Dear students,
I hope you’re doing well, and taking good care of yourselves. I know the events of the last week have been challenging and stressful, both in terms of the School closure and in the news. Know that all of us are in this together, and we’re committed to supporting you during this challenging moment. Remember that you may reach out to Bryan McGrath, Director of Student Life & Career Services if there’s any non-academic help he may be able to provide.
As Sarah mentioned in her email earlier today, we’re heading into new territory as a School. Beginning Monday, March 23 and continuing until we reopen, you’ll be tasked with developing skills and knowledge in your disciplines outside of the School’s facilities. This will require all of our patience and understanding, and it won’t be perfect—and that’s ok. It’s one of the first lessons you learned in your programs and the hallmark of our educational philosophy, that good work takes patience and time.
Here’s what we’re planning for you in the next few weeks:
TODAY
- Please take this survey, which will assess your ability to learn at home, what resources you may need, and your preferences on making up lost time.
- Click here for information about a specific time frame that you can pick up items you may have left at the building during the closure.
WEEK OF MARCH 23
- Faculty will assign independent work for students, which may include readings, drawings, models, work from program textbooks, skill-tests, research, tutorials, and other activities.
- We will all need to think broadly and creatively about our approaches, and we’ll begin testing video-based tutorials and online teaching tools.
- Pick up items left at the building, per your assigned timeframe.
WEEK OF MARCH 30
- We will continue remote learning, and faculty will begin adding online discussions, video tutorials, and the like.
- Your answers to the survey will help us gauge the ability to take on different technologies, and we’ll make sure no one is left behind.
- We recognize this won’t be perfect, as we’re constructing the plane on the runway, but we’re committed to keeping you engaged in your work and building knowledge and skills.
We'll continue to keep you informed on our closure via email, and will also regularly update our COVID-19 webpage with additional information, FAQs, and resources.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as the School navigates this new way of working for the next few weeks. We remain committed to providing you with the best education possible, and to supporting your future goals in your field.
Sincerely,
Claire Fruitman
Provost
