Wesleyan College administrators have been monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and escalation of cases in Georgia, the US, and the world. In order to best protect our campus community, Wesleyan College will continue with remote instruction through the end of the spring semester. We are proud of the way students and faculty have transitioned to remote instruction this week, and we are confident we will continue to preserve the integrity of the excellent academic experiences for which Wesleyan is known.
Everyone has been touched by the pandemic in some way. Our hearts go out to individuals and families who have been affected by this public health crisis: patients, caregivers, health care workers, teachers and students, employers, and employees. As for the Wesleyan community, residence halls remain closed, with minimal exceptions for students with legitimate reasons. The students who have been approved to stay will continue to be approved as needed through the remainder of the semester or May 13, 2020. Wesleyan residential students have received specific instructions regarding when they will be allowed to return to campus to retrieve their belongings and move out of the halls completely. The process has been developed to prioritize health and safety, however will remain flexible for students and families during this transition period. The College is working on a plan to adjust student accounts for unused room and board. Students will receive further information as soon as the plan is finalized.
Unfortunately, this means we must postpone our May commencement ceremony. Hopefully we can reschedule late in the summer. We are also planning to have virtual versions of many of our end-of-semester events. More information will be distributed once plans are confirmed. As we navigate the uncertainty of this global pandemic, counseling services are available via video chat, telephone, text, and email to all students who are feeling anxious, distressed, worried, or lonely.
Members of the Wesleyan administrative team are connecting daily with colleagues around the country through various webinars and listservs addressing the impact of the coronavirus on higher education. Despite the range of predictions, all agree that this public health crisis has changed higher education, possibly forever. Wesleyan has been educating women for more than 180 years: through the Civil War and two world wars; through the cotton panic of 1837, the stock market crash of 1929, and the Great Depression; and through the flu pandemic of 1918. We will find a way through this challenge too.
As a reminder to the Macon community, campus, including the arboretum, Mathews Athletic Center, and Willet Library, remain closed until further notice. All gates are locked and campus police will be stationed at the front entrance to monitor traffic. We apologize to those who enjoy visiting and walking on campus. We will reopen the campus as soon as possible.
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