Dear Wesleyan Community,
Like many of you, we have been following the developments of the coronavirus (COVID-19) very closely. We recognize the tremendous anxiety our community is feeling, and we are mindful that there are those among us who may be vulnerable to the virus. In recent communications, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have emphasized the importance of taking active measures to contain the spread of the virus in communities and mitigate the risk to vulnerable populations. Wesleyan takes this responsibility seriously; therefore, the following decisions are in effect immediately. Please read this communication carefully.
Effective immediately, Wesleyan College will extend spring break for residential and commuter students and cancel all in-person class meetings and college sponsored activities until Sunday, March 22, 2020. We will take next week to prepare for how to continue the semester after that week, whether in person or remotely. Please note, all online Split B classes will begin as planned on March 16, so all students enrolled in online classes should plan to log in to Canvas and get started at that time. We will continue to monitor and send updates during the next week.
No faculty, staff, or student should come to campus if they have any symptom of the virus. This includes fever, cough, or respiratory symptoms.
ACADEMICS
Classes are suspended until March 23. You will be notified prior to that date as to whether we will continue classes in person or remotely.
Faculty will be meeting next week to develop a plan for how to continue the semester.
Do not contact your faculty member yet. The faculty member will contact you next week with further information.
If we decide to continue classes without returning to campus, you will be notified of that via email, so it is imperative that you check your Wesleyan College email daily in order to stay on top of this very fluid situation. If you do not have internet or email access where you are, please contact Dean Christy Henry so we can develop an individual plan.
RESIDENTIAL STUDENTS
If you are on campus and can make arrangements to go home, we ask you to do so.
If you are currently staying on campus and cannot make arrangements to reside off campus during this time, or if you must return to campus at this time, you must complete this Extended Spring Break Form by March 13 at 5:00 pm to tell us if you plan to continue to stay on campus through next week. Limited dining service options will be available for those who are staying on campus.
If you need to come to campus to pick up any essential personal or class-related items you may do that, but do not stay on campus.
If you are on campus and have any symptoms, to include a fever or respiratory problems like cough or shortness of breath, you should call (478) 461-7787 and arrangements will be made to connect you with the Director of Health Services. We do not want you to leave your room before talking to the Director of Health Services.
EMPLOYEES
At this time, the College will remain open and operating for employees. College buildings and offices will remain open; staff members are expected to report to work unless they are ill or have made arrangements with their Supervisor. If you have a personal situation that makes you vulnerable to the virus, please work with your supervisor to develop a plan to ensure your well-being or the well-being of those you care for.
CAMPUS EVENTS
All large college or community events will be postponed until further notice.
All athletic events (on or off campus) will be postponed until further notice.
TRAVEL
In order to protect the most vulnerable among us, Wesleyan College has suspended all official and previously-authorized international travel and national travel to any state that has declared an emergency. This is in effect until later notice.
Anyone who has traveled to a CDC Level-3 country OR has been on a cruise ship may not return to campus for a period of not less than 14 days upon returning to the United States.
We are carefully considering our next steps in order to insure the continued safety of our community. We appreciate your flexibility, patience, and commitment to our community as we navigate the path forward together. While we do not have all of the answers to the very many questions that will naturally follow, we pledge to keep you informed as the path forward becomes clear. Please watch for future communications and expect that regular updates will appear on the college’s dedicated website page.
Our thoughts are with each of you and your families as we monitor this constantly-changing event.
Sincerely,
President Vivia Fowler