Housing Assignments Are Now Visible – 1/15

Dear Students,

Housing assignments are now visible in your wesportal.  We encourage you to take a moment to review your assignment, even if you were on campus in the fall, as there may have been changes in your roommates if a vacancy existed.

Room changes will not begin until two weeks after the first day of classes.  There currently are no vacancies in High or Low Rise apartments, but they may develop later this semester.

Please email Residential Life at reslife@wesleyan.edu if you have any questions.  Please note that the office will be closed on Monday in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

Students may return to campus between Friday, February 5 and Monday February 8.  You will not sign up for a move in timeslot this semester, only a testing appointment.  Please plan to arrive on campus at that time.  You will receive your key after being tested.

We look forward to welcoming you back to campus!  Travel safely.

Sincerely,

Fran Koerting
Associate Dean of Students/Director of Residential Life

Preparing to Return to Campus for Spring 2021

This is a repost of the message sent to the study body on January 14, 2021 by Dean Culliton.

Dear students,

Happy New Year! I hope this note finds you well, and that you have been enjoying a restful break. I write today with important information regarding our plans for the spring semester.

Members of the University community are very much looking forward to having students back in Middletown. Our experience in the fall allowed us to test and fine-tune our safety processes and protocols, and we feel confident that we have strong systems in place to limit the spread of COVID on campus. It will require all of us to be diligent in order to keep Wesleyan safe.

However, we are also mindful of the high levels of COVID spread in many parts of the country, and worrying news about new variants of the virus. Our plan remains to begin the spring semester in early February, with students permitted to return to campus beginning February 5, and spring semester classes starting February 9. We will alert you immediately if we determine that health conditions necessitate adjusting this schedule.

As a reminder, spring semester will once again begin with an initial two-week period of campus-wide quarantine and online instruction to comply with the State of Connecticut’s requirements.

Below is a checklist of important steps all students must take before returning to campus. Please read these steps carefully to ensure you are prepared.

  1. Beginning on January 22 until you return to campus, we ask students to limit exposure to others (quarantine at home), and especially to avoid large groups of people.
  2. All students will need to receive a negative COVID test result from a PCR test taken within five days prior to leaving home. Students will be directed to upload test results to WesPortal and have a copy upon return to campus. If you receive a positive result, do not come to campus. Recover at home and alert the Davison Health Center.
  3. If you have been in close contact with anyone with COVID or COVID-like symptoms please contact the Davison Health Center and delay your arrival on campus until at least 14 days after your close contact.
  4. Any student who did not get a flu shot on campus this fall is required to send proof that they have received a flu shot off-campus to healthforms@wesleyan.edu by January 20.
  5. Prior to leaving home, you must schedule your arrival COVID test appointment online. This appointment must be your first stop upon arriving to campus. Unlike the fall semester, you must use the app to schedule your COVID test and the number of available tests each hour is limited to reduce density as students move in. You will receive your residential keys after being tested on campus. For students travelling by plane with late arrival times, please contact reslife@wesleyan.edu with information about your travel day and time to secure a later time slot.
  6. Students who were not on campus in the fall semester must electronically sign a testing waiver for the Broad Institute and Wesleyan. These students can find waivers in their WesPortal beginning the last week of January.

I will continue to communicate with you in the weeks to come, including regarding updates to the COVID Code of Conduct for spring term. Information about campus health and safety during COVID can always be found on the Keep Wes Safe website.

Enjoy the remainder of your break, and I look forward to seeing you back on campus next month!

Sincerely,

Rick Culliton

Dean of Students

Chair, Pandemic Planning Committee

Notes from OISA for December 2020 Completers – 12/18

OISA provided the following information as a reminder for students on F-1 visas completing their degree requirements in Fall 2020.

Please read the information below about your F-1 status:
  • Please check your current I-20 to make sure that it has the correct program end date (it should say 12/19/2020). If you need a new I-20 with an updated program end date, please let me know. If you are currently on campus, I can drop of your updated I-20 at p-safe for you to pick up. If you are currently off campus/outside of the United States, please purchase a shipping label via UEMS. An updated I-20 will be shipped to you. Please keep ALL your I-20s in a safe place. If you would like to claim any of your F-1 benefits, you will be asked to present all your past I-20s.
  • Please read the “Prepare for your End of Program” page carefully. This page contains information about grace period if you are currently in the United States. If you need your SEVIS records transferred to a different SEVP-certified school, please let me know ASAP. The transfer must be completed within 60 days after the program end date listed on your I-20.
  • If you are interested in applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation, please read the OPT page on the OISA website. Please note that you MUST be physically in the United States to submit your OPT application to USCIS.
  • If you do not wish to apply for OPT, your F-1 status ends at the end of your grace period or the day you exit the United States, whichever comes first. You will NOT be able to use your F-1 visa/I-20 to come back to Wesleyan for the graduation ceremony in May 2021 if there is an in-person celebration. You will need to enter the U.S. using a different visa that matches the purpose of the trip (likely a B1/B2 visa – a business/tourist visa), even if your F-1 visa has not expired. Please check with your local U.S. embassy about how you can obtain a B1/B2 visa if desired.

