a healthy and safe learning environment. At home, he finds ways to maximize his time and connect with other people from earlier and more recent times in his life.

Wells is a reminder that even though COVID-19 has changed all of our lives, the one thing that will remain constant is his love and care for his students at William Jewell College.

Chloe McDonnell shares some photos from her favorite socially distanced study spots on William Jewell College’s campus.

William Jewell College will reopen for in-person classes Aug. 26. As the College opens, it will be instituting many changes to life, academics and work on campus to keep the community safe and healthy. Primary changes include modes of delivery for courses, a facial covering policy, mandated social distancing, daily health screening and changes to the academic schedule. 

Dr. Anne Dema, provost of the College, described the decision making process for the various changes. Most decisions were made by committees or with input from collaborative teams to provide several perspectives. Faculty have been involved in conversations, including in determining modes of delivery and identifying potential outdoor spaces for class. 

Dema emphasized the iterative process necessary to react to the evolving situation. As the College learns from the initial return to campus, further modifications will likely be made. Dema reiterated that this process is reflective of science and the ever-developing situation.

“Being ready to start is one thing, but we have to be ready to continue to adapt,” Dema said. 

In addition to the primary changes highlighted below, Dema described that more activities will take place outside, including efforts for student engagement – like meetings, events, clubs and organizations, and classes – depending on professorial decisions and weather. Access to cleaning supplies, including wipes and masks, will be greatly increased, as well as an overall change to the way the school cleans. Several departments, like the business office,  are also working to make it easier for students to schedule virtual appointments.

New Policies

Jewell has instituted a facial covering policy requiring facial coverings to be worn at all times while indoors. Exceptions to the policy include when one is alone in a personal office, in the dorm where one sleeps, while eating or drinking and when one is outdoors and social distancing is possible. Students participating in athletics, music or performances have exceptions to the facial covering policy. The exceptions include “team physical exercise, athletic practices and weight training, and athletic performances in which distancing is difficult and facial coverings are not advised,” as well as those in “ensembles, rehearsals, and vocal or theatrical productions (performers only).”

Social distancing of six feet will be required between people at all times.

Students and faculty will also be required to submit a daily health screening form via a web app to monitor potential symptoms of COVID-19. Members of the community should monitor symptoms every day and begin quarantining if they begin experiencing symptoms.

If students begin showing COVID-19 symptoms, they should contact the Student Health Center – now located in Browning Hall – to determine if a COVID-19 test is necessary. Testing of symptomatic individuals will occur on campus or at Liberty Hospital – depending on severity. Those who have been exposed to COVID-19 on or off campus will also be able to get tested at the Student Health Center or Liberty Hospital. 

Academic Changes

The College has altered the academic schedule for this semester. Fall Break will be moved to Nov. 23-24 – giving an entire week of break for Thanksgiving. Advising days have been moved from  Tuesday, Oct. 27 and Wednesday, Nov. 4 to Thursday, Oct. 29 and Wednesday, Nov. 4.

After Thanksgiving break, all classes will be virtual, but the campus and residence halls will remain open. This will allow students and faculty to return home for the holiday without interruption due to quarantine upon return. 

Classes are being offered with one of five new modes of delivery: face to face, hybrid asynchronous, hybrid synchronous, online asynchronous and online synchronous. Face to face courses will have all class meetings in person – as long as it is safe to do so. Hybrid courses will have some in-person classes each week and some virtual classes. Online classes consist of virtual classes only. Synchronous courses will have virtual classes occurring live during the pre-assigned class period. Asynchronous courses will have virtual classes take place with pre-recorded material that can be completed at various times. 

Classrooms have been reassigned and re-spaced to account for social distancing restrictions. Desks will be placed at least six feet apart, and each desk will be placed over a red “X” to mark its intended location. Students are not allowed to move desks or chairs in classrooms. 

New classroom spaces include Yates-Gill 221-222 and both the main and second floors of Curry Hall. These classrooms will be able to accommodate larger classes, and professors will have microphones to use to ensure students can hear in the larger spaces.

Classrooms will be equipped with an iPad to allow students who are unable to attend class in-person to stream or Zoom in to the class. Students and faculty will need to use the “wingtip and wipe” method of disinfecting both before and after classes. This entails one wiping down every area within reach of one’s open arms.

Campus Changes

Visitors and guests will be restricted during the 2020-21 school year. Visitors will not be permitted in the residence halls, and all visitors will need to be approved by the College. Departments must submit a request for visitors to the Screening Committee 14 days before the intended visit. Visitors must submit a health screening form 24 hours prior to arrival on campus and will not be allowed on campus if they display COVID-19 symptoms. Contact information of visitors must be submitted to the Screening Committee, and visitors will be expected to abide by social distancing guidelines.

Dining services will adapt to new guidelines depending on the campus threat level. Capacity in the dining hall will be reduced to accommodate social distancing. Once the dining hall has reached maximum capacity, those in line to enter will be required to wait until there is more room. Students will also be encouraged to use the Green & Go takeout boxes. Self-serve stations will be removed and replaced with staff-served stations. Coffee shops and the Cage will remain open as long as the campus is above level D. 

Residence Life has instituted Quarantine & Isolation policies for students, faculty and staff. Student housing will also be required to operate differently under different Operation Safe Campus threat levels.

OSC includes a five-level threat assessment – including operational levels 0, A, B, C and D, a comparison with Clay County phases, intended response and examples of risk mitigation for each level. As of May 29, the College is at Threat Level C. They anticipate returning to Level B soon and remaining in Level B into the fall semester.

