New SOE Graduate Students
June 23, 2020
Subject: Fall update for School of Engineering graduate students
Dear Graduate Students,
Earlier today you received a message from President Monaco about Tufts University’s plans for opening our campuses for the Fall 2020 semester. I am following up with important information regarding the School of Engineering graduate programs.
As Dean of the School of Engineering’s (SOE) graduate programs, I look forward to welcoming you to Tufts in the fall. While our commitment to academic excellence and creating transformative experiences for students remains steadfast, on-campus life will, by necessity, be different in the wake of the novel coronavirus. With the importance of the health, safety, and well-being of the Tufts community guiding our return to campus, we have developed an approach that will enable us to take steps – together – to return to campus while managing the risk of COVID-19 transmission at Tufts.
We ask that you please read the Fall 2020 Campus Guide for Students. The guide provides full information on campus procedures, academic life, and more. All students and employees studying and working on Tufts campuses will be required to follow safety protocols, take required measures for personal health and safety (e.g. wearing face coverings, practicing hand hygiene, etc.), and practice social distancing. SOE is currently working on plans to develop centralized procedures for these efforts and will be distributing materials to promote personal health and safety such as masks and hand sanitizer, among other measures.
Academics
The campus will re-open for the Fall 2020 semester as scheduled, with SOE classes starting on September 8. We will follow the scheduled academic calendar.
For those unable to return to campus, it is our goal to offer all SOE graduate courses virtually, including those courses held in person on campus, with few exceptions. Virtual learning may be available either synchronously – live, with students all participating at the same time – or asynchronously. You will be able to register for classes on SIS and get course updates on your department website.
Orientation and matriculation
My office will provide information soon regarding plans for new graduate student orientation and for Tufts’ graduate student matriculation ceremony. We are looking forward to welcoming you to the Jumbo community and celebrating your arrival.
Research and teaching
Over the summer, the Office of the Vice Provost for Research (OVPR) and the Schools have planned a phased ramp up of research activity on the Tufts campuses. Our guiding principles continue to be the health and safety of our communities. If you are joining a laboratory, please contact your department to learn the specific Standard Operating Procedures for your lab.
Return to campus
In the wake of the new challenges raised by the pandemic, we know that some students may not be able to travel to campus in the fall, and that international students in particular find themselves facing many questions. International students can contact the university’s International Center for assistance with questions regarding visas and travel.
We are excited to have you join us on campus this fall. If for some reason that is not possible for you at this time, we can provide options, such as taking classes remotely, until such time as you can join the School of Engineering on campus. All School of Engineering graduate students must fill out this form by June 30.
For more information, visit go.tufts.edu/coronavirus to read answers to frequently asked questions and review the Fall 2020 Campus Guide for Students. If you have questions about SIS, registration, billing, or visas, please contact gradserve@tufts.edu. For questions related to programs, email my office at enggradstudies@tufts.edu.
As the summer moves forward, you will receive additional communications from your department chair and my office. This will provide further information about connecting with your academic advisor to assist you in course registration and about the schedules for matriculation and orientation.
I am pleased to welcome you to campus, and although this is a challenging moment in history, we are confident that the plans and procedures we have put into place will provide for an enriching experience and enjoying being a member of our vibrant community.
Sincerely,
Karen A. Panetta
Dean of Graduate Education, Tufts School of Engineering
Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering