Report From Taylor Keith on the USNA Athletic and Scholarship Foundation Meeting, 18 April 2020
The Trustees of the USNA Athletic and Scholarship Foundation met
virtually today. The Superintendent Vadm Sean Buck talked to us for about half
an hour. We also heard from Coach Ken and Chet Gladchuk. I want to share their
remarks for publication to the class if you see fit.
Vadm Buck:
STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
Nbr 1: Safeguard the health and welfare of the Academy family and
local community
Graduate and commission the class of 2020 on time
Need to “reset" Bancroft Hall. On 6 March he informed the
Mids that they were to stay on Spring break. (USMA did also, USAFA did not).
Extended spring break which had the benefit of enabling the faculty to prepare
and set up distance learning. The IT folks worked night and day.The 4000+
Mid’n still have their personal belongings that need to be removed/returned to
owners.
Induct class of 2024 this summer
Safely execute summer programs
CURRENT MODIFICATIONS
99% of Brigade are at home (Some 46 Mid’n are in Bancroft Hall
because they had nowhere to go)
95% faculty, coaches and staff are teleworking
Yard closed to non-CAC holders (Common Access Card - held by active
duty military, selected reserve, DoD civilian emploees and eligible contractor
personnel.)
Commissioning week cancelled
Summer Seminar and STEP camp cancelled
Summer Language, Regional Expertise, and Culture (LREC) trips
cancelled; no studies abroad this fall
Fleet Summer Training - Have recommend to CNO to cancel all summer
training except USMC. Quantico can handle the aspiring marines
COVID 19 Cases: Total 10 positive tests- 9 fully recovered of which
6 are Mid’n, 5 fully recovered; no hospitalizations.
DISTANCE LEARNING “GOODS"
Rapid transfer to 100% virtual instruction in only 5 days; took a
creative, flexible team effort of faculty, IT, library and midshipmen
Virtual resources: Midshipman Study Group Program (MGSP), USNA
Academic Center Tutoring, Extra Instruction
DISTANCE LEARNING “OTHER”
Resource constraints: books, labs. Differing home environments
Synchronous vs asynchronous learning
DISTANCE LEARNING “LESSONS LEARNED”
Standardize Learning Management System (LMS) across faculty
COMMUNICATIONS
On-line teams available 24/7
Regularly scheduled “All Hands” calls with Supe and CMC to
address yard-wide questions posted on YouTube and Intranet
Commandant addresses Brigade each evening via Instagram
Mental health guidance and resources from Medical Team on Instagram
USNA web page: www.usna.edu
www.facebook.com/USNavalAcademy
Instagram:@ us naval academy
YARD IMPACTS
Anticipating Hopper Hall and Terwilliger Center construction delay.
Hopper Hall turnover delayed from May to to June; goal - ready for
occupancy for fall academics
Chapel dome work progressing on track
WAY FORWARD
Commissioning week cancelled. Will hold a streamed, live,
virtual Commissioning with as much “pomp and circumstance” as possible.
Details still being worked out. All alumni will be able to tune in.
Reset Bancroft Hall. Have several hundred Mid’n living nearby;
will bring them back to get their gear.
Summer events depend not only on me but also on “reopening"
policies of DOD, Governor of Maryland, and Mayor of Annapolis.
Will have a Plebe Summer. Making plans for a 3 week, 5 week, or
regular 8 week session
Fall events TBD; hopefully for a 15 August reforming of the
brigade; if can’t, will use distance learning
Coach Ken is in Hawaii.
Still figuring out who will replace Malcolm Perry.
Notre Dame game in Belfast Ireland in August in jeopardy.
Way forward depends on lifting social distancing.
Chet Gladchuk
Impact on sports significant. Everything in flux until social
distancing is cancelled.
Some of the NCAA options include shortened seasons; play only teams
in league starting October; Reduce number of mandatory varsity sports from 16 to
10 (USNA has 33 !!!; want to maintain.)
Our objective is reconvene by mid-August; bring football team back
1 July to start practice
Notre Dame-Navy game in Belfast is a big deal. Over 38,500 tourist
packages have been sold.
Golf course renovation almost complete. It will be among the
leading college courses.
All in all the Academy led by Vadm Buck is doing a great job,
particularly in the face of significant uncertainty. All options and scenarios
are being considered and planned for. I am confident that when the country
reopens, the Academy will be ready to pickup the development of the Midshipmen
morally, mentally and physically.