Greetings!
I hope this message finds you well as I know we are all living in strange and challenging times. Even so, I am hopeful that we will get through this together. In the spirit of hope and action, I have outlined my plans to support you in the days and weeks ahead.
Emails & Other Communication
You’re probably inundated with emails right now, and I promise that I will try my best only to send emails that apply to the majority of students in the Class of 2021. Additionally, I encourage you to check the Class of 2021 blog for other useful updates and information from different campus units. My hope is that the junior class blog will be a hub for information and resources that support you for the immediate future and beyond.
Email is the quickest way for me to get in touch with all of you, and for you to get in touch with me, but I’m open to other platforms that will help me to communicate effectively and efficiently as well (e.g. Moodle, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok). Don’t hesitate to forward along any suggestions you have! Sadly, I can’t promise I will pursue every recommendation, but any suggestion you send me will get a fair and thoughtful review.
Office Hours & One-on-One Meetings
Given that Wesleyan is implementing a distance learning model for the remainder the semester and in an effort to improve and maintain my own health, I am no longer hosting in-person drop-in hours or appointments for this academic year. However, I’m still working and accessible.
Moving forward, I will host 30-minute, virtual meetings by appointment, and I will resume my drop-in hours on a virtual platform starting March 23rd continuing through the end of the semester. Please bear with me as I pursue virtual options to meet the needs of students in the junior class.
You may schedule appointments and drop-ins through my Google calendar: https://tinyurl.com/deanleathers
All of my drop-ins and appointments will provide captions to make them more accessible and they will be hosted through Google Hangouts Meet until further notice. Additionally, all times listed are based on Eastern Standard Time (EST).
There’s no doubt in my mind that we’ll hit some bumps in the road (slow internet connectivity; delayed appointments for one reason or another; beloved siblings/children, pets or other sounds of life distracting us in the background, etc.), but I am dedicated to working through the challenges ahead to assist you as best as I can. Given that, I ask for a little grace during this season and I will be sure to extend it to you in kind.
Info Sessions & Workshops
My colleagues and I are putting our heads and resources together to offer virtual content we either initially planned to offer in person sometime this semester or have identified as a useful resource given our new normal.
On tap is a collaborative session on preparing for a thesis and the honors process, and I’ve started talks with a colleague about offering a session to give students a more robust introduction to the Zoom app/platform. Details on both are forthcoming!
I’m not sure what the future holds, but I will continue doing my best to provide you all with guidance and support as long as I serve as your class dean.
Please be safe, and do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns moving forward.
Take gentle care,
Dean Leathers