April 14, 2020: Summer Programs Announcement

From: Rob Rosenthal and Andy Tanaka
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 5:50 PM
Subject: Summer Programs Announcement

Dear colleagues,

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have decided not to hold any programming on campus this summer. This decision was made first and foremost to protect the safety of the Wesleyan community, as well as the safety of others, including minors, who would typically live in our residential setting over the summer. Making this decision now provides sufficient time to convert programs to online offerings, when possible. It also allows staff to focus on preparing for New Student Orientation and the fall term, which we sincerely hope will take place on campus.

The following programs will be moving online/will be completed remotely for summer 2020:

The following programs will be cancelled for summer 2020:

We are in the process of determining if an online version of the following programs is feasible for summer 2020:

Work in the labs:

If conditions allow for research labs to open, undergraduate summer research work will be limited to those students: 1) who have been accepted into a summer research program (CIS-RIS, COE, McNair, GiSOS); 2) whose mentors agree to mentor them under possibly constrained conditions; and 3) who have been residing on campus this semester. Undergraduate students who must travel to campus will not be allowed to participate in an on-campus research program.

Students and mentors are encouraged to pursue online or remote research activities, which will be supported in lieu of prior planned on-campus research activities.

Campus residency:

All students currently living on campus will have the opportunity to remain on campus for the summer. Members of the class of 2020 who need to remain on campus for the summer should petition their class dean, David Phillips, at dphillips@wesleyan.edu. Students who are not currently on campus will not be allowed to return to campus this summer.

Student summer employment:

Students may be hired to work remotely over the summer when that is feasible for the department and the student. If and when social distancing guidelines are relaxed by the CDC and State of Connecticut guidelines, students who have petitioned and been approved to remain on campus for the summer and who had been hired to work remotely may work in person.

Summer services:

Library: The library’s top priority is to ensure that as many resources and services as possible are available remotely so that teaching, learning, and research can continue. The website Library Services to Support Remote Learning and Research provides information about online materials and research support.

Dining: Dining services are currently scheduled to close after brunch on May 16; however, as long as students remain in residence during the spring semester, we will continue to provide dining services.

Summer dining services will be determined after it is determined how many students will remain on campus over the summer.

IT support: The ITS Help Desk will be open Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm throughout the summer. Hours will be subject to availability.

The decision to suspend on-campus summer programming does not affect the ability of staff to work on campus over the summer. If social distancing guidelines are relaxed and it is deemed safe to come back to work, we will look forward to getting back to our normal work routines and seeing everyone in person again.

Sincerely,

Rob Rosenthal

Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Andy Tanaka

Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and Treasurer