General

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

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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

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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.

July 8, 2020: Reactivating Campus in Fall

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Dear friends,

As promised in my June message, I am writing now with more specificity concerning our plans to reactivate campus in late August. Since our first priority is the health and safety of our community members, these plans may have to be adjusted in response to changing public health conditions. Whatever these challenging conditions may be, we intend to provide an excellent educational experience (on campus or remotely). We have developed a robust set of resources on our website about our campus reactivation, including information on instruction and campus life, health and safety, and returning to work on campus.

July 1, 2020: Public Health Update

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To the Wesleyan community,

Happy summer! The weather in Connecticut has been sunny and warm (some might say too hot!), and I am happy to report that cases of Covid-19 have continued to decrease in our state thanks to people generally following the rules. This is critically important as the University prepares to reactivate campus with the well-being, health and safety of our community top of mind. We will share much more information on the safety measures the University is planning in a campus update next week.

June 17, 2020: Public Health Update

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To the Wesleyan Community,

I trust your summer is off to a good start. I’m happy to report that currently the coronavirus in Connecticut appears to be slowing down with fewer hospitalizations and deaths.  Much of this is due to the strong efforts of many residents in adhering to social distancing, using face covers, and largely staying home. We are heading in the right direction but in no way should we let our guard down. If we become lax in our efforts, we can very well experience a resurgence or ‘’second wave” of the virus…

June 15, 2020: Reactivating Campus (Faculty/Staff)

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Dear friends,

What a spring it has been! The specter of bigotry has been viciously apparent in the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and the energy of anti-racism has swept across the nation in demonstrations in large cities and small towns. At the same time, much uncertainty remains as the pandemic continues to increase in intensity in several states. Amidst all the pain, anger and anxiety, we have continued to plan, and I write now with an update on our thinking thus far. Given the current public health trajectory for Connecticut, we are hoping to welcome most students, faculty and staff back to Middletown in safe conditions in late August…

June 15, 2020: Reactivating Campus (Students)

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Dear friends,

What a spring it has been! The specter of bigotry has been viciously apparent in the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, and the energy of anti-racism has swept across the nation in demonstrations in large cities and small towns. At the same time, much uncertainty remains as the pandemic continues to increase in intensity in several states. Amidst all the pain, anger and anxiety, we have continued to plan, and I write now with an update on our thinking thus far. Given the current public health trajectory for Connecticut, we are hoping to welcome most students, faculty and staff back to Middletown in safe conditions in late August…

June 4, 2020: Public Health Update

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To the Wesleyan Community,

I hope this finds you safe and healthy. This past week, the impact of the pandemic has been overshadowed by the terrible news that is gripping our country. The senseless death of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arberry, Breonna Taylor, and so many others; the ugliness of racism; and the disregard for human life. We all need to do everything in our power to promote respect, kindness, and caring to all.

You may have seen other troubling headlines recently noting that the World Health Organization (WHO) surmises Covid-19 may be here to stay. This is bad news, but perhaps not as bad as it may sound…

May 28, 2020: Public Health Update

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To the Wesleyan community,

Congratulations to all students for completing this academic year, and especially the Class of 2020, whom we celebrated during a virtual Commencement this past weekend. Knowing this class the way I do, I know you will be making our world a better place.

With the 2019-20 academic year officially a wrap, we now turn our full attention to planning for the next year. One thing that will be increasingly important as we prepare for an eventual return to residential education is contact tracing, and I’d like to offer a brief introduction…

May 26, 2020: Update on Financial Impact of COVID-19

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Dear Friends,

Following an initial April message, we held a virtual forum to elaborate on and discuss the financial impact of COVID-19 on our University. While we could not answer every question as specifically as we might have liked given the uncertainties of the unfolding situation, your questions have been—and continue to be—invaluable in helping us maintain and advance our important work. Please keep them coming!

We write to you today with an update on several areas…