TO: The Gustavus Community
FROM: President Bergman
SUBJECT: COVID-19 Update | Suspension of In-Person Classes and Academic Calendar Change
DATE: March 13, 2020
This has been a challenging week as Gustavus continues to confront and respond to the fast-changing global impact of COVID-19. As always, our primary goal is to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff while supporting our students in their course completion and progress toward graduation.Today, with concern for all members of our campus community and special consideration of the most vulnerable among us, we made a difficult decision to temporarily suspend in-person classes and change our academic calendar. Please carefully read the entirety of this email for important information about how we will move forward together as a campus community.
The modified academic calendar is as follows:
March 16-20: No classes as faculty and staff prepare to offer online course delivery
March 23-27: Spring Break (originally scheduled for April 6-13)
March 30-April 13: Classes resume using online course delivery; no in-person classes
Campus will remain open during this four-week period. At this time, we anticipate that in-person classes will resume on Tuesday, April 14.
Students — You may choose to either stay on campus or leave. We are asking that you decide by next Wednesday, March 18, if you will be remaining on campus or going home. If you leave campus, please take any materials you will need to complete academic work and any other essential items. For those students who would prefer to stay on campus, who would have difficulty accessing online learning, who cannot travel, or who do not have another safe place to live, the residence halls and Dining Service will remain open. The College is committed to supporting you during this time, and I encourage you to reach out to the Dean of Students Office if you have questions. As you consider your plans for the next four weeks, I strongly urge you to limit your travel and assist with curtailing community spread of the virus. Moving back and forth between campus and off-campus locations could unintentionally contribute to spreading the illness. The Dean of Students Office will send additional information early next week about how to notify the College of your plans. Please continue to check your email regularly and respond as requested.
Faculty members — You will receive further information about technology sessions and other resources via Faculty-l early next week. Faculty members will be communicating with students via email regarding class plans and online learning expectations. Department meetings may be occuring during the week of March 16 to discuss departmental expectations for course delivery.
All employees — Because the campus will remain open, employees are expected to work as usual on Monday, March 16 and throughout the four-week period to support ongoing operations. If you are concerned that you may have special circumstances that may impact your ability to be present on campus, such as an underlying medical condition, please contact your supervisor and the Office of Human Resources.
Events — Beginning on Saturday, March 14, all on-campus events are postponed or canceled until in-person course instruction resumes. This includes institutional and student-led events, athletic contests, and musical and theatre/dance performances. More information will be communicated in the coming days.
Travel — All domestic and international College-sponsored travel is suspended until further notice. Students, faculty, and staff should not attend conferences or meetings or take part in service trips in order to limit the community spread of COVID-19 via person-to-person contact.
On-Campus Services — Health Service and the Counseling Center will remain open. The Folke Bernadotte Memorial Library, the Hillstrom Museum of Art, and Dining Service will remain open but hours may be reduced. Lund Center will be closed Saturday and Sunday and will reopen with reduced hours starting on Monday, March 16. More details will be communicated about on-campus offerings early next week.
Gusties, I know that this is a time of uncertainty and there are many questions about what will happen in the coming days. Rest assured, we will continue to make all decisions with the wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff as our guiding light. Please continue to follow best practices for personal hygiene and stay home if you are sick. For now, please know that I am grateful for each of you and the thoughtful contributions that you bring to our community.
Yours in community,
President Bergman