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Posted: 7/23/20

TAMIUFlex Leads Course Delivery this Fall at TAMIU

 

Dr. Tom Mitchell
Dr. Tom Mitchell, TAMIU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs  

A new course delivery mode, TAMIUFlex, will be offered this Fall semester at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU).

TAMIU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, Dr. Tom Mitchell, said that TAMIUFlex, as its name implies, offers students tremendous flexibility.

“We’re all keenly aware of the anxieties and concerns that our world’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic has created. We are absolutely committed to ensuring a safe and healthy return for all members of our campus community:  students, faculty and staff. For most TAMIU students, the option of choosing to attend in-person or remotely/online is a given. Driving that option will be our use of TAMIUFlex which powers the majority of course offerings,” Dr. Mitchell said.

“Students in TAMIUFlex classes may attend class meetings on campus or they may view the class meeting synchronously through live transmission or later view a recording of the class meeting on Blackboard.  In large TAMIUFlex classes, students may attend on-campus meetings following a rotation schedule established by their instructor,” Mitchell explained. 

He added that in addition to TAMIUFlex, there are other modes of course delivery this Fall at TAMIU.

“We also offer Online classes that are fully online and comprise about 18% of our Fall offerings.  Hybrid classes, another option, have both an in-person and a remote learning component. About 2% of Fall courses will be hybrid. Most of the science labs, studio art classes and performing classes in dance and music will require on-campus attendance.  The balance of the other classes are offered in their own unique delivery mode, such as internships, clinicals and practicums.”

Mitchell said the University’s unexpected transition to online delivery this past Spring as the COVID-19 Pandemic broke provided valuable lessons.

“To be sure, this was a momentous, global change forced on all of us.  And it was not an easy change. It drove our remarkable and  resilient TAMIU faculty to forge ahead with innovation…connecting anew with students in rich and relevant ways. In the space of a week, we moved from face-to-face classes to a virtual, online environment.  Our students were amazing, and transitioned alongside us.  They’ve since provided valuable feedback that has been incorporated into both Summer and soon, Fall offerings,” he noted, “Overall, students  expressed appreciation for the dedication of their instructors in helping them complete the Spring semester successfully." 

Likewise, he observed, the University’s Fall plan, TAMIU Back Together, was developed in collaboration with faculty, administration, staff and students, the Texas A&M University System and in accordance with City, State and federal  guidelines.

“We had five teams that analyzed our situation, planned for a number of eventualities and provided a visionary set of recommendations that President Pablo Arenaz drew from to create our Fall plan,”  Mitchell said. 

In preparation for the Fall semester, classrooms  have been surveyed and coded to accommodate required social distancing and seating.  Spaces  have been adjusted to comply with CDC guidelines. Enhanced cleaning, campus-wide signage, mandatory face-covering and other protective measures will be in place.

Mitchell said he is looking forward to the Fall and return to campus. 

“We’re eager to see our students.  We’ve missed them tremendously.  We’ll be ready for them and look forward to helping them realize the bright futures they deserve.  Like all campuses and communities, each of us resolves to do our part to help and protect not only ourselves, but others as well,” Mitchell concluded.

Registration for Fall 2020 is now underway. TAMIUFlex, Hybrid, Face-to-Face and online courses will all have the same tuition rates. An online catalog containing a list of all undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs is at http://catalog.tamiu.edu

The University’s online COVID-19 Response Center is updated regularly and includes information on office schedules and services, an expansive FAQ, quick links, student resources, official information resources and much more. 

To learn more about TAMIU’s Back Together Plan for Fall, go to  https://www.tamiu.edu/coronavirus/student-faqs.shtml  Fall classes begin Monday, Aug. 24, 2020.

TAMIU  ranks 5th in the nation among the 100 Most Affordable Public Schools with the Highest Return on Investment (ROI), according to ranking authority Great Value Colleges. U.S. News and World Report’s 2020 Edition of its popular Best Colleges guide ranks TAMIU as the second highest-ranked Texas public university in its Best Regional Universities West category and the highest-ranked regional campus of the Texas A&M University System.

Most recently, TAMIU earned a top tier ranking for its COVID-19 Pandemic response. The 2020 Educate to Career College ranking placed TAMIU in Tier I for colleges and universities that have responded to the pandemic in ways that benefit and protect students, especially in terms of available online learning resources. Some 1200 colleges across the nation were reviewed.

As part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, TAMIU’s campus is closed only to the general public. Entry to campus continues for students, faculty, staff and those having legitimate reasons to be on campus. Online and virtual services at the University continue, practicing all CDC Guidelines on gathering, masking and social distancing and with most staff working remotely.  

Office hours are subject to change and it is recommended that phone or email contact be made first to determine the office’s schedule of operation.  An online directory is here.

Related Links:

All About TAMIUFlex

TAMIU Back Together Plan for Fall