Dear Students of the Class of 2021,
This communication is to clarify the expectation regarding your return time to Ames. You received a communication from me on April 10th indicating that you would need to return to Ames by May 11th or shortly thereafter. In a subsequent communication (April 14th), I indicated that “students returning from outside the state will be expected to self-quarantine for 14 days prior to beginning face-to-face instruction in the teaching hospital, and are asked to plan travel accordingly.” I am sorry for the confusion this has caused.
By way of clarification, you will not be required to return to Ames by May 11th. For many of you, including those participating in out-of-state preceptorships or taking vacation time during the first few weeks of clinical instruction, returning to Ames would not make sense. Additionally, many of you may choose to participate in on-line instruction from your homes out-of-state. The decision regarding when to return to Ames will be left to your own best judgment. However, please bear in mind that, under current requirements, if you return to the veterinary college from out-of-state, you will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. We will inform you as soon as possible regarding the date that face-to-face instruction will resume, but that announcement could come less than 14 days prior to the resumption of face-to-face instruction. If you are not able to return to Ames on time to resume face-to-face instruction with your classmates, (e.g., if you are in self-quarantine during your first scheduled face-to-face rotation), we will work with you to arrange a later start-time, or to provide an on-line alternative while you are in self-isolation.
Kind regards,
Jared Danielson, PhD
Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs