Academic Resources

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)

Correction: Important Fall and Spring Calendar Updates

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This reposted message is a correction to the email sent by President Roth on October 5th.

In Monday’s message regarding fall and spring calendar updates, spring break was mistakenly noted as March 24-25. The actual dates of the two-day break, as listed on the University’s academic calendar, are Tuesday-Wednesday, March 23-24. The Office of Communications regrets the error. The below text is revised to indicate the corrected dates.

Dear friends,

With the first month of the semester under our belts, I would like to pause to acknowledge the careful planning, creative problem-solving and exemplary adherence to safety protocols that have allowed us to be together this fall. This is a proud and happy moment for us all.

At the same time, it is a precarious moment. We understand that the pandemic is still with us and that the public health context can change at any time. We are also nearing the winter months, when more time indoors and flu season could pose additional threats. With these considerations in mind, we have made the following plans:

  • Thanksgiving recess begins Wednesday, Nov. 25 and extends through Monday, Nov. 30. Classes resume remotely on Tuesday, Dec. 1, with all classes and exams conducted online for the remainder of the semester. Students with special considerations (such as international students for whom travel is not advisable or students who depend on Wesleyan for housing) may petition to remain on campus over winter break. All other students must depart no later than Wednesday, Nov. 25 at noon.
  • Students may return to campus for the spring semester beginning Friday, Feb. 5, and classes will begin online on Tuesday, Feb. 9. Students whose theses or capstone projects require them to be on campus will be able to petition to return prior to Feb. 5 on a case-by-case basis. That petition will be distributed at a later date, and consideration will be given to any petitions by those who feel their work cannot be done remotely.
  • We continue to review the risk profile for athletics and for spring study abroad programs. We will be providing updates in the coming weeks.

We expect our February return will entail similar safety precautions to those that have proved effective so far this fall: students limiting exposure and getting tested prior to traveling back to Middletown; an initial two-week quarantine period on campus (Feb. 5-20); frequent testing and procedures for supportive isolation and contact tracing; and a no-travel, two-day spring break (March 23-24), which will negate the need for a post-break quarantine period. When we return next semester, we must maintain our vigilance with respect to social distancing, mask wearing and hand washing. If all goes well, we expect the semester to end in late May, with final exams May 18-21. We anticipate hosting Commencement on Sunday, May 30, and will determine the celebration’s format, as well as the celebration for the Class of 2020, as we get closer to the spring.

We will be in touch with more specifics later this semester. These are challenging times, but I am heartened by the many ways that you have risen to these challenges. Thank you for all you are doing to care for yourselves and one another.

Sincerely,

Michael S. Roth, President

Virtual Math Workshop Now Available

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The following information was provided by Prof. Adeboye from the Mathematics & Computer Science Department.

The Math Workshop is a free drop-in math tutoring service, operated by undergraduate and graduate students, that is available to all members of the Wesleyan community.

The Workshop is continuing in the online form that was initiated after spring break last year.

The hours for the “Virtual Math Workshop” are:

Monday – Friday 11:45 am – 12:45 pm

Sunday – Thursday 7 -10 pm

The Zoom link is:  https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/94135542297 

This information is also available on the Mathematics & Computer Science Website: https://www.wesleyan.edu/mathcs/

The Math&CS department organizes this service in addition to the regular office hours of individual instructors, and complementary to the other tutoring programs offered by the University.

Writing Workshop Open for Remote Appointments

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Greetings!

The Writing Workshop is now open for remote appointments. Instructions are provided below:

  1. Find the Scheduler: WesPortal > Academics > Writing Workshop Account

  2. Register: Let the Writing Workshop team learn more about your writing!

  3. Make an Appointment: Click on any white square and fill out the form

  4. Meet: Return to the scheduler 5 minutes before your appointment starts, click on the gold box, and click to join the meeting

 

A link to a PDF document outlining how to make an appointment is also provided below.

