COVID-19 Update from the President

Congratulations! We are now less than one week away from completing one of the most challenging semesters in our history. Can I get an Amen?

I join the rest of the Administration and the University Pandemic Task Force in praying for our faculty and students as they prepare for final exams. As exams begin, I’m confident that we will end this semester stronger than we started, and I thank God that He has brought us this far. We must continue to keep our guard up for the next week and into the winter break, being mindful that the virus has no plans to take time off during the holidays. Our campus community has done an incredible job this semester to ensure the health and safety of those around us, so take that diligence home for the holidays. We look forward to seeing you back on campus—safe and sound—in early January.  

Our Numbers

Here are our numbers as of November 18, 2020: 

• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN ISOLATION: 8 
  Of these 8 students, 3 are confirmed positive. 
  Of these 8 students, 1 resides on campus, 7 reside off campus. 
• TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS IN QUARANTINE: 21
  Of these 21 students, 8 reside on campus, 13 reside off campus. 
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN ISOLATION: 2 (1 confirmed positive)
• TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES IN QUARANTINE: 9

As a reminder, ISOLATION is reserved for actively symptomatic or known positive cases, and QUARANTINE is reserved for those who have been identified as a close contact of someone who is positive or who has symptoms. People in QUARANTINE are NOT ill – we are simply watching them to ensure they do not become symptomatic.  

Look Forward Towards the Spring

As we near the end of this semester and begin an extended winter break, we understand there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the status of COVID-19 across the country. The University Pandemic Task Force and university leadership will continue to meet regularly over the break to ensure we make wise, timely decisions regarding the spring semester. At this time, we fully intend to resume spring classes, residential life, and student activities as planned, but we intend to provide a final update (based on COVID data) no later than Wednesday, December 30.  

Student Life Update

You asked. We answered. Thanks to your feedback in the student survey, the University Pandemic Task Force approved bringing back Eno villages, ice cream in the Dining Hall, Java City, and much more in the spring! Watch the video for more information on student survey results.

Academic Update

As a reminder, we are encouraging both our faculty and students to return to the classroom for in-person instruction in the spring. Evidence from the fall semester indicates that careful adherence to our classroom health protocols has made CSU classrooms among the safest spaces on campus. We recognize most students will be more successful in meeting course learning outcomes when they can attend their classes in person. In addition, feedback from the student survey demonstrates an overwhelming number of students want the opportunity to take their classes in person. Changes to spring semester academic policies were announced in last week’s COVID-19 campus update, so please take time to review those guidelines. You can also learn more about them in a video featuring Prof. Gabrielle Poole, our Physician Assistant Program Director and one of the lead members of the University Pandemic Task Force. You can view this message here.

Stay #BUCSAFE

Remember, you can always reach out to the University Pandemic Task Force with questions or concerns.  You can contact them directly by emailing covid19@csuniv.edu. This email address is monitored Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Any emails received after 5 p.m. on Friday will be addressed on Monday.    

Stay safe, stay focused, stay healthy, and stay faithful to the Lord and His provision as we work together to continue enjoying a healthy CSU! As always, let’s spread the Word, not the virus.

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