Emergency Course Modality Request Memorandum of Understanding

In Fall 2023, WWU’s Academic Coordinating Commission (ACC) & Faculty Senate approved guidelines for all permanently approved online and hybrid modality courses. While these policies provide important oversight, they do not fully address the need for rapid flexibility during emergencies that disrupt normal teaching and learning. Recent experiences (e.g., public health crises, environmental hazards, or other unforeseen emergencies) have made clear that faculty and students require a rapid response protocol that allows instruction to continue safely and effectively. 

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes a temporary and narrowly tailored procedure by which the management team may authorize short-term shifts in modality for courses not previously approved as online or hybrid under ACC policy. The purpose is to protect faculty autonomy, ensure instructional continuity, and support student success in the face of circumstances beyond the control of the university or the faculty member. Any temporary shift granted under this MOU will be followed by the appropriate ACC approval process should ongoing or permanent changes be sought.

On October 13, a motion from Senate Executive Council to approve an emergency course modality request memorandum of understanding was approved unanimously. 

The MOU will go to Provost Johnson for approval, and then will become effective. The need to publicize the MOU to faculty was discussed.