Month: October 2020

Senior Packet 2021: Preparing for Graduation

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Greetings Class of 2021!

This post contains important information about the graduation process and Wesleyan’s graduation requirements. As you continue to choose courses and build a program of study for the rest of your senior year, it is essential that you know exactly where you stand in terms of fulfilling Wesleyan’s graduation requirements so that everything goes smoothly when degree certification takes place in the spring. Students completing their degrees this fall have already addressed or accessed much of the information provided here. Please review the contents carefully and contact Dean Leathers immediately (tleathers@wesleyan.edu) if you have any questions or concerns.

Graduation does not just happen; you must make it happen! It is important that you fully understand Wesleyan’s graduation requirements and that you are able to interpret your academic record in light of these requirements. Remember, you are responsible for your own graduation and must fulfill all graduation requirements by the end of the Spring 2021 semester in order to earn your diploma.

  • Preparing for Graduation: This explains Wesleyan’s graduation requirements, the Major Certification Form, the Credit Analysis Report, oversubscription, December Completion, and honors.  Read it!
  • Frequently Asked Questions about the Senior Year: Answers to common questions about graduation requirements and the graduation process.
  • Academic History: Can be found in your WesPortal in the “Student Toolbox–>Academics” bucket.
  • Major Certification Form: Used to identify and track the courses you have taken and will be taking to complete your major, must be approved by an authorized advisor in your major department. Can be found in WesPortal in the “Student Toolbox–>Academics” bucket.
  • Credit Analysis Report: Reviews your academic record in light of oversubscription and monitors your progress towards meeting graduation requirements. Can be found in WesPortal in the “Student Toolbox–>Academics” bucket.
  • General Education Report: Reviews the courses taken and applied towards General Education expectations. Can be found in WesPortal in the “Student Toolbox–>Academics” bucket.
  • Honors and Thesis Information: Deadlines and other important information for students undertaking honors theses.

-Dean Leathers

Applications for Winter Session Aid Open – Initial Deadline 10/26

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Applications for Winter Session aid are currently open in Portal/Courses/Winter Session. The deadline to apply and receive your award before registration opens is Monday, October 26 at noon. Applying for aid does not mean you have to take a Winter Session course. Registration for Winter Session will open on Tuesday, November 3. Winter Session has 2 sessions this term. Please visit the Winter Session site for complete details or email winter@wesleyan.edu.

Last OPT Workshop Tomorrow @ 12Noon, EST – 10/20

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This is a repost of the message sent from Chia-Ying Pan to international students on October 19th.

Dear international juniors and seniors,

Please join the OISA tomorrow (October 20) for the last Optional Practical Training (OPT) workshop of the season. This workshop is for F-1 students who wish to work in the United States after graduation.

Optional Practical Training (OPT): Live Q&As

Tuesday, October 20, 12:00-1:00 p.m. EDT

Zoom link: https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/99511794469

This workshop will address the frequently asked questions about OPT and OPT STEM extension. We will help you make realistic plans to complete your OPT application, answer any questions you may have about I-765 and have a discussion with you if you are not sure if applying for OPT is an appropriate choice for you after graduation.

If you would like the recordings of the previous two OPT sessions, please email oisa@wesleyan.edu.

I look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow! Bring your questions!!

Chia-Ying

Chia-Ying Sophia Pan, M.S. Ed. | Director, International Student Services

Office of International Student Affairs | Wesleyan University

Room 024, North College | 237 High Street, Middletown, CT 06459

P. (860) 685-3031 | OISA Facebook 

Fall 2020 virtual drop-in hours: 

Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (zoom link)

Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time (zoom link)

Fridays, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (zoom link)

Fellowship Panel Tomorrow – 10/20

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Please join us on Tuesday, October 20 at 3p ET to hear this year’s fellowship applicants share their experiences applying for Watson and Fulbright! Featuring:

Lizzie Edwards ‘21

Rodrick Edwards ‘19

Susannah Greenblatt ‘16

Ben Martinez ‘21

Pablo Wickham ‘21

Genesis Garcia ’22 (moderator)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87428604690?pwd=a0ZFOXdvSDBLWFZoUVZtZFpodUx4dz09

Meeting ID: 874 2860 4690
Passcode: 772957

National fellowships are fully funded, usually year-long programs that support independent exploration, research, English teaching, graduate study, and professional experiences in and outside of the U.S.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program funds one year of English language teaching, independent research, graduate study, or creative work in any discipline in one of ~140 program countries. Fulbrighters serve as cultural ambassadors for the U.S. Applicants must demonstrate  motivation, cultural awareness, and a strong academic background in the chosen field. Open to U.S. citizens; graduating seniors and recent alumni.

The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship supports one year of purposeful, independent exploration in multiple countries outside the U.S. Applicants should show passion, imagination, independence, leadership, resourcefulness. Open to all citizenships; graduating seniors only. Each year Wesleyan may nominate four applicants.

Magdalena Zapędowska, Ph.D. [za-pen-doff-ska]

Assistant Director, Fellowships | Fries Center for Global Studies

+1-860-685-3928

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Wesleyan University

201D Fisk Hall, 262 High St. | Middletown, CT 06459, USA

Deadline to Submit Petition to Remain on Campus Until End of Semester/Fall Break- 10/23

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Greetings!

This is a quick reminder that you may still petition to remain in campus housing through the end of the Fall 2020 semester and/or through the duration of winter break. You may access the petition form here; the deadline for submissions is Friday, October 23rd at 5pm, EST.

Some of you have also asked about returning to campus early from winter break. A separate petition will be available for early return requests before the end of the semester.

All my best,

Dean Leathers

OPT Workshop Tomorrow, 10/14 @ 12 Noon EST

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This is a repost of the message sent by the Chia-Ying Pan on October 13th.

Dear international juniors and seniors,

Please join the OISA tomorrow (October 14) for the second Optional Practical Training (OPT) workshop of the season. This workshop is for F-1 students who wish to work in the United States after graduation.

Optional Practical Training (OPT): Filling Out the I-765 Form  

Wednesday, October 14, 12:00-1:00 p.m. EDT

Zoom link: https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/97756274340

In the workshop, OISA staff will provide step-by-step guidance to fill out the I-765 (application for employment authorization) form. Please visit the USCIS website and download the I-765 form before you attend the workshop. Using the current I-765 form is critical to your OPT approval. As of today, the most current form should say “Expires 07/31/2022” on the top right corner and “Edition 08/25/20” at the bottom left cover of each page.

I look forward to seeing many of you tomorrow!

Chia-Ying

Chia-Ying Sophia Pan, M.S. Ed. | Director, International Student Services

Office of International Student Affairs | Wesleyan University

Room 024, North College | 237 High Street, Middletown, CT 06459

(860) 685-3031 |OISA Facebook 

Fall 2020 virtual drop-in hours: 

Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time (zoom link)

Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern Time (zoom link)

Fridays, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (zoom link)

Updates to Dean’s List for Spring 2020 DELAYED

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Good afternoon,

This is a quick note about pending updates to the Dean’s List for Spring 2020. New additions to the Dean’s List were calculated and scheduled to be added manually to the roster by September 30th. Unfortunately, there were unanticipated delays, but they should be resolved soon.

I’ve provided the amended policy/guidelines for review in case you have any lingering questions about eligibility. Note: these amended guidelines are only applicable to the Spring 2020 semester.

Students who earn a semester GPA of 93.350 or better will be named to the Dean’s List and will have a permanent transcript notation of this achievement. To be eligible, a student must have earned the GPA on at least 2.0 letter-graded credits at Wesleyan during the Spring 2020 semester and have no unsatisfactory or failing grades. Students with incomplete grades or outstanding credit will be evaluated after the grade and/or credit is posted to the Wesleyan transcript and, if eligible then, they will be added retroactively to the appropriate semester’s list. 

Many thanks again for your patience, and don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns.

Take gentle care,

Dean Leathers

Covid Update – 10/9

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This is a repost of the message sent by Dean Culliton on October 9th.

Dear students,

While we are all relieved by the success we have seen keeping our campus safe this semester, it is important that we not let our guard down.  Other campuses that had low Covid rates have experienced sudden spikes of infection.  While the tendency may be to feel more comfortable on campus as we have tested so frequently and seen so few cases, I want to remind you that our safe environment has been created by your careful adherence to widespread physical distancing and wearing of face coverings as well our testing protocol.

Daily we are monitoring whether students are keeping pace with our expected twice-a-week testing regimen and a small number of you have received warnings for not testing two times each week.  We have not required any students who have missed a test to leave campus yet but we have notified a group of students that another missed test will send them home. While our level of testing is a significant investment in the safety of everyone on campus, it requires a relatively small but important commitment on your part.

We have also had some incidents, mostly at night and on the weekends, where students have been observed violating the Covid agreement by not maintaining physical distance or not wearing masks.  The Community Standards Board has adjudicated these incidents and in a couple of cases sent students home to finish the semester remotely, while others have typically been issued sanctions including probation or deferred suspension with 5-8 points.  The stakes are high when people don’t adhere to the agreement which is why the resulting sanctions are so significant.  As the weather gets colder and people move inside please help us keep each other safe.  Whenever you are not in your residence hall room or private residence, wear your face covering and always maintain six feet of separation.  If you are outside gathering with others, maintain six feet of separation and when not eating or drinking, wear your face covering.  We know this is hard and may seem unnatural at times but it is critical.

I have heard from a number of students who are immunocompromised or have family members who are at risk and they are very concerned about the prospect of Wesleyan experiencing a spike in cases that could endanger them and/or require us to cut short the in-person learning for this semester.  The staff and faculty who are on campus are also relying on everyone to do our part. While our campus has been and is safe, we are not a bubble.  You are permitted to leave campus (to Middletown and the immediate surrounding area) and return. As we keep our eye on state and local positivity rates, we are comfortable continuing to allow that movement IF we can adhere to the important steps of wearing face coverings and maintaining safe distance.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and please reach out to your ResLife student staff member or contact me if you have any questions.

Best,

Dean Rick

Rick Culliton

Dean of Students

Wesleyan Town Hall: Coping in Crisis: A Discussion about Race, Faith, and Mental Health – 10/12

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When: October 12, 2020,Indigenous People’s Day 
 
Town Hall Description:Racial injustice and COVID-19 are exacerbating the mental health crisis in communities of color and on college campuses. This Town Hall webinar brings 4 prominent and outspoken leaders to the Wesleyan community to talk about their life journeys and explore issues about mental health, faith, culture, and brain science, with Wesleyan students, staff, and faculty. We will set this discussion amidst the background of systemic racism, the global pandemic, police brutality, social justice marches, uncertain job market, and struggling economy. 
 
Town Hall Panelists: Former NBA star, Olympic Gold medalist, and non-profit founder Allan Houston, Yale Professor of Psychiatry Nii Addy, Pastor Marichal Monts, leader of the Ebony Singers, and Angie Makomenaw, Mental Health Education and Prevention Coordinator at Wesleyan University. 
 
Moderator: Demetrius Colvin, Director of the Student Resource Center at Wesleyan University.
 
Audience Discussion Leader: Dr. Smith Kidkarndee from CAPS at Wesleyan.
 

Post-Town Hall Breakout Rooms at 7:00 PM:

From 7:00-7:30, we invite the audience to continue discussions and interactions with the panel speakers and moderator in breakout rooms

Room 1: Professor Nii Addy

Room 2: Dr. Angie Makomenaw

Room 3: Rabbi David Teva – Meditation Session*

Room 4: Demetrius Colvin

*The Meditation Session, entitled “From Theory to Practice: Cultivating Wholeness and Well-Being Through Contemplative Mindfulness”, will be led by Rabbi David Teva, with Tyla Taylor ’21 and Jada Reid ’22. Tyla is the Mindfulness Intern on campus; she leads the group Mindful Wes, a student group working to bring conscious awareness to ourselves, our community, and our environment by offering spaces to learn and practice meditation. She also helped start the SOC Healing Space on campus. Jada is a Race, Ethnicity, and Nationality intern at the Resource Center. She founded and leads the SOC Healing Space, which focuses on creating a community for students of color to explore journaling and meditation practices.

Thank you in advance for your interest and participation.

Salud,

Fitzroy ‘Pablo’ Wickham

Head Resident Foss Hill

Senior Class President

Wesleyan c/o ’21

Town Hall Coping in a Crisis