March 11, 2020

Dear Campus Community,

On the recommendation of Shepherd’s academic and administrative leadership and the Campus Health Task Force, Shepherd University will be extending spring break for a second week (March 23 through 27) for students ONLY. No academic instruction will proceed during that week, including courses which are currently taught online. All University offices will be open throughout the week.

Faculty will spend the week of March 23-27 on campus preparing for alternate class delivery processes that can be implemented if necessary, depending on the severity and progression of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in our region. This short adjustment now will help us ensure that we provide an effective academic operation for our students. The Provost will message faculty regarding resources and training sessions.

Shepherd University administrative offices and campus services will remain open during spring break week (March 16-20) and the extended spring break week (March 23-27). Employees are expected to report to work, practicing social distancing and preventative hygiene measures. The University has a previously scheduled half-day holiday on the afternoon of March 20 in our regular schedule, and that remains unchanged.

Students who need to remain in the residence halls during the spring break extension must also make arrangements to do so with Residence Life, consistent with normal spring break procedures.

The University will alert students and faculty via employee email, student email, posts on the Shepherd website, and the RAVE alert system when the decision has been reached whether Shepherd will deploy distance learning on Monday, March 30, or have students return to campus for face-to-face classroom instruction.

The University will continue to provide full updates on all aspects of our coronavirus (COVID-19) response on the Shepherd website, https://www.shepherd.edu/emergency/coronavirus-information/.

We will face this challenge together – prepared and well informed.

With special thanks for your cooperation and consideration,

Mary J.C. Hendrix

President