March 19, 2020
Dear Huntingdon Family,
Since I last communicated with you on March 12, the global pandemic has caused all of us to consider the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to practice social distancing and limit our gatherings to fewer than 10 people. I and the members of the College’s Executive Council were hopeful last week that we would be able to allow our student body to return to campus to resume classes in person on March 30.
With the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff being the paramount concern, it has become clear that “The Home We Love So Well” will have to be a very different experience for the remainder of Spring Semester. This is truly disappointing, but it is a decision we believe is necessary. I am sharing the following in order to help all of us plan and begin to move forward in a world full of uncertainty.
Remote Instruction
Beginning Monday, March 30, all classes will be delivered remotely using various resources, including Canvas. Our Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Tom Perrin, has instructed all members of the faculty to update their course materials in Canvas by 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, to provide an updated timeline of assignments and due dates. The final five weeks of Spring Semester will run from March 30 to May 1. Final exams will take place May 4 to May 8.
Internships
Students conducting a for-credit internship this semester should work with their faculty advisor to develop a plan for completing the internship or equivalent.
Housing
Only students who have an extraordinary circumstance, such as an inability to obtain Internet access or a need for shelter and food, will be allowed to continue residing in College-owned housing. If you have a need for campus housing for the remainder of Spring Semester, please e-mail your request to Senior Vice President Anthony Leigh at aleigh@hawks.huntingdon.edu by Sunday, March 22, at 5 p.m. Students who will continue to reside in College-owned housing will be subject to periodic health screenings and will be asked to practice social distancing from other members of the College community.
Next week, we will provide a plan for residential students not continuing to reside on campus Spring Semester to return to pick up your belongings. This process will be by appointment only to limit the number of individuals in the residence halls at one time. For some students, getting back to campus to retrieve belongings will be easier than for others. We will work with you to find a time most conducive to retrieve your belongings.
For residential students not continuing to live on campus for Spring Semester, the College will provide a prorated credit of room and board charges, to be computed and applied at a later date.
Advising and Other Student Services
Academic advising with faculty, the Staton Center, career counseling with the CCV, and mental health counseling with Dr. Graham will continue to be available remotely for all students.
Disability services will work with each individual student currently receiving section 504 accommodations to develop a plan for completion of Spring Semester academic content based on individual needs and the structure of applicable remote instruction.
Events
All campus events through April are postponed or canceled. I have asked our Office of Student Affairs and our Office of College and Alumni Relations to continue their good work connecting with our students and to find creative ways to enhance the student experience in the coming weeks despite the adversity we face. Students, I invite you to share your creative thinking with them as well. We will find alternate and appropriate ways to hold the many awards ceremonies that are a hallmark of the Spring Semester at Huntingdon.
Graduation
Perhaps most disappointing is the need to postpone for now our May 7-9 Graduation events. Seniors, you have my commitment that I will find a way to honor this important and hard-earned milestone in your lives. We will celebrate you at an appropriate time.
Evening Studies Program
Students in the Huntingdon Evening Studies program will receive information specific to their site from their site coordinators.
Books and Information Resources
Information on how to return rented textbooks at the end of Spring Semester will be communicated at a later date.
Questions
We recognize that depending on your personal situation, you may have questions. As we live into this new reality, there will be more information to come. In the meantime, please send your questions to Senior Vice President Anthony Leigh to aleigh@hawks.huntingdon.edu. He will obtain the information and respond to you. He will also be preparing a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to post to the College website on Monday.
Check your e-mail frequently for news and updates. Thank you for your patience in helping us navigate this unprecedented time.
Faithfully your President,
J. Cameron West
