March 19, 2020
We continue to find ourselves in an unprecedented time and facing disruption and disappointment in ways that I am sure most of us have never imagined. We are aware of the recent St. Joseph County emergency declaration calling for only essential travel, which includes travel to and from the campus for both work and learning purposes as we have currently planned. As additional information becomes available, we will keep the campus community informed.
In an effort to keep everyone informed, I will be sending regular mid-week messages to the campus community and more frequently, if needed. These messages will contain key updates and reminders, but everyone should continue to please check and our own IUSB FAQ page regularly. We have also sent messages to specific groups (students, faculty, deans, directors) with useful information, resources, and reminders for them.
Updates and Reminders:
- A decision whether to hold spring commencement ceremony has not yet been made. However, all recognition ceremonies hosted by schools, colleges, departments, units, or programs will not be held and need to be officially cancelled.
- No visitors, including family members, are allowed on campus for any reason. While the campus is open, it is open only for employees and students using the Library or computer labs or other approved spaces.
- All university-sponsored events on or off campus have been cancelled; please be sure your unit has taken steps to cancel events and notify appropriate stakeholders.
- We are all challenged right now to work, teach, and learn virtually. Please check the websites above for helpful tips and resources.
- Students have been asked to move out of the residence halls by Friday, March 20th. Our housing staff are working with students on a safe and orderly move-out, as well as exceptions for those who need them.
- Our Titans Feeding Titans food pantry is open on limited hours but also boxing up food for those in need. Contact Anne Drake (anmdrake@iusb.edu, (574) 520-4256) if you are interested in providing donations. The pantry will post hours and updates .
- Across IU, we are working on processes for reimbursing students for any fees, including housing, that may result from our shift to online learning or shortened time in the Halls.
I have also decided to suspend our search for a new EVCAA for many reasons, but chief among them is our inability to bring final candidates to campus anytime during this semester. This is an important position and having a good process that fully engages the campus to hire the best person for the job is important. We will reanimate the search as soon as it is feasible to do so in the Fall with a hopeful start date of January 2021. Interim EVCAA Linda Chen has agreed to stay on until then. Thanks to the committee for their work on this search so far and to Linda for extending her service to the university in this role.
Even in these difficult days, I have been inspired by the amazing creativity, cooperation and resilience demonstrated by so many in our community. For example, our library has begun mailing up to five books to those who need materials to help our community maintain a safe physical distance while still continuing work. And a faculty member in our Department of Education and some neighbors have created a system to take care of seniors in their neighborhood, taking turns grocery shopping. If you have a story of how you or others you know of in our IUSB community have responded in this crisis, please share with Allison Smith at aboelcke@iusb.edu.
It will take our focused resolve and commitment to implement the prudent guidelines and procedures that IU, our local community, state, and nation are requiring of us to effectively reduce the viral outbreak. I am confident that we will be able to do so, especially if we continue to come together as a community and focus on our health and our students. Please be sure to take care of yourselves and loved ones as well. The health and safety of our community is our top challenge.