Distance Learning FAQs

Question: Will instructors be expected to teach/work from home, or will campus offices be open for use while teaching is happening remotely? Will classrooms also be available for use?  

Answer: Goodspeed Hall and the Logan Center for the Arts are currently closed until the Stay-at-Home order issued by Governor Pritzker is lifted. There will be no access to any building facilities, including practice rooms and classrooms, until the order is lifted. See the University's Coronavirus Updates website for more information.


Question: What is the advice or accommodations for instructors who are unable to teach from home (unstable access to internet, children at home, etc. ) and who don’t have a car yet are also unable to travel to campus by public transportation?

Answer: We don’t know, but a query is out to the Humanities Division and the College.


Question: In the past, the department has earmarked funds to take classes to concerts. As public concerts are less and less likely to happen, could those funds be repurposed to enrich students' remote learning experiences in other ways. For instance, hiring a small group of musicians to work with students in the MUSI 261 ocomposition class more regularly over Zoom. Or hire students to perform final works for MUSI 103.

Answer: The Department will continue to fund in-class performances (likely to be performed and recorded separately and shared with students) but funding decisions may be contingent on budget predictions and constraints. Performance Program Directors and Artists-in-Residence may be able to collaborate with you on a special opportunity for your class. We’re gathering information from artists to see who is available and what types of programming they can offer.

Question: Will colloquia be wholly cancelled, or continued in an altered form?  If cancelled, will the colloquium requirement be altered accordingly?

Answer: Spring Quarter Colloquia have been cancelled; alternative ways of completing the credit will be considered, likely attending colloquia in AY 2020-21.


Question: Will summer language courses also be conducted via remote learning?  

Answer:   We don’t know, but a query is out to the Humanities Division and the College.


Question: Will practicums continue to be administered? Will practicums coachings still be available? 

Answer: Yes.  Contact Clare Longendyke.

Question: Will students have access to practice rooms and other facilities?

Answer: Goodspeed Hall and the Logan Center for the Arts are currently closed until the Stay-at-Home order issued by Governor Pritzker is lifted. There will be no access to any building facilities, including practice rooms and classrooms, until the order is lifted. See the University's Coronavirus Updates website for more information.

Question: Can private teachers schedule any in-person lessons on campus?

Answer: Goodspeed Hall and the Logan Center for the Arts are currently closed until the Stay-at-Home order issued by Governor Pritzker is lifted. There will be no access to any building facilities, including practice rooms and classrooms, until the order is lifted. See the University's Coronavirus Updates website for more information.

Question: Will we have access to the library, or will we do everything online? ILL? Would I have the necessary resources to complete my courses if I am out of state?  

Answer: All University facilities, including the Regenstein Library, are closed until the Stay-at-Home order issued by Governor Pritzker is lifted. Library resources are available from the libraries website, lib.uchicago.edu. See the University's Coronavirus Updates website for more information.

Question: What will happen with musical ensembles in which graduate students participate to meet an advanced musicianship practicum requirement?

Answer: Since ensembles will not be able to rehearse on-campus, we are exploring other possibilities for fulfilling the requirement, for example remote rehearsals and coachings.

Question: Can we make requests for travel funding via the Wadmond Fund, with travel pending the relaxation of travel restrictions by the University?

Answer: Yes.

The Remote Learning Task Force in Music is working to address additional issues and concerns. This page will be updated with information as it becomes available.