Associate Dean's Message - July 12, 2021

Though it certainly hasn’t felt like it, we are in the middle of the summer. I hope students are able to take some time off, especially if you haven’t been able to see your family since before the start of the pandemic. A little mental health time is always a good thing. If you do travel, please consult this travel document for details on returning from travel. One negative test is required to return to campus and a second negative test a few days later. If you will be away for more than one week, please let me know so I can temporarily take you out of the testing protocol.

As you know, we have returned to full occupancy in labs and plan on returning to in-person classes starting in September. Those classes with students in Bar Harbor or other locations will also have a Zoom component as in the past. While most GSBS staff have been working remotely, a few have been coming in as needed. We will be moving to hybrid in-person/remote work schedules in August. Everyone - students, faculty and staff - will need to follow university guidelines regarding mask and testing requirements. If requirements change, you will be notified.

I am excited that we are able to hold in-person events. We had our first in-person thesis defense at the end of June and the GSC is planning for in-person Relays on July 30. We are also planning for an in-person orientation day for our new students on September 2. More details to come soon.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable summer and I can’t wait to see more students in person. 

Dan Volchok, Associate Dean