Important Update on the Tuck Spring Term
A message from Dean Matthew J. Slaughter
March 17, 2020
As you are aware, events surrounding the COVID-19 situation are unfolding rapidly. I write today to inform you of some important decisions we are making to continue to help safeguard the health of the entire Tuck community.
On Wednesday, March 11, I shared with you our plans to deliver all Tuck MBA courses remotely with no in-person option for at least the first two weeks of the spring term—and to review this plan on an ongoing basis
In recent days, following new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, Dartmouth has limited all on-campus gatherings to no more than 50 people—and the federal government is publicly discussing limiting gatherings to no more than 10 people. Yesterday, Dartmouth College reported its first presumptive positive case of COVID-19; more in the Dartmouth community may become infected over time, based on the expected trajectory of the disease.
In light of these developments, we have made the decision to move all MBA courses to remote-only learning for the entire spring term, with no option for students to attend class in person. To the extent possible, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities will also be delivered remotely during this time.
These are not easy decisions, nor are they ones that we wanted to make. However, it is imperative that we at Tuck do our part in public-health efforts to slow the spread of this virus.
As a result of this news, we fully understand that you may decide not to return to the Upper Valley at this time. Those who do decide to return and who are traveling from regions with CDC travel advisories will need to be fully compliant with all current U.S. federal guidelines and Dartmouth policies. In particular, you will need to pay strict attention to current self-quarantine requirements. It is also important to know that while on campus, you will be subject to social-distancing guidelines and any other public-health mandates.
The COVID-19 pandemic is unfolding in ways none of us could have envisioned. The coming weeks will likely bring further uncertainty, both to our learning community and across the globe. We will continue to share updates, but as always, please reach out to any member of the Deans’ Office with your questions, concerns, or ideas.
It is clear that we will be creating and living a new and different Tuck experience in the term ahead. Knowing the Tuck community, I am confident we can do so in a way that protects our health and achieves our academic mission.
Matthew J. Slaughter
Dean of the Tuck School of Business
Dartmouth has formed a high-level task force to plan for and manage possible disruptions related to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, monitor federal and state recommendations, implement guidance, and communicate with our community.