A total of 1,717 COVID-19 cases were reported in Massachusetts schools in the last week. Thus, I write to share decisions regarding the universitys operations for the remainder of the semester. 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 Some of you have sought to understand better our decision not to keep any dorms open, especially for international students. Instead, create some custom messaging about COVID-19's potential impact on your graduation celebration or graduation party plans. While many students are complying with the rules and regulations set forth in our Healthy Together Community Commitment,too many are not. You become a student. Staff throughout the university are offering many services virtually and also ensuring that our campus remains safe and ready for our return. We will continue to gather for virtual Community Conversations on a weekly basis. Only residents will be permitted entry to residence halls. As the semester winds down, I write to share my gratitude for your steadfast and creative efforts over the past nine months of pandemic. Despite the intense worry and uncertainty that all of us are feeling, the sense of shared purpose at William & Mary is strong. Be calm, honest, and caring, and demonstrate a positive attitude to children. William & Mary faces considerable financial impact now as a result of the pandemic. to date, no student on campus has tested positive, state of emergency due to the coronavirus pandemic, Read the descriptions of high-level categories for course delivery, detailed plans for Check-In and New Student Orientation, All generative questions and ideas are welcome, Flourishing during Unexpected, Uncertain, and Unwanted Change, https://www.wm.edu/offices/wellness/ohp/general-wellness/silvercloud/, https://www.wm.edu/offices/it/remoteresources/index.php, monitoring the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, support for the online instructional, remote learning, Undergraduate Residence Halls close on November 25 at 10 a.m. Be sure to carefully review the, Remaining on campus after November 25 at 10 a.m. is not an option, Students living in the Graduate Complex or Tribe Square are permitted to remain in their current apartment, but must verify they are staying via the, Spring semester course delivery attributes will be in Banner by Friday, November 13. In that message, she emphasized that confirmed conduct violations would be dealt with through the student conduct process and could result in consequences including separation. Thank you for the questions you have submitted through the Path Forward website and via email. W&M will provide each student a free COVID-19 saliva test, mailed in advance of returning. Several faculty members told her they had 100% virtual attendance in their sizable classes and they were able to be more available to students with later office hours. Please reach out to the graduating students around you and support them. If you need assistance, please do not hesitate to visit our website for a full listing of our departments to help in your success., In the days and weeks ahead, stay connected with us and with one another. Members of our community are not expected to police one another, however, we have a shared responsibility to do everything within our power to reduce the spread of this virus. For students, case managers will serve as a point of contact throughout the isolation period, helping with the transition to isolation or quarantine housing as needed, and arranging for cleaning and disinfecting of campus spaces, among other assistance. Research has shown this; the challenges of learning under quarantine prove it by direct experience. The William & Mary Finance Office is finalizing the process of distributing student rebates and will communicate specifics with students via email no later than Thursday, April 2. By taking further preventative steps, we maximize time for measured transitions and reduce the risk of future disruptions to our teaching, learning and research mission. And please download the W&M Wellness App to stay current on all events and resources., While William & Mary is operating on a modified academic schedule, all the departments of the Dean of Students Office are available via phone (757) 221-2510 and email. While planning within such an uncertain environment is stressful, the strength and creativity we can bring to that task working together is rewarding and sustaining.Stay well,Katherine A. RowePresident. Commons is set up as a to-go option only and no self-service. Reports which we are actively investigating that some of our students are gathering with no regard for their commitment to mitigate the risk of transmitting COVID-19 are disheartening. Our community has generously given to the university through our, Academic Advising has helpful tips on their website. more. On April 28, a video was shared on YouTube featuring the principal, teachers and staff members of the Van Holten Primary School. Letter #3. Returning students: We ask that you join into our shared norms with curiosity and respect: be mindful of the effort it takes to integrate COVID-19 rules of conduct into daily, healthy social habits. In 2020, they also have to deal with. The video concluded with a final comforting message: "When it rains, look for rainbows. Any art. My family is here, they're safe and sound, and I'm doing OK. I'm just doing the best I can. Thank you for your patience as we work through the details that will allow us to navigate the extraordinary challenges wrought by pandemic. You are required to wear a face covering when in university housing hallways, other shared spaces and hall baths (except when actively washing, brushing teeth, etc.). Additional information about testing plans and protocols will be shared later this month details are being finalized in collaboration with a partnering third-party healthcare provider. Our neighbors,parentsand friends have pulled together to support this community through words of encouragement, guidanceand continued investment. Though the University of Texas has thousands of students, professors are hoping to give students some of the closure they will miss. 2. Quarantine may occur anywhere the student feels most comfortable, e.g. 2023 E! at home with family, at an apartment, at a hotel, etc. Students who studied remotely in fall and wish to live in residence halls in spring may complete a housing application in the. They stand ready to support students, faculty and staff in this transition. Our testing and other public health protocols are based on ongoing epidemiological modeling being developed by VCU, UVA and VT as Virginia's academic medical centers. We are here for you. Connect with school staff. Please continue to direct your questions to [[COVIDResponse]]. Participating in prevalence testing is a condition to which we have agreed in order to work, study or receive on-campus services at William & Mary under the Healthy Together Community Commitment. Its important to remember that W&M does not control the surrounding public health context; decisions by the federal government and by Virginias leadership will frame the universitys options in the months ahead. I want to acknowledge how much we are asking of all employees, whatever your roles. Letter #2. Employees will receive a copy of the Healthy Together Community Commitment along with their PPE kits, and they will be asked to affirm the commitment as part of the required on-line COVID-19 training that will be made available by Human Resources via Cornerstone. They should be telling me their stories from the weekend and being with me and theyre not.. "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. Reflections on teaching, learning and technology during the COVID crisis, and hopes for the future . Dear William & Mary Students, Faculty & Staff. Sincerely, Dr. Patricia Parker, Chair The Faculty and Staff of the Department of Communication Student Resources I hope they are learning new things even if its not me teaching it to them. Laura D. One of the best ways to relieve stress and discover what matters to you is to get creative. Students do not need to create an account or schedule an appointment in advance. In some cases, due to student and/or course requirements, exams are proctored. Katherine A. Rowe, PresidentGinger Ambler, Vice President for Student Affairs. Thank you for the dedication you have shown throughout this semester. Only students who are not currently located in the region or not planning to return to Williamsburg will be excused from mandatory prevalence testing. Now, you can provide your immediate feedback to critical questions through the new text app we will be piloting called W&M&You. The Post Office will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and is accessible from the west door of the Sadler Center. I would like to thank you again for your incredible commitment to our healthy community and wish you the best as we continue through the second half of the fall semester together. As we move through this summer and into the fall semester, the COVID-19 Response Team is providing guidance regarding the required use of face coverings on campus from now through the end of the calendar year (July 15-Dec. 31, 2020). All rights reserved. They gathered in a group exceeding our size guidelines, without the space to physically distance, were not wearing masks and possessed alcohol while underage. On nearly a daily basis, new reports emerge from institutions around the country of behavior that endangers the health of entire communities. Editors note: Phased planning has amended some information included in the July 31 message. In these trying times, this school staff has gone the extra mile to make sure their students know they are missed. Our Wonderful Students: I hope this message finds you and all you love doing well. All testing and distancing protocols will remain in effect. . 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. Testing frequency and population percentage will evolve based on campus trends and available testing methods. Additionally, if you do not have WiFi connectivity or access to the internet and currently have a cellular phone, you may want to contact your carrier to determine if your phone has the ability to serve as a mobile hotspot.