Campus family,
As the local and global situation related to the spread of COVID-19 continues to change rapidly, I want to update you on a few things that will be important in the coming days.
Spring break
After careful consideration and consulting with other local colleges and some of our sister Adventist schools, we have decided to cancel the two college-sponsored domestic spring break trips—the choir trip to California and the golf team trip to Florida.
Please take note of the other spring break information I mentioned yesterday:
- Take your books and other course materials with you. We don’t anticipate closing campus, but we are preparing for the possibility. If things change, and students are unable to return to campus, then we will want to be able to transition classes online to complete the semester.
- We recommend that you do not travel internationally.
- If you choose to travel to a country for which the CDC has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice (China, Iran, Italy or South Korea), you will be required to self-quarantine at home for 14 days.
- If you become sick during spring break, stay home until you have fully recovered. If you do become sick, please notify Campus Health and your professors.
What happens after spring break?
Many of you have asked some great questions about the rest of the semester. Will Union close the campus and move everything online after spring break? Should I take everything home now?
At this time you should plan to return to campus after spring break. We do not plan to close the campus early or even transition to online learning this semester. However, we are preparing to facilitate a transition or closure if one becomes necessary.
We will be watching the regional and global situation closely and may adjust plans based on the recommendations of our county health department. Our goal is to make the best decisions to keep our students and employees safe and allow students to complete their studies and receive credit for the semester.
Please keep watching your email throughout spring break in case something changes.
If you’d like to know more about the task force that is developing plans related to how Union responds to COVID-19, you can learn more here.
A note about students overseas
The vast majority of our students studying or volunteering abroad are in places not significantly impacted by COVID-19. After consultation with their sponsoring organizations, most of our students are choosing to stay in place until the end of the term.
However, two Union students who were studying in Florence, Italy, will be returning home after the Italian government asked all the schools in the area to close.
What should I do if I feel sick?
There are a lot of illnesses floating around in addition to COVID-19 and many share similar symptoms. If you’re sick, it is never good to share your germs with other students and employees. So if you’re not feeling well, please follow these steps:
- Stay at home or in your residence hall room.
- Employees—contact your supervisor, who will contact Human Resources.
- Students—you must contact the Campus Health Office at 402.486.2554 or campushealthnurse@ucollege.edu. The nurse will give you further instructions.
Should I be worried?
The spread of COVID-19 around the world has caused widespread fear—not just about the illness itself, but the uncertainty surrounding the ability to travel, make plans or possibly even finish your education.
I promise we will do our best to develop a plan that will allow you to stay safe and finish your academic credits for the semester. We hope that means face-to-face in our traditional learning community. But if that is not possible, we’ll make sure students are equipped to finish successfully.
And better yet, we have God’s promise to live by. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV).
We don’t have to be afraid of sickness, classwork or the unknown because the Father that called you to Union College will continue to guide your journey.
Please continue to pray that we make wise decisions for our campus and for each of you as you lay plans for your future.
God bless,
Vinita Sauder
President, Union College
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