For now, on behalf of my colleagues on the Board, I want to recognize the incredible leadership and efforts by each of you.We have faced many challenges throughout our 327-year history. We have begun to see the positive effects of self-quarantine measures in flattening the curve of COVID-19 infection. Symptomatic students may be tested and treated through the Student Health Center. Staff at Richmond Hall will assist with your move-in, providing transportation as appropriate. While the governor loosened some restrictions, William & Marys requirements remain in place, to minimize spread of the COVID-19 virus: So far, your compliance with these basic requirements has resulted in a limited number of positive cases in the community. May the coming weeks keep you and your loved ones well. In addition, any remaining balance of dining dollars as of March 25 will be refunded. "With every book, you go back to school. I have heard from so many of you over the last week and our sense of shared purpose is strong. (Photo: Natalie Wieland). Do not come to campus if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms or have been asked by state or local health officials to self-quarantine. Division I Athletics will operate within the policies of its governing bodies, the CAA and NCAA, and be subject to university health protocols. Student tuition and fees make up our biggest source of revenue. Were hoping students will be supportive and kind to each other remotely as well. Initially, staff members wanted to drive by houses in their cars, but considering the social distancing protocols that were in place at the time, the idea was changed to making a video and they reached out to fellow staff to collect clips and edit them all together. As the Commencement Committee affirmed, such celebrations should be joyful and different they should not simply replicate the in-person events to come in October. Hold one another accountable. Even if you are unable to give in the same way as before, every gift, no matter the size, helps. That I am thinking of them and missing them daily. Each loss, shared and personal, compounds anxiety and hardship. Whenever possible, we will seek opportunities to enable some events through virtual means and platforms. It would be unrealistic and misleading to predict there will be no cases in our community this fall. Undergraduate courses will begin on August 19 as planned. Our ability to advance W&Ms mission during this pandemic will require each of us, without exception faculty, staff and students to comply with all COVID-related health and safety rules as articulated by university leadership generally, and the COVID-19 Planning Team in particular. I know how disappointing the shift in arrival on campus will be for many students who are so looking forward to returning also how disruptive to families as they plan travel. Walk the dog. We recognize that these decisions have weighty consequences personal, financial and more. All our constituencies agree: the health of W&Ms people must be prioritized as we prepare to welcome students and employees back to campus. We are planning a phased move-in for undergraduate students living in on-campus housing. Preventing COVID-19 during travel and gatherings. As a reminder for those on campus, W&M conducts in-person symptomatic testing at our Student Health Center and prevalence testing at our new VCU Health clinic at North Henry St. We are committed to your health and safety. Classes will begin in Spring 2021 according to the following schedule: January 11: Online Graduate Programs (Business and Education), January 25: Full-Time MBA, Flex MBA, MAcc, MSBA, January 27: Undergraduates, Grad A&S, Marine Science, Education (residential programs), In order to phase our return to campus, all undergraduate classes will take place via remote instruction from January 27 February 9, In person and blended instruction for undergraduates begins on February 10, The graduate schools do not anticipate delaying in-person instruction but will advise their students directly if that changes. We are here for you. Now, students have breaks between periods and teachers can use that time for extra help sessions or just one-on- one check-ins. I hope your semester is going well and that you and your family are healthy and safe. Knowing people are out there thinking of them can make all the difference in the world. Shannon S. Teachers everywhere want students to know that they havent gone anywhere. Above all, working and learning in company strengthens the deep human connections we prize at William & Mary.With these values in mind, we have much work to do to assess the adaptations to campus and curriculum that will be needed next year. Amid pandemic, there is no place that individual choices are without consequence to the health of the William & Mary community. At W&M, we take care of one another. Students do not need to surrender their parking decals to receive the rebate. Effective March 12, we will implement the following interim policies for modes of instruction, events and travel. Spring is upon us, and we are looking ahead to the end of classes and the beginning of final exams. It will be updated on the, Week of August 3 Continuing students can make changes to their schedule based on updated course offerings and modalities. There are many ways to help ensure the integrity of the learning and assessment processes. If you, yourself, are a dorm resident who is having difficulty with your plan for moving out by Wednesday and you have not notified the Dean of Students Office, please do so right away by clicking here. W&M will provide each student a free COVID-19 saliva test, mailed in advance of returning. Meanwhile, 33% of teachers. Meal Plans Students will receive rebates based on their spring semester meal plan as follows: Gold 19 and Freedom Plans $ 460Block 175 $ 420Block 125 $ 340Block 100 $ 270Commuter 50 $ 100Commuter 25 $ 50. I want to acknowledge how much we are asking of all employees, whatever your roles. W&M leadership will continually evaluate our path forward in light of those changes. They constitute direct violations of the Healthy Together Community Commitment that each of us affirmed. Only students who are not currently located in the region or not planning to return to Williamsburg will be excused from mandatory prevalence testing. These employees will be contacted over the next two weeks with instructions for testing before students return to campus. These tests are administered at no cost to you. Please read the, Freshman and sophomore students are still required to live on campus. Volunteers at William & Mary must provide this critical support remotely. No one may accompany you into the building. You can sign up to volunteer on the Virginia Volunteer Health System website. Please read through all information, which includes: We recognize that this fall semester will feel very different for us all. As vice president for student affairs, I have never felt more proud of our students than I do this year. As denial moves to anger or frustration, bargaining, and depression, teaching and learning performance may dip, and both students and teachers may need guidance about how to cope with the grief and loss associated with the change and reassurance that circumstances will improve. If you are unable to move out completely now, we will offer another window in May to come back and collect your belongings. So much gratitude is flowing. We have an obligation to one another to extend flexibility and understanding everywhere possible. Looking ahead, we must prepare for possible reductions in state support in FY21, as the Governor and General Assembly have predicted significant revenue shortfalls. The work ahead will continue to be challenging in unprecedented ways and uncertainty will remain high. "You are only confined by the walls you build yourself." Andrew Murphy. As previously noted, we strongly advise all students to physically leave campus if they can. Children around the world thank teachers for helping them keep learning before, during and after COVID-19 school closures. Please bring your student ID, and wear a mask. So its important to be clear that W&M will be holding student groups and individual students accountable, as appropriate, when they do not comply. That I love them Michelle T. I miss them. I write also to acknowledge the incredible difficulty of what we are undertaking. In response, W&M will not shorten the spring academic calendar. Please note that future health conditions in our region may require adjustments to these proposed dates. Testing frequency and population percentage will evolve based on campus trends and available testing methods. Responses will be tallied as they come in, but not saved by individual student. We ask that everyone continue to refer to https://www.wm.edu/coronavirus for the most up-to-date information on anything related to W&Ms institutional response. Barnes & Noble, through VitalSource, has made arrangements for students to have free access to eTextbooks. Thank you for your support of our testing effort. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought out the best in many peoplepeople who have shown compassion and empathy and offered a helping hand to others during this extraordinary time. We are guided by four key goals: safeguarding the health of students, faculty and staff; ensuring students complete their classes; maintaining the universitys research and other operations; and joining in the national effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, to protect our communities, from Williamsburg to DC and beyond. To return to normal campus activity after 10 days of isolation, you will need to be cleared to return to work by a physician and have gone at least 24 hours without symptoms, including no fever (without the use of fever-suppressing medications). As we begin to plan for next year and ways in which we can flatten the curve of financial impact for our community, the Board and administration concurred that freezing tuition and mandatory fees for all students at the current years level was critical, as were other prudent decisions to freeze new hiring and limit other costs.What has been especially evident to us is the very thoughtful and capable manner in which the university community has responded to this emergency. As the semester winds down, I write to share my gratitude for your steadfast and creative efforts over the past nine months of pandemic. For more information on meal plans, please visit, June 25-July 7 -- Registration for undergraduate transfer students, July 8 New student housing assignments announced, July 8, 5 p.m. Meal plan selection deadline, July 15 Details about orientation, residence hall check-in, and move-in process announced, July 15 Listing of fall course delivery available (including delivery mode designations), Week of August 3 Continuing students and new transfer students can make changes to schedules, Aug 8-11 Returning Students Phase I move-in (returning students with a need to arrive early), Aug 12-14 New Student move-in (freshman, transfers, Joint Degree Programme), Aug 13-18 Returning Students Phase II move-in (all other returning students). More information about access and hours during that window will be shared at a later date. Whether you have been here in Williamsburg or are studying remotely, we would not be where we are this semester without you. Please continue to stay safe and look out for one another. At-home testing for students before arrival ensures that those testing positive can self-isolate at home and not unknowingly bring the virus to campus. All have agreed explicitly to our guidelines as a condition of learning or employment: masking and physical distancing, hygiene, participation in testing and contact-tracing, self-quarantine and isolation and staying home when sick. While we are apart, learn with your familylearn some family history with a photo album, go on a nature hike and appreciate the world outside together, read with a family member. Kristen W. Being home means school time is a lot shorter. Our largest expenditures are on salaries for the faculty and staff who support teaching, learning, researchand our varied university operations, from student financial aid specialists, to career services, to facilities. Those who breach these rules repeatedly will be sanctioned, and may be sent home for the semester. We are establishing a testing program that goes above and beyond state health and CDC guidelines and is designed to be responsive to the most at-risk populations within our community. Those habits will be the key to a successful in-person fall semester at W&M. Please expect specific details about your rebate next week, from Amy Sebring, Vice President for Finance and Technology. Testing is an important part of the multiple strategies W&M uses to safeguard the health of students and employees by reducing transmission on campus. William & Marys responsibility to steward our resources prudently is understandably at front of mind for all in this community. You bring me more joy and happiness than any of you can imagine, and I hope we are together again soon. Justin M. The whole purpose of this quarantine time is to keep as many of us safe and healthy as possible. Here Are Messages to Students During Covid 19 From Teachers Topic: School Culture & Colleagues, Supporting Students Life & Wellbeing Here's What I Want My Students to Know When We're Not Together We miss you, we miss you, we miss you. Virginias Phase 3 reopening does not change W&Ms campus-specific guidelines. As we end the year, its not traditional, and its hard that way too, she added. This delay from August 1 reflects potential impacts from Hurricane Isaias, and allows us to adjust operations in the early part of next week in a way that minimizes disruption. The correct time frame is between 36-72 hours of receipt of the test kit by the lab. "These are 10 and. William & Mary offices closed to the public at noon today until at least March 23. "For me it was a massive morale booster to meet lots of dogs and cats." Teachers say there has been a collective spirit among staff Glad to be back If there's something children have learnt from. William & Mary employees are preparing for students to return to campus in early August. "I would like to begin by recognising our parents, families, and loved ones, especially my mum and dad, who, may not be physically present with us, but who are, as always, cheering us on from the screens of the Great Hall or on their devices; our lecturers for imparting their wisdom - who have recently acquired the number 1 spot in the recent What is the least-visited state park in Texas? Students who require an exception to these requirements due to health concerns should request an exception from the Office of Student Accessibility Services. If you see something, say something. The resilience and compassion of our student body inspire us each day. The health and welfare of our employees, not just our students, depends on robust compliance. The McCombs school boasts a whopping 6,500 students with 200 professors. If you are sick or symptomatic when you are randomly selected, please contact the Student Health Center for evaluation and further instructions; do not make an appointment for prevalence testing if you are ill. Should a student test positive for COVID-19, they will be contacted by the Student Health Center. The adorable footage featured not only the teachers and staff members, but also their own children and furry friends as they practice social distancing. Thanks to each of you for your creativity, understanding and commitment to this shared effort. All domestic students are expected to self-quarantine for eight days before arriving on-campus; students coming from international destinations must self-quarantine per CDC Guidelines (currently 14 days). Residential students will need to take good care of themselves