Associate Dean's Message - August 23, 2021

It is hard to believe that, based on the academic calendar, summer is almost over and the start of the new academic year only two weeks away. Hopefully, other than today’s hurricane in Boston, weather-wise the summer will continue and we will have many more weeks of warm weather and sunshine!

Unfortunately, we are starting the new year with similar uncertainties as last year. While some of the conditions have changed, such as lab density and vaccines, the Delta variant has led to a variety of new and ever-changing university, local and statewide guidelines. I understand and appreciate the stress that these conditions have created for students, faculty and staff. We will do everything possible to ease the stress through clear communication. All GSBS staff will be working in the office a few days each week. Feel free to reach out to us if you would like to meet in person (masked, of course!). An e-mail will go out shortly discussing our guidelines for classes and activities for the Fall semester. In the meantime, if you have any issues that need to be addressed, please let me know.

On a more positive note, we are in final planning stages to welcome our new first year students to Boston and Bar Harbor. Orientation will be held on September 2 and all Boston-based students, faculty, and staff will be invited to an ice cream social at the end of the day. JAX will also hold a reception in Bar Harbor. We are excited to hold orientation in person and to welcome these students who, until now, have only dealt with us virtually.  

Dan Volchok, Associate Dean