Nazareth College Important Update On Coronavirus Response

Spring Break Extended Through Sunday, March 22; Academic Instruction Resumes Monday, March 23 through alternative delivery, including on-line instruction.

Rochester, NY (03/12/2020) — This is the latest information on Nazareth College's Coronavirus response. Please see the letter below from Nazareth College President Daan Braveman that went to the Nazareth College community today, Thursday, March 12.

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To the Nazareth College Community,

As of this morning, the College has decided it will:

• Extend spring break through Sunday, March 22.
• Academic instruction will resume on Monday, March 23 through alternative delivery, including online instruction. Nazareth will continue to evaluate if classes can resume on campus at a future date.

I assure you, this was not an easy decision; however, in balancing the mission of the College with the need to take responsible measures for the health, safety, and well-being of our entire community in the face of significant unknowns, we are confident that it is the best way to proceed. Hour by hour, our COVID-19 task force and senior leaders, representing all facets of our campus, are closely monitoring updated data, recommendations, and guidelines from authorities such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New York State Department of Health, and the Monroe County Department of Public Health. We are also collaborating with local and state health officials to ensure that our decisions are based on facts and guided by a commitment to the greater good.We recognize that this decision has disappointing and challenging implications for each of us, but we have faith in our collective campus community to support each other, collaborate, and adapt for the sake of safeguarding public health.

What this means for our current students and their families:

• Spring break is extended through Sunday, March 22.
• Information about alternative delivery and online coursework will be shared with you from your program chairs over the next week. Our faculty and staff are mobilizing to provide a rich and rewarding Nazareth educational experience.
• We strongly encourage students to live at their permanent residence; however, students will have the option to return to the residence halls on March 22, if that is the best choice for their personal situation.
• Students who are returning to live on campus must inform the College via this form. Please fill out the form at least 24 hours before returning to campus.
• Modified campus services including dining, student health and counseling services, and academic advising will be available starting Monday, March 23.
• All current student employees who wish to return to campus will have work available. Please contact your supervisor directly.
• Students who will be graduating in May will get an update regarding commencement as soon as it is available.
• Nazareth-sponsored international and domestic travel through July 31 is cancelled.
• Students who have travelled since March 1, 2020, are asked to voluntarily self report using a private, protected form.

What this means for Nazareth faculty and staff:

• During the extended spring break, faculty and staff will move coursework to alternative delivery modes and prepare campus for students who chose to return. More information will be forthcoming.
• No new nonessential gatherings and meetings on campus should be scheduled. Details will be forthcoming for currently scheduled events.
• Nonessential College sponsored international and domestic business travel is prohibited for faculty and staff until further notice.
• Faculty and staff are expected to fulfill their professional obligations.
• Supervisors, please work with your student workers to make work flexible and accessible.
• Faculty and staff who have travelled since March 1, 2020, are asked to voluntarily self report using a private, protected form.

What this means for all of us:The emergence of COVID-19 has brought and will continue to bring a truly unprecedented set of circumstances to our campus and to the world at large. Our Nazareth community is uniquely prepared as informed and engaged citizens who can demonstrate compassion, flexibility, patience, and calm in the face of challenge.It is likely that you will have more questions and concerns in the weeks to come. We will continue to communicate updates as plans develop. Please make a habit of visiting our webpage and monitoring your email for the latest news from Nazareth College.Please take appropriate measures to remain healthy and safe.

Sincerely,

Daan Braveman

President, Nazareth College