Note: If you have questions, join us for a COVID-19 Facebook Live Q&A tonight at 8:00 p.m. Central Time at facebook.com/ucollegeNE
Campus family,
As COVID-19 continues to spread across the country, we are all grieving right now—grieving for the school year that could have been.
This year has been cut short and many great in-person learning opportunities and wonderful events lost. But we will continue to find ways to live the Union experience this school year even if we can't do it in the same way.
I take courage in the way our employees and students have rallied to meet the challenges we currently face. We thrive on the strength of our community—even when we can’t connect in person.
Please understand that you, our students, are our top priority. Because we value your safety and the safety of our employees, campus administration has decided to move to what we call an “Open Limited” status.
This means the campus will be open to students and employees, but will be closed to any non-essential visitors. Our offices will remain open, but some employees may work remotely.
Transitioning to online classes
As we continue to move all classes and other academic support to an online model, here is some info you’ll find helpful in preparing for the transition.
Access to technology
- Be sure you have access to a computer with high-speed internet connection. If you do not, you will be able to stay in the Union residence hall (see below).
- Most classes will be held synchronously at their normally scheduled time using a Zoom video conference. You will also need to be able to access Moodle to get class materials and turn in assignments.
- Your professors will be in touch with you to give you specific information about how to use Zoom and what course expectations will be.
- We will also be adding a variety of information to the Student FAQ on Union’s website that will be helpful as you prepare to finish the semester online.
Practicums and research
Please connect with your program director to find out the status of practicums and research projects. They are working hard to find ways for you to complete these experiences or alternate options to fulfill your credit requirements.
Graduation
In light of current guidelines from health officials and the global situation, it seems unlikely we will be able to hold a traditional graduation service on May 10. We are currently exploring options to virtually celebrate the Class of 2020 on May 10, as well as possibilities for celebrating in person at a later date.
Staying in the residence halls
I’ve said it already, but we want to make sure each of you are able to stay safe and complete your studies. So as part of the “Open Limited” status, the residence halls will be open for students who need to remain on campus for specific reasons—access to technology, work or internship obligations, or don’t have other places to go.
If you have a specific need to stay on campus, we will work with you. Otherwise, for your safety and the safety of our campus, we ask you to study from home.
Any student who has a specific need to live in the residence hall after spring break must fill our Request to Stay in the Residence Hall form. If you do request to stay on campus, please be aware of the following:
- You have until March 31 to complete the form. After that point, we will assume you plan to stay at home and you won’t be allowed to stay in the residence hall. Please make arrangements with the deans to pick up your belongings.
- If you get sick, we have some spaces designated for quarantine and you will likely be required to stay there if you become ill and want to remain on campus. We will provide meals and daily telehealth checks, but we are not equipped to provide additional medical services.
- Because of recommended restrictions by health officials, we will ask you to limit campus interactions to groups of 10 or less and practice social distancing.
- Most academic support services will be offered online. In-person interactions may be limited.
The Residential Life team remains available to support you in the residence halls if you are on campus or finishing the semester at home. If you have questions or need support, please contact them directly by email or on the dean-on-duty number. You can also reach Dean Stocks at 402.802.4404.
Credit for moving out early
We are working on a policy that will allow you to receive student account credit if you choose to move out of the residence hall before the end of the school year. This credit will not be a refund, but will be applied to your account when you enroll at Union College in the fall 2020 semester. Graduating seniors will get a credit to their student account for this year. We are hammering out details and we’ll announce them as soon as the plan is finalized.
Additionally, you may leave your belongings in the residence halls through May 10 even if you choose not to live in the residence halls. We are currently looking at summer plans to see if that can be extended to the beginning of the fall semester.
Building community while we are apart
The social and spiritual aspects of Union are very important to our campus community. Even though we can’t meet face to face right now, we’re working on a variety of ways to stay connected. ASB, Student Life and Campus Ministries are working on ways for us to “gather” using live-streamed and social media events including worships, contests and maybe even talent show.
Because we will no longer have in-person events this semester, you do not need to fill out the uWorship forms or track uGather attendance. We will not reference meeting citizenship or worship requirements on your transcript for the semester.
Other updates
Updates on students overseas
All students studying and volunteering abroad have been returning home this week. Given the current state of travel worldwide as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the sponsoring organizations chose to close the program for both students and volunteers and helped find ways to send students home immediately. These students have returned to their homes, not to campus.
While there is currently little threat from COVID-19 in Malawi, resources and volunteers the IRR team needed to complete their clinics have become limited. So the IRR leadership has decided to bring the group home two weeks early on March 27. This situation is constantly changing and they may decide to return home earlier.
Telehealth with Campus Health
Campus Health now has the option to schedule an online session with a Campus Health nurse or counselor.
If you feel sick, need support, have health questions, or just want someone to pray with, please either call the office and leave a message or send an email so we can set up an online visit. You will receive a link to enter the waiting room for either Nurse Tammy or LorieLPC, and you do have to agree to share your camera and microphone on your phone or computer for this to work.
To schedule an appointment with Tammy Adams, Campus Health Nurse:
- Phone: 402.486.2554
- Email: campushealthnurse@ucollege.edu
To schedule a counseling appointment with Lorie Escobar, counselor:
- Phone: 402.540.2354
- Email: lorie.escobar@ucollege.edu
Do not visit the Campus Health office unless instructed to do so by the Campus Health Nurse.
Summer trips canceled
Because of the current global situation, we have decided to cancel the Science and Math mission trip to the Philippines and the PA Peru mission trip this summer. We will be making a decision about the C.S. Lewis study trip to England soon.
What’s next
Thank you for your patience with us as we work to make the best outcomes for our students in a constantly changing situation. We will continue to add new information to our website at ucollege.edu/covid-19
We are all facing uncertainty about the future and don’t even know what dramatic change we might face tomorrow. But Jesus told us not to worry because our Father has our back.
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26
I encourage each of you to place your trust in Him as we work together during this challenging time.
God bless,
Vinita Sauder
President, Union College
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