editorial staff

April 16, 2020: HR Update

by

From: Lisa Brommer
Subject: HR Update

I hope this finds you well. I write today to share several important updates for faculty and staff as we all navigate the coronavirus pandemic together.

I’m pleased to share that Wesleyan has adopted new provisions in all of its health plans through Cigna to cover testing and treatment for COVID-19. We are also participating in provisions of the CARES Act that will allow eligible employees to access funds through loans or hardship withdrawals from their Supplemental Retirement Accounts. In addition, employees who utilize Dependent Care Flexible Spending accounts may change their annual elections due to …

April 15, 2020: Public Health Update

by

From: Tom McLarney, MD
Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2020 at 5:10 PM
Subject: Public Health Update

To the Wesleyan Community,

I trust this note finds everyone in good health. I write today with another public health update on the coronavirus pandemic.

Since my last update, the CDC has announced that there will be antibody testing available within the next few weeks, which will measure two antibodies: Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and Immunoglobulin G (IgG).

Let me offer a quick Immunology 101 lesson: …

April 14, 2020: Summer Programs Announcement

by

From: Rob Rosenthal and Andy Tanaka
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…

April 8, 2020: Public Health Update

by

From: Tom McLarney, MD
Subject: Public Health Update

To the Wesleyan community,

Wishing you all health and safety during this tumultuous time.

Since our last update, the CDC has made new recommendations regarding face masks. These are the key points to know:

1. ) Masks should be worn when going out in the public such as grocery shopping or trips to the pharmacy. This also applies to students on campus picking up their take-out meals.
2.) The current recommendations…

April 2, 2020: Student Employment Update

by

From: Amin Abdul-Malik Gonzalez
Subject: Student Employment Update

Dear Members of the Wesleyan Community:

I would like to share some important information concerning the student employment program at Wesleyan.

All student employees should speak with their supervisors to determine whether remote work is possible for the positions they held prior to the transition to a remote campus. Students who can continue to work remotely should do so and, in accordance with the University’s student weekly payroll schedule, submit their hours for approval on a weekly basis.

Students who had been working…

April 2, 2020: Message on Commencement

by

From: Michael S. Roth
Subject: Message on Commencement

Dear friends,

Although I’d been delaying this decision in hopes that we might still have an opportunity to gather together in late May, I’m writing now to let you know that we will have to find another time and place to celebrate the 2020 graduation. There is so much uncertainty about what the next few months will hold, and we don’t think it is responsible to plan to bring a large group together on Andrus Field in May.

I know this will be greatly disappointing for many, particularly for…

March 31, 2020: Public Health Update

by

From: Tom McLarney, MD
To: Lauren Rubenstein
Subject: Public Health Update

To the Wesleyan Community,

The Davison Health Center sends our wishes for good health and safety to everyone.

We continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic closely at the local, national and international levels.

Over the next few weeks, experts in the field predict increased cases of COVID-19 in the United States. Coupled with the lack of a vaccine, medication trials still in early phases, and troubling shortages in testing, personal protective equipment, and ventilators around the country, it is understandable to see high levels of fear and anxiety as we worry about our own well-being and the health of our loved ones.

With all these challenges, I would again like to stress the measures that we can all…

March 31: Academic Policies and Guidelines During the Covid19 Pandemic

by

From: Michael Whaley
Subject: Academic Policies and Guidelines During the Covid19 Pandemic

Dear Students,

I write with these important updates and adjustments to academic policies for this semester as a result of the pandemic:

Academic Affairs Policies and Guidelines of Interest to Students Adopted During the Covid-19 Pandemic Crisis

CR/U: Students may request a change from letter grades to CR/U for any course they were enrolled in when the transition to distance learning occurred.  All departments have agreed to accept CR/U grades in courses required for the major, minor, or certificate for the spring 2020 semester.

The mechanism for activating the grade mode change is a simple request to the instructor by the student made on or prior to the last day of class.  Students should consult with their departments about “specialty” courses such as thesis or graduate courses.  Students anticipating applying for postgraduate schools should contact the schools in which they’re interested regarding their policies accepting CR/U.

March 26, 2020: Health Advisory from the Davison Health Center

by

From: Tom McLarney, MD
Subject: Health Advisory from the Davison Health Center

To the Wesleyan Community:

In light of the significant increase in COVID-19 cases in New York (especially in New York City and Westchester County) we urge students, staff and faculty to avoid travel to and from New York at all costs.

Travel to an epicenter such as we are seeing in New York not only increases your own risk of…

March 22, 2020: Accessing health services on campus

by

From: Tom McLarney, MD
Date: Sunday, March 22, 2020 at 8:46 PM
Subject: Accessing health services on campus

To our students remaining on campus:

Thanks to everyone who attended the Zoom meeting this evening. As we mentioned, the Davison Health Center will be in operation from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for the remainder of the semester or until otherwise announced.

As you have been advised in prior correspondence, in order to prevent potentially infecting others, DO NOT WALK IN to the health center. Instead, please call us at 860-685-2470 to speak with one of our staff members.

For the same reason, if you are seeking…