Classes Suspended and Transition to Temporary Remote Delivery Begins

Acting with an abundance of concern for the health and well-being of our community, the university’s leadership team has decided to suspend face-to-face instruction at our Emmitsburg and Frederick campuses and transition to remote instruction effective at the end of today until Monday, March 30. This decision, guided by social distancing advice from state and federal health officials, seeks to minimize any potential spread of COVID-19 within the campus community. There currently are no cases of COVID-19 on our campuses or in Frederick County.

• There will be no classes from Thursday, March 12 through Tuesday, March 17 as faculty prepare their courses for remote delivery.
• Beginning on Wednesday, March 18, faculty will teach their classes remotely “the Mount way,” featuring remote face-to-face instruction and virtual office hours as well as remote provision of learning and counseling services as well as the writing center.
• Advising on course selection for 2020-21 will also be done remotely from March 18 to March 30.
• Education practicums and internships will continue unless the sponsoring organization suspends operation.

We recognize this is an interruption to our educational delivery system and are committed to ensuring that students have a successful learning experience this semester. Thank you to our faculty and staff for supporting this transition and for your commitment to student learning.

Open for Students Who Are Unable to Leave

Students residing in university housing are strongly encouraged to leave campus by Saturday, March 14 unless approved to remain.  We recognize that there are a variety of life or logistical circumstances that may make this expectation challenging. Students who have a need to remain on campus should complete the  Request to Stay. Students should take home all the materials needed to resume coursework remotely and any other essential or valuable items such as medications. Items left behind should be organized so they can be packed and moved if necessary.

Open for Business

The university will remain open and all our business operations will continue until further notice. University services such as the Student Health Center, dining, library and the ARCC will remain open but may be limited in some cases due to social distancing protocols. More information about these restrictions will be provided in the coming days. University-related international travel is suspended until further notice. University-related domestic air travel needs to be approved by a Cabinet-level officer.

Supervisors will be working with employees on implementing appropriate social distancing practices to help protect the significantly reduced population that remains on campus.

Co-Curricular Events

Co-curricular events, and outside group visits to campus will be cancelled or postponed from Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 29. The Athletic Department is coordinating with the NCAA and Northeast Conference regarding spring athletic schedules.

Additional Information

We strongly encourage members of our community to review the self-care and travel guidelines for Mount students, faculty and staff posted on our COVID-19 Information  webpage­­­­­­­­­­­­­. We encourage you to make social distancing part of your daily routine and limit travel to no more than 50 miles from home per recent guidance from the University of Maryland Medical System.
    
Restoration of campus operations to normal is currently anticipated to be March 30. We will continue to consult with local and state health and higher education authorities and will make future decisions with your health and well-being in the forefront of our minds.

I know there may be questions about how this transition may affect completion of the semester and commencement.  We are committed to successfully completing classes while protecting the health of our community, and will communicate updates to our community regularly.  Please send questions or concerns to president@msmary.edu.

On behalf of our senior leadership, thank you for your commitment to the health and safety of our community and our educational mission during this challenging time. Please join me in continued prayer for a swift containment of this virus and recovery of those afflicted. As stated in 3 John 1:2: “Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit.”