March 18, 2020
Dear Members of the Jarvis Christian College Board of Trustees, Faculty, Staff, Students, Alumni and Supporters:
In keeping with updates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO) and our local health agencies, we have advised the campus community of the fact that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) is still in a very fluid state. Because of the fluidity of COVID-19, we have made decisions that are in best interest of our internal and external constituents.
We have decided to urge students to stay home and log into the College’s Web portal (JICS) for updates relative to classes. Campus events/activities, except for 2020 Commencement, have been cancelled. It is our intent to hold Commencement on its regularly scheduled date, which is May 2, 2020, as this will be an opportunity for our soon to be graduates to walk across the stage to receive their initial college degree. However, as this continues to be a global pandemic, we may have no other option but to postpone Commencement as well. Additionally, we have implemented safety measures to ensure a safe and clean environment for faculty, staff and students who are currently on the campus.
Campus administrators will continue in their efforts to keep the campus community and its constituents informed of expectations, concerns and updates as it relates to COVID-19. The Office of the President has apprised faculty and staff of general information/updates about the virus. Academic Affairs has compiled a list of expectations for facultyand students. Student Services has posted relevant information about dates and time for students to retrieve their belongings from the residence halls and housing opportunities for those who, because of circumstances, have no other choice than to request student housing. Communications to the College’s Board of Trustees, alumni and parents can be accessed through appropriate links in this correspondence.
We urge you to continue to visit the CDC’s website and the College’s website on the state of COVID-19. Faculty and students may access the College’s Web portal for such updates. We will also continue to send information through College’s email and emergency management systems.
Sincerely,
Lester C. Newman
President
