Thank you video to A&S undergraduate students transcript

March 19, 2020 by A&S News

Hello Arts & Science students, I'm Dean Woodin.

What a week this has been. Just seven days ago, you were in class and I was still in my Sid Smith office. But here we are, adapting to new studying and work routines and you're making the best of it, and I'm proud of you for that. 

I'm fond of finding silver linings and one of those over the last week is how much we've connected via email and social media. I wish we'd formed those relationships before this crisis emerged and in person, but I'm glad that we've made these relationships now.

I want to tell you how impactful the emails and messages are that you've been sending me. I spend my early mornings reading those messages as I sip my coffee and I reflect on where you're coming from and those comments, suggestions and recommendations that you make to me, meaningfully impact the decisions that I make throughout the day. So thank you for your kind and thoughtful messages. 

I also realize that this last week has been incredibly challenging for many of you. As you move out of residence, some of you travel internationally, and you all learn to learn online and often you're learning online from instructors that are learning to teach online. But again, we're all making the best of a difficult situation.

With just a few weeks left in the term, I urge you to focus where and when you can on your remaining studies. I know it's difficult to do with the stress and anxieties of the current situation, so please follow the resources that I've been sending you in the daily emails and reach out for help and support where and when you need it. And best of luck to you over the weekend as you continue those studies.

I'd also like to end my message by wishing those of you celebrating the Persian new year, a happy holiday. And to the rest of you, a wonderful first day of Spring, even though you may not be celebrating it in the way you intended.

Take care of yourself and those around you. I'm signing off for the weekend, and I'll be in touch again on Monday.

Bye for now,

Melanie A. Woodin
Dean, Faculty of Arts & Science
University of Toronto

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