“The College’s goal is to open in August for an engaged, successful and campus-based 2020-2021 Academic Year. The following guidance promotes a safe environment in June and July as we prepare to welcome faculty, staff and students back to a safe and healthy campus in August. The Operational Planning Team is establishing the policies and a framework to reopen and sustain the campus, and is approaching this work consistent with our identity as The Critical Thinking College®,” the email announcement stated.

Threat Levels

Returning to Campus Directives

The College remained closed through June 1 for most operational activity. Until that day, employees were directed not to be on campus unless their work required them to do so. 

The department of nursing introduced a cohort of accelerated track students to campus May 18. All summer courses are virtual. Simulations and labs will continue to occur on campus in strictly monitored environments. Grant-funded, campus-based research will also begin in the summer. Research – requiring only a few people – will take place in the biology and physics departments. 

Before June 1, Cabinet members worked with directors, supervisors and department chairs to determine who should return to campus and when. The office of human resources was notified of these plans. 

“Return to work patterns will vary across campus for the month of June and most areas will stagger employees back so we can gain in our comfort level and confidence throughout the summer. As more employees return to campus, it will be essential for employees to know that the community is following stated guidelines, thus promoting the safety of all,” a campus-wide email stated.

Jewell announced that not all employees will return to campus work in the month of June. If possible and approved, employees are encouraged to continue working remotely.

After confirming a COVID-19 case in a College employee, Jewell reiterated its recommendation that employees work remotely for the month of June, if possible.

“Supervisors are being instructed that employees who are vulnerable due to their health condition, who have health safety concerns for members of their household, or who lack childcare should work remotely during the month of June,” the email stated.

Before employees return to on-campus work, they should take their temperature daily for 14 days and engage in other self-monitoring activities associated with COVID-19. Employees will be asked to submit a pre-screening form to human resources before returning to campus. Those with symptoms – including a temperature of over 100.0 degrees or greater and other COVID-19 symptoms – will be told to quarantine for 14 days and will be directed to medical evaluation.

Preventative Measures & Directives

In addition to these measures before return to campus, social distancing policies have been put in place on campus. Facial coverings will be required of all employees on campus.

Jewell’s policy on facial coverings can be found here. More information about facial coverings can be found using these links: Use of Cloth Face Covering to Slow Spread of COVID-19, How to Safely Wear and Take Off a Cloth Face Covering and Important Information About Your Cloth Face Covering.

The College is in the midst of acquiring facial coverings, cleaning supplies and other equipment – including thermometers, personal protective equipment, etc. – for use by employees. Departments are directed to not purchase items for use in only one area or department with College purchasing cards. All needs should be directed to Joe Garcia, vice president of finance and operations. A detailed and centralized process will be followed to obtain and purchase necessary supplies. 

All facilities will mandate six feet of social distancing at all times. Open workspaces – which cannot be separated by a closed doorway – and/or shared workspaces must not have more than one employee per 100 square feet – or a 10 x 10 foot space. Facilities management is assisting in identifying areas needing to comply. Plexiglass will be installed in high traffic customer service areas at the direction of MRIGlobal.

“Employees may have staggered on-campus workdays to promote a safe environment. Alternative work spaces may be provided,” the email announcement said. 

Social distancing is also recommended in outdoor settings.

The College is mandating cleaning of occupied high-touch areas. The “wingtip and wipe” activity – to wipe down everything within the span of open arms – is to be used in restrooms and open counter spaces – including break rooms and service counters. All surfaces that may or may not have been touched within arms reach should be disinfected and wiped. 

“All touched surfaces should be thoroughly wiped after use, including sinks and faucets, countertops, toilets, water stations, etc. Cleaning supplies such as disposable gloves, sanitizing wipes, disinfecting spray, hand sanitizer and/or hand soap will be provided by Facilities Management,” the College said. 

Clay County has COVID-19 tests available to all Clay County residents and Jewell students at no cost. Individuals may be tested regardless of whether or not they are symptomatic. Members of the College community are encouraged to visit the Shoal Creek testing center if they wish to be tested. Everyone who believes they have been infected with or exposed to COVID-19 are strongly recommended to go get tested. 

The College is not requiring employees to get tested in June or July but will require testing as people continue to return in August. An email announcement stated that more information will be coming throughout the summer. 

Current State

As of May 29, the College is at Threat Level C following a confirmed case of COVID-19 in an employee. The employee was last on campus May 22 and was confirmed to have COVID-19 May 28. The individual may have come into contact with only one other employee. That employee was directed to get tested and self-isolate for 14 days. 

All employees working or living in the buildings in which the infected individual worked were informed and advised to get tested at the Shoal Creek testing center.

Following the confirmation, Jewell announced plans to deep clean the campus. Employees were directed to work remotely from May 29 to June 1 for the cleaning to take place. 

“We will monitor the situation and adjust back to Threat Level B when all circumstances related to this case have been mitigated,” stated an email from Dr. Elizabeth Macleod Walls, president of the College,  to faculty and staff. 

Decision Making

Macleod Walls will declare the OSC level the College is at and will coordinate movement from one threat level to another. These decisions will be made in consultation with the Board of Trustees, Cabinet, Clay County Health Department, Liberty Hospital and MRIGlobal. 

Macleod Walls will communicate changes in threat levels immediately. She will remind employees to consult the OSC matrix to determine which protocols to follow.

“For the safety of our community, our actions in response to different threat levels will continue to be guided by our partners with medical and biorisk expertise,” the email announcement stated. 

Jewell’s operational planning team includes: Daniel Holt – chair of the planning team, Dr. Gary Armstrong, Paula Brown, Dr. Ian Coleman, Tom Eisenhauer, Stephany Guest, Heath Hase, Landon Jones, Shelly King, Dr. Gina Lane, Dr. Will Lindquist, Dr. Leesa McBroom, Dr. Maggie Sherer and Ernie Stufflebean.