Month: February 2021

Notes from the Class Dean – 2/5

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Dear members of the Class of 2021,

I hope that all of you have taken the time to rest and enjoy winter break. Classes begin on Tuesday, February 9th, and I’m writing to follow up with some additional information/resources to help you start the semester well and successfully complete the drop/add period. You may also access this message on our class blog.

Enrollment

Starting on Saturday, February 6th you are required to enroll in the University. To enroll, login to WesPortal, click through the yellow alert banner at the top of the page, then click on the “Enroll Me” button. Please be aware that you will not be able to participate in drop/add until you have enrolled in the University. You must enroll in the University by Monday, February 22nd, at 11:59pm, EDT. You must do this regardless of whether you will attend classes in-person or remotely this spring.

In addition to enrolling, you must resolve any holds in your list of Action Items. To access your list, go to:

WesPortal > Enrollment Checklist & Addresses > Hold/Enroll

Instruction(s) on how to resolve each action item are provided on the page. Many action items can be resolved with a simple click of the mouse.

All action items must be resolved within the first week of classes. Please be aware that you will still be able to participate in drop/add even if you have unresolved action items (as long as you have already enrolled in the University using the “Enroll Me” button).

Change of Grading Mode

The last day to change the grading mode for courses with the Student Option is Tuesday, March 2nd by 5pm, EDT.

Digital Learning Tips for Classes and Drop/Add

Remember there are resources to help you navigate our online and hybrid learning environments. You may access a set of tips and resources to navigate the upcoming drop/add period and online learning through our class blog.

COVID-19 Campus Protocol for Students on Remote Study Status & Leaves of Absence

Students on remote study status are not permitted to visit campus for any reason during the Spring 2021 semester. This includes attending in-person classes, events, practices, meetings or visiting with students on campus, etc.

Students on medical, academic or non-academic leave must also adhere to the COVID-19 mitigation protocol to not visit campus for any reason during the Spring 2021 semester.

Additionally, the state of CT has a mandatory quarantine order in place for those traveling to any part of CT from other states on their list. You may access that information here: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/travel.

Senior Paperwork & Resources

I will begin sending reminders within the next few weeks to help you prepare to finish your last semester at Wes.

Please review the resources to help you prepare for completing your last semester and graduation. You may access the Senior Packet and more useful information on our class blog.

As of now, you should review your Credit Analysis Report, General Education Report, and Major/Minor Certification Forms in WesPortal. You may have already received an email from me about oversubscription. You may access more information about this here.

Check to make sure your full legal name is spelled correctly for your diploma. You may access information on how to confirm your diploma name here.

Additionally, don’t forget about programs and services offered by Gordon Career Center and the Cardinals Helping Cardinals program.

Commencement 2021

Commencement is scheduled for May 30th. Additional details about the format (e.g. in-person and/or virtual) will be available later this spring.

Class Dean Office/Appointment Hours

I am still working remotely until further notice, but I am accessible through email, appointment hours, etc. I will continue to conduct appointments through Zoom or Google Meeting, and my calendar is available through the following link for the duration of the Spring 2021 semester: https://tinyurl.com/deanleathers. I look forward to speaking with you soon!

Last year was difficult for so many of us, and we’re clearly not out of the woods yet. I’m hopeful for what is in store for us this year. And while uncertainty appears to be a hallmark of our present time, the love and care that we show for one another can be as well.

I wish you a wonderful start to spring classes, and do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns moving forward.

All my best,

Dean Leathers

Keep Wes Safe Webinar – 2/12

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Please visit the Webinars page on the Keep Wes Safe website to find a listing of upcoming informational webinars on topics related to COVID-19.

The next webinar, scheduled for February 12, will feature Wesleyan’s medical director, Dr. Tom McLarney, MD, discussing COVID vaccines. Webinar details and log-in information, along with links to past webinar recordings, can be found on the website.

2021 Wesleyan Summer Grants Program Information Info Session – 2/3 , 2/9, 2/18

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Note: Graduating seniors who have not previously received a Wesleyan Summer Grant are eligible to apply. Please refer to the GCC website for more details (see below).

Looking for funding for your unpaid or low-paid summer experience?

The 2021 Wesleyan Summer Grants Program will be accepting applications from February 8th – February 26th, 11:59pm.

Wesleyan Summer Grants are funding resources awarded through the Gordon Career Center which allow students to pursue no- or low-paid career-related summer experiences such as internships, faculty-mentored research, language study, volunteer work, field study, and academic programs.

The Gordon Career Center will be holding three virtual information sessions which will cover funding opportunities, eligibility and requirements, navigating the application process, and what makes a strong application. All sessions will conclude with a Q&A. Please click the event links below to register.
February 3, 3pm EST
February 9, 5pm EST
February 18, 11am EST

The list of available grants and the application can be accessed on AcademicWorks through WesPortal. For more information about the application process, please visit the Gordon Career Center website.

Don’t know where to begin or need help with your application? Schedule an appointment to meet with a career advisor.

