Notes from the Class Dean – 3/17

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Dear Members of the Class of 2021,

As always, I hope this email finds you doing well. I also want to congratulate you on getting to this point in your college careers. Progress doesn’t always come easy, but it’s definitely hard-fought when a global pandemic is raging in the background. Be proud of your determination and the ways that you have shown care and concern for your studies, each other, the greater Wesleyan community, and the many other communities you love and support. And as challenging as it may be, don’t forget to take a moment to relish this time during your journey.

Many of you still have questions about commencement, among a host of other things, and I will try my best to pass along information as I receive it. What follows are updates and reminders for the next few weeks.

Commencement

As of now, I don’t have any news confirming whether remote students and/or December/January completers will be allowed to participate in any in-person commencement activities . University leadership plans to communicate updates about commencement later this month. Additionally, the 2021 Reunion & Commencement website will be updated with more information as it is made available.

Ordering Regalia Online – New Deadline is March 31st

Students will have until March 31st to place their orders for regalia. You may contact Wesleyan’s RJ Julia’s Bookstore at (860) 685-3939 with any questions about this process, including receiving/picking up your orders.

Major/Minor Certification Forms

The deadline to submit your major/minor certification forms is this Friday, March 19th. You’re welcome to reach out to me, Susan Krajewski, and your faculty advisor with questions. We still have a little time to address errors in the forms after that deadline. 

Spring Break

Spring Break is Tuesday, March 23rd and Wednesday, March 24th. Try to create margin for yourselves now so you can relax a little next week and work to finish up the semester in the weeks to come. Strive for balance as best you can. Of course, many of us will miss having two weeks to catch our breath, but I encourage you to make the very best of those two days off as permitted by our campus protocols. They’re hard-earned!

4th Quarter Drop/Add

The drop/add period for the 4th quarter begins on Thursday, March 25th. However, you may submit 4th quarter drop/add requests in advance by completing the 2nd/4th Drop/Add Form and emailing it to me, your instructor, and your faculty advisor. I will not send forms to the Registrar for processing without hearing from your faculty advisor and instructor. Additionally, 4th quarter classes may be added or dropped during the five working days following the first class meeting.

Honors Thesis Deadline

The honors thesis deadline is 4pm, EST, Wednesday, April 21st. All honors candidates are required to submit their thesis or essay in PDF format for binding, through WesPortal. Please contact your department for additional instructions.

Change of Grading Mode

The Registrar sent out confirmation that the change of grading mode deadline is now 5pm, EST, Thursday, April 28th. Remember, this change only impacts courses with the student option.

Withdrawing from Courses

Some of you have already opted to withdraw from a course with a “W” on your academic history/transcript. A “W” is not punitive in nature; it just means you withdrew from a course after the drop/add deadline.

You may request to withdraw from a course by completing the withdrawal form and emailing it to me, your instructor, and your faculty advisor. I will not send forms to the Registrar for processing without hearing from your faculty advisor and instructor. Wednesday, May 5th is the last day to withdraw from full semester and/or 4th quarter courses.

Finishing Well

We’re all dealing with a tremendous amount of stress right now, and we’re not done. Pace yourself, and remember that you still have access to tools and resources to help you complete your degree. Endeavor to finish well, but at the end of the day it may not matter whether you sprint, skip, walk or crawl over the finish line. Finishing is a win. 😊

Don’t forget the following resources for the final stretch:

Academic Peer Advisors (APAs)

Accessibility Services

CAPS (remember CAPS offers an after-hours service you may access with the same phone number for business hours: 860-685-2910)

Digital Learning Resources

Gordon Career Center (Check out Cardinals Helping Cardinals)

Math Workshop

Office of Religious & Spiritual Life

Peer Tutoring

Scientific Computing and Informatics Center (SCIC)

Student Academic Resources including Academic Support Services

WesNest (see WesPortal)

WesWell

Writing Workshop

Don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or concerns. I may be delayed in my response as we head into the 4th quarter drop/add period,  but I will respond.

 

All my best,

Dean Leathers

Class of 2021 Blog | Appointments

Keep Wes Safe: https://www.wesleyan.edu/keep-wes-safe/

 

Ellie Ga and Flames of My Homeland Exhibitions Open to Public (In Person) Now – 3/21

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Flames of My Homeland: The Cultural Revolution and Modern Tibet
Works by Tsering Dorje, Tsering Woeser, and Ian Boyden ‘95

Now through Thursday April 1, 2021

Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery, Main Gallery

Ellie Ga: Gyres 1-3

Now through Thursday March 25, 2021

Ezra and Cecile Zilkha Gallery, South Gallery

https://www.wesleyan.edu/cfa/galleries/zilkha-exhibition/

 

 

Be-Friend Initiative Begins on 3/22

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What is be-friend?
BE-FRIEND aims to pair Wes students with each other to connect and share thoughts, ideas, and themselves. It is open to all Wed students regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, or ability. We hope to foster connections in the midst of a time characterized by social distancing and disconnect.

