Dear Franklin Community,
Franklin is pleased to report that to date, we have not had any reports of illness on campus. In today’s update, a reminder about the “u-Smell-it” safety initiative and an update on graduation plans as well as some updates on things to do this week.
First, many thanks to those of you who signed up for the “u-Smell-it” safety initiative that we hope will contribute to keeping our community safe and healthy during the ongoing pandemic. Those of you who signed up to participate can pick up your scratch-and-sniff cards from your mailboxes today. Please read the PDF in Moodle for details and for instructions for use. You will be able to enter your results in the Moodle page. As a reminder, the idea is that regularly monitoring your sense of smell will not only prevent the potential spread of the virus to the broader community, but will also reduce some of the anxiety that many people are experiencing. If you are interested in participating and have not yet signed up, please do so here. All participants will be entered into a drawing for a 200 CHF cash prize that will be awarded prior to leaving on Academic Travel.
Seniors, you and your families will be hearing from President Warden later this week with more details about graduation. For now, here is the short version: we are planning an in-person ceremony for those of you currently on campus as long as the authorities allow this. We will, of course, be following the regulations that will be in place at that time. For now, suffice it to say that the ceremony will be smaller than usual, but we anticipate going ahead with a plan that can bring the graduating class together, even in small groups, in caps and gowns. Because there are many questions still unanswered about traveling into Switzerland from abroad, we will plan to livestream the event for anyone who cannot be in attendance.
Thanks to all who joined Dean Deborah Knaust and Dean Sara Steinert Borella for Coffee with the Deans! They plan to make the event a regular one for Friday afternoons beginning next month. Stay tuned for more details. This week you can join the Office of Career Strategy Thursday, February 18 at 18:30 for a great discussion with alumni Robb Hawkins and Alyssa Wilson on careers in International Affairs, and at 20:00 with alumni Majda Dakka and Ashley Kochans on life after Franklin.
And please remember to wear a mask fitted over your nose and mouth in all indoor spaces, to social distance, and to wash your hands. We are grateful to the whole community for working so hard to keep each other safe.