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Frequently Asked Questions: College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences recognizes that many of you have important questions, particularly in regards to changes implemented as part of UNO’s efforts to create a safe environment for everyone on campus.  Here are some answers to the most common questions we've received. This page will be updated regularly as information becomes available.

Two female students walking on campus wearing masks

Many excellent questions have already been answered by the University and are presented on UNO’s Maverick COVID Response page.

Jump to information:

What is the policy on wearing face masks on the UNO campus for Fall 2020?

Beginning August 3, 2020, all UNO faculty, staff, students, and visitors (including contractors, service providers, and others) will be required to use a facial covering at all times when indoors (including elevators) on the UNO campus, with the following exceptions:

  • When eating; however, social distancing practices must be observed.
  • When alone in a room.
  • When in a motor vehicle alone or only with members of your household.
  • When an alternative is necessary as indicated by a medical professional during patient care.*
  • When in one’s assigned apartment or residence hall room.
  • When the task requires the use of a NIOSH-approved respirator.
  • When pertaining to children under the age of 2 years.

Facial coverings are also required in outdoor settings on the UNO campus if safe social distancing and gathering practices are not possible unless subject to an exception. This policy shall remain in effect until further guidance is provided from the Office of the Chancellor.

Compliance with this policy is for the protection of those with whom you will be in contact when on campus.

See the face coverings policy page for more information on reasons for the policy, acceptable face coverings, and more.

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Why is the University moving to online courses?

Everything the University is doing is for the health of our students, faculty and staff. While no one can predict what things will look like in the Omaha area this fall, the University is doing its best to ensure the safety of all students, faculty and staff.

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Why were the courses I registered for moved to remote, partially online/hybrid or online instruction?

The Fall schedule of courses was created by the month of February—before any of us knew how much would need to change with the increased severity of the pandemic. It’s common for small changes to occur to course schedules prior to a semester’s start, but these changes you are seeing to your schedule are different than any we’ve experienced in the past.

It is not common to have a course change modality after a student has registered for it, and if anything else changes with your Arts & Sciences courses for Fall from this point forward, we will do our best to notify you.

Please check your MavLINK schedule and plan to connect with your advisor for any questions you may have about what you see.When you look at your schedule, you will see your courses being taught using any of the following terms:

  • “In-Person instruction” referring to instructors and students attending synchronous classes on our campus, or, in the case of practica, field work, internships, service learning, or flight training, at community locations, subject to public health conditions. (001 sections)
  • “Remote instruction” referring to instructors and students meeting synchronously using digital technology (eg: Zoom) at the scheduled times according to the Registrar’s calendar. (820 sections)
  • “Hybrid instruction” referring to a mix of in-person instruction and either remote or online instruction, with reduced contact time on campus. (860 sections)
  • “Online instruction” referring to asynchronous instructor-student interactions using digital technology, with students able to interact with each other and the instructor at flexible hours. (850 sections)

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What will a remote class be like?

Remote classes mimic on-campus courses in being conducted in real time. The difference is simply that students and instructors log-in to their web-conferencing system (such as ZOOM) from their respective spaces, wherever there is an internet connection. Instructors are able to present visuals, lecture, and facilitate discussion easily and in a way that allows larger classes to continue in a safe manner.

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If it’s in the best interest of everyone’s health to have fewer classes in person, why are some of my classes only offered in person?

UNO instructors offer courses using a variety of teaching modes, but it is simply not possible to offer all courses in all modes.

To accommodate the health needs and preferences of our students, Arts and Sciences instructors will do their best to work with students who are unable to attend on-campus courses. If it is not a situation requiring the assistance of Accessibility Services personnel, students needing alternative arrangements for classroom instruction for their Arts and Sciences courses may work directly with the individual course instructor.

If any issues are encountered, students may contact Dean David Boocker, dboocker@unomaha.edu, for additional assistance.

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Why do remote, partially online/hybrid and online courses cost more in tuition rates than on-campus courses?

Distance learning courses require different teaching infrastructure than on-campus courses do. The higher tuition costs reflect the fact that it costs more to develop and offer on-line courses. Courses taught using distance learning technologies are just as high quality as our on-campus courses.

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Why has my tuition and fee amount changed since I first enrolled?

Fall-Spring-Summer tuition and fees rates are set by the Board of Regents, and in some cases, with the added input of Student Government, every year in June. The prices for Fall tuition and fees are reflected in student accounts in July, which explains the changes students who registered prior to July are now seeing in their accounts.

The University has lowered the cost of distance learning from previous years, knowing that many classes have been switched over to remote and online modalities; frozen tuition rates until 2023; and brought in many scholarship opportunities to help make college more affordable for our students. Fees at UNO are considerably lower than many of our peer institutions, and we strive to keep them as low as we can while, at the same time, allowing you to invest in your academic progress and future.

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Where can I find a breakdown of the 2020-2021 tuition and fees rates?

Fall 2020-Spring 2021 and Summer 2021 tuition and fees are listed and described extensively in this document from Accounting Services.

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What are student fees used for?

  • Access and Success Fee – This mandatory fee supports student services associated with undergraduate and graduate recruitment and admissions, financial support and scholarship, and registration.
  • UPF A Fee – This mandatory fee is managed by Student Government and provides funding to designated student programs and services such as the Gateway, campus readership program, MavRide transportation program, and annual budget support for student agencies.
  • UPF B Fee – This mandatory fee supports campus and online student programs and services such as counseling and psychological services, campus health clinic, transportation services, campus recreation, athletics, and a wide variety of activities and programs affiliated with the Milo Bail Student Center.

If you have questions about student fees, please contact Dean of Students Cathy Pettid at cpettid@unomaha.edu.

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Why do we have a Distance Education fee?

At UNO, this fee supports: instructional design staff who provide training and support for faculty teaching online; funding for faculty time to develop online courses above their teaching load/responsibilities; dollars to support professional development for faculty to learn more about teaching online; some/partial costs of technology unique to delivering instruction remotely; accessibility expenses such as VidGrid captioning in online courses; advising/online program coordination activities of staff members across the campus, and much more.

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Will the University allow Credit/No Credit for courses taken Fall 2020?

Credit/No Credit has been an option for students at UNO for many years. The University has permanently changed the deadline by which students may declare Credit/No Credit for a course, and aligned it with the final withdrawal date for each semester. Students will want to work with their academic advisor before choosing to switch a graded course to Credit/No Credit, as well as review:

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If I will already be on the UNO campus during the time of my remote class, where can I find a space to safely distance myself on campus and login for my class?

Whenever possible, students, faculty and staff are asked to de-densify campus. We understand that students will have on-campus classes mixed with remote and online courses, and students may need to access their remote courses while already on the UNO campus.

Students who already have their own technology may safely access their remote classes on campus either outside in the open public spaces, or in designated buildings and rooms, which will have socially distanced spaces for students.

Designated Arts & Sciences Study Spaces

  • ASH 148 (Maximum capacity: 9 students)
  • ASH 149 (Maximum capacity: 9 students)
  • ASH 279 (Maximum capacity: 12 students)
  • ASH student lounges, Floors 1-4
  • Allwine student lounges, Floors 3-5
  • Durham student lounge, Floor 2

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Will I be able to utilize the library and other student resources this Fall?

Student support services including the Math and Science Learning Center, Speech Center, Writing Center, and Library will be available to students this Fall, either in person or remotely. In addition, students will have access to H&K and the MBSC, including food services.

More details coming soon.

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OTHER HELPFUL INFORMATION

Academic advising has been offered all summer in remote and online forms and will continue that way into the Fall semester. Students can see specific advising contact information on our College’s advising webpage.

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