Dear STA 447/2006 students,			(March 14, 2020)

As you have probably heard, the University of Toronto has cancelled
in-person classes for the rest of this semester.  This means that the
midterm #2 this Thursday cannot be held in class as planned.  And probably
the same will be true of final exams (though there has not yet been an
official announcement).  Meanwhile I know that you all need a credit for
this course as soon as possible, especially if you plan to graduate this
semester.  So, I have been very worried: how should we proceed?

After much thinking and investigating, I have decided on the following plan:

 * This Thursday's midterm will be given ONLINE, on Quercus.  You will
each do the midterm online, on your own computer, during normal class time
(6:00 to 9:00 PM).  Further details and options will be sent soon.

 * The scheduled office hours will not be in person, but rather will be
replaced by online chat -- details coming soon.

 * The final exam will be CANCELLED, and your course grade will be based
equally on just the two midterms (Feb 6 in person, and Mar 19 online).
(So, course grades for those few students who were "excused" from writing
Midterm #1 will be based on just Midterm #2.)

 * The final two lectures (Mar 26 and Apr 2) will be CANCELLED.  Students
will be encouraged to read the material that I had planned to cover in
those lectures (Sections 4.3 and 4.4 of the textbook), and I will be
available to answer questions about them by chat/email, but you will not
be tested on that material.  I had been looking forward to lecturing in
person about these topics.  But the previous lectures already covered lots
and lots of material, including everything essential, so it is okay.

 * Since this plan involves changes, I will set up an online VOTE on
Quercus for you to approve it.  You will receive another announcement
about that soon.  I hope you vote yes, since I think this is for the best.

So, I will send additional announcements in the coming days with details
about this week's midterm, and office hours, and the class vote.

Meanwhile, if you have any major questions or concerns, then you can email
me.  Otherwise, please just wait for further announcements soon.  Thank
you all for your understanding during this difficult time!

Yours sincerely, Professor Rosenthal