and one another. You become an investigative reporter. , It is my sincere hope that each of you will tap into tools and resources that you have found work best for you during trying times. By reaching out after a positive test or by answering our call, you gain immediate help and protect other members of the campus community. Emergencies need to be directed to the W&M Police at 757-221-4596. We wish you all the best in the remaining weeks of the semester and during the exam period. See the student FAQ section at www.wm.edu/coronavirus for additional details. Assuming you returned the kits as promptly as expected, we do not anticipate the turnaround from lab to results will affect your ability to move in or begin classes as scheduled; however, we want you to know accurately when your test results will be available to view. Resources for. Online instruction will continue uninterrupted. International Students will receive specific testing instructions in the next week to 10 days. In October, W&M waived the copay for voluntary, at-will COVID-19 testing for faculty and staff. Honorlock is FERPA compliant and uses securely encrypted protocols to save and view all test \-taker assets. Celebrating together, in person, continues to be our goal. We are making decisions in a phased, evidence-based way and understand that flexibility is essential to remaining responsive to changing public health contexts. Specifics on operations for all employees will be announced by the week of November 16. For instance, this may be a great time to learn about our online training modules on mental health via SilverCloud (https://www.wm.edu/offices/wellness/ohp/general-wellness/silvercloud/). Event sponsors should explore solutions that include canceling, rescheduling or moving to alternative platforms. Students who lived on campus in the fall but have a fully remote schedule for the spring semester may request a release from their housing contracts. It will be glorious. Youre so smart. Testing schedules will be released later. As COVID-19 cases rose sharply in Williamsburg this week, I shared the wrenching news that we would need to close dorms and find the students still on campus places to stay where they can more safely self-quarantine. Back-to-School Quotes for Teachers 21. I am sorry to be sharing news that I know saddens us all. Much like running a race, at the end of every year, she hands out a medal to each of her students as a congratulatory gift after they take their AP exams. A similar message was sent to the UW Tacoma community. Teachers all over the world have an obligation to educate not only their learners but the general populace on the dangers of the pandemic and the measures to take. An archive of messages sent to William & Mary students about the university's plans and policies responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We know we can help by providing as much clarity as we can, as soon as we have it. This option was provided at the request of fellow students who desired to forego their rebates. Employees were advised of their units in-person or remote requirements the week of July 20. We hope this collection of letters helps our students relieve some stress and always remember, "An exam is only an exam. We will also post updates and FAQs regularly on W&Ms Commencement website. NOTE: W&Ms on-campus residency requirements notwithstanding, any freshman or sophomore student electing a fully-remote curriculum may be released from their campus housing contract with no penalty in order to reside at their permanent home address for the fall semester. The use of remote proctoring does not diminish, in any way, the Honor Code or students pledge to uphold it. Please use this. In an emergency situation, WMPD will help with a lockout, but we need this to be a last resort. We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices. Please let me know if you have additional questions. If you would like to help with immediate needs, please consider a gift to the Fund for William & Mary or one of our emergency funds. Please keep sending your questions our way, since they give us a better understanding of how to support you to the best of our collective ability. The upcoming tests will also be processed by William & Marys partner lab, Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratories, facilitated by VCU Health System. The Commencement Committee will send additional, detailed communications in the coming weeks to degree candidates and families. Spend the free time you might have during our shelter in place to nurture and start new relationships and then take care of them as the years go by, she explained. Service is one of the universitys core values, and we have seen that in action throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Wednesday 26 April 2023. Today, we are announcing rebates for the spring semester, for eligible students, as follows. All students are required to be tested before the fall semester. The deadline to request a release is, Fall meal plan selections will automatically roll to the spring semester and students are able to make one allowable change through the add/drop period at, Students with a meal plan this fall who plan to study remotely in the spring must log on to. Yet it is one thing to plan for hypotheticals and another to make decisions in real-time, under ambiguous circumstances, adjusting as new information arrives hourly. Start and end dates for the Mason School of Business, the School of Education and the Law School vary by program and can be found on the, Students enrolled in remote courses who live within 30 miles of campus (with limited exceptions for students enrolled in certain graduate programs), Students who may be coming to the campus, yet arent in any of the groups listed above, may choose to opt-in for the testing. These students should closely track EMT messages regarding Hurricane Isaias. As you know, whether courses are delivered on campus or online, there are a range of ways to assess student learning. Richmond Hall is also identified for housing any on-campus students with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. Conversations are easier, resources are more readily accessible, and communication between students and teachers and parents is offered through more options than ever before. Note that phased planning has updated some messages since their original issuance. I am honored to succeed Sam in that role while also chairing W&Ms Public Health Advisory Team and serving as the universitys chief operating officer. Not only are there variations in. We dont get to see them again and I dont know when Ill get to see them and thats just hard, she said. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 within the 90 days prior to your return, please fill out the form at, As COVID-19 vaccine testing and deployment accelerates, the Virginia Department of Health is developing a protocol to administer inoculation across the Commonwealth. The global novel coronavirus pandemic has William & Mary exploring how best to acknowledge the necessary changes to our current learning and working environments. As we transition into the new school year, the task for educators in the coming weeks and months is to help children reflect, refocus, and move forward. The deadline for student training has been extended to Friday, Aug. 28. We are firm in our convictionsour actionswillbe swift anddirectfor those who arent following theguidelineswe have in place. Teachers, in a non-coronavirus world, already had to deal with an array of student challenges, parents, and an unrealistic amount of standardized testing. I take heart in the transformations we have accomplished in such a short amount of time. Yet at a time of loss and sacrifice, we have also made gains. Teacher motivation is closely linked to student motivation, and teachers who are motivated to teach can trigger students' motivation to learn. ; Do not go places where you are unable to wear a mask. This must be done in time slots, as the housing assignment system can only manage a specific number of people using it at a given time. To the new rhythms of a very different year, our community is coming together, near and far. PDF. We have the advantage of being a close-knit community already. positivity supporting others 20 inspirational quotes to lift you up Published on January 31, 2019 Updated on February 10, 2023 Having a bad day? It is imperative that we learn from them. May this situation help us realize that the Lord is always with us and will never leave us." Jion P. Dimson, RMT, MSMLS Chair, Student Development and Activities Department, The Student Affairs 1. There can be no large parties this fall. If maintained, this will allow meetings of more than 50 people to occur, so large lecture classes can meet in person (either the entire group at once or half or a third at a time). Will there be testing at the end of the Fall 2020 semester? Letter #3. We must do all in our power to protect one another. So we will wait until April for better clarity on how that may be achieved. Employees who move throughout buildings, including private office spaces, to perform their work (e.g. A cloth face covering will be used immediately before and after instruction and when interacting with others and unable to maintain 6 physical distancing. Accountability for W&Ms Healthy Together Community Commitment and behavioral guidelines, and consequences for not complying. We must remain vigilant so that we can move quickly to identify positive cases and potential exposures. Provost Agouris and the deans have encouraged teachers to approach this transition as a period of discovery, with students as our chief partners. That is all. Please take a moment to review FAQs about the transition from fall to spring semester. On nearly a daily basis, new reports emerge from institutions around the country of behavior that endangers the health of entire communities. Creating COVID-19 Messaging for Graduation Greetings. We are doing so, thanks to the assistance that Student Affairs and the Reves Center are providing, and the hospitality of many campus neighbors. As we move through the many decisions that we face individually and as a community, our top priorities remain to keep teaching, keep learning, and keep helping each other to stay well. Our goals have been, and continue to be: to safeguard this communitys health and wellbeing, to the best of our ability so that students can continue to learn and live together and faculty and staff can continue in the work they are passionate about.
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