Dear Students,
It is an exciting weekend at Wellesley! Spring (and a revisit of winter, UGH!) has arrived and so has an abundance of programs, activism and heavy academics.
Programs: The “Renewing Democracy: Women Leading the Way event tomorrow is a unique opportunity for our campus to hear from distinguished scholars, thought leaders, and changemakers from around the world. While there has been much attention to its namesake, Hillary Clinton, there are also many other speakers, including Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Nobel Peace Prize recipients Leymah Gbowee and Maria Ressa, among others. I hope that all who have registered for the in-person summit are able to appreciate the entire event. If you registered for virtual viewing, please invite friends to watch with you so that you can discuss the ideas and participate in the interactive components. Learn more about the speakers and panels and take the Quizlet.
Activism: I am also aware that some of our students are planning activism during the events. I encourage all who participate in activism to follow the demonstration policy and be mindful of our Code of Student Conduct so that you remain safe for yourself, and for our community. Signs inside the event will be limited to 8.5×11 and must be paper only. Anyone who violates the code of student conduct, including the demonstration policy, with behaviors (such as heckling or shouting or other disruptive noises, blocking others view and other safety matters) will be required to leave and will receive honor code charges. I hope and expect that this will not happen. Let’s make this a positive event for all.
Academics: Best of luck for seniors turning in theses on Monday and those who are preparing for the Ruhlman Conference on Thursday!
Eclipse Safety: A solar eclipse will happen in the skies above Wellesley on the afternoon of Monday, April 8, 2024. Wellesley will only experience a partial solar eclipse which will begin at about 2:16pm; the maximum partial eclipse will be about 3:29pm, and the partial phase of the eclipse will end at about 4:39pm. Eclipse glasses and other eclipse viewers will be available at the Observatory during the scheduled event in addition to safe telescope viewing.
Here is some advice from Dr. Schwartz about safety during the eclipse:
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Do not look directly at the sun – even for a second! This can cause severe eye damage or even permanent blindness.
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View the eclipse only through safe solar viewing glasses (eclipse glasses).
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Make sure your eclipse glasses are not torn, scratched, or otherwise damaged.
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Eclipse glasses should be <3 years old.
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Beware of counterfeit glasses–get your eclipse glasses from reputable suppliers and ensure they meet ISO 12312-2 safety certification.
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Do not use regular sunglasses.
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Do not look at the sun through regular binoculars, camera lenses, or telescopes (even with eclipse glasses on). These devices need to have special filters in order to be safe.
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Do not try to take a selfie with the partially eclipsed sun over your shoulder–the UV radiation can reflect off the screen and damage your eyes!
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Wear sunscreen to prevent skin damage, especially if standing outside for a long time.
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Have fun!
Class Council elections! All students in the classes of 2025-2027 and Davis Scholars are invited to run for election to their Class Council Executive Board for the following positions: president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer. This election will be held on April 17th. The Class Council Executive Board provides leadership and plans programs that bring the class together and promote strong community connections. Statements of Intent must be submitted via WEngage by April 10th at 9am. More information and a Statement of Intent form was shared in an email with each class sent by Amanda Kaufman on April 2. We encourage you to run for an officer position to provide leadership and targeting programming for your class.
Title VI training required for all students. Last week you received a link to a video on Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This is to ensure the College meets its legal obligation under Title VI and our policy to provide a safe and welcoming educational environment for every student. All students must understand our responsibilities as members of the Wellesley community. To that end, the College is requiring all students to view a 25-minute video by April 22. To view the video you will need to be signed in to your Wellesley Zoom account. (Before you click on the link, be sure you’re signed in to your Wellesley Zoom account by going to MyWellesley and selecting the Zoom icon at the top right in the blue banner.) Please note that sophomores, juniors, and first-years who plan to live on campus next fall must view the video before April 22 in order to be eligible for room selection. (BTW, this does not mean that you will not receive housing, but you will not be able to participate in room selection at your desired time.) Incoming first year students will be required to complete this training as part of their checklist.
Finally, I have heard from students that there is great concern regarding our financially independent students and summer housing. There are many reasons that students are defined as financially independent. Please be aware that we will work with financially independent students as we always have to ensure that they have a housing plan for the summer. Most students make plans for summer programs and summer employment both on and off campus, and those who need help should contact their community director. I regret that this change was communicated so late. We will work on better communication of all policies impacting students. With this and any other policy at the College, please remember that we are here to support you and your education, and our door is always open to discuss your concerns.
Have a thoughtful, engaged, and enlightening weekend!
Sheilah Shaw Horton
Vice President and Dean of Students
