Urgent Announcement to Antioch University New England Community

Dear Students,

As you just learned from the Chancellor’s message, we will be transitioning to remote instruction effective immediately.   Further information about the virus and the AU’s response is available at https://www.antioch.edu/resources/students/coronavirus. I know that this will be a challenge but have confidence that working together we can make it happen.

With the goal that all AUNE students successfully continue their education, and out of an abundance of concern for the health and well-being of our community, the following plan has been put in place.

Academics

  • All of our courses, including intensive weekend courses/programs and residency meetings, will be offered remotely via Zoom or Sakai and will continue in this manner until the end of the spring semester.
  • Each department will provide instructions for its students outlining the delivery methods for their courses and other learning experiences (e.g., clinicals, internships, student teaching, field studies). All students should monitor their university email vigilantly.
  • All current online graduate classes will continue according to the current schedule through the end of spring semester.
  • To accommodate the academic needs of students, the Library will remain open throughout the spring semester.
  • International students will need to check in regularly with their academic program directors (weekly) and be active in their courses (evidence of activity multiple times each week). Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has expressed a willingness to be flexible for visa students affected by changes to academic programs in response to COVID. AU is required to report any changes in face-to-face programming within 10 days, which we will do as needed. All questions should be directed to Linda Drake Gobbo ([email protected]), Jennifer Fritz ([email protected]), or Laura Andrews ([email protected]).

Commencement

  • With commencement ceremonies just a little over a month away we have made the decision to cancel our May 2nd graduation ceremony and intend to reschedule for early August. We hope to have an alternate date set sometime within the next two weeks and will update you once this is determined.

University Operations

  • All campus student support offices will be open until further notice.
  • All work-study students will continue to be paid for the remainder of the semester regardless of whether they are engaged in work on campus or away from campus. Each student should work with his or her supervisor to develop a workable schedule.
  • Day-to-day operations will continue for our staff and faculty. Human Resources will be providing information and guidelines shortly.
  • Meetings or events of 25 or more people should be canceled or conducted electronically.

We realize that this transition may not be an easy one, but we are committed to making sure that all our faculty members have the tools and support necessary to make this transition as seamless as possible and that we continue to provide the best education possible for you. We will continue to work with you over the remainder of the semester to resolve any problems that arise. Please do not hesitate to contact your academic program director, department chair or the provost’s office with any concerns during this time.

Thank you for your patience, and for your ongoing commitment to AUNE.

Please remember—To prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, the CDC recommends that individuals engage in everyday preventive measures to help stop the spread of germs and avoid illness, such as:

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
  • Avoid touching eyes, mouth and nose with unwashed hands.
  • Do not share personal items such as water bottles, smokes and/or vapes.
  • Avoid close contact with individuals who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick. The CDC recommends that individuals remain home for at least 24 hours after you no longer have a fever or signs of a fever (i.e., chills, feeling warm, flushed appearance).
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately discard the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

In addition to these personal prevention measures, you should avoid all travel to any locations for which CDC has issued a Level 3 travel notice. See CDC website: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices.

Outbreaks involving COVID-19 evolve quickly and recommendations from public health officials may change as new information becomes available. Please check the following websites often for updated information:

Additional resources to review/follow:

If you develop symptoms (e.g. fever, cough, or shortness of breath), you should:

  • Take your temperature with a thermometer.
  • Stay home and avoid close contact with other people.
  • Seek health advice by phone from either a healthcare provider or the NH Division of Public Health Services at 603-271-4496 (after-hours 603-271-5300).
  • Before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell the provider or office about recent travel and symptoms.
  • Practice strict respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene including covering the nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
  • If available, wear a surgical mask when traveling outside of the home (e.g. to a doctor’s office)

—
Shawn M Fitzgerald, PhD
Provost and CEO
Antioch University New England