A Letter to BU Students Regarding the End of the Semester
From Dr. Kenneth Lutchen, University Provost and Chief Academic Officer ad interim
April 19, 2024
Dear Students,
As we approach the end of the spring semester, I want to take a moment to acknowledge that for some of you, the graduate student union strike has brought unanticipated challenges. So far, the majority of graduate students have decided not to participate in the strike and the majority of classes have not been affected. Nevertheless, we are getting questions from a few students about their obligations and whether exams and grading will be affected.
We understand that our students hold differing views about the ongoing strike, but we need to be clear that our academic expectations of all students remain. Final examinations are proceeding as scheduled. Students with scheduled final examinations or other end-of-semester assignments are expected to complete them satisfactorily to earn academic credit for their courses.
It has come to our attention that some students have been asked by some striking graduate students to withhold academic work to express solidarity with them. Such an action might be desired by the graduate students, but withholding academic work will only serve to impede if not harm your own academic progress and can result in a failing grade for the assignment and/or course.
In some courses, replacement instructors or assignments may have realigned end-of-semester activities to ensure that classes continue to meet learning outcomes. In those instances, you should follow the instructions provided to ensure course completion. If you have questions about a final exam or end of semester assignments, please consult your school/college contact for students during the strike (see below and on our website).
Please also keep in mind that the Incomplete (I) grade will only be used for individual students who have exceptional circumstances, in accordance with the Incomplete Coursework Policy. The instructor and student must agree to the nature of the work and a date (within one year) by which that work will be completed to meet course requirements, and both are required to sign the Incomplete Grade Agreement.
We are committed to reaching a mutually beneficial labor agreement with the graduate students. We are keeping in mind the academic wellbeing of all our students, and we encourage you to focus on your own academic needs and requirements as we near the end of the semester. You have shown tremendous resilience through a difficult time, and we are committed to helping you conclude the semester successfully. Please remember that there are numerous academic support resources on campus, including writing assistance and peer tutoring offered through the Educational Resource Center (ERC). A list of resources can be found on the ERC website.
Sincerely,
Kenneth Lutchen
University Provost and Chief Academic Officer ad interim
School/College Contacts for Students during BUGWU Strike
BU Hub Courses
Lynn O’Brien Hallstein
Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine
James McKnight
College of Arts & Sciences
Steve Jarvi (undergraduate students)
Malika Jeffries-EL (graduate students)
College of Communication
Jodi Luber
Ann Danehy
College of Engineering
Kat Mor (undergraduate students)
Stacey Herman (graduate students)
College of Fine Arts
Harvey Young
College of General Studies
Natalie McKnight
Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences
Micah Sieber
Goldman School of Dental Medicine
Joseph Calabrese
Metropolitan College
Lauren Vildostegui
Pardee School of Global Studies
Henrik Selin
Questrom School of Business
Rachel Reiser
Meghan Thompson
Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences
Heather Nicholson
Gael Orsmond
Sharon Sankey
School of Hospitality Administration
Anna Monahan
School of Law
Adam Krueckeberg
School of Public Health
Ira Lazic
School of Social Work
Sonia Mee (master’s students)
Dan Miller (PhD students)
School of Theology
Bryan Stone
Wheelock College of Education & Human Development
Ellen Faszewski
A Letter to BU Students Regarding the End of the Semester – 4.19.24