How it works:
Interested participants will complete an initial survey designed to help the chaplain’s office pair you with someone based on your preferences, including faith or no-faith tradition, gender identity, race/ethnicity/ethnic identity, and any specific preference you might have.

The program will begin on March 22 and go through the end of April. If the pair of “friends” want to continue to meet, in-person or online, that’s up to them. We will gather safely outside in early May to enjoy a celebratory meal (provided by a local restaurant). For those participating from elsewhere, we will mail a care package to their preferred address. Each participant will receive a free t-shirt.

Here is the link to the survey: https://forms.gle/qE1HTwXpPQJMm9GZ8

 

Announcement for Be-Friend Initiative with flowers

Senior Thesis Writing Retreat – 3/21

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Join the Writing Workshop and fellow senior thesis writers at our final Senior Thesis Writing Retreat this Sunday, March 21! Pop into the Shapiro Center (116 Mt. Vernon St.) or Zoom (via our Slack) anytime between 1-4pm eastern for an afternoon of productivity, support, and snacks. We’ll treat the first five writers who RSVP to a smoothie/coffee on Sunday!
March Senior Thesis Retreat Flyer for event on March 21st

Bologna Program: ECCo Day! – 3/27

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Dear students:

If you studied abroad in Bologna, Italy, if you plan to study abroad in Bologna, or if you are interested in studying abroad in Bologna, please come to our virtual ECCo Day, March 27!

Students can start Italian at Wesleyan and meet the language prerequisite for Bologna. The University of Bologna has courses available for every major, and the Accademia di Belle Arti has courses especially for Art Studio in the spring. Advance registration is kindly requested: https://vassar.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtfuuprz4oGNVGYOVlGEK5_MVEIaPP9-YP

Sincerely,

The Office of Study Abroad

Emily Gorlewski, Ed.D.
Director, Study Abroad
Fries Center for Global Studies

Wesleyan University
+1 (860) 685-3007
201A Fisk Hall, 262 High St.
Middletown, CT 06459
USA
wesleyan.edu/studyabroad

2021 Commencement Regalia Online Ordering – Updated Deadline 3/31

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Dear members of the Class of 2021,

President Roth has previously announced that we hope to have an in-person ceremony celebrating the Class of 2021.  Details for commencement are still under review given the pandemic and guidelines provided by the state of Connecticut, but we expect to share additional information with seniors by the end of March. The vendors who supply graduating students with regalia cannot wait until April to field requests due to the challenges in acquiring these items and getting them shipped in time. The solution for now is to offer an opportunity for students to order their regalia (see details below) since we currently expect an in-person event.  Staff at RJ Julia are working with the vendor to secure refunds if conditions worsen and Wesleyan is unable to host an in-person ceremony.

Caps and Gowns 2021

Commencement: Sunday, May 30th

This year students will purchase their cap and gown regalia (via credit card) from the following Oak Hall website:  https://wesleyan.shopoakhalli.com/purchasewizard/Welcome

Students will either choose a Bachelor Package, Masters Package, or Doctor Package. The website will guide you to the correct gown size by asking height and weight questions.

All Bachelor Regalia will be shipped to the Wesleyan R J Julia Bookstore and will be available for pick up starting Monday, May 17th. Students will now have until Wednesday, March 31st, to purchase their caps and gowns online.

Masters and PHD candidates will either elect to pick up their package at the Wesleyan R J Julia Bookstore or have it sent to their home address.

  • Masters and PHD candidates who wish to have their regalia shipped to the Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore must order online by Friday, April 9th. Masters and PHD regalia will be available for pick up at the Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore starting Friday May 21st.
  • Masters and PHD candidates who wish to have their caps and gowns shipped to a home address will have until Monday, April 26th to order online.

Wesleyan R J Julia Bookstore: 413 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457.  (860) 685-3939.

Store Hours: Sunday through Wednesday 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

2021 Commencement Regalia Online Ordering

by

Dear members of the Class of 2021,

President Roth has previously announced that we hope to have an in-person ceremony celebrating the Class of 2021.  Details for commencement are still under review given the pandemic and guidelines provided by the state of Connecticut, but we expect to share additional information with seniors by the end of March. The vendors who supply graduating students with regalia cannot wait until April to field requests due to the challenges in acquiring these items and getting them shipped in time. The solution for now is to offer an opportunity for students to order their regalia (see details below) since we currently expect an in-person event.  Staff at RJ Julia are working with the vendor to secure refunds if conditions worsen and Wesleyan is unable to host an in-person ceremony.

Caps and Gowns 2021

Commencement: Sunday, May 30th

This year students will purchase their cap and gown regalia (via credit card) from the following Oak Hall website:  https://wesleyan.shopoakhalli.com/purchasewizard/Welcome

Students will either choose a Bachelor Package, Masters Package, or Doctor Package. The website will guide you to the correct gown size by asking height and weight questions.

