August 1, 2020
As a result of the decision to conduct classes remotely in the fall semester and the ongoing efforts related to the coronavirus, the Odyssey Office is implementing several temporary measures that will be in effect until we return to fully in-person instruction. These steps are meant to protect the health and well-being of Hendrix and community members in situations when ongoing experiences cannot be continued due to considerations related to the COVID-19 virus. The measures apply to experiences that are scheduled to happen or be complete while remote learning is taking place.
PL, SW, and SP Categories
These experiences have a set hours requirement that could be reduced under this temporary policy. Students, upon consulting with their Odyssey supervisor, should take one of the following two courses of action:
If the hours requirement is not met in full, students that cannot accrue additional hours as a result of COVID-19 precautions should work with supervisors to identify appropriate additional activities that could be conducted remotely. This could include extra reflection assignments, updating of resumes or related materials, or engaging in other activities deemed appropriate by the supervisor. If the newly agreed upon student experience is deemed sufficiently meaningful by the supervisor, students should submit a Completion Form online no later than the originally approved deadline. Graduating seniors who have pending credits in these categories are strongly encouraged to consider this course of action.
Alternatively, students could apply to complete the hours requirement at a later date, even if this date is after the originally approved deadline for the experience. Please request an extension via email to odyssey@hendrix.edu no later than the original deadline for the experience. This request should clearly state the new proposed deadline and also contain enough information to help the Odyssey Office determine whether the experience can be completed after the interruption.
AC and UR Categories
These experiences require a public presentation that could be modified under this temporary policy. Students, upon consulting with their Odyssey supervisor, should take one of the following two courses of action:
Working with your supervisor, make an arrangement for a video conference presentation using Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom, or related software, instead of the originally planned public presentation. If the public presentation does not lend itself to a video conference, supervisors should consider appropriate additional activities that could be completed online, such as extra reflection or related assignments. If the newly agreed upon student experience is deemed sufficiently meaningful by the supervisor, students should submit a Completion Form online upon its completion and no later than the originally approved deadline. Graduating seniors who have pending credits in these categories are strongly encouraged to consider this course of action.
Alternatively, students could apply to complete the public presentation requirement at a later date, even if this date is after the originally approved deadline for the experience. Please request an extension via email to odyssey@hendrix.edu no later than the original deadline for the experience. This request should clearly state the new proposed deadline and also contain enough information to help the Odyssey Office determine whether the experience can be completed after the interruption. However, given the fluidity of the coronavirus situation, we will not consider proposals for conference- or presentation-related travel at this time.
GA Category
These experiences require that students be immersed in a culture other than their own for at least one week. We anticipate that most experiences that were ongoing prior to the cancellation of in-person classes will meet this minimum requirement. Therefore, a Completion Form can be submitted after appropriate reflection. If not, please contact the Odyssey Office at odyssey@hendrix.edu.
Experiences Beyond the Fall Semester
The Odyssey Office will consider the status of experiences that are to start after December, 2020 as the situation progresses. No funding to support travel—international or domestic—will be released at the present time.
New Proposals/Funding
You may continue to submit all necessary forms through the online system. Be sure to explain how you can safely undertake an Odyssey experience in consideration of COVID-19 concerns. The Odyssey Office will only approve experiences that do not put students, staff, faculty, and community members in harm’s way. Right now, no college travel is being approved. Anyone
who submits a proposal for funding needs to do so with the understanding
that travel may not be possible, contingent on College policies and CDC
recommendations at that time.