March 17, 2020
Dear L&S Students,
When I welcomed new students to the College of Letters & Science last September, I said college is a remarkable period of learning and self-discovery, and L&S is committed to supporting all of our students to help you meet your academic and life goals.
Fast forward to now: the circumstances have changed dramatically, but our commitment in L&S remains the same – we will support all of you, to help you meet your academic and life goals. We need to work together – all students, faculty and staff – during this difficult time and, if we do, we’ll achieve the best possible outcome for this semester and, when we look back, be able to truly appreciate our strength and resilience as a community.
I want to assure you that L&S Central Administration, department leaders, and your instructors are working diligently to ensure that you will find the same fundamental quality of education that you are used to at UW-Madison when alternate delivery of classes begins on Monday, March 23.
I want to recognize that while we aim for the same fundamental quality of education, it will be a different experience for you and your instructors. Instructors have been working this week to adapt courses into an alternate delivery format. For some courses this will be a relatively smooth transition; for others, it will be radically different. In all cases, your instructors are employing a variety of strategies to ensure you can continue your coursework and complete the semester successfully from a remote location. You should receive specific information from each of your L&S instructors about the plan for your courses by Friday, March 20.
In general, here are some things that you can expect with courses and some guidance to help you navigate this transition:
- In many cases, online lectures and discussions will be held according to the same schedule as the in-person class. Please plan your schedules with this in mind.
- Your academic work may take more time than usual, as both you and your instructors adjust to doing things in new ways.
- While the format of the course will change, you’ll still be engaging in the same fundamental aspects as when they were delivered in-person—covering course material, engaging with the instructor and other students, and completing assignments, quizzes, homework and other course activities.
- You may need to learn how to use some new technology tools to engage with course materials. There is a learning curve involved with this, so we all have to be patient and flexible.
- There are bound to be some technical issues as you connect with some of the course materials or online lectures. Campus is planning for how to best support your needs.
We are already finding opportunities for new kinds of creativity, challenge and teamwork. We look forward to adding your energetic curiosity back into this mix. All of us in L&S are committed to continuing the semester in these extraordinary circumstances. There may be rough patches, and we’ll do everything in our power to quickly resolve any issues. Let’s dig deep into our Wisconsin spirit and help each other as we go.
Where should you go for help?
Academics
Your academic advisors are available to answer your questions about coursework and academic planning, for this semester and beyond. You should meet with them remotely for the remainder of this semester, not in person. Please use Starfish (or the other method you typically use) to set up an appointment; you will receive specific information on connecting remotely when you schedule your appointment. For questions or concerns regarding academic policies, please consult with an academic dean in the College of Letters & Science by e-mailing lsdeans@saa.ls.wisc.edu for a quick question or to schedule a remote meeting.
Career Advising
For career advising, you may schedule a remote appointment with SuccessWorks; virtual drop-in advising will resume on March 23.
More General Assistance and Resources
For support with mental health concerns, please contact University Health Services; check for updated information here.
If you are facing financial hardship as a result of COVID-19, you will find resources here.
The Dean of Students Office is open via phone, e-mail and web chat to assist students with non-academic concerns. Click here for information.
You will find the most updated answers to many questions at UW’s COVID-19 hub: https://covid19.wisc.edu/. Please check the FAQs for information on such things as: -Specific information for international students -The status of student employment -Facility and library operations
I’ve heard from some of you over the past week. Believe me, we are feeling the stress, anxiety and questions about how all this will work that you are. Back during Welcome Week, I reminded you to ask for help. None of us have been in a situation like this before. We are all worried about some aspect of this pandemic and its effect on ourselves, our families and our community. So even as we are practicing “social distancing” stay in touch with friends and family and don’t hesitate to ask for help.
We are committed to providing you excellent educational opportunities in the next weeks and beyond, and to supporting you with the resources you need to best complete this semester. Priority #1 is the health and well-being of our entire community. Be sure to take care of yourself and those around you.
On, Wisconsin!
Eric M. Wilcots
Interim Dean, College of Letters & Science
Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy