Since early August we have seen that the vast majority of students, faculty and staff are fully committed to doing what is required to safeguard one another. Because of health concerns and regulations, Richards couldnt return to teaching her students in person. Nothing makes me prouder than the wonderful things our teachers do for their pupils. As this world faces our greatest shared challenge in living memory, its humbling that so many of you are asking how to help William & Mary. They become our families each year and we love them fiercely, even when they cant follow through or act out or dont do the work. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government closed all New York City public schools last week. Im with you, I miss you and I just really wanted to finish this year out, she wrote on them. While many students are complying with the rules and regulations set forth in our Healthy Together Community Commitment,too many are not. by. Please continue to stay safe and look out for one another. Thank you for standing with William & Mary. The students were tearful that even though we couldnt all hug each other in real life the connection among the students and with their faculty member was as in many ways as strong as it would have been in person, she said. Peggy Agouris, ProvostGinger Ambler, Vice President for Student Affairs, Dear William & Mary Community,Even as we move through the exam period for the spring semester, William & Mary is actively planning for the year ahead. As we plan for our spring semester, our overarching goals remain steadfast: to prioritize the health and well-being of the community; to keep teaching, learning and pursuing research; and to continue adapting our living, learning and working environments so as to mitigate the spread of the virus. As we embark on a new semester tomorrow, the importance of ourHealthy Together Community Commitmentcannot be overstated. Teachers can have an impact on. It seemed so specialI miss you so much. As we navigate cost-saving measures, our mission remains our north star. Its a challenge, a challenge for every one of us, but we dont shy away from challenges at William & Mary. Avoid interactions with others, maintain at least 6 feet of physical distance and wear your face covering. We will continue to add to this calendar overview so all students have the dates that are most critical to planning for fall. Celebrating together, in person, continues to be our goal. By establishing a care network, we hope to lessen the complications of navigating the university system as you work to remain well or recover. Today, Virginia Gov. There is something here for all students (graduate and undergraduate), whether you live on campus, off campus or are studying remotely. Staff members in that office are experienced in supporting students who have accessibility needs, including students who are immunocompromised. The clear throughline in everything that has been shared with me over the past week is care for others. For some, there may be real sacrifices, unexpected challenges or burdens that are hard to see. We must pace ourselves, give each other grace when our efforts fall short of our hopes, and take care of each other. With the exception of September 8, when well start at 9:30 a.m., testing will be available for students from 7:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. each day. One key aspect of this program is COVID-19 prevalence testing, by which random samples of students and employees are chosen periodically to take COVID-19 tests so the university can rapidly assess potential community spread. Thanks for your flexibility, resourcefulness, creativity, and kindness. Please opt-in by filling out the subscription form. 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. Our live programs will be recorded to be used at your convenience. We are seeing significant impacts across our far-flung communities and close to home, here in Williamsburg. So I ask you to read what follows with care. On June 12, 2020 William & Mary released its planning process for the coming semester the Path Forward: Fall 2020. We anticipated a 72-hour maximum turnaround time in determining when to mail the test kits to you. Therewill berepercussionsif you do not abide by oursafety protocols. May the holidays bring respite, companionship, and joy that we have reached this season together. Maintain physical distance. 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. This includes events sponsored by any recognized student organization and other affiliated groups. The following have three themes in common: 1) They speak to parents and teachers. Your source for entertainment news, celebrities, celeb news, and celebrity gossip. Questions can still be submitted to us at COVIDResponse@wm.edu. So I ask that you hold close our core values of belonging and respect. As we end the year, its not traditional, and its hard that way too, she added. The spring course schedule will include in-person, blended and fully-remote sections, as the fall semester did. Well, that is a ton of helpful information. I am enormously grateful for the W&M communitys commitment to these three goals over the past eight months and we must remain vigilant. Professor Jal Mehta isn't surprised that some students and teachers are finding positives during remote learning. Students within a 30-mile radius of campus will also need to test negative. I write also to acknowledge the incredible difficulty of what we are undertaking. That is all. William & Mary is partnering with the VCU Health System (VCUHS) for expanded physical and mental health services, including COVID-19 testing for students and employees. This remains a very fluid situation. PPE for faculty and staff and cleaning protocols for instructional spaces. 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. They gathered in a group exceeding our size guidelines, without the space to physically distance, were not wearing masks and possessed alcohol while underage. As William & Mary comes together to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, we write as president, vice president and as members of the W&M community to express our gratitude. Thank you for helping to safeguard the health of your fellow W&M students, as well as faculty, staff and members of our neighboring community. At W&M, we take care of one another. As a reminder. Now, students have breaks between periods and teachers can use that time for extra help sessions or just one-on- one check-ins. 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. In an emergency situation, WMPD will help with a lockout, but we need this to be a last resort. I am sorry to be sharing news that I know saddens us all. In order to provide restorative breaks while remaining vigilant about the spread of COVID-19, we will offer individual spring break days in 2021, rather than a consecutive, five-day break. If you are experiencing dire financial need this semester, the university may be able to help. COVID-19. Be well,Amy SebringVice President for Finance and Technology. Affirmation of the Healthy Together Community Commitment is required for anyone who will be living, learning, and working on campus this fall. will be limited for those with compelling reasons to be present, such as international students. With our determination and steadfast efforts, we are also mourning: a lecture, a birthday, the long-awaited symposium, a team road trip, and so much more. We will have a clearer picture of this impact when the state closes the books for this fiscal year and revises its revenue forecast later this summer. Celebrating the work of W&M faculty, staff and students. ; Do not travel Violations of these agreements will haveconsequences. To the new rhythms of a very different year, our community is coming together, near and far. Proctoring protects the integrity of the testing process, thereby maintaining a level playing field for all students. Prevalence testing on campus allows us to track spread. The May planning process described below aligns with similar planning at Virginias public higher education institutions and with the Dept. This message was sent to students, staff, faculty and other academic personnel at the University of Washington's Bothell and Seattle campuses on behalf of the UW Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases. As always in these uncertain times, we will adhere to Virginias public health advisories to ensure the safety of all participating in and supporting events in the coming year. We are deeply cognizant of the financial vulnerability felt by our students and families and we will continue to provide support, beginning with the following actions. Other options shall be submitted to the COVID Response Team for approval. Some students and faculty may elect simply to unplug and rest on these days; others will want to participate in a variety of recreational, social, wellness and service opportunities that will be announced later. Accountability for W&Ms Healthy Together Community Commitment and behavioral guidelines, and consequences for not complying. That speaks volumes about who we are as a community. More answers about W&Ms approach to testing may be found on our website; questions about Kallaco and Opteo may be found here. The exact type of face covering may vary depending on the instructional environment (e.g., a university-provided face shield may be required in a lab). Suzanne Tomlin, a fifth grade science and math teacher at Willis Elementary, decided to call her students at various times this week, as well as speaking with their parents. 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. 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). For a close-knit community that treasures our ceremonies, Commencement stands out as among our most cherished. First, I send my sincere thanks to students, faculty and staff who have worked tirelessly and honored our Healthy Together Community Commitment in order to make the fall semester a success in the face of considerable challenges. Teachers hope students create art in any way that matters to them. Please consult the following procedures. 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. Get the Android Weather app from Google Play, Sign Up for Daily News & Breaking News Newsletters, Sign up for Digging Deep: Inside KXAN Investigates newsletter. At this time room selection for returning students for the 2020-2021 Academic Year will proceed on schedule online, including Priority Housing. I ask each of you to do so as well. Ralph Northam announced new restrictions on private and public gatherings in the Hampton Roads region and Peninsula, which includes Williamsburg. We want to hear your voice and believe this app will help us better stay in touch with student opinions as we plan ahead. Below my signature, you will find a high-level view of our current operations under the pandemic and an introduction to our planning process for next year. Instructional design support for technology-enhanced instruction. "Thank you very much for doing that video. 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). Though the University of Texas has thousands of students, professors are hoping to give students some of the closure they will miss. In these trying times, this school staff has gone the extra mile to make sure their students know they are missed. COVID-19 testing is relatively new and questions are understandable. University travel and events are suspended, as detailed below. Letter #3. 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. This too shall pass. Such individuals should continue the universal precautions and protocols that are expected of our entire community, and remain in their places of residence. Motivation over marks. Volunteers at William & Mary must provide this critical support remotely. The deadline for student training has been extended to Friday, Aug. 28. We will hear from faculty and undergraduates who will join me (virtually) to share their reflections on this weeks transition to distance learning. And remember: We're not gonna' let COVID-19 beat us. As William & Mary expands student and employee testing for COVID-19, we wanted to offer guidance to the community about what to do in the case of a positive result and introduce you to the new case management system. Third-party use of university-owned or leased facilities is prohibited, regardless of there being a university sponsor for an outside group or activity. We will continue to gather for virtual Community Conversations on a weekly basis. We track the Virginia Department of Health guidelines daily.Bringing our campus back together safely is an enormous task and also a hopeful one because it is a key step in the path forward to a post-COVID-19 William & Mary. Connect with school staff. We strongly discourage all personal travel, domestic or international, and may require employees who do travel to self-quarantine upon return. Students do not need to surrender their parking decals to receive the rebate. Day one of on-site testing is Tuesday, Sept. 8, and well continue with testing daily through Friday, Sept. 18. 