NCAS-M COVID-19 UPDATE (4/1/20)

Hello NCAS-M Fellows,

Here are some important updates as we continue to monitor and feel the impact of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) globally as well as in our country and communities.

Please see the following reminders and updates to NCAS-M procedures:

  1. NCAS-M webinars, focus groups, and teleconferences will proceed as previously scheduled unless otherwise notified.
  2. The NCAS-M offices at Howard University will be closed for remote work until otherwise informed.  We can be reached by email so feel free to send an email.
  3. Contingency plans must be put in place for current and upcoming NOAA Experiential Research and Training Opportunities (NERTOs).
    • For students currently participating in NERTOs, the 12-week NERTO work plan must be revised to include a section on contingencies.  This must include the schedule of communications among the student, the NCAS-M faculty advisor(s), and the NOAA mentor(s). All three members of the collaborating team must work together to modify the existing work plan to include a clear description of contingencies to ensure that the original objectives, outcomes, and outputs of the NERTO are achieved.  This could include extending or revising the NERTO timeline, working remotely, or other creative solutions.  The revised work plans (with contingencies) must be emailed to jmanswell-butty@howard.edu for the NCAS-M director and NOAA Office of Education’s approval by April 10, 2020.
    • For students preparing for NERTOs during summer 2020, the 12-week NERTO work plan must include a section on contingencies in the event that we are still working remotely or with restricted access to NOAA facilities during the summer.  This must include students, NCAS-M faculty advisors, and NOAA mentors collaborating to finalize the 12-week work plan to include a clear description of contingencies to ensure that objectives, outcomes, and outputs of the NERTO are achieved.  This could include extending or revising the NERTO timeline, delaying the NERTO until the Fall, working remotely, or other creative solutions.  In this case, the work plans (with contingencies) will be emailed directly to the NOAA Office of Education by the NOAA mentor and copied to jmanswell-butty@howard.edu.
      • Note:
        • At this time, NERTO teams should prioritize the completion of the 12-week work plan (with contingencies).  Security clearances and fingerprinting paperwork should be put on hold at this time.
        • Please direct all NERTO questions to the NCAS-M Education Expert (jmanswell-butty@howard.edu) and copy your NCAS-M faculty advisor. 
        • Please do not email questions to the NOAA Office of Education.
  4. Contingency plans must be put in place for the NCAS-M Experiential Training Summer Program (ETSP) scheduled for June 1 – July 24, 2020.  We are currently in the final stages of recruitment and document collection.  ETSP interns are based at their institutions and required to adhere to COVID-19 policies at their institution. Faculty mentors are asked to include contingency plans in their research proposals enabling students to work on their projects remotely. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates.
  5. Contingency plans are being developed for the NCAS-M Center-wide Professional Development Workshop scheduled for July 23 & 24, 2020.  We have determined that the workshop will now be virtual.   We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the development of the agenda.
  6. Contingency plans are being developed for the NCAS-M Center-wide Professional Development Workshop scheduled for July 23 & 24, 2020.  We have determined that the workshop will now be virtual.   We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on the development of the agenda.
  7. To request a registration refund for the 2020 NOAA EPP/MSI Biennial Science and Education Forum, please send an email to: Steven Bonda (steven.bonda@conferencedirect.com) and include a copy of the emailed registration confirmation. 
  8. If you have restrictions that will inhibit your access to Internet, phone communications, or challenges to your health and safety, please reach out and let someone know.  We will seek to provide all resources that we have within the Center to assist and accommodate. 
    • Note: NOAA has just began issuing guidance on funded projects but up to this time NOAA has not relaxed any deadlines so we must proceed with reporting and activities.  Also, the perfunctory measures outlined may be delayed or changed due to the current crisis.

NCAS-M is here to be a source of support.  If you want to reach out to us, please just send an email and we can find a time to talk on the phone or online. 

Please continue to follow all safety precautions, manage your stress and anxiety, and stay safe,

NCAS-M Staff 

Following are some external resources that may be helpful during this time (please note that businesses are not endorsed by NCAS-M).

  • U-Haul® has announced that they will extend 30 days of free self-storage to help college students that are impacted by unforeseen schedule changes at their universities. The free month applies to new customers with college IDs and is a limited time offer that is subject to availability.  Find the store nearest you.
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car has announced, in order to help university students get home, the business is waiving its young renter fee and reducing its minimum age to rent a vehicle from 21 to 18 years old.  More information here.

There will be challenges over the next few months, but we are here to be a source of support.  If you want to reach out to us, please just send an email and we can find a time to talk on the phone or online. 

Take care and stay safe,

NCAS-M Staff