Dear Global Studies students,

We're in a brave new world now, have confidence in your strength and resilience to get through it. With the move to online instruction and campus closures the following changes will be in effect for our office. We will continue to update as things evolve so continue to look for emails from us.

• Walk-in advising is cancelled for the interim since we can't guarantee that anyone will be the office from day to day. Appointments only for now. Some of us are planning to be on campus at least a few days each week starting after break, but that is all tentative for now given the fluidity of the situation. Virtual and phone appointments are available as well. We will continue to keep you posted as things evolve.
• Individual instructors will be in touch as to the details of online classes. Be patient as everyone gets acclimated to the new environment online, including yourself. Communicate concerns with your instructors as they come up, we're all learning this together on the fly.
• If your study abroad program has been cancelled, be aware that completing the remainder of the semester online with your host institution will be honored as completion of your study abroad requirement provided that you have 12 hours of credit. Even if you complete it from home.
• Major plans are due this semester for Sophomores. We'll reach out with more details on that separately, including the due date, and it can be done via email with the form posted on our website. It's a good time for everyone to review DARS and your major plan and make any adjustments with us.
• If you have concerns about technology or internet access at home, we would reiterate the message from campus encouraging you to consider coming back to campus after the break. Residence and dining halls will remain open (as of this moment). It would likely be better to use the campus resources than spend class times in a public space with good WiFi, at any rate.
• Finally, be smart and be safe. Monitor the situation and follow the guidelines from actual health professionals, not internet memes. The interwebs are entertaining but do not offer much smart guidance for this situation. Be considerate and look out for each other. Just like hot sauce, something mild to you might be too much for someone else to handle. Be smart. We'll get through this if we act sensibly.
• If you need to contact the office, please use the following:  e-mail at globalstudies@illinois.edu or call 217-333-0178. If someone doesn't answer, please leave a message and we'll get back to you.  Some of us will be working from home and it might take a few minutes to return your call.

Dr. Tim Wedig

LAS Global Studies Associate Director