23 Messages Of Hope From Communities Affected By The Coronavirus Outbreak 23 Inspiring Signs Of Hope During The Coronavirus Outbreak As businesses shutter and residents continue to distance themselves from their neighbors, messages of hope and solidarity are springing up in unusual places. Please let me know if you have additional questions. I just really miss them. Cory L. I hope you are all safe and healthy. Wishing each of you health and happiness. The state Department of Elementary and . A successful on-campus fall semester depends on intentional acts of caring and respect for each other and for the community as a whole. We take care of each other. Note: Students are limited to registering for 16 credits until add/drop begins. The pandemic has required us to adopt new behaviors, and we share in this challenge together. We dont get to see them again and I dont know when Ill get to see them and thats just hard, she said. All residential students also have agreed to adhere to specific Covid-19 Health and Well-Being Policies as part of theirhousing contract. Group Gatherings. Residence halls will not reopen this semester. News that a few staff members originally reached out to him about doing something for their students. William & Mary will cover the cost of a voluntary test for students and employees who wish to be tested prior to returning home for the Thanksgiving holiday. With millions of students at home around the world due to school closures, one Dunwoody student decided to use his time to spread the word about the city's unofficial motto. Food is either pre-packaged or boxed by dining staff and is available 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Your kids must be feeling overwhelmed, restless, anxious, and agitated with the sudden change in environment. Building Hours. William & Mary is proud of you, and we look forward to coming together to celebrate you. Meanwhile, 33% of teachers. 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. For employees who do not have computer access, we will work with supervisors to make the training available to you. Katie is a first-grade teacher. Middle and high school teachers juggling instructional platforms in which half the students learn online and the other half learn in person, simultaneously. (Photo: Natalie Wieland). Knowing how rapidly public health conditions can change, William & Mary will continue to move forward in a phased way, using the best information we have and consistent with public health guidelines. At W&M, faculty and staff in partnership with student affairs and with student leaders can build upon the very qualities that set W&M apart. The memories of their smiles, stories, and antics bring me joy in rough times. All university-sponsored travel domestic and international is suspended regardless of fund source. While many employees will return to work on campus on Wednesday, Aug. 5 (pending further EMT guidance on Hurricane Isaias), the university will remain closed to the general public as we phase in operations. The August on-campus move-in dates for the following groups of students are not affected by this adjustment. Duty Offices in Residence Halls will remain closed at this time. We are planning a phased move-in for undergraduate students living in on-campus housing. We are doing so, thanks to the assistance that Student Affairs and the Reves Center are providing, and the hospitality of many campus neighbors. Additional information about testing plans and protocols will be shared later this month. Harmony Science Academy teacher Dehna Richards stood heartbroken in her empty classroom and tearfully looked around. Our goal is to host a grand celebration in May 2021 for the Class of 2020, with all the joy and the cherished traditions that make W&M Commencements special. William & Mary is a resilient community. Each person will schedule a 10-minute slot for their test. Your support for our students, faculty and staff is more important now than ever, as we navigate uncharted territory. Please use this. Thank you for your patience as we continue to work diligently to ensure a safe and successful fall semester. , 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. William & Marys responsibility to steward our resources prudently is understandably at front of mind for all in this community. Our comprehensive testing and case management programs actively seek positive cases on campus so we can prevent them from further circulating in the community, provide individuals needed care and limit the opportunity for spread. We ask students not to return to campus during this period. In some cases, due to student and/or course requirements, exams are proctored. That order responds to national public health projections that COVID-19 cases in VA may peak in late May. Last Friday, a William & Mary faculty member shared her experience of being in the final year of her Ph.D. program in New Orleans in 2005, during Hurricane Katrina. Working as swiftly as they can, they will apply eligible rebates no later than April 10. William & Mary students brought the resourcefulness our university is known for, in navigating the pace of a compressed semester. That was the emotional visual trigger for what we were missing too, she explained. Please talk with your advisor as you consider the options that best suit you. Wherever you decide to give, your contribution, especially right now, will make a tremendous difference. Masks must be worn inside at all times unless you are in a space exclusively occupied by the people in your immediate living unit. "The Lord gives His toughest battles to His strongest soldiers". I believe this and I hope it for each one of you. Our Health & Wellness team is working to create a Virtual Wellness Center that includes a variety of wellness and fitness resources for students to access online. Full or partial remote work at William & Mary will require a telework agreement. This has been a very difficult year for us all. