1 | DKU Newsletter: May 16, 2020

DKU Newsletter

May 16, 2020

The DKU Emergency Preparedness Task Force, jointly led by Chancellor Youmei Feng and Executive Vice Chancellor Denis Simon, has been closely monitoring the Covid-19 situation and communicating regularly on how to keep our community safe. For updates, visit our website, Facebook and Twitter.

For news on webinars and other activities for parents, visit Updates for DKU Parents. You can also read our FAQs for the latest on DKU's action plan and programs.

Kunshan had 19 confirmed Covid-19 cases, and all 19 patients made a full recovery. There were no reported cases on our campus or among the DKU community.

Campus Bursts Back to Life

The campus has been buzzing with activity since many staff returned to work on May 11. DKU Operations has implemented a series of measures to protect the community, including body temperature checks at the north gate and at building entrances, and social distancing at meal times. Staff also received a useful guide on how to stay safe traveling to and from campus.

“It feels surreal to be back on campus after three months away,” said Qiling Wang from DKU Communications, who took the pictures on the right. “I really missed my colleagues, my friends and the school gym. And I wish I’d washed my coffee mug before I left!”

Graduation Celebration

You can now read more about DKU’s virtual commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020 in this article and watch highlights in this short video. The ceremony on May 8 saw 32 students

2 | DKU Newsletter: May 16, 2020

across three DKU master’s programs – medical physics, global health and environmental policy – celebrate the occasion with faculty, family and friends.

Student Town Hall

University administrators and faculty held a virtual town hall meeting on May 7 to inform undergraduates on how DKU plans to proceed in light of Covid-19. About 160 students took part in the informal meeting, during which several raised questions, and all undergraduates received the accompanying presentation on email. Main talking points were …

Academic affairs: Duke Summer Sessions; fall courses at DKU; Chinese Society and Culture Courses; Signature Work; study aboard at Duke and the Duke University Marine Lab; academic advising.

Student affairs: Revisions to the Student Handbook; orientation; students’ belongings; fall housing lottery; student union elections.

Housing, Operations: Plan for housing facilities; safety protocols; campus reopening for staff; dining; transportation.

Financial affairs: Travel cost reimbursements for students who returned home because of Covid-19; refunds for health insurance and residence fees; study abroad subsidies.

“The meeting was extremely beneficial, as it fostered authentic communication, mutual understanding and transparency between the institution and the students,” said Raphael X. Moffett, dean of student

affairs. Also in attendance were Denis Simon, outgoing executive vice chancellor; Scott MacEachern, vice chancellor for academic affairs; Noah Pickus, dean of undergraduate curricular affairs and faculty development; Marcia France, dean of undergraduate studies; and Helen Hu, chief financial officer.

Unsung Heroes: Shijun Zhu

Throughout the Covid-19 emergency in China, many faculty and staff have been working nonstop to support the DKU community, including devising action plans, assisting students and launching online classes. For the final installment of “Behind the Scenes,” Student Media Center fellow Weiran Li ’23 chatted with dining manager Shijun Zhu, who spent almost every waking hour in DKU’s cafeteria during the campus lockdown. His team provided students and staff with breakfast, lunch and dinner every day. “The most gratifying thing for us,” he said, “is when everyone finishes the meal we prepared.”

Spotlight on the Humanities

James Miller, co-director of the Humanities Research Center and associate dean of interdisciplinary strategy, discussed the effects of the

3 | DKU Newsletter: May 16, 2020

Covid-19 pandemic on humanities events and programming in an interview with the Consortium of Humanities Centers and Institutes. “One good thing to have come from this transition to online programming and research is that professors across the world seem quite receptive to giving one-hour Zoom webinars,” he said. “Although the borders are closed, paradoxically it seems that I have organized more international events than before.”

Meet the Class of 2024

Chaelin Lee, an early decision admit from Jeonju, South Korea, has recorded a short video to introduce herself and share her passion for Korean folk art, hip-hop music and language learning.

Counseling & Psychological Services

CAPS continues to provide support services including 27/4 online mental health screening, online individual and group counseling, and online workshops. We also produce a newsletter offering advice on how to cope with self-isolation

and emotions stemming from this public health emergency.

Covid-19 Student Assistance Fund

To help students affected financially by the ongoing pandemic, DKU Foundation has established the Covid-19 Student Assistance Fund. If you would like to contribute, visit the Student Assistance Fund website. Donations can be made via Alipay, WeChat or bank transfer.

Government Relations

DKU continues to receive an array of directives and guidelines from the Chinese government. We also are in communication with the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai and the American Chamber of Commerce on latest developments. Vice Chancellor for Government Relations Xiaolin Chang is in direct consultation with the Jiangsu Education Department and the Kunshan Education Bureau. In addition, the DKU Coordination Office of the Kunshan government remains in close contact to monitor our situation.

If you have questions or would like additional information, read our FAQs or email information@dukekunshan.edu.cn.