Dear MBL Faculty & Staff,
Last week the MBL welcomed 12 UChicago undergraduates to Woods Hole for the autumn quarter. These second-, third-, and fourth-year students will be with us until November 21 studying topics from microbiomes, to neuroscience, to biological imaging.
With negative COVID-19 test results confirmed, the students have transitioned from quarantine in their Swope dorm rooms to a “Stay-at-Home” status meaning they can take their meals or spend time outside on the MBL campus while participating in fully remote courses. On Monday, October 5, in-person courses will begin and students will gain access to campus buildings. Each student has also been assigned a private study space in the Loeb Laboratory.
Like all MBL staff, students are being asked to follow mask and social distancing guidelines. In addition, all students will be tested weekly during their stay following University of Chicago guidelines. Although their number is small, an incredible amount of work has and is being done by many of you to ensure that the program is run successfully and safely – thank you!
Although the MBL has hosted UChicago undergraduates in previous years as part of the Semester in Environmental Science, September Courses, and as Metcalf interns, this marks the first time that a UChicago quarter is being hosted at the MBL, an exciting milestone in our continued expansion of undergraduate programming. Our faculty are looking forward to in-person classroom and lab work and providing students with the one-of-a-kind, hands-on educational experience that only the MBL can provide.
We have learned much from the planning and implementation of the Fall Quarter. Using that knowledge we are now turning our attention to planning for spring and summer 2021 programs and the adjustments that may be necessary given that pandemic impacts will likely continue for some time. We will continue to keep you updated on that front.
Please join me in welcoming our UChicago students to the MBL and, as always, feel free to reach out to me or to any member of the Education team with questions.
Best regards,
Linda E. Hyman
Burroughs Wellcome Director of Education