All Bachelor Regalia will be shipped to the Wesleyan R J Julia Bookstore and will be available for pick up starting Monday, May 10th. Students will have until Monday, March 22nd, to purchase their caps and gowns online.

Masters and PHD candidates will either elect to pick up their package at the Wesleyan R J Julia Bookstore or have it sent to their home address.

  • Masters and PHD candidates who wish to have their regalia shipped to the Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore must order online by Friday, April 9th. Masters and PHD regalia will be available for pick up at the Wesleyan RJ Julia Bookstore starting Friday May 21st.
  • Masters and PHD candidates who wish to have their caps and gowns shipped to a home address will have until Monday, April 26th to order online.

Wesleyan R J Julia Bookstore: 413 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457.  (860) 685-3939.

Store Hours: Sunday through Wednesday 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Shu Tokita Prize – Submissions due by 4/5

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Shu Tokita Prize

Deadline: Monday, April 5, 2021

For Students of Color Studying Literature:

The Shu Tokita ’84 Prize is awarded to a student of color majoring in literature, in area studies, or a language major with a focus on literature that demonstrates the need for substantial financial assistance. The friends and family of Shu Tokita established the prize in memory of his passing from leukemia, five years after graduating from Wesleyan. For him, literature was a pursuit that spoke to his life, one from which he drew both insight and strength. The award focuses on supporting students of color, for whom the study of literature is often considered a luxury. Awarded to one or two sophomores and/or juniors who demonstrate a clear commitment to literature, the prize is usually $1,500 per year for the remainder of their time at Wesleyan. The recipient(s) of the Shu Tokita Prize will receive the annual award at the start of the following fall semester, that is, for their junior and/or senior year(s), with the hope to encourage the recipients to share their insights and wisdom with their communities. Current Wesleyan student winners of the Shu Tokita Prize are Irmina Benson ’21, Ericka Ekhator ’21, Jake Kwon ’21, and Jade Tate ’22.

ELIGIBILITY:

  1. Any domestic student of color (U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or undocumented student) who is a full-time Wesleyan sophomore or junior and is African American, Asian/Pacific American, Latino/a American, or Native American, is eligible to apply. The applicant must be in need of substantial financial aid.
  2. The applicant’s major or focus of study must be in literature. Applicants may be affiliated with the following departments: English, College of Letters, other language/literature departments, or area studies, e. g., East Asian Studies concentrating on Chinese or Japanese literature.

SELECTION CRITERIA:

The selection is based on the submitted 750-word essay on one of two topics, and on financial need, and not on academic standing.

Shu Tokita Prize–Submission Instructions

Thomas Kail ’99 (Hamilton, In the Heights) in Conversation with Milton Espinoza Jr. ’22 and Vianca Pérez ’22

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On behalf of the Gordon Career Center, I invite you to join us for a virtual, fireside chat-style conversation with Tony-winning director of Hamilton, Thomas Kail ’99, and current Wesleyan Theater majors Milton Espinoza Jr. ’22 and Vianca Pérez ’22. Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Nicole Stanton, will provide a brief introduction and the conversation will be followed by audience Q&A. This conversation is open to all Wesleyan students, alumni, faculty, and staff. 
 
Register here for the Zoom webinar link & see more information below. Hope you will join us! 
Best,
Rachel 
 
Alumni Career Conversation with Thomas Kail ’99 – Thursday, March 11, 12-1pm 
Thomas Kail’s Broadway directing credits include Hamilton; In the Heights; Freestyle Love Supreme; Lombardi; and Magic/Bird. Off-Broadway selected directing credits include Hamilton, Dry Powder, Tiny Beautiful Things, and Kings at The Public Theater; The Wrong Man at MCC Theatre, In the Heights; Broke-ology and When I Come to Die at Lincoln Center Theater; and Daphne’s Dive at Signature Theatre. Broadway producing credits include Derren Brown: Secret and Freestyle Love Supreme. Some television directing and producing credits include Fosse/Verdon on FX and Grease: Live on Fox. He is a recipient of a Kennedy Center Honor and a graduate of Wesleyan University.

Student Moderators:
Milton Espinoza Jr. ’22 is studying Theater and Film. On-campus he is known for his activism and artwork for the POC community. He’s directed the 2nd Stage & Shades’ production of In the Heights and has acted in & produced a variety of different shows/films on campus.

Vianca Pérez ’22 is double majoring in Theater and Feminist, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. She has performed in multiple theater, dance, and film productions and co-leads WesInterpreters, a group that provides legal translation and interpretation services to local schools and organizations.

Rachel M. Munafo
Director of Operations
Gordon Career Center | Wesleyan University
rmunafo@wesleyan.edu | 860.685.2180