FWD: Updated Information for Students
Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues -
First, I apologize for troubling you with an email on a rainy Saturday, but this seemed important to share.
Please see the message below, just sent to our students by Amy Finley, Dean of Students.
As you will know, the deans and I had originally chosen Wednesday, April 8th as the date by when students should elect either for course withdrawal without penalty, or opt (or not) for Pass/Fail in some or all of the courses. Back in the Cenozoic era of about a week ago, that seemed a reasonable plan. Since then, however, the landscape has changed and numerous other universities (including Ann Arbor and Flint) have given their students a significantly longer time to process both decisions. I have received numerous thoughtful and cogent messages from our students asking us to reconsider, and the deans and I have done so. The situation was clearly placing additional stress on our already stressed student population, and down the road could potentially have placed them at a competitive disadvantage vis-à-vis those at other institutions.
To that end, please note the new deadlines of Friday, April 17th for the selective drop date and Tuesday, May 5th for the Pass/Fail option.
I am happy to answer questions as I can!
With my best wishes for a calm rest of weekend,
Sue
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Amy Finley <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, Mar 28, 2020 at 3:44 PM
Subject: Updated information for students
Dear Student -
As our campus community continues to work through the impact of the global coronavirus pandemic, it is our priority to keep you as informed as possible. Please read through all of the important information below.
Deadline to request switching courses to Pass/Fail has changed to May 5th!
In response to thoughtful and cogent feedback from UM-Dearborn students, we have pushed this deadline back until after you will have a firm sense of your final grades. In order to switch a course to the Pass/Fail mode, please submit a Pass/Fail Request Form to the Registrar’s Office by 11:59 p.m. EST on Tuesday, May 5. This will give you approximately a week after grades are released to consult with your academic advisors and faculty, and to make your decisions. Please remember you will at that time have the option of changing some or all of your courses from a letter grade to the Pass/Fail option (if you wish, you can retain the letter grade). If you have any additional questions, please consult the “Course Options Pertinent to the Winter 2020 Semester” webpage. Additional information will be available soon for graduate students in CECS who are enrolled in Rackham graduate programs.
Extension of the selective drop deadline until April 17th!
We are also extending the date for students to withdraw from courses without any penalty or repercussions to 11:59 p.m. EST Friday, April 17th (our last day of classes). This parallels the set deadline on the Ann Arbor campus (in other ways, and for good and explainable reasons, we are following different practices than Ann Arbor, as is the Flint campus).
Access to internet available now in Fairlane Center parking lot
As access to the internet is essential for completing remote learning, the university is providing students, faculty and staff, who have no other options for access, the ability to connect to wi-fi from inside their cars in the Fairlane Center parking lot. This map demonstrates where wi-fi will be available, in a lot normally reserved for faculty and staff. Access to the Fairlane Center buildings will not be available. This service will only be available to members of the campus community and will require network log-in. Users must contact the Department of Police and Public Safety, at 313-593-5333, both before entering the lot and when exiting the lot. All local and state orders and the practice of social distancing must be adhered to while using this service.
Enroll for Student Health Insurance NOW
Having health insurance is important, especially during the COVID-19 outbreak. U-M has worked with Blue Care Network, the carrier for our student health insurance plan, to re-open enrollment for students in need. The coverage period is March 23 - August 23, 2020, for a total cost of $713 for an individual student. The final day to enroll is April 6, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Visit the website for more information.
Stay connected and healthy
There are plenty of opportunities for you to stay connected virtually with our community! Whether you’re interested in mindfulness sessions or relaxation hours, joining a transfer student focus group, want to share some virtual coffee with peers, or participate in mock interviews - there’s still so much you can get involved in! For the full schedule, please go to the Victors Link calendar. And, if you haven’t checked out the Office of Student Life Facebook Page, do so today! There’s tips for thriving during this time, fun interactive opportunities, and much more coming soon - make it a point to stop by everyday to find out what’s new.
As our community continues to navigate this unprecedented territory, we maintain our firm commitment to support you on your path to graduation. The programs, services and resources above are just a snapshot of what is available. Do not hesitate to reach out to us if you have additional questions or need support. Your success, health and happiness are our number one priorities.
Go Blue - Go Dearborn!
Amy Finley, Ph.D., Dean of Students
Melissa Stone, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management
Sue Alcock, Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs