Welcome to an exciting and challenging new year at William & Mary! Although the unanticipated challenges of the pandemic are still a concern, fall classes are in full swing, and the 2020-2021 academic year has begun!
We are Mary and Frank Bradley P ’23 from Houston, TX, and we are excited to serve this year as your Class of 2023 Representatives. To all of our in-state, out-of-state, and international families: we look forward to staying in touch with you through this monthly newsletter and sharing useful tips and information about upcoming programs.
As our students begin their semester at William & Mary, please stay connected with Parent & Family Programs through their website, social media, and email. As parents, our engaged and supportive presence in the W&M community helps students flourish!
We hope to see you all on computer, tablets, or phones for Family Weekend, September 25-27. COVID-19 is providing both challenges and opportunities, and we will do our best to answer any questions and concerns. Please do not hesitate to reach out at pfcleadership@wm.edu! |
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COVID-19 Dashboard: William & Mary's dashboard provides available public data on regional, local and campus trends regarding COVID-19 testing, results and cases.
Healthy Together Checklist: See quickly what you need to do as an employee or student for the fall semester on the healthy together checklist.
Report Feeling Ill: If you're a student, faculty or staff member feeling sick and suspecting you've contracted COVID-19, please visit our resource page for instructions on seeking care during and after normal business hours.
Report a Positive Test Result: If you are a student, faculty or staff member and have received a positive COVID-19 test result, please visit ReportCOVID.wm.edu to initiate case management that will protect your privacy.
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Community Conversation 09/02 |
On Wednesday, September 2, our Community Conversation focused on how the fall semester will be different and new opportunities offered by the university that enrich the student experience. Participants also addressed social justice issues and the steps William & Mary is taking to keep our community safe and well.
Participants included:
- W&M Police Chief Deb Cheesebro
- Assistant Director for Health Promotion T. Davis
- Student Assembly President Anthony "AJ" Joseph
- Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement & Leadership Drew Stelljes
- Dean of Students Marjorie Thomas
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As the university has had to de-densify campus in the wake of COVID-19, outdoor spaces such as the Sunken Garden and Martha Wren Briggs Amphitheatre are being adapted to serve as instructional space and areas for student activities.
A team from the Parks Research Lab, in collaboration with the CGA, recently released a beta version of the William & Mary Campus Greenspace Map, which is available online and through W&M mobile app’s Healthy Together module.
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Despite masks and distancing, students can still find plenty of fun on and off campus |
While success in the classroom is a top priority, campus life is an integral part of the college experience. Going to football games or club meetings, attending parties, making new friends … all vital to the college experience.
In the midst of a pandemic, the fall sports season at William & Mary has been postponed, and large gatherings violate campus health protocols. Face coverings are mandatory in public spaces, and six feet of separation has become social etiquette.
That doesn’t mean fun activities must be thrown out the window.
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Amid financial concerns, W&M to discontinue seven sports following the 2020-21 academic year |
In what it termed a "wrenching decision" that will impact 118 student-athletes and 13 coaches, William & Mary on Thursday announced the discontinuation of seven varsity sports after the 2020-21 academic year comes to an end.
Men's and women's gymnastics, men's and women's swimming, men's indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball will be allowed to compete one more season provided the university deems it safe within parameters of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Fraternity/Sorority Joining Processes are Underway |
The start of the fall semester means that fraternities and sororities are in the midst of their joining process. We encourage parents and families to be informed consumers if their student is interested in joining. There are three resources available to review on the Fraternity & Sorority Life website;
- You can find details about each joining process,
- The organizations that have been suspended are listed on our website, and
- A link to the student organization discipline history available through the Dean of Students Office is on our homepage.
We hope these resources are helpful to you!
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Cohen Career Center: Fall 2020 Advising Options |
Cohen Career Center offers three options for career advising this semester:
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One-on-one virtual advising (phone or Zoom). Students can schedule in TribeCareers (plentiful)
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Scheduled in-person advising. Students can schedule here. Appointments are limited. In-person Advising Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkDXqAZDFO0
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Virtual quick advising. No appointment needed. (Monday-Thursday, 2:00-4:00, link will be posted in TribeCareers soon)
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How to Host an Extern Over Winter Break |
Each Winter Break, the Cohen Career Center, in partnership with The Parent & Family Council, engaged alumni, and other employers, facilitates an externship program for William & Mary students.
An externship is a brief (1-2 day) job shadowing opportunity that gives students an opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of the fields they are considering and strengthen their professional networks. For the safety of everyone involved, we are strongly encouraging virtual hosting whenever it is feasible for the 2020-2021 externship program. Please fill out the form below if you’re interested in hosting, and we’ll be in touch with more information.
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Family Weekend 2020
September 25-27
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You are invited to join us virtually for Family Weekend 2020! Although we won't be gathering in person, we are excited to showcase the William & Mary community to you in new and innovative ways. Learn about world-class faculty and their work both in and out of the classroom, experience special performances from one of many talented student groups, and connect with families from across the nation.
Events to look forward to:
- Family Weekend Kickoff
- Featured Faculty Lectures
- Beers & Cheers with Virginia Beer Company
- Lantern Tours of Historic Campus
- William & Mary SINGS!
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Williamsburg Engagement (WE) connects W&M students with local nonprofit agencies in sustained weekly community engagement projects. WE groups work with a nonprofit for a semester, focusing on a specific social issue, reflecting on the issue and their experience, and growing together as active citizens.
For the Fall Semester of 2020 we are supporting agencies such as The House of Mercy and The Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Programs start the Week of Sept. 14 and all service projects will be outside.
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Study in DC Applications Now Open! |
Is your student interested in taking class or working in Washington, D.C.? Applications for the D.C. Semester Program, D.C. Winter Seminars (hybrid for 2021), and D.C. Summer Institutes are now open! All majors and interests are welcome.
Students can also learn more about Study in D.C. at during Study in D.C. Week starting September 8. More details can be found at www.wm.edu/dccenter/dcweek.
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Questions to Ask Your Student if They Are Joining a New Group |
One of the hallmarks of the W&M student experience is the opportunity to be involved in campus life - even in these pandemic times. Joining a team, club, or group will help to create some of your student's most meaningful experiences and our 475 Recognized Student Organizations are actively recruiting right now.
Joining a new group should never put someone in harm`s way. Student Leadership Development and the Hazing Prevention Coalition share "questions to consider" as students look to join new groups on campus.
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Gifts to the Parents Fund help William & Mary’s Office of First Year Experience (FYE) welcome freshman and transfer students. FYE supports new students beyond orientation throughout their transition to college life and into their second year.
This year, Student Meet-ups around identity and/or campus location have been extremely popular as students seek connection between on- and off-campus/remote peers. With our phased move-in plan, the absence of upper class students and organizations on campus could have left a gap in activities around the university, but FYE and its peppy crew of Orientation Aides stepped in. With funding provided through the Parents Fund, during students’ first full weekend on campus, FYE planned such safe activities as an arts afternoon in the style of Bob Ross, trips into Colonial Williamsburg for students to pick-up their Collegiate Passes, and evening Ghost Tours to help students build strong connections to one another.
Your generosity has a direct impact on our students, and we are grateful to you for your support! We invite you to support the Parents Fund this fiscal year. Our goal is to raise $1 million to strengthen our student experience and student success initiatives. Every dollar makes a difference: last year, gifts of $250 or less totaled more than $3 million! We appreciate your generous support of our students through the Parents Fund.
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P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795
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