March 22, 2020
An Update from Ursuline College President Sister Christine De Vinne, OSU, PhD
Today Governor DeWine, through the Ohio Department of Health, issued a Stay at Home Order for the entire state. The order, which goes into effect at 11:59pm on 23 March 2020, can be found here.
Ursuline College has been preparing for this situation for the past several weeks and is ready for full compliance. As you know from Friday’s message, we will move to a “Mandatory-Only Campus” mode, with the physical campus shut down, as of 5pm on 23 March 2020. Signs will be posted on doors to the buildings noting that campus is locked.
Note that campus will remain open during the day tomorrow, Monday 23 March 2020, until that time. You are advised that if you need anything from your office or elsewhere on campus, you will want to make plans to retrieve it on Monday. However, if you are exhibiting symptoms of any kind, you are not permitted on campus.
The State order specifies that colleges and universities are considered Essential Businesses and Operations “for purposes of facilitating distance learning” and “performing essential functions,” with the provision that “social distancing of six-feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible” (Item #12 m). A follow-up message from the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Ohio (AICUO) notes that to maintain these operations, colleges and universities can include as essential “electricians, janitors, security, HVAC, etc.” and what is necessary for “minimum basic operations,” such as “physical plant, security, payroll and employee benefits, and related functions” (email from Todd Jones, President and General Counsel of AICUO, 22 March 2020).
It will take some time for us to adjust to these changes in work and functions. Areas can expect more details through their VPs and supervisors in the days ahead.
To operationalize the plan, below is a copy of the message from Friday 20 March, with new details added in bold in light of the Stay at Home Order.
What does a “Mandatory-Only Campus” look like?
As of 5:00 p.m. on Monday, 23 March, all campus buildings will be locked. From that point until our pandemic-related restrictions are lifted, we expect only mandatory staff to be on campus at any given time. For this purpose, we are defining mandatory staff as:
- Security, with 24-hour coverage
- Facilities and Maintenance, one staff member for a few hours each day
- President, Vice Presidents, Business and Student Services personnel for short visits
FACULTY & STAFF: If faculty or staff need to come to campus briefly to continue the essential operations of educating students, they may. Buildings will be locked. Call Security at 440.221.9025 upon arrival. (This phone number will be posted at each door.) You must show your Ursuline College ID in order to be admitted. Please be patient as the security guard may be at the other end of campus when you arrive!
Note as of 22 March: Admission to the buildings, via Security, will be during these 2-hour time blocks only: 9-11am and 6-8pm, Monday through Friday, pending any announced changes.
STUDENTS: Residents’ access to the residence halls is active through Sunday, 22 March at 7 pm. After Sunday, 22 March, no resident may be admitted into the residence halls. After 22 March, students must contact Residence Life if something left in the residence hall is of utmost necessity. Gina DeMart-Kraus or Amy Lechko, in consultation with VP Deanne Hurley, will determine the best course of action.
Lost your Ursuline ID? Stop in to Student Services, second floor of Mullen North, on Monday, 23 March, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. for a replacement. Staff or students needing an ID but unable to get to campus on Monday may contact Mary Lynn directly to make arrangements.
The Vice Presidents are drafting memos with directions regarding all necessary inter-office functions, e.g. mailroom, business office, etc. Faculty and staff will receive these when they are compiled.
