Virtual Resources

Senior Interviewer Application Extension until 5/11

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Dear Class of 2021,

Greetings from the New Normal.

I hope that everyone is safe, healthy, and relatively sane.  In light of the challenges of learning and working remotely, and the ever-changing circumstances both broadly and on campus, I’m writing with some updates about the hiring process and beyond.  Please bear with me, there’s a lot to cover.

You may have heard that the University has just determined there will be no campus programming or housing this summer, which effectively means no on campus summer jobs.  While campus may reopen at some point, given the nature of our work it would be irresponsible to hold information sessions numbering in the hundreds, and to hold interviews in offices with students visiting from around the country and the world.  This decision by the University, announced yesterday, was the confirmation we needed to alter and update our plans.

We are extending the deadline to accommodate anyone who was unable to file an application as a result of Covid complications, and moving the interview process to the last two weeks of May, after finals.  We will do some online training (paid) during the first week of June.  Because there will be no on-campus programming and no housing, we are not hiring summer SI’s, and are pivoting to a new model to engage with students.  Rather than hire 6 SI’s to live and work on campus, we hope to have a cohort of summer SIs, which can be much larger, to co-host virtual information sessions with deans and conduct informational conversations (as opposed to evaluative interviews) with prospective students via Skype/Zoom/Slate (our multi-faceted database).  This would obviously be remote, virtual, and paid at the SI rate, and will allow all interested SIs to participate.

When we return to campus in the fall (frankly I’m not emotionally ready to consider an alternative, and I’m working remotely from the beach…) we will complete our training, focusing on the actual on-campus interview and office responsibilities, and hopefully be in a position to welcome visitors at that point.  If not, you will continue to co-host virtual info sessions and do evaluative interviews by Skype et al.

The new deadline for the Senior Interviewer application is Monday, May 11, at 8am. I hope the extended deadline and better understanding of how we plan to utilize the Senior Interviewer corps during the crisis provides the opportunity and information you need to apply.  Here is the link once again:  https://forms.gle/MZPN2rXNE7mMDSza8

I appreciate your flexibility, patience and interest (and peace, love and understanding) as we adapt on the fly.  Please feel free to reach out directly if you have any questions or concerns, and be well.

Chris

CHRISTIAN LANSER
ASSOCIATE DEAN OF ADMISSION
Wesleyan University | Office of Admission
70 Wyllys Avenue | Middletown, CT 06459
P. 860 685-2983
facebook | website

“What a lucky man, to see the earth before it touched his hand.” – Neil Young

 

Preparing for Your Thesis Virtual Info Session Recording Now Available! 4/16

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Flyer for Preparing for Your Thesis Virtual Info Session

Preparing for Your Thesis Virtual Info Session Recording

Honors-Thesis Info Session Handout

Many thanks to our panelists:

  • Tanesha Leathers, Dean for the Class of 2021, Office of Academic Advancement
  • Susan Krajewski, Senior Associate Registrar, Registrar’s Office
  • Jennifer Rose, Professor of the Practice in the Center for Pedagogical Innovation and the Quantitative Analysis Center, Director of the Center for Pedagogical Innovation , Director of the Institutional Review Board (IRB)
  • Lori Gruen, William Griffin Professor of Philosophy, Professor in Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Professor in Science in Society, Coordinator for Animal Studies
  • Andrew White, Caleb T. Winchester University Librarian, Olin Library
  • Kendall Hobbs, Research Librarian and Coordinator of Research Services, Olin Library
  • Bonnie Solivan, Academic Technologist, Information Technology Services (ITS)

Notes from Your Class Dean – 3/26/20

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Good evening,

I hope you and your loved ones are doing well. I also wanted to take this time to check in, especially since we’re rounding the bases on our first week of distance learning and virtual Wesleyan life.

Some of you have reached out already with concerns about navigating challenging dynamics at home. Others have contacted me with requests to modify their class schedules. And a few of you have expressed concerns about completing the semester while navigating an unfamiliar, virtual landscape. No matter what, keep reaching out! None of us signed on for this, but I want to encourage you as I encourage myself to take things step-by-step and day-by-day.

While many of us no longer have unfettered access to all the people and communities we hold dear, that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to make important connections. FaceTime and Netflix/Amazon/Hulu/Peacock/YouTube/Disney+ (lest I leave out any streaming giant), or pick up the phone and call/text someone. Find new ways to maintain the networks that have been your support. I’m happy to speak with anyone about what I’ve been doing to live beyond my keyboard and touchscreens. None of my approaches are groundbreaking, and most of them don’t feel as satisfying or as cathartic as giving my little sister a hug or eating out with one of my closest friends. Even so, they’re getting me through this.

What follows is a short listing of important academic updates and resources for your review. I’ve provided a link to the Spring 2020-specific  Student Academic Resources (SAR) website where there is useful information to help you complete the semester successfully. Please note, peer advisors, course tutors, and Accessibility Services are still available to work with you.

Additionally, I invite you to keep the lines of communication open with me and your professors. Don’t hesitate to schedule a half-hour appointment or a 20-minute drop-in with me to discuss any issues or concerns; you may do so through the following link: https://tinyurl.com/deanleathers.

IMPORTANT UPDATES/RESOURCES

Credit/No Credit (CR/U) Process

Students will be allowed to move from letter grades to CR/U grading simply by notifying their professors by the last day of classes, Wednesday, May 6. Please note: all departments and minors will accept CR/U credits this semester towards their majors/minors.

Revised Timeline for Spring 2020 Pre-Registration

The university has revised the timeline for pre-registration for the Fall 2020 semester:

Planning: April 7 – 20
Scheduling: April 21
Adjustment:  April 22 – 28

The new dates for the planning period overlap with Passover. Please let me know if you have concerns about your ability to participate in academic planning during that time frame.

Fourth (4th) Quarter Drop/Add Process

The deadline to add or drop a fourth (4th) quarter course is five (5) business days from the first class meeting. You may access the 2nd/4th quarter drop/add form through the following link: https://www.wesleyan.edu/registrar/forms/DropAddForm_2nd4thQuarter.pdf

To submit your request, download the form and complete the top portion digitally (you may do this without access to a scanner as the form is now writeable). Once you have done so, forward the form to me, your course instructor, and your faculty advisor(s). If you cannot download the form, please email me (tleathers@wesleyan.edu), and I will walk you through an alternative process to submit your request.

A full listing of current, 4th quarter classes can be accessed here.

Tips for Learning in a Digital Environment

The following link provides access to resources to help you with the transition to distance learning: https://www.wesleyan.edu/sar/Spring2020.html.

Many thanks to those of you who have reached out for support and those who have given their peers support as well. I also want to give a big thank you to those of you who have wished me and my family well. Please continue to look after each other.

 

Take gentle care,
Dean Leathers

 

 

Listening Circle: Check-In. Connect. Process on 3/24

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Listening Circle: Check-In. Connect. Process
Learn spiritual strategies to support yourself and others during these perplexing times. Facilitated by Rabbi David. For more info contact dleipziger@wesleyan.edu. For Wesleyan students.
Time: Tuesday, Mar 24, 2020, 12:30- 1 PM Eastern Time 
(US and Canada) Via Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 462 356 2192

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