The University will not allow students to study abroad in Japan this spring, Kendall Brostuen, associate dean of the College and director of international programs, wrote last night in an email to The Herald. The six students who would have studied in Japan will be offered spots at Dartmouth for its spring quarter.
The University felt "genuine regret" about suspending the program, Brostuen wrote, but "with the unpredictability of the circumstances" — caused by the recent tsunami and ensuing nuclear crisis in the country — "suspension of the term is the most prudent course of action."
Because Dartmouth operates on the quarter system, students will be able to transition into Dartmouth's spring term, which begins March 28. Brostuen wrote that students who complete a Brown independent study program as well as the quarter at Dartmouth can count the combination as a semester of credit.
Jack Boeglin '12, one of the students who was planning to go to Japan, said he is leaning toward taking the quarter at Dartmouth, though he still has to consider factors such as the dates, his options for the summer and the costs before he commits.
Boeglin learned of the University's decision yesterday through a phone call from Ned Quigley, associate director of international programs. Quigley could not be reached for comment late last night.
Boeglin said affected students he had talked to are also leaning toward enrolling for a quarter at Dartmouth.
The Office of International Programs will help students transition into Dartmouth with the help of specific departments at Brown and colleagues at Dartmouth, Brostuen wrote. "These students will continue to receive support throughout their study experience at Dartmouth and until their return to Brown for the fall semester," he added.
Boeglin said digesting the University's decision was definitely difficult.
"It's a lot of crazy news in a very short period of time," Boeglin said.
