Dear Members of the John Carroll University Community,
As we approach the end of our first week of online learning, we want to thank our students, faculty, and staff for their patience, flexibility, and resilience. We are also grateful for the work of our Academic Continuity Working Group, who are supporting both faculty and students throughout the transition.
Now, for some timely updates to close out the week:
- MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES: We know this is an overwhelming time for many in our community. The JCU Counseling Center has developed a list of resources for students who need help, including tele-health consultations and many other services. For Staff and Faculty, please remember IMPACT Solutions Employee Assistance Program is a confidential resource available to all employees and members of their household. For more information, please call 800-227-6007 or visit their website.
- COMMUNICATIONS: Our Health Updates website continues to be the main source of information for the JCU community; we have added a COVID-19 Response: Student Resources link that highlights the many academic, spiritual and health services that are available virtually.
- TRAVEL ADVISORY: The U.S. Department of State has issued a global health advisory: Level 4: Do Not Travel. As a reminder, University-sponsored international travel is postponed until at least August 1, 2020. If you choose to travel internationally for personal reasons, you will likely be subject to a period of quarantine and additional restrictions which may impact your ability to work or attend class. Please complete the form to notify the University about personal international travel.
- BUILDING HOURS: Amended hours for campus buildings are in place.
- FINANCIAL AID QUESTIONS: The Student Enrollment and Financial Services team continues to be available to assist with any questions or concerns relating to your financial aid, billing and registration. In addition to our availability by phone at 216 397-4248 or email via enrollment@jcu.edu, we have also created a Google chat feature on our website (Please note: you must use a Gmail account in order to utilize the chat feature). This will allow you to reach a service counselor in real time without coming to campus. Additionally, all emails and phone messages will be returned within 24 hours. The SEFS staff has and always will be focused on supporting our students, especially during this difficult and uncertain time. Please do not hesitate to reach out to us with any questions or concerns.
It’s more important than ever to heed the advice of the U.S. government and federal, state, and local health agencies:
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly (there is no excuse for not doing this!)
- Observe at least six feet of space in all interactions. Health authorities indicate that even at six feet apart, interactions in person should not be for more than 5 minutes.
- If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, including a temperature of 100.4 or above, shortness of breath, bloody sputum or chest pain, or stiff neck preventing bending neck and placing chin on chest, please follow these steps: self-quarantine, contact your healthcare provider, and refer to this guidance from the JCU Health Center.
- If you have a confirmed test or diagnosis of COVID-19, or have direct contact with someone with a confirmed test or diagnosis of COVID-19, please contact your County’s Board of Health for direction. Faculty and staff should also contact Jen Rick in Human Resources via jrick@jcu.edu.
We expect that the number of confirmed cases of Coronavirus in the United States, and closer to home in Ohio, will continue to significantly increase in the coming days. Today, we are encouraging our community to anticipate additional restrictions that may be put into place at the national and state levels, and how these restrictions might impact your life.
Please join us as we continue to pray for all those who are impacted by COVID-19, in particular those who are battling the virus personally, those whose families are impacted by the virus, and our healthcare workers and all those on the front lines working to combat the spread of this virus.
Mark D. McCarthy, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Affairs
Garry Homany
Director of Risk Assessment and Regulatory Affairs