Dear Students:
I hope that all of you and your families are well and coping as well as possible under these difficult circumstances. I continue to draw inspiration from the way you have adapted to a rapidly changing and uncertain environment in order to continue your studies. As I have shared with you on multiple occasions, your health is my top priority, and I will continue to do all I can to ensure your well-being.
Summer Classes Offered Remotely. With your welfare in mind, I have decided, in consultation with faculty and administrative leadership, to continue remote instruction and learning for all summer sessions. Many summer course offerings were previously scheduled to be online, and they will proceed as planned. All in-person and hybrid courses will move to the online format exclusively. As part of our commitment to your continued academic progress, we will hold tuition to the Summer 2019 rates, including the 15 percent discount we have traditionally offered for undergraduate summer courses. Graduate students who were eligible for a graduate scholarship this past academic year will again be able to apply their scholarship to summer courses, provided they complete six credits over the five summer sessions. Additionally, in acknowledgement of the ongoing crisis presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Faculty Council has passed a resolution to extend the flexible grading policy through the Summer 2020 sessions.
I realize this is disappointing for many of you who had hoped to be back on campus together this summer, but making this decision now helps to eliminate some of the uncertainty in the planning process, while prioritizing the safety of our community. If the public health guidance changes, providing an opportunity to add some in-person courses later this summer, academic departments will be able to consider those additions. Please check the summer schedule for updates.
As we continue to navigate and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, I am committed to marshaling the University’s people, processes, and resources to support our students. We will continue to provide regular updates to all of you via email, podcast, and social media. You can find links to these communications and essential resources, including academic and advising support, counseling and psychological services, and the President’s Relief Fund on our COVID-19 web page.
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to reach out to me directly at president@monmouth.edu. I hope that you and your families are well and continue to stay safe and healthy.
Dr. Patrick Leahy
President