Advising

Greetings!

I hope this message finds you doing well and getting ready for the start of a new academic year. So many emails are swirling around, and I hate to add to the wave of messages you’ve already received, but I have some reminders and updates that may be useful as you prepare to begin the Fall 2020 semester.

Requests for Remote Study and Leaves of Absence

I am still processing requests for remote study and leaves of absence. Please be mindful of prorated charges for room, board, and related fees if you spend any time on campus between August 24^th and August 30^th. You may incur additional prorated charges as outlined on the Student Accounts website if you request to pursue either of these options starting on August 31^st. Please contact Student Accounts for more details.

Requests to Pursue Remote Study

You may email me directly if you want to pursue remote study (i.e. remote status) for the Fall 2020 semester. Note: remote study status is defined as attending courses entirely online from home or another location outside of the Wesleyan campus, Middletown, CT and the U.S. (if the student has been granted an F-1 visa to study at Wesleyan). Additionally, students who are placed on “remote status” will not be permitted to visit campus at any point during the Fall 2020 semester.

In light of this, remember to confirm where you plan to study remotely when you email me a request to pursue this option.

Leaves of Absence

You may access more information about taking a leave of absence here. You should speak with your faculty advisor(s), OISA if you’re an international student, and financial aid, if applicable. I’m also happy to speak with you about any plans you have to take leave; feel free to schedule an appointment.

Note that you need to submit an official request for leave through WesPortal before I can move forward with finalizing your plans to take time off this fall. Additionally, I can still process non-medical leave until September 11^th (i.e. the end of the drop/add period), but you may still be responsible for prorated charges for tuition, room, and board.

Enrollment

Starting on Sunday, August 24, at 8:30 a.m. EDT 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 Friday, September 11, at 5:00p.m. You must do this regardless of whether you will attend classes in-person or remotely this fall.

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 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 by Friday, September 4, at 5:00 p.m. EDT. 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).

Academic Preparation

Please consult with your faculty advisors if you have any questions about requirements for your major/minors/certificate programs. You’re welcome to get on my schedule with any questions about general requirements for your degree and resources to help you successfully complete the fall semester. Remember, your Credit Analysis Report (CAR) and GenEd Report are also useful tools to help you plan for this academic year. You may access both reports through WesPortal.

Drop/Add

The drop/add period begins today, Monday, August 24^th, and runs through Friday, September 11^th. Classes begin next Monday, August 31^st, so you have a full week to modify your schedule before you start attending your courses. Continue to submit your POI requests, and contact those instructors about getting access to the first session of any classes in which you are not currently enrolled.

Move-In and the Community Agreement

Please adhere to the guidelines communicated to you concerning move-in; the Community Agreement and coordinating Moodle;  and COVID-19 testing. Kieran Duffy of Residential Life sent an email on August 21^st to help students prepare for moving in this week. I reposted it on our class blog for your convenience.  You may access it here.

Additionally, I just received the following update from Dean Whaley as it relates to the Community Agreement/Moodle:

“The Moodle has been reopened until classes begin so students can complete it at their convenience.  It will speed up the check-in process if they complete it and acknowledge the associated code of conduct prior to arrival.  If they do not have the chance to complete this prior to arrival, Res Life will have paper copies for them to review and sign when they pick up their keys.”

Honors/Thesis Information

Please see the email I sent earlier today with the attached letter containing critical deadlines and important information for students pursuing thesis work this academic year.

Welcome back, and I will be in touch again soon!

 

Take gentle care,

Dean Leathers