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UPDATE:  4:04 PM – March 12, 2020

Updates for faculty on university operations

Cheryl McConnell, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, and Zenobia Hargust, chief human resources officer, sent announcements to faculty and staff on March 12 regarding updates for faculty and university employees.

“It is highly possible that course delivery will remain fully online through the end of the semester,” McConnell wrote to faculty. “We will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation.”

McConnell reminded faculty to submit their instructional continuity plans to their department chair by March 16 as online courses are set to begin March 19. 

Clare Conry-Murray, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, said she feels prepared for a  move to virtual instruction. 

“Letting us know early that going to online teaching could be required was a big help,” Conry-Murray wrote in an email to The Hawk. “SJU informed faculty a week or two ago, and this extra time has been very helpful to allow us to start planning.”

University governance will continue. College Council, Faculty Senate, University Council and departmental meetings through virtual means to be determined. 

Hargust notified university employees that their insurance provider will cover costs of COVID-19 testing when performed at a hospital or approved laboratory. Treatment and health care costs related to COVID-19 will be covered.

Hargust’s announcement encourages social distancing among employees who remain on campus, as all academic and social events are canceled through April 9 with the exception of select campus admission tours. 

“During this period of caution, please consider which employee meetings truly require face-to-face gatherings,” Hargust said in the announcement. “We encourage hosting virtual meetings, whenever possible.”

UPDATE: 1:12 PM – March 12, 2020

Updates for students on university operations

SJU Dining Services like Campion Dining Hall and Starbucks will be available for students who remain on campus during this time, according to a subsequent announcement to students issued by Cary Anderson, Ed.D., associate provost and vice president of Student Life, on March 12.

All student-sponsored events and activities will be postponed/canceled until at least April 9, Anderson wrote. 

“We also recommend canceling informal gatherings at off-campus locations,” Anderson said in the announcement. “All non-essential events should be canceled, rescheduled or offered virtually through April 9, regardless of the size of the event. No new non-essential events should be scheduled.” 

Public Safety will remain staffed but shuttle/bus services will operate on a reduced schedule. Students can expect longer wait times for escort services. Athletic contests will continue though spectators are discouraged. 

Plans for operations of O’Pake Recreation Center, Counseling and Psychological Services, the Student Health Center and other support services are said to be released in the coming days, Anderson said. 

Advising Center operations and course registrations will continue online and on the same schedule. The Office of Disability Services and the Office of Learning Resources will continue to provide support to students in the transition to online learning.

In a March 12 email to faculty, Cheryl McConnell, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, said all University academic and social events are cancelled through April 9, including guest lectures, guest speakers, symposiums, and other similar events. McConnell said student internships, co-op experiences, and fieldwork placements will continue and students should follow the guidance of their respective organizations.

Student employees who will remain on campus will have the option of continuing in their roles as student workers, said Chief Human Resources Officer Zenobia Hargust in a March 12 email to faculty and staff.

UPDATE: 9:52 AM – March 12, 2020

St. Joe’s classes to be held online

All St. Joe’s classes will go online from March 19 to April 9 at St. Joe’s, according to an announcement to the university community on March 12. The announcement from University President Mark C. Reed, Ed.D., comes as the coronavirus spreads across the globe including in Philadelphia and neighboring counties. There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at St. Joe’s. Philadelphia currently has one confirmed case. 

Spring Break is being extended through March 18, to allow time for this transition. In-person classes, studios and labs will transition to a fully virtual format beginning March 19, and continuing through April 9. The earliest in-person classes would resume is April 14, after Easter break.

Residence halls will remain open, but students who can go home are encouraged to do so. Campus offices and university services will remain operational. University employees are to report to work as usual, the announcement said.  

“The University will remain open and fully operational – we have the technology, ingenuity and people necessary to continue our operations, and we have a commitment to serve our students,” Reed wrote in the announcement.

Temple University, Villanova University, and The University of Pennsylvania announced their plans to shift to online instruction on March 11 as a growing number of universities across the country are cancelling in-person classes in an attempt to limit spread of the coronavirus.

“We are acting now with the hope of mitigating the spread of the virus, protecting those who are most vulnerable, and alleviating travel burdens on students who are already home for Spring Break,” Reed said in the announcement.