Saint Rose to Continue Online-only Course Delivery through End of Spring 2020 Semester

Dear Students,

We are in unprecedented times as we deal with the spread of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), and daily life as we knew it has changed in ways we never imagined even days ago. While uncertainty about the future can breed anxiety, I want you to know you are not alone. We are a community, and we will continue to show concern for one another, even though many of us are physically apart.

Given the reality of the situation, and in the interest of making decisions that both support public health and remove one uncertainty from a growing list, the College has made the difficult decision to discontinue on-campus instruction for the rest of the semester. This means:

Academics

• Instruction will continue to be delivered online until the end of the Spring Semester. Faculty will contact you to discuss the rest of the semester.
• Grading may change. We have talked extensively about the disruption you have experienced, and we have examined other models of education. As a result, faculty will determine their grading system for each individual class they teach – either traditional grading or pass/fail. Dr. Steven Ralston, provost and vice president for academic affairs, will send a message to you shortly detailing what this means for you.

Campus life

• Students who are still in residence halls will be asked to move out by noon on Sunday, March 22. In special circumstances in which students have no other options, we will work with them to remain on campus. Requests should go to reslife@strose.edu. We know that many have asked about adjustments to room and board. We are working through the details of this and will provide information shortly.
• On-campus events through the end of the semester will be canceled. We are looking at alternative ways to forge community, even though we will not be on campus together. A decision about commencement will be announced soon, and regardless of what is decided, we will find a way to recognize our graduates.

Resources on COVID-19, and answers to frequently asked questions about these changes, can be found on a dedicated section of the Saint Rose website.

Saint Rose students are encouraged to adopt a global viewpoint and to consider the needs of the times and of others, so we know you are well-aware of how serious the spread of COVID-19 is to our community, our country, and our world. We also recognize that this announcement will be troubling to many. You have had to say goodbye to friends, adapt to drastic changes in your living situation and studies, and do all of this while hearing increasingly dire news reports and worrying about loved ones.

For our seniors and graduate students who are completing programs, we know that you may feel the loss of a special time in your life. We understand, and we hope that you can continue to draw from your Saint Rose memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. We want you to know how proud we are of all that you have accomplished as students and will accomplish as Saint Rose graduates.

Our focus now must be taking the recommended steps from the CDC to slow the spread of COVID-19. It is an ideal time to draw from the founding values of Saint Rose and show concern for our dear neighbor. Even while we practice social distancing, we can show others that we hold them in our hearts. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

With concern and care,

Carolyn