Dear MA students, My sincere apologies for the radio silence for the last couple weeks. So much has changed so quickly, and I think we're all just doing the best we can. (I'm now in kindergarten for like 6 hours a day with my daughter, so it's been a real struggle to get any work done over here...) I'm so sorry if you're waiting on an email response from me--I'll try to tackle my inbox this weekend. Going forward, if you have any questions or need advising, I suggest always *emailing BOTH me and Bill*, so that whichever one of us is able to can reply first. Please read on for some important announcements and updates. CHANGES TO SEMESTER SCHEDULE Most of you know by now about the confusing changes CUNY has made to the semester schedule <https://www.cuny.edu/coronavirus/>. There is now a "*recalibration period*" from today, *Friday, March 27, through Wednesday, April 1*, during which there is supposed to be no instruction (that means your professors can be in touch with you but *no class meetings, coursework, or assignments can be required during this time*). The other major schedule change is that *spring recess has been condensed*, from *Wednesday, April 8 to Friday, April 10*. (For anyone whose religious observation continues into the following week, you always have the right to request religious exemptions.) In practice, each instructor and class will decide for themselves what they're going to do. I've heard that many are opting to stick to what they'd already planned/scheduled. If you haven't yet heard from your professors about how they're going to proceed, I would kindly check in with them via email. If you're currently enrolled in *ENGL 791* and writing your thesis essay, you should also check in with your faculty advisors, if you haven't already, and make plans to meet/discuss your essay virtually, whether by email, text chat, video chat, phone, etc. All oral conferences/exams can also be done virtually. As for *graduation*, we haven't gotten an official announcement yet, but it seems likely that ceremonies will be canceled, postponed, or held virtually. Once I hear, I'll let you know. We don't yet know what will happen with *summer courses*, but it's certainly possible that some may run as online courses and others could be canceled. Again, as soon as I hear anything, I'll update you. WITHDRAWALS + PASS/NO CREDIT OPTION If you need to withdraw from a course, the deadline for *withdrawals (W)* has been extended to *May 14*. W's do not impact your GPA. Also, pending approval by the CUNY Board of Trustees, there will likely be a *new Pass/No Credit (P/NC) policy* for this semester <https://www.cuny.edu/cuny-continuity/cuny-continuity-for-students/#grade-policy>. This means that, up to 20 business days after your Spring 2020 course grades are posted on CUNYfirst, you can choose to convert any letter grades to P/NC. Any P's will count toward your MA degree requirements. I will update you if/when this policy has been approved. (Note that taking too many classes P/NC may impact your financial aid or certain professional licensing requirements. Please talk to your academic advisors and the Financial Aid office before making any changes.) OTHER RESOURCES If you're struggling financially, you can apply for a *Petrie Emergency Grant* or an interest-free emergency loan through QC. For more info, email petriegrant@qc.cuny.edu and read more here <https://www.qc.cuny.edu/StudentLife/services/Pages/Emergency-Grant.aspx>. If you don’t have *internet access* at home, Charter/Spectrum is offering free broadband and wifi for 60 days to households with students <https://corporate.charter.com/newsroom/charter-to-offer-free-access-to-spectrum-broadband-and-wifi-for-60-days-for-new-K12-and-college-student-households-and-more>. To sign up, call 844-488-8395. If you don't have *computer access* at home, please let us know and we'll help you borrow a laptop from campus. ----- We're here to support you as best we can, so please email both me and Bill anytime. We ask that you please be patient with us, your professors, and yourselves during these unprecedented and difficult times. And of course, most importantly, please take care and stay safe and healthy. Best, Caroline -- Caroline Kyungah Hong, PhD Associate Professor of English Director of Graduate Studies (English MA) Queens College, CUNY Klapper Hall 604 caroline.hong@qc.cuny.edu* *she/her/hers* ** Please note that I am off email on weekends and will respond to your email during business hours, Monday–Friday 8am–5pm.*