McDaniel Weekly - April 21, 2020

From Liz Towle, Dean of Students

For this week's newsletter, I welcome José Luis Moreno, Director of Diversity and Inclusion, to share some thoughts about how it is more important than ever in our current “storm” to take deeper roots in the values that ground us as a McDaniel Community. On the Hill we are stronger together--and only together will we get through these difficult and uncertain times.

From José Luis Moreno, Director of Diversity and Inclusion

I hope this message finds you and your loved ones safe and in good health!

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion exists to support all McDaniel students as they learn and grow in the understanding of their identities, as well as the identities of those around them. In particular, I have many conversations with students who are troubled by other's lack of understanding of different backgrounds.

Before we left campus at spring break, students were already expressing anger about instances around the country of racism, oppression and discrimination towards people from marginalized communities. In particular, individuals that are a part of Asian/Pacific Islander, Latinx and immigrant communities have reported acts of discrimination in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During these stressful times, we must embrace respect and appreciation for all aspects of humanity and drown out hate with love and compassion. I ask all of the McDaniel Community to join together in supporting one another and denouncing acts of hate and discrimination.

On the Hill we are stronger together--and only together will we get through these difficult and uncertain times.

Ready, set, register!

• Registration for Fall 2020 courses is happening this week! If you have not already, be sure to connect with your advisor to plan classes and to be cleared.  Confirm your registration time too. Need more assistance? Reach out to Academic Life (acadlife@mcdaniel.edu)
• Are you a spring semester second-year student? If so, be sure to declare a major so that you can register for Fall 2020 courses. Contact the Registrar’s Office or your advisor if you have any questions.
• Thinking about opting into the Pass/D/F grading policy for one or more of your courses? Make sure you speak to your instructor, your advisor, and/or a team member in Academic Life before you do so. The deadline to opt into this policy is THIS FRIDAY, April 24.
• Registration for summer classes is now open. Complete some McDaniel Plan requirements, earn credits toward graduation, and learn something interesting! Visit mcdaniel.edu/ugsummer. Course offerings include:
  • Personal Finance
  • Mathematics Essentials for Business, Accounting, and Economics
  • Intro to Excel
  • Intro to Communication
  • Writing from the Underground (Multicultural)
  • Multi-media Writing & Design (Creative Expression) 
  • Understanding the Universe (Scientific Inquiry with embedded lab)
  • Social Psychology (Social, Cultural, Historical)
  • Introduction to Sociology (International Non-western and Social, Cultural, Historical)
  • Food in Children's Literature (Textual Analysis)
  • Environmental Problem-Solving (Scientific Inquiry with embed lab)
  • Twentieth Century Europe (Social, Cultural, Historical)
  • Modern China Films (International and Social, Cultural, Historical)
  • Asian Philosophy (International Non-Western and Textual Analysis
  • The Power of Pretty (Textual Analysis, International, and Social, Cultural Historical)

Apply for the Summer Intern Fellowship!

The Center for Experience and Opportunity is accepting applications for the Summer Intern Fellowship until May 15th. The award is designed to defray the cost of summer internships. If you would like help finding a remote internship, schedule an appointment via Handshake. 

Observing Ramadan

In honor and observance of Ramadan, ODI invites you to learn about the Islamic Month of Ramadan through a virtual Zoom presentation on Wednesday, April 29 from 1pm – 2pm. For Muslims, Ramadan is the holiest month of the year, in which many Muslims are more observant and increase their acts of worship to celebrate the revelation of the Quran. This year, Ramadan will be observed beginning in the evening of April 23 until the evening of May 23.

Fight procrastination with Hoover Library

Fighting off procrastination can be even more difficult while taking online classes. Luckily, Hoover Library is teaming up with OSE and the Writing Center to host a virtual version of the Long Night Against Procrastination on April 28th from 6pm – 12am!

Also, make sure to check out this page to learn what library resources and services are available to you while classes are online!

Boost your immunity

There are simple lifestyle choices that can keep your immune system strong and ready to fight if needed. Rather than worrying about getting sick, focus on the things you can control to keep your body as healthy as possible. Even better, find an accountability partner and cheer each other on as you strive to make choices to boost your immunity!

TikTok challenge with OSE

Share your favorite TikTok dance and use the hashtag #OSETerror to tag OSE! The winner will receive a secret prize delivered to their door. Hint: it’s a really good one. You have until April 25 at 10pm to enter!

Show your Green Terror spirit

For those who are missing being on the Hill as much as we are, our Office of Communications and Marketing has created downloadable virtual backgrounds for your computer or phone. Add a little bit of McDaniel, no matter where you are, by clicking here: https://www.mcdaniel.edu/virtual-backgrounds.

Confess: you are not reading all the emails!

We know that you are being bombarded by emails. To keep up with them all, here’s one strategy: set aside the first 10 minutes of each day to scroll through emails and open, read and respond to at least three that seem to be in your best interest. At the end of the day, take 10 minutes to delete emails that you just don't have time to read and declutter your inbox!

Follow us on social media

Want more updates? Make sure to follow offices on social media!

• OSE: Twitter, Instagram
• CEO: Twitter, Instagram
• ODI: Instagram
• Hoover Library: Twitter, Instagram
• SASS: Instagram
• Athletics: Twitter, Instagram

Elizabeth Skeffington Towle
Dean of Students

Phone: (410) 857-2241

Fax: (410) 857-2773

Concerned About A McDaniel Student or Incident? Share your concerns here.