Dear Students:
Thank you for participating in Monday’s discussion about the recent tragedies, your personal experiences and our community’s role; we encourage you to attend the School Listening Event in the cafeteria, tomorrow, Friday, December 12 at 12:30 to continue this important conversation.
We understand that many of you are struggling with the challenge of focusing on academic obligations given the timing of these events. Being mindful that we are in an examination period and want to offer support, we want to share the following:
• The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) and Office for Student Affairs (OSA) staff are available to meet individually with students in a safe, supportive, and confidential environment;
ODI is located at 35 Wigglesworth St., just across the street from the School, contact Dale Trevino dtrevino@hsph.harvard.edu 617-384-5411 OSA is in Kresge 604, contact Amy Wooldridge awooldri@hsph.harvard.edu 617-432-1542
• If you are experiencing emotional or mental distress and would like to speak with someone urgently, please contact the University Health Services Center at 617-495-5711.
Urgent care services are available 24 hours a day to students in times of crisis. Counseling and Mental Health Services also reserves appointments each weekday to accommodate urgent concerns that arise during regular business hours. Whenever possible, students are encouraged to call ahead to obtain advice from their mental health provider. Students seeking advice for non-urgent concerns should contact their provider during regular business hours.
UHS Medical Area Clinic is at 275 Longwood Avenue. Information and Appointments can be made at 617-432-1370. Or here.
• The Harvard Chaplains http://chaplains.harvard.edu provide counseling and general support. They help all students regardless of whether or not one has a religious/spiritual affiliation.
• The ACLU has important and relevant information for people actively involved in the many protests happening at Harvard and in the wider community.
Please take a moment to review their information https://www.aclu.org/free-speech/know-your-rights-demonstrations-and-protests
We also encourage you to come to the OSA office to meet with Amy Wooldridge or Leah Kane to discuss ways we can support your specific needs during the exam period.
Please note Harvard Chan School guidelines on absence from examinations:
Grade of Absence from Examination
A student who cannot attend a regularly scheduled examination must request permission for an alternate examination from the instructor in advance of the examination. At the discretion of the instructor, and in the case of significant medical or personal reasons, an alternate examination may be permitted. Ordinarily, the instructor will consult with the director for student affairs concerning medical and personal problems. An excuse for absence from an examination and permission for an alternate examination must be recorded on the Absence from Examination Form from the Registrar’s Office. In the case of an unexcused absence, the instructor will give a grade of “F” for this examination. (CEP 2/89)
In light of recent events, faculty have been informed that the Office of Student Affairs will assist in working with them toward a reasonable accommodation for the completion of course requirements if a student or students do not wish to negotiate these arrangements directly with faculty.
In the months ahead, there will be opportunities at the School to gather and make sense of facts that will enhance understanding, and to think together about how to help bring about such change as we find necessary.
We will be in touch to share information about opportunities for discussion and work especially after the winter break. We sincerely welcome your suggestions and input. Please share your ideas at any time with Leah Kane (leah_kane@harvard.edu) or with Dale Trevino (dtrevino@hsph.harvard.edu).
Please take good care of yourselves and each other during this challenging time and remember that there are many people here at the School to support you.
Best wishes,
David Hunter
Dean for Academic Affairs
Meredith Rosenthal
Associate Dean for Diversity
Stacey Herman
Associate Dean for Student Services
Dale Trevino
Director, Office of Diversity & Inclusion
Leah Kane
Director for Student Affairs