Public Health Update – December 4, 2020

To the Wesleyan Community:

I hope you all had a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving, though I’m sure many of your celebrations looked quite different than usual. The holiday offered us a time to reflect on the blessings we have even during a difficult period, especially for those who have suffered hardship and significant losses during this past year.

At this point, all but about 300 students have left campus for the short time remaining in the semester; this number will drop to about 150 at the start winter recess. I had the opportunity to check in with our students who were in isolation and quarantine on Thanksgiving Day. Their positivity and gratitude to enjoy a meal and to be able to visit virtually with family was inspiring.

Speaking of positivity and gratitude, I—like everyone, I’m sure—have been feeling buoyed by all the encouraging news coming out recently about vaccines for COVID-19. It appears that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is likely to give Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to both Pfizer and Moderna for the vaccines they have developed, and that other pharmaceutical companies may not be far behind with their own vaccines. So far these vaccines boast a 90-95% efficacy (typically current vaccines for other illnesses have much lower efficacies), and appear to be safe overall with minimal side effects (such as headache, muscle aches, fever, and fatigue). If approved, these would be the first vaccines to use a synthetic messenger-RNA (mRNA) that when injected into the body “teaches” our cells to produce the spike protein that covers the SARS CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Our immune system then identifies this as a foreign invader and produces antibodies to protect us. There is no risk in getting COVID-19 from this type of immunization.

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to listen in on a meeting at which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) began the process of prioritization for distributing the vaccines. As you may have read in the news, they determined that phase one of vaccination would include all healthcare professionals, as well as residents of long-term care facilities, with skilled nursing homes being the highest priority. These groups comprise approximately 24 million people. By the end of December, 40 million doses of vaccine should be available, with 5 to 10 million doses produced per week thereafter. Because the vaccination series involves two injections given three weeks apart, the number of people who can be vaccinated can be calculated by cutting the numbers of doses in half.

The next priority groups will be determined in future meetings, and it is predicted that essential workers, those aged 65 and older, and those with high-risk medical conditions will be in the following phases. Young, healthy people who are neither healthcare nor essential workers—which describes most, though not all, of our students at Wesleyan—will most likely be able to get the vaccine in the spring. We are in the early stages of discussing plans related to the vaccines, and will share more information as it becomes available.

This is all great news, but it’s important that we don’t let our guard down now. In fact, cases are surging in many parts of the country and health officials are deeply concerned that travel and gatherings related to the holidays may make the situation worse. So please, continue to wear your face masks, keep your distance, and enjoy your friends and family virtually—or at least at a safe distance—for now.

In closing, I have two quick reminders for students: Any student who did not get a flu shot on campus (at campus clinics or the Davison Health Center) this fall is required to send proof that they have received a flu shot off-campus to healthforms@wesleyan.edu by January 20, 2021. In addition, any student who is diagnosed with COVID-19 over winter break is asked to submit their positive lab result to the Davison Health Center at healthforms@wesleyan.edu. This will assist us with managing testing for these individuals after they return to campus.

Be well,

Tom McLarney, MD

New Restrictions on Campus for Health and Safety – COVID Update

The following reposted message was sent to the campus community by Dean Culliton on November 19th.

To the Campus Community:

I write today with an important update on Wesleyan’s operations, as we have seen a cluster of COVID-19 cases on campus in recent days. Given the community spread we see all around the country and our own new positive tests, we have determined that additional measures are needed to restrict interactions among those on campus.

Starting tomorrow (Friday, Nov. 20), those classes that were to meet in-person before Thanksgiving, will meet remotely. Faculty will be in touch with students about all relevant adjustments.

With Thanksgiving recess less than a week away, students who have received a negative result from their most recent test are advised to leave campus as soon as they are safely able to do so. Students who have not yet received the result of their most recent test should wait to travel. Students who receive a positive test result, experience any symptoms, or believe they may have been exposed to COVID in recent days should contact Health Services at 860-685-2470. Before leaving campus, students must return their keys to one of the key drop boxes (located at North College, Exley parking lot, and Admission parking lot), and follow the closing instructions.

For the safety of one’s family and home community, upon returning home, students should ideally quarantine for 14 days. However, some health authorities have recommended a four-day quarantine followed by a COVID test with negative results.

Immediately, we are implementing additional campus restrictions:

  • Gatherings are restricted to your ‘family unit.’
  • Organized athletic activities are suspended.
  • Dining is exclusively grab-and-go.
  • The libraries are closed, but contactless book pick-up is available.
  • Freeman Athletic Center remains closed.
  • Residence halls, program houses and wood-frame houses are open only to their residents.
  • Students are not to leave and return to campus other than for essential trips (e.g., to the doctor or pharmacy).

Students who have petitioned and received permission to remain on campus over break may still do so. These students are encouraged to take a test on November 24. Testing will be closed from Nov. 25–30 for Thanksgiving. If during this time, students remaining on campus become ill or are concerned about a COVID exposure, they should contact Health Services at 860-685-2470. Testing will resume on campus on December 2 and will operate on a reduced schedule: Wednesdays from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. All students and employees on campus will test once per week.

Cabinet members will continue to work with staff to determine positions that are needed on campus for student and faculty support and for other University needs.

As always, it is critical that everyone follow the COVID safety guidelines at all times, including mask wearing, social distancing, hand washing, avoiding gatherings, and staying home when sick.

Thank you for your continued cooperation to keep our community safe. We will update you as necessary.

 

Sincerely,

Rick Culliton

Dean of Students

Chair, Pandemic Planning Committee

 

CAPS Presents Bridging Gaps Tomorrow – 11/19

Join doctoral clinical extern Sara Jalber, M.A., LPC for a webinar focusing on exploring the components of facilitating challenging conversations, managing emotions, and cultivating understanding among family members. Skill such as reflecting, inquiring, and perspective taking will be explored.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/99320057002?pwd=anc2cWRqWFRHNHBucUVhVEwwZUlGdz09

Meeting ID: 993 2005 7002
Passcode: 900281

Converted Bridging Gaps Flyer

Library Services Update – Thanksgiving & Extended Break

Dear Students,

I write with an update on library services between now and the extended break.

Please note that between Thanksgiving and the Extended Break

  • Olin and Science buildings will close as of 12 noon on 11/25 for the Thanksgiving break.
  • Starting Monday, 11/30 through Friday, 12/11, Olin and Science will be open daily 12noon-5pm. Online services and in-building pickup continue as usual.
  • From Saturday, 12/12 to Thursday 12/23, Olin and Science buildings will be closed.  Online services continue as usual.
  • If you are on campus, you can request books and other materials online and pick them up in the Olin vestibule beginning Monday, December 14th.  Hours for pickup are 9-5pm, Monday-Friday except during holiday breaks.
  • If you are off-campus for the extended break, you can request books and other materials online and ask us to mail them your home address.
  • All loans (except for DVDs) have been extended until February 2021

I will be in touch regarding January building hours at a later point.  Should changing campus conditions warrant any changes in hours or services, I will let you know.  You can see the latest information on the Library Services During COVID web page:  https://www.wesleyan.edu/libr/services.html

If you have time, I encourage you to attend “Before You Go” on Wednesday, November 18th 4:30-6:30pm in the Labyrinth Tent.  Folks from the Writing Workshop, Presentation Studio, Library, Peer Advisors, Math Workshop, CAPS, and the Resource Center will be there to connect you with resources and advice to support finishing the semester and completing final exams, papers, and projects remotely and successfully. There will be snacks.

We in the library wish you the best on a successful conclusion to the semester.  Have a restful and safe break and we look forward to seeing you again very soon, both on campus and online.

 

Andrew White, University Librarian

Caleb T. Winchester University Librarian

Wesleyan University – Middletown CT

awhite02@wesleyan.edu

Stop by the “Before You Go” Resource Tent! – 11/18

Worried about working remotely for final exams and projects this year? We get it. “Before You Go” for the end of the semester, stop by the Labyrinth Tent this Wednesday (Nov. 18th) between 4:30-6:30pm to see what campus resources are still available for you as many of us leave campus! Enter a raffle just by coming to the event, and pick up a goodie bag while you’re there, too. The Writing Workshop, Presentation Studio, Library, Peer Advisors, Math Workshop, CAPS, and the Resource Center will all be there to give more information about the support they offer.

See you Wednesday!

Repatriation, Indigenous Rights, and Museum Collections: A Conversation for NAGPRA’s 30th Anniversary (with Wendi Field Murray)

Repatriation, Indigenous Rights, and Museum Collections: A Conversation for NAGPRA’s 30th Anniversary

Thursday, November 12th at 4:30-6:00PM (EST)

Link to register for this Zoom event:

https://wesleyan.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iKJCCicrSKipdwGQ7WSnGg

Meeting ID: 966 5472 3894

Panelists:

Shannon Martin (Enrolled citizen of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians – Gun Lake Tribe & descendant of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa)

Lucy Bell, Sdahl K’aawas

Wendi Field Murray, Wesleyan University

NAGPRA 30th Anniversary Flyer
NAGPRA Conference: Repatriation, Indigenous Rights, and Museum Collections – Nov. 12th. Panelists include Shannon Martin, Lucy Bell (Haida), and Wendi Field Murray (Wesleyan University)