October 28, 2020
Dear Tuck Community,
Guided by the five principles that we established at the onset of this academic year, we are writing today to let you know that we have decided to cancel all TuckGO international travel for the remainder of this academic year.
Because TuckGO is central to the Tuck MBA experience, we did not come to this decision lightly. We considered the interests of the many students, faculty, and staff engaged in TuckGO; the unpredictability of fluctuating travel restrictions and arrival requirements of destinations around the world; the stressors facing our global partners, and thus their ability to offer immersive experiences in-country; and, above all, the health, safety, and well-being of our community.
Making the decision now to cancel all TuckGO international travel for this academic year, particularly for the March break, provides our community the advantages of certainty and of time to craft well-informed academic and personal plans. Still, we realize that many will understandably be disappointed with this news. We share deeply in that disappointment.
T’21s: It is difficult to articulate our sadness about how this global pandemic has impacted international opportunities – from last spring and now through this academic year – for your great class. In response to this unprecedented situation, Tuck will waive the global learning requirement for all students in the class of 2021. Tuck will also reimburse each T’21 student with $2,500 in program fees. A check for $2,500 will be sent to each of you within the next two weeks.
T’22s: The TuckGO team has already started thinking through increased capacities and opportunities for next academic year, assuming global public health conditions will allow travel to resume. We encourage you to plan accordingly and give thought to the avenue by which you hope to fulfill the TuckGO requirement next year – be it Onsite Global Consulting, a Global Insight Expedition (GIX), or a term exchange with a partner institution. We will share more information about TuckGO offerings for 2021–2022 as planning progresses, and we will work with students who may encounter any scheduling issues, such as MD/MBA and MPH/MBA students.
For all students, the TuckGO team continues to explore new and innovative opportunities in the terms ahead for students to engage across cultures and learn more about the global economy. Please keep in touch with TuckGO about collaboration opportunities.
We understand that students in each class may have some questions. Depending on the question, we may or may not have the answer at the moment – but, as always, we will work with all students to sort out concerns.
Dedicated staff and faculty have spent months planning, preparing, and exploring contingency options for TuckGO travel. We thank them their efforts and creativity. Unfortunately, none of us has a crystal ball or knows what will come of the coronavirus pandemic in the weeks and months ahead. While we may each feel disappointment, there is hope and optimism to be found in the many ways our community is uniting and creating new Tuck experiences together. Let’s continue to build on that momentum and the promise of our shared time ahead.
Thank you,
Matt and Joe
Dartmouth has formed a high-level task force to plan for and manage possible disruptions related to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, monitor federal and state recommendations, implement guidance, and communicate with our community.