From the Dean: Convocation and returning to campus

Dear MFE COE Community,

As we wrap up spring semester, I want to thank you for your extraordinary efforts this semester and offer updates on what we know at this time for summer and fall.

I am incredibly grateful for and proud of the work you have accomplished this semester to ensure that our students can continue to learn, that our graduate students can continue to hold assistantships, that we continue to provide excellent service to clients and engage in robust research activities, and that business activities continued uninterrupted. I know that many of you have done this work while simultaneously caring for family members, operating out of a home office lacking some of the amenities you have at work, battling unstable internet access, and working without being in the physical presence of colleagues in the MFE COE community, among other challenges. But like Mary Frances Early, you have all persevered and unselfishly given it your best. And we will award degrees to 472 undergraduates and 364 graduate students on Friday, celebrating them with a video on Thursday in place of the College’s convocation. Our traditional College convocation ceremonies will be held in October and December, conditions permitting.

As you know, the plan for summer is that all classes will be fully online (with a few exceptions for required hours of clinical practice). The University is developing plans for employees to gradually return to campus over the summer as it is safe to do so and for those individuals for whom it is safe to do so. Reopening research labs is a priority in this process. As soon as we have details about which offices will be staffed and when, we will provide updates.

As President Morehead indicated in his message, the University is planning for a full in-person reopening for fall semester—assuming public health conditions permit. As noted in the President’s message, there are nine working groups examining the many issues that need to be considered before campus can fully reopen. Some plans for reopening will be directed by the University System of Georgia and will apply to all 26 system campuses while others will be determined at UGA; we are awaiting a delineation of which decisions will be made where. All groups are also considering contingency plans should public health recommendations dictate something less than a full reopening of campus. And all plans (including a full reopening) include options for students, staff, and faculty members from vulnerable populations who may not be able to come to campus due to their own health, the health of a family member, or financial challenges.

There are many uncertainties that affect our ability to plan for the days, weeks, and months ahead, and I know that is frustrating, particularly for those who must also make plans for other family members, those for whom finances are a worry, and those with telecommunications challenges. As soon as I have additional information on the University’s plans for the future, I will share it, but please know that most announcements will come from President Morehead or Chancellor Wrigley so that everyone on campus gets the same message at the same time.

I will end where I began—by thanking you for continuing to support our students and one another during this extraordinarily challenging and uncertain time. I am grateful to be part of such an inclusive, talented, generous, committed, and thoughtful community in the Mary Frances Early College of Education.

Be well,
Denise A. Spangler
Dean