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. All courses will be delivered in a format that provides meaningful interaction between faculty and students and that reflects William & Marys high quality of teaching and learning. Here are three examples: "When I introduce an assignment, I allow students to choose a breakout room. The Exit: Teachers Leave. Removal of any member of our university community is not a decision we take lightly, and following our student conduct procedures provides due process for each individual. In the weeks since the beginning of the pandemic, campus leadership has been engaged in two main efforts emergency management and adaptation adjusting academic, administrative and staff operations to safeguard the health of the community in an ongoing way. School districts and schools should also support the social, emotional, and mental health needs of all staff. We must continue these measures with increased vigilance. Save the number 757-221-IDEA (4332) to your contacts. Fully-embraced, these habits of care and respect will have a direct impact on the trajectory of W&Ms fall semester. So, we asked the teachers in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook to share their messages to students during COVID-19 school closures. Thank you for your support of our testing effort. Copyright 2021. Socially: collaboration accelerates the creation of new knowledge much faster than solo effort. Just days before New Jersey GovernorPhil Murphyannounced schools in the state will remain closed for this academic year, staff from a Bridgewater elementary school virtually banded together to spread an uplifting message to their students. Youre crazy amazing. We have posted programs, videos and articles to enhance your wellness and resilience, including live wellness and fitness programs. It is imperative that you do your part to safeguard everyones health at William & Mary. 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. Testing frequency and population percentage will evolve based on campus trends and available testing methods. These include final papers, individual or collaborative projects, and cumulative exams. I think the biggest part for me is the relationships and being with the students and not being able to interact with them and be there with them through their successes and challenges in the classroom.. With great strength of purpose, William & Mary students and their families, faculty and staff embraced the work of safeguarding our community while ensuring that our learning and research mission remains strong. With students due to return from spring break and reports of presumptive cases in our region, we are taking further steps to ensure we meet these goals. Thank you for being our rock stars, everyday heroes, and for answering this call of duty. We hope this collection of letters helps our students relieve some stress and always remember, "An exam is only an exam. As we continue making decisions with the best information available, adjustments like the ones announced today will be part of the semester. You and your families have been resourceful, understanding and patient partners with our faculty, staff and administrators. Be sure to visit our Virtual Health & Wellness site where you will find an article by Dr. Kelly Crace on Flourishing during Unexpected, Uncertain, and Unwanted Change. Remaining on campus and utilizing university resources while practicing social distancing - remaining 6 to 8 feet from other individuals is preferred. AUSTIN (KXAN) COVID-19 has shuttered many parts of daily life for a lot of people, including what teacher's describe to KXAN as the value of meeting with them in person. -- Ed. Cognitively: studying together speeds and deepens learning in myriad ways. Large student gatherings of any kind both on- and off-campusare not permitted. Please contact deanofstudents@wm.edu for more information and to discuss your options. When she went into her classroom to gather her things for the end of the year, she said it was unrecognizable. Kick a ball around. By diligently adhering to the practices of physical distancing, good hand and personal environment hygiene, appropriate mask wearing, daily monitoring of symptoms as well as testing, quarantine if warranted, and isolation of individuals who test positive for the coronavirus we can significantly reduce the risk of spreading the virus through on-campus activities. This week, the General Assembly reconvened to finalize legislation passed this year, including the state budget. The ways you grow and learn are unbelievable. More details about each event will follow. Ginger AmblerChair, Commencement CommitteeVice President for Student Affairs. Those who did not make a selection by that date were automatically enrolled in the Gold 19 plan. So the deans, faculty, and staff are empowering each other to explore as many solutions as warranted for each discipline and each students learning situation. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." - Dr. Seuss. Commons is set up as a to-go option only and no self-service. All rights reserved. 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. Year 12 Parent/Teacher Interviews. These appropriate measures aim to slow spread and reduce incidence of COVID-19, which had risen at the end of this month. Wear a high-quality mask if you must be around others at home and in public. By providing as much transparency as possible, I hope to sharpen our focus on what matters most and to ease some of the uncertainty we all feel. Working closely with our local and state health officials, as well as our Virginia university partners, W&M is closely monitoring all guidance related to health and safety practices and protocols. Room and board costs will be adjusted accordingly. While many students are complying with the rules and regulations set forth in our Healthy Together Community Commitment,too many are not. In response, W&M will not shorten the spring academic calendar. AND. As we gather new information, we will continue to use these goals to guide our best judgment.