Campus Resources

Notes from Your Class Dean: Working Together for the Remainder of Spring 2020

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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

Services for New Week and Beyond 3/20

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Dear Students,

As we all struggle to get used to Wesleyan in a distance-learning mode, we in Student Affairs wanted to provide you with an online resource guide detailing services and supports that will still be available regardless of whether you are near or far in the coming weeks.

Wishing you safe travels, good health and successful transitions.  As always, let us know how we can help.  Go Wes!

Warmly,

Dean Mike

 

Update on Global Coronavirus Emergency – 3/4/20

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To the campus community:

As our campus looks forward to spring break, we are writing again with an update on the global coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. We plan to provide regular updates going forward until the situation stabilizes. We have also created a new website with the latest information about the virus for the Wesleyan community, along with an FAQ addressing common questions and concerns, and links to other resources.

To date, there are no confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 at Wesleyan or in Connecticut. As the virus continues to spread through the U.S. and the rest of the world, the Wesleyan Emergency Response Team is actively managing our readiness and response to the epidemic. Health and safety continue to be the University’s top priority.

We are also closely monitoring the situation in countries around the globe. Earlier this week, we made a decision to close our study-abroad program in Bologna, Italy. Students in the program are instructed to return to their homes, and we’ve asked them not to visit campus until after spring break. Classes in the program will be offered online for the remainder of the semester. Students in several independent Wesleyan-approved programs in South Korea have also been sent home.

As many students prepare to leave campus over break, we urge everyone to make informed and thoughtful decisions about travel in consultation with their families. Wesleyan has made a recommendation that faculty, staff, and students should not travel internationally at this time. The Centers for Disease Control’s informative website contains resources to track COVID-19 cases by geography, advice for avoiding illness, and much more.

We are asking all faculty, staff, and students to register any travel beyond Connecticut—domestic or international—on this form.

As a reminder, Wesleyan’s campus will remain open over spring break. Students are permitted to remain in residences, and dining service and other supports will be available.

As always, no matter where you are in the world, please take common sense measures to stay healthy, such as washing hands and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

We will continue to communicate regular updates to the campus. If you have questions about services over spring break, please contact the Office of Student Affairs at (860) 685-2772. Questions about study abroad can be directed to Associate Director of Study Abroad, Emily Gorlewski, at egorlewski@wesleyan.edu.

Rob Rosenthal, Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Mike Whaley, Vice President for Student Affairs

Center for the Humanities Open House – 3/3

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The Center for the Humanities will host a Spring Open House on Tuesday, March 3rd at 4:30 pm.  The Center is located at 95 Pearl Street (behind Russell House).

Stop by to learn more about the Center for the Humanities here at Wesleyan and the student fellowship opportunities for next year. Coffee and snacks will be provided!

https://www.wesleyan.edu/humanities/index.html

https://www.wesleyan.edu/humanities/fellowships/students.html

Grief Support Circle Today – Tuesday, 1/28

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Grief Support Circle: Dani Jewell-Tyrcha

In light of Dani Jewell-Tyrcha’s recent death, a support circle is being offered where students can gather to process, grieve, reflect, and be in solidarity with one another today, Tuesday, 1/28, at 5pm in the ORSL Lounge at 169 High Street, second floor.

The circle will be facilitated by staff from the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and Counseling and Psychological Services.

Rabbi David Leipziger Teva