• Academic questions – Dr. Barney Cochran, Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Student/Residential questions – Tracy Waal, Vice President for Student Life
• Other questions – stayinformed.mvnu.edu

• You may be aware that Dr. Amy Acton, Director of the Ohio Department of Health, with the approval of Governor DeWine, signed a mandatory “Stay at Home” order. This order only allows for essential travel. Therefore, no one will be allowed on campus to retrieve items left until this order is lifted. We will inform you through this update when it is possible to retrieve your personal items.
• Graduating seniors, there will be no Commencement Exercises as scheduled for May 1-2, but we will be honoring our graduates. The current health crisis in the United States will dictate when we are able to schedule an event.
• We are in the process of calculating your refund/credit for room and board. Your patience is appreciated, as this is a complex process.
• Last week, President Trump announced Testing Waivers and Student Loan Relief. Details are available at the following links:
  • https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USED/bulletins/2824e1f
  • https://www2.ed.gov/news/newsletters/edreview/2020/0320.html
     

• Please stay in contact with your Director/Vice President to ensure that essential tasks are accomplished. Certain staff will be reassigned to help with admission and retention efforts. All staff is expected to check in with their supervisor and work. We expect your engagement during this “Stay at Home” period.

• We are in the process of distributing letters to those who are designated as essential employees (necessary to work on campus), and they will be sent out shortly.
• If you have questions, please contact your Director, Vice President, or Human Resources.

• Academic questions – Dr. Barney Cochran, Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Student/Residential questions – Tracy Waal, Vice President for Student Life
• Other questions – stayinformed.mvnu.edu

• We approved several requests to stay on campus. You will be notified regarding your petition soon.
• Please be safe and return next fall (unless you are graduating).

• Those staff who have been designated essential (those who should report to work) will be notified by letter or email.
• Those Staff who have been designated non-essential (those who do not need to report to work) will be assigned to make phone calls for us, primarily by Admissions and Retention. Otherwise, your Director will assign specific tasks.
• Please be patient with us as we attempt to adjust to a different operation (hopefully, temporarily).

• Wifi options are being made more accessible to students via various internet providers. See https://keeplearning.osu.edu/ and click on Internet Access. If students need help navigating this site, they should contact motherboard@mvnu.edu.
• Campus Ministries is waiving Spiritual Formation credit requirements for the rest of the semester. No chapel fines will be assessed for spring semester. Students are encouraged to access “A Good Word” postings with Pastor Steph and Dr. Hank. Stephanie.Lobdell@mvnu.edu and Hank.Spaulding@mvnu.edu remain available via email and social media.
• Academic Support will continue to be offered online. Students should email student.success@mvnu.edu or be in contact with their tutors via email or Zoom.
• The physical library is closed as of 4:30 p.m., Thursday, March 19. However, https://library.mvnu.edu/ remains open for online research.

• All KCH support groups, education activities, lectures, and interest meetings are suspended until further notice.
• Several non-essential clinical services are being suspended at this time, including Cardiac Rehabilitation, Pulmonary Rehabilitation, and all Wellness Activities at the KCH Center for Rehabilitation and Wellness. (PLEASE NOTE: Physical Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Occupational Therapy appointments are continuing at the Center for Rehabilitation and Wellness at this time.)
• The CRW Fitness Center will be closed to the public until further notice.

Staff:

• Effective 3/23/2020 and until further notice, all non-essential employees will be working from home.
• Essential employees will have some on-campus requirements, as determined by their supervisor.
• Vice Presidents will be meeting with Directors to determine essential employees.
• Essential employees will be informed by email/letter of their status (essential/non-essential).
• Depending on state or local travel restrictions, some non-essential employees may be needed on campus for specific tasks.
• All employees should communicate with their supervisors on a frequent basis.
• Directors across departments will be developing a task-sharing process to assist employees whose jobs do lend themselves to working at home. For example, we will need many employees to make calls for recruitment and retention.
• All employees will be paid regular hours during this period.
• Further instructions will be coming from HR.

• If you have concerns regarding attending class today and tomorrow in light of packing up, please contact your professor directly.
• The Vice President for Finance and the Director of Student Financial Services will be addressing refunds for room and board early next week.

• We will make a final decision regarding Commencement on April 9, but it is unlikely that the scheduled May Commencement will take place. We are definitely planning an event to honor our Spring 2020 Graduates in the summer.
• All scheduled events in April have been canceled per the recommendation of the CDC and the Director for Public Health in Ohio.
• The NAIA cancelled all Spring Inter-collegiate sports yesterday.

• While most classes have already moved to remote delivery, beginning Thursday, March 19, all courses (including labs, studios, and performance courses) will be delivered remotely through the end of the academic year.
   
• We will do everything that we can to assist graduating seniors and all other students to progress through their academic programs this year. Additional information regarding commencement and other campus activities will be forthcoming.
   
• Students are directed to leave campus no later than Thursday at 6:00 p.m.
   
• Our campus will remain open to accommodate specific student housing needs, specifically international students and others who do not have a place to go. These students may petition to stay on campus. Students in some fields and clinicals that are still open may also petition to stay on campus. These students should be in communication with lead faculty, as these situations are subject to change. Please follow this link to submit a housing petition.
   
• Those approved to stay on campus will have food service available to them.
   
• Student workers are not allowed to reside on campus for campus jobs and should check with their supervisors for work-at-home options.
   
• Students are encouraged to take their belongings home with them. For those unable to do so, further instructions are forthcoming.
   
• Faculty and Staff (in communication with supervisors) are encouraged to work from home if possible.
   
• We are working to address the financial impact that this unique situation will bring to students and their families. We ask for your patience, as additional information is forthcoming.
   

• For residential assistance, email Tracy.Waal@mvnu.edu.
• For academic assistance, email Barney.Cochran@mvnu.edu.
• For all other questions, email stayinformed@mvnu.edu.

With the guidance of MVNU’s administration and recommendations from Gov. Mike DeWine concerning the spread of COVID-19, the Schnormeier Gallery is cancelling all public events through Friday, March 29, 2020.

Leah Shaffer’s exhibit, “A Song We Used to Know,” will be open by appointment only to students in groups 10 or less, between the hours of 1:00-5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. To visit the gallery, please schedule an appointment with Laura Tabbut at laura.tabbut@mvnu.edu.

MVNU University officials will continue to assess this fluid situation and provide updates to our community at mvnu.edu/stayinformed. The Schnormeier Gallery will make email and social media announcements when and if events are rescheduled. In the meantime, please keep checking the Schnormeier Gallery website for the latest schedule updates.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University Athletics has announced the suspension of all games and events until April 1, 2020, in accordance with today’s decision by the Crossroads League to suspend activities until that date.

This includes all of this weekend’s games and events, both at home and on the road. MVNU baseball’s doubleheader against Grace is cancelled, along with MVNU softball’s doubleheaders against Saint Francis and Goshen. MVNU men’s lacrosse have also cancelled their match at Concordia (Mich.) set for Saturday; MVNU men’s volleyball have cancelled their two games against Waynesburg (Pa.) and Grove City (Pa.), which were also set for Saturday.

The Crossroads League and MVNU will continue to monitor the situation and re-evaluate by April 1. A further announcement will be made at that time.

March 13, 2020

Dear Esther Jetter Preschool families,

Yesterday afternoon, Gov. Mike DeWine announced that all public, private, and charter K-12 schools will be closed for an extended spring break of three weeks, starting at the end of the school day on Monday, March 16. MVNU earlier announced that we will follow Mount Vernon City Schools in regards to any closure of the Esther Jetter Preschool. Based upon Gov. DