[UA] Urgent updates on MIT’s response to COVID-19

[Charlotte Minsky]

Dear undergraduates,

We are writing to address the recent MIT Advisory message
<http://emergency.mit.net/> that you received regarding the new move-out
date of Sunday night. We know there are many important and pressing
questions and we do not have all the answers to them right now. However, we
will address everything we can at this moment and will continue to
communicate with the MIT administration to get you the information you
need. Please feel free to continue using this form
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexoBPNDMAO82rdIa-Gdg7Dbt_zfiTeSaKELwAOiRB8EEBVXg/viewform?usp=sf_link&urp=gmail_link>
to send us any questions that you have.

Why was this decision made?

This decision was motivated by growing concerns over the last two days
about the situation globally and in Boston, including the rapid increase in
cases in Massachusetts, the shutdown of local schools, and travel
restrictions being swiftly implemented across the world and throughout the
country. Broadly speaking, these decisions are being made with guidance
from public health officials who recommend us to employ a variety of
strategies, including flattening the epidemic curve
<https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/11/science/coronavirus-curve-mitigation-infection.html>,
to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19. We will try to have more information
for you about this in the near future. This decision was not due to a
single event, issue, or case. We have no further information about the
status of travel out of or into Boston in the coming days.


Why was this message sent out as an MIT advisory?

As you may have noticed, emails from President Reif and other
administrators to the entire community are sent out in waves due to network
constraints. Sending out the email and text message as an MIT Advisory
ensured that all community members received this message instantaneously.


What is the status of exceptions to this policy in light of this change?

Students should continue to apply for exceptions from the move-out policy
<https://mit.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_37pzxw9wClZS4Zf> if they believe
they are eligible, including students newly affected by this change. You do
not need to submit another exemption form if you have already done so. All
students will receive an answer by the end of the day tomorrow. We are
soliciting further information about what any students who find themselves
stuck in Boston due to any impending travel restrictions but do not have
exceptions should do.


Is there any more information regarding storage assistance?

Please check here
<https://studentlife.mit.edu/housing/undergraduate-housing/moving-out/travel-and-storage-support-options-march-2020>
for information about free storage. We do not have additional information
beyond this at this time. Some details will vary depending on residence
halls.


What is the academic policy of MIT going to be?

The COVID-19 situation is constantly evolving and faculty are working
around the clock to avoid placing additional stress on students. The Chair
of the Faculty has provided us the following information today about
grading and regulations for the remainder of the semester:


As you know, the Faculty Officers and members of the Covid-19 Academic
Continuity Working Group have been working since Monday to develop
“Emergency Academic Regulations” as required in view of the “Significant
Disruption” of the spring semester that has been declared.  The regulations
were finalized at meetings today and we expect to send out details by the
end of the day tomorrow (Friday) ... Here is an excerpt from the final
version of the regulations:


In view of the global pandemic, its effect on our students, faculty, and
all the members of our community who support our educational program, and
after extensive consultation and deliberation, it has been decided that
“Alternate Grades” (PE, NE, and IE) as defined in Section 2.64 of Rules and
Regulations <https://facultygovernance.mit.edu/rules-and-regulations> of
the Faculty must be used for all undergraduate and graduate full-term and
Quarter 4 subjects this semester.  For Quarter 3 subjects, Instructors will
decide whether to use letter or alternate grades.  Full details will be
provided tomorrow.


Please continue to reach out and ask questions in this form
<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSexoBPNDMAO82rdIa-Gdg7Dbt_zfiTeSaKELwAOiRB8EEBVXg/viewform?usp=sf_link&urp=gmail_link>.
We will do our best to get them answered in a timely manner.


Best,

Charlotte Minsky

UA Vice President

on behalf of UA Officers


---


Charlotte Minsky

Pronouns: she/her(s)

cminsky at mit.edu
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