How to make an appointment for a Writing Workshop Tutor

 

Contact information for Dr. Lauren Silber, Assistant Director of Academic Writing, is provided below:

Dr. Lauren Silber (she/her/hers)

Assistant Director of Academic Writing

Assistant Professor of the Practice in English

Shapiro Center for Writing, 301

Wesleyan University

 

 

Campus Libraries Will Reopen on 9/7

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Hello, everyone,

I write with a brief update on library services for the fall semester:

  • The library buildings reopen to campus only 8:30am this Monday, September 7 for normal semester hours – card access is required

  • Seating is limited based on social distancing guidelines – PPE is required

  • Stacks are closed – starting Monday, Sept 7, students can request books via the catalog for contactless pickup in Olin and Science

  • For students studying remotely, we are mailing books upon request

  • Course reserves are fully online

  • For the latest details on library services this semester, go here:  https://www.wesleyan.edu/libr/services.html

Andrew W. White
Caleb T. Winchester University Librarian
Wesleyan University
Olin Library
252 Church St.
Middletown CT 06459
 
860-685-2570

Deadline for Grading Mode Selection Extended

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This is a repost of the email sent to students by the Registrar on September 3rd.

Dear Students,

Please be informed for this semester the faculty have voted to extend the deadline for selecting the grading mode of a class that is already offered for student-option (A-F or Cr/U).  The new deadline is November 24, which is also the last day to withdraw from classes.

Sincerely,

Anna C. G. van der Burg, University Registrar

 

 

Effective Learning in a Digital Environment Webinar – 9/9

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Effective Learning in a Digital Environment – Student Academic Resources Webinar

Sep 9, 2020 06:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Student Academic Resources understands that digital learning environments can be challenging, and increased screen time can be exhausting, but there are strategies that can help! Laura Patey, Dean for Academic Advancement, and Crystal Rose Hill, Accessibility Specialist, will review strategies, tools, and resources students can use for learning effectively in a digital environment. 

ADD TO YOUR GOOGLE CALENDAR!

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://wesleyan.zoom.us/j/97917755368?pwd=UjlCL1ZRWkgwWjFOeXJ4QmpIUm1Udz09

Webinar ID: 979 1775 5368

Passcode: 472035

Or iPhone one-tap :

US: +19294362866,,97917755368#  or +13017158592,,97917755368#

Or Telephone:

Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):

US: +1 929 436 2866  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799  or +1 669 900 6833  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 346 248 7799

International numbers available: https://wesleyan.zoom.us/u/aeIsEdvcfb

Notes from the Class Dean – 8/30

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Dear members of the Class of 2021,

I hope that all of you are well and settling into your plans for the fall semester. Classes begin tomorrow, Monday, August 31st, 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.

Digital Learning Tips for Classes and Drop/Add

Attached is a set of tips to help you navigate the remainder of the drop/add period, along with digital learning resources. You may also access this information through our class blog.

Refunds (RCF refunds and transitioning to remote study status)

Students have asked about RCF refunds with any transition to remote study moving forward. Remote study status entails pursuing courses entirely online from outside of campus, Middletown, CT (and the U.S. if a student is studying at Wesleyan on an F-1 visa).

Please see the note below from Student Accounts:

“[Student Accounts] will refund the RCF in full for any students who update their enrollment status to Remote (i.e. all online coursework, not living on campus or commuting to campus] during the drop/add period who have not moved into on-campus housing. Those who do move into on-campus housing and then decide to leave and finish the semester as a Remote student will be eligible for a prorated RCF adjustment based on their change of status date/date they leave housing and meal plan usage.”

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 Fall 2020 semester. This includes attending in-person classes, events, meeting 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 Fall 2020 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.

Honors Thesis Tutorial Registration

Some of you have asked how to submit your thesis tutorial form for registration. You may do this online through the end of the drop/add period. Instructions on how to submit the appropriate form online can be accessed on our class blog here.

Class Dean Office/Appointment Hours

I am working remotely until further notice, but I am still accessible through email, appointment hours, etc. I will continue to conduct appointments through Google Meeting and Zoom, and my calendar is available through the following link for the duration of the Fall 2020 semester: https://tinyurl.com/deanleathers. I look forward to speaking with you soon!

Academic Programming/Support Suggestions

I plan to offer a brief survey for you to make recommendations for academic programming that will suit your needs this fall. Details are forthcoming!

This year has challenged us all in myriad ways, but I’m heartened by the conversations I’ve had with so many of you and I’m hopeful for the days to come. I wish you a wonderful start to fall classes, and do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns moving forward.

 

All my best,

Dean Leathers