March 31, 2020

Dear members of UD’s graduate education community,

We know that this is a difficult and uncertain time for graduate students and postdoctoral trainees, but we are committed to providing you with guidance and resources as we progress through the semester.

Academic Regulations

First, we want to alert you to academic regulations that have been enacted for graduate students for the spring 2020 semester, including a Pass/No Credit grading option. These regulations supersede the usual rule that courses must be taken for a grade to count toward a graduate degree and reflect consideration for the special circumstances pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the UD spring semester. They are modeled on the policy developed for undergraduate students, though they are different in significant ways. You will find a more detailed explanation of the emergency policies we are putting into place for this semester, effective immediately, at this link.

Virtual Town Hall

Second, we invite graduate students and postdocs to join us for a Virtual Town Hall on Thursday, April 2 from 1-2 p.m. We know that the pandemic is a source of stress and uncertainty for you, so we want to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on your academic progress, research, and daily experiences.

Please register in advance for the Virtual Town Hall at this link.

To submit a question for the town hall, please email Cindy King no later than 11 a.m. on April 2. The chat feature will also be activated during the call.

If you cannot attend, a recording will be available after the event. We plan to hold additional town hall meetings later in April. 

Upcoming Events

Finally, we will continue to offer virtual opportunities for your personal and professional development. Please consider registering for the following online events:

• DESCA Ready to Launch Series Webinar: The Innovation Ecosystem by Bryan Tracy on April 1
• Mindfulness Course with Dr. Amy Griffin on April 2

As always, we are fully committed to providing the high-caliber graduate education that you expect from the University of Delaware. 

For the latest guidance and resources for graduate students related to COVID-19, visit grad.udel.edu/about/covid-19-update-for-grad-students/. Also visit www.udel.edu/coronavirus for the most recent information on the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Thank you,
Doug Doren
Interim Vice Provost for Graduate Education & Dean of the Graduate College

Mary Martin
Associate Vice Provost for Graduate and Professional Education & Associate Dean of the Graduate College