June 2 - Cancellation of Fall 2020 Study Abroad
This is an archived message. Please check the most recent updates to ensure you have the most current information.
Released: June 2, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. PDT
Dear Whitman Community,
I am writing to inform the Whitman community that the college has made the difficult decision to withdraw approval for all Fall 2020 study abroad students due to ongoing health and safety issues as well as travel restrictions related to the pandemic. All students who had been accepted to Fall 2020 programs outside the United States were notified yesterday. As you can imagine, this was not an easy decision, as supporting students' global learning opportunities is the core of our mission in Off-Campus Studies and a vital part of an undergraduate education today more than ever. We fervently hope that all our fall students will be able to study abroad at a later date and we will do our best to support them in doing so, if health and safety conditions improve.
Fortunately, all Fall 2020 OCS students have already registered for Fall 2020 courses on campus at Whitman, so they can continue their studies here next semester. For students who would like to defer study abroad to the spring 2021 semester, Off-Campus Studies is encouraging them to consult with their major adviser about whether studying away in spring 2021 (or perhaps even in their senior year) would work with their academic schedule. The Off-Campus Studies staff will be working with students individually to make this transition as smooth as possible.
I know how challenging these times are for us all and wish to thank you so very much for the support you have given our off-campus studies students in the past and for your ongoing guidance to them. OCS is very grateful for your collaboration.
Susan Holme
I am writing to inform the Whitman community that the college has made the difficult decision to withdraw approval for all Fall 2020 study abroad students due to ongoing health and safety issues as well as travel restrictions related to the pandemic. All students who had been accepted to Fall 2020 programs outside the United States were notified yesterday. As you can imagine, this was not an easy decision, as supporting students' global learning opportunities is the core of our mission in Off-Campus Studies and a vital part of an undergraduate education today more than ever. We fervently hope that all our fall students will be able to study abroad at a later date and we will do our best to support them in doing so, if health and safety conditions improve.
Fortunately, all Fall 2020 OCS students have already registered for Fall 2020 courses on campus at Whitman, so they can continue their studies here next semester. For students who would like to defer study abroad to the spring 2021 semester, Off-Campus Studies is encouraging them to consult with their major adviser about whether studying away in spring 2021 (or perhaps even in their senior year) would work with their academic schedule. The Off-Campus Studies staff will be working with students individually to make this transition as smooth as possible.
I know how challenging these times are for us all and wish to thank you so very much for the support you have given our off-campus studies students in the past and for your ongoing guidance to them. OCS is very grateful for your collaboration.
Susan Holme
Director, Off-Campus Studies