BATON ROUGE,LA- Southeastern is the latest Louisiana school to join the fight against the spread of the coronavirus by moving classes online for the remainder of the semester,
See the letter from the university president below:
The health, safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff are our paramount concern. The completion of the educational goals of our students is secondary only to their health, safety and well-being. These priorities guide all of our actions and decisions.
Although there are presently no known cases of COVID-19 on the Southeastern campus, additional cases recently have been confirmed in the New Orleans area, and the situation is quickly evolving. Out of an abundance of caution, and in accordance with Centers for Disease Control guidelines, Southeastern will take the following additional steps to help sustain our institutional priorities for students, faculty and staff and minimize spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Although already drastically curtailed, effective immediately, university-sponsored travel will be limited to essential business travel approved by the relevant vice president.
Effective immediately, athletic events are suspended through March 30.
Several university-sponsored events originally scheduled to occur in the next few days have already been cancelled and participants notified. From this weekend forward, all university-sponsored events involving a significant number of participants will be cancelled or rescheduled. Additional communication regarding these events will be forthcoming in the days ahead. Every attempt will be made to communicate directly with participants, and updates will also be posted on the university website.
Likewise, in an effort to further limit instances where sizable groups of individuals gather in close proximity, effective Wednesday, March 18, face-to-face classes will be transitioned to remote delivery, including online format. We are aware that certain courses may not translate effectively to remote delivery and will involve rescheduling or other unique accommodations. Faculty and academic departments will communicate directly with students to provide specific details for each class. In order to allow for more efficient transition for faculty and students, face-to-face classes will not meet from Friday, March 13, through Tuesday, March 17. Faculty and staff will utilize this time to prepare for a smooth transition in delivery of instruction.
Campus operations will continue, and all faculty and staff are expected to report to work. Graduate Assistants and student workers who can report to work and wish to do so will continue to be paid. Infectious disease mitigation efforts described in prior communications will continue to be employed on campus. Likewise, University Housing and Food Services will continue to operate and will continue to employ infectious disease prevention measures. Students living on campus who are able to do so should consider returning to their home residences. Students who remain in campus housing will be accommodated.
As has been the case, any faculty, staff or student who is ill should seek medical attention from their own healthcare provider or the University Health Center. Individuals should call before going to any medical office so that medical personnel can provide appropriate instructions. The University Health Center can be reached at 985-549-2242.
I fully recognize that these measures will create inconveniences for members of our Southeastern family. Please know that we continue to work closely with healthcare officials and are taking these actions because we believe it is in everyone’s best interest to do so.
As always, additional information will be shared with the campus community as it becomes available.
John L. Crain
President
*Courtesy of Southeastern Louisiana University
