We have now gone through a very challenging year created by the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic. Last year at this time we thought, though hesitantly and not willing to accept the facts, that we would return to normal by 2021at the latest. Based on this, our teaching arrangements and administration moved very fast in two weeks, converting to a virtual mode in the middle of March 2020 and have stayed in this mode since then. Our EMS 2020 Conference in the fall semester was conducted virtually with great success and was an interesting learning experience for all of us. Following the Fall semester, we had some optimism that we could organize at least one physical residency in the spring of 2021, but this turned out to be a false hope.
Now we are setting up our plans and hopes for fall 2021. Given the current status of the pandemic and wide access to vaccinations we might be making this decision on more realistic grounds. The University expects to continue on a dual delivery basis in the fall of 2021 for most courses. But given the fact that we are only going to run three physical residencies in the fall it is more likely that we can organize them on-campus as we have in the past. Most vaccinations should have been accomplished in the US by then. Even most of the foreign students might be able to travel after receiving the vaccination. If this still is not possible we will naturally offer the fall residencies under dual delivery mode. Student travel is reduced due to having only three on-campus residencies each semester. Hence, we have a more realistic hope that the plans for on-campus residencies will happen this time!
I want to thank all the students, alumni and faculty for the flexibility and vigor in enduring this difficult period. Many of you had to struggle with a new work environment and tasks, constant uncertainty and anxiety which the spread of the pandemic created for all of us. We are proud that our students were able to accomplish their challenging studies during this time. Everyone’s optimism, strong work ethic and devotion to the common cause have allowed us to get through this pandemic. We know how important the human element, social experience, and bonding are for positive experiences within the program and for success in advancing students’ studies. This element has been lacking and it cannot be substituted by many hours of talking (faculty) heads on a screen. Similarly faculty has missed the spontaneity and dynamics of the social interactions that fill the intense residency times including talking about research over lunch or having unplanned discussions on interesting topics in life during the coffee breaks.
I hope, especially for the first year students who have never experienced the liminal, intense period of the residency, that the next year will offer true solace. A program demanding such high levels of human touch allows for forging deep and personal relationships among the students and between the students and faculty. This can never be fully ‘virtualized’. Therefore, we look forward to building a stronger community as we move ahead. At the same time, this year has taught that we can accomplish a lot by using virtual classrooms and interactions. This learning has made it easier to shift to fewer residencies and it allows us to innovate in other ways to improve our pedagogy.
Last, I offer my sincere thanks and earnest gratitude to our excellent staff. As everybody who has gone through this program or has been involved in teaching this program knows that our staff embodies the heart and the moral compass of this program. I am still puzzled at how well they have adjusted to the workload, organized complex tasks remotely, and managed responsibilities with University departments while offsite. This was especially visible while organizing the EMS 2020 conference last fall. The same devotion and excellence has shined in every aspect of running the program during the pandemic. My heartfelt thanks to you all: Sue, Marilyn and Shelley!
