editorial staff

August 19, 2020: Public Health Update

by

To the Wesleyan community,

As we prepare to welcome students back to campus next week, I’m happy to report that Connecticut continues to do well with decreasing cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID-19. That said, the unprecedented increases in cases and hospitalizations in most other states in the country are sobering. In addition, the mean age for cases is decreasing, and we’re continuing to learn more about the serious post-COVID syndromes experienced by many young people, including chronic fatigue and hypercoagulopathies (blood clots to the lungs, etc).

During the pandemic, it is important to distinguish between the things we can change and the things we cannot. The unpredictable course of the coronavirus and other people’s behaviors (including those who choose not to wear face coverings and congregate in large groups) are examples of the latter—generally out of our control. The best place to focus our energy is on the things we can control, which come in two parts.

August 16, 2020: Pre-Arrival Checklist

by

Dear students,
We are looking forward to welcoming you back to campus.  As you know, your arrival to campus this year will be quite different than usual. In addition to packing your bags (which we’d advise keeping light), please remember to complete the following steps.

August 10, 2020: Important Information for Fall Semester

by

Dear students,

As our staff makes final preparations for students’ arrival to campus only two weeks from now, we look forward to the start of the semester with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Most of us have longed for the day when we can be together again on campus since we were abruptly forced apart by the pandemic last spring, yet the worsening public health conditions in much of the country are deeply troubling. Thankfully, Connecticut continues to fare well with decreasing COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths—largely thanks to the continued diligence of our state’s residents in following the rules meant to keep the public safe.

Like the state, Wesleyan has its own set of rules and expectations that all students, faculty, and staff will be required to follow. We write today to remind you of these policies and practices, as well as to drive home how serious we will be about enforcing them.

August 3, 2020: Updated State Guidance on Arrival Plans

by

Dear students,

In response to Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont’s recent Executive Order/Travel Advisory, Wesleyan has been advised to make changes to our arrival plans. The University is thus updating information we previously provided, and it is possible we will need to make further changes as the public health context or state guidance evolves.

August 3, 2020: New State Guidance for Faculty

by

Dear colleagues,

In response to Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont’s recent Executive Order/Travel Advisory, Wesleyan has been advised to make further changes to our opening plans for the fall semester. The University is thus updating information we previously provided, and it is possible we will need to make further changes as the public health context or state guidelines evolve. 

July 28, 2020: COVID Testing Support — Help Needed

by

As we prepare to roll out a robust schedule of on-campus testing for students, staff and faculty, we anticipate needing 20-25 full time staff to assist.  Current thinking is that the testing will run for 15 weeks, training for test staff will occur the week of August 10th, testing for employees will begin on or around August 17th and August 24th for students.

July 24, 2020: Public Health Update

by

To the Wesleyan Community,

Welcome to the dog days of summer. Did you know this expression actually comes from the rise of Sirius, the dog star, from July 3 to August 11? It has nothing to do with dogs, though my Labrador Retriever remains skeptical. And there’s your piece of trivia for the day!

I write to you amidst a heat wave in Connecticut, as my colleagues and I are working hard in preparation for the start of school, just over a month away. Today, I’d like to share details of Wesleyan’s plans for COVID-19 testing.

July 17, 2020: Residential Life: Update on Move In Schedule and Plans

by

Dear students,

One part of the current testing plan is for all undergraduate students to be tested upon arriving to campus, followed by a self-quarantine in their student residence until they meet the following criteria: Students who are from New York, New Jersey and New England until they receive a negative test result, and all other students, including those coming from another country, until they receive two negative test results (which will likely mean a seven day quarantine). These students can shorten their quarantine period by having a test done on their own within 72 hours prior to coming to campus and bringing proof of the negative result to campus, which will be considered their first of two negative results.

July 16, 2020: Wesleyan Fall 2020 Academic Experience

by

Dear Wesleyan Students and Families,

Last week Wesleyan announced its plans for the fall semester. President Roth and other members of the Wesleyan community hosted webinars and town halls to begin the process of answering all the many questions students and families have as they prepare for next year.

We write to you now with a focus on the academic experience—what teaching and learning will be like on our campus in these new and uncertain times. In this newsletter we’ve compiled important dates, contact information for further questions, and other resources to assist you as we move forward towards the fall semester.