Wired for Change

Wired for CHANGE WARRIOR 411

uUNPRECEDENTED TIMES call for unprecedented procedures. When the world began to react to the coronavirus and its vastreaching implications, Dr. H. Keith Wade knew that the status quo at Webber University would have to change. President Wade Discusses Moving Classes Online During Pandemic by MARY TOOTHMAN

The decision to take classes out of the classroom and offer them online instead was made. Dr. Wade says the decision was best for everyone involved.

Q: At what point did it become apparent steps would need to be taken for change?

A: We convened our Emergency Committee on March 2. At that time, the data seemed to suggest that younger people were not very impacted, and college campuses were likely some of the safest places in the world. Still, we feared there could be panic, and we started getting ready.

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Q: What was involved in making this enormous decision to move classes online?

A: We elected very early on not to worry about what others were doing and to instead follow the guidance of the CDC. And that did not, as of March 25, include closing college campuses. But public schools started closing.

On March 15, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) canceled the remainder of the spring season. Then, on March 16, the CDC changed its definition of “group” from 50 to 10. On March 17, Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered restaurants to cut their capacity by half. While, thank God, there still has not been a case on Webber’s campus — or most other college campuses — it became apparent that the kids were going to leave regardless of safety and no matter what we did. We wanted them to finish the semester rather than take incompletes. So we implemented our plan to take instruction online.

Q: It would seem a lot is involved here. How many professors and students were impacted?

A: All of them. We took all our instruction online.

Q: What did IT have to do to roll this out?

A: Nothing. For at least 10 years, we have had a plan in place to take all instruction online within 24 hours. We have never had to use it, but we have been prepared. While we gave a couple days’ notice, it didn’t even take the 24 hours we had planned for.

Q: How was it received?

A: Mixed. Our kids came here because they wanted a face-to-face education. Some are still on campus — mostly our international students, whose countries have closed their borders and therefore cannot go home. Most understand that there is just no practical way to conduct face-to-face instruction within the CDC’s most recent guidelines.

Q: How has it been going?

A: Pretty well. There have been a few technology glitches, but we are requiring our professors to maintain office hours. Many of the meetings are via Zoom. Our library is still open. Our tutors are still available. Folks are pretty much making the best of it.

Q: What are the plans for graduation?

A: It’s postponed until December. It would take several football fields to spread guests out six feet apart (and we only have one football field). We contemplated the idea of a guest-free graduation. It was not a popular idea. We will do it in December. I brought my robe to work, in case someone wants a photo to tide them over until December.

Q: Are you working from home? How has that gone for you on a personal and professional level?

A: No. Neither is my wife. Which makes it challenging with a 5-year-old whose school is closed. But we are still open. We still have a few kids on campus. We are still serving a few meals — takeout only. The good thing is we have room here to spread out — people are using classrooms as offices and holding meetings via Zoom or in the middle of athletic fields. Our virtual open houses have thus far been virtual standing room only.

THEN NOW and

Grace Hall Dorm Room

International Flag Plaza

Outside Classroom Building

Student Union Building THEN NOW and

Webber Bookstore

event Highlight

WEBBER ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND October 25-27, 2019

Save the Date!

Come join us on Webber’s campus the second weekend of October to reunite with your classmates and fellow alumni! The weekend will consist of casual gatherings, campus tours, the President’s Tailgate, football, laughter, and much more! Come catch up with the people you went to school with. You won’t want to miss out on the fun!

Let him [or her] who would enjoy a good future waste none of his [or her] present.

— Roger Babson (1875-1967)