Resource Center Reopening Spring 2021

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Hello Everyone,

The Resource Center is now closed and will reopen after the Wesleyan quarantine period ends on February 22nd.  Our operational hours at that time will be Sunday-Friday from 12pm-8pm.  Although students are not able to physically check out books from the RC during quarantine, they can virtually reserve and check out books by filling out this form.  You can see what books are available in the library by checking out our catalogue.  You can also check out books from the RC or request a book to be purchased through the FGLI Textbook Fund even if you are studying remotely- we will ship the book to you.  Visit our website (https://www.wesleyan.edu/resourcecenter/programs.html) for more details.

Beyond providing academic supplies, The RC staff is eager to continue engaging with the Wesleyan student body on creating meaningful virtual community spaces for underrepresented and marginalized students.  Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay in the loop about our programs, initiatives, and opportunities that can benefit you and our community.  Also check out the Black History Month 2021 calendar on Ujamaa’s Instagram for other great programs to attend this month.  If you have an idea for a program or initiative that would help support underrepresented and marginalized student populations on campus,  please reach out to us therc@wesleyan.edu with your suggestions.  I hope you and your families are doing okay and safe travels to everyone returning to campus!

Sincerely,

-Demetrius

DEMETRIUS COLVIN

Director, The Resource Center

Wesleyan University
167 High Street | Middletown, CT 06459
P. (860) 685-3979 | E. dcolvin@wesleyan.edu

Website: https://www.wesleyan.edu/resourcecenter/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/wesresourcecenter/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wesresourcecenter/

Wesleyan’s First Annual Diversity Summit – 2/8

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The Office for Equity & Inclusion is hosting the 1st Annual Diversity Summit on Monday, February 8, 2021. Click on this Zoom link all day for an exciting lineup of short presentations, interactive workshops, sharing & community brainstorming.

Schedule:

9:30 am – 11:15 am     Community Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Updates

Hear your friends, coworkers and members from all over Wesleyan share what they have done in their departments to further their understanding of how to promote social justice, equity and antiracism.  This will be an opportunity to share ideas and actions and take some to share with others. 

11:15am – 12:15 pm   What is Diversity, Equity & Inclusion?  Video and reflection:

A pre-recorded conversation of the Office for Equity & Inclusion team reflecting on equity & inclusion and what it means globally, at Wesleyan, and personally

12:15 pm – 1:50 pm    Keynote:  Decision Making from an Anti-Oppressive Lens: a conversation and interactive workshop with Dr. Liza A. Talusan  

Commitment to diversity, inclusion and action are a community wide effort, and the work of the administrators, faculty, staff, students, advisors, counselors, and leaders can serve as both a springboard and a barrier to this work. In this interactive session, we will be engaging with definitions of diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice as a way to root our actions and utilize an anti-oppression decision making framework for you to implement in your practice.

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm      All-Campus Dialogue and Plenary Session

What are we taking away from today, how do we as a community move forward, what steps do you want to take? This is Wesleyan’s time to talk while we listen!

Join us on Monday for an exciting day of presentations and workshops by accessing the Zoom conference and using the password inclusion. The schedule is also available on the Equity and Inclusion website. We look forward to your participation!

 

Arrival Day Testing – Spring 2021

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Dear students,

We are looking forward to seeing many of you back in Middletown this week! As you work through your final preparations to return to campus, I write with important information on testing.

As you know, all students are required to take a COVID-19 PCR test within 5–7 days before leaving home and upload a negative test result to WesPortal. This is an important step to keep the campus community safe as people are returning for the second semester. We understand that some students have encountered difficulty with their test as a result of the winter weather. For those who are unable to get a pre-arrival PCR test result, at this point a rapid antigen test will suffice. In addition, Wesleyan will have limited capacity to administer a rapid COVID-19 test in addition to the required PCR test upon arrival.

If you find yourself without a test result prior to leaving home, please plan to arrive on campus at the time of your scheduled arrival test appointment and you will be directed to the West Dining wing in Usdan where you will first be directed to take a rapid test. If it is negative, you will go to Fayerweather to take a PCR test, and then will be directed to pick up the key to your residence. If the rapid test is positive, you will still take a PCR test but will need to immediately enter isolation for 10 days (per CDC guidance). More information on testing and isolation is available on the Keep Wes Safe website.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation as we all work together toward a safe start to the semester.

 

Sincerely,

Rick Culliton

Dean of Students

Chair, Pandemic Planning Committee

Patricelli Center Offerings – Spring 2021

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I am writing to ask for your help getting the word out about three spring Patricelli Center offerings. These are an especially good fit for students who are inclined to project-based learning, social/environmental impact, or leadership.

 

CSPL262 Patricelli Center Fellowship (seats open)

In this course, students learn strategies for studying social and environmental problems, and they come up with ideas for innovative, systems-changing solutions. To learn more schedule a meeting- http://calendly.com/mjkingsley.

CSPL/CGST480 Engaged Projects (seats open; apply by 2/7)

Engaged Projects empower Wesleyan students to study a topic of their choice and produce a public project. Details attached and at http://www.wesleyan.edu/patricelli/engaged-projects.html.

PCSE Seed Grants (apply by 2/28)

$5,000 grants to fund the launch or early-stage growth of a project/venture with potential for impact. Details at https://www.wesleyan.edu/patricelli/grants/Guidelines-Seed-Grant.html

 

Makaela Kingsley, Director, Patricelli Center

Adjunct Instructor, Allbritton CSPL

http://calendly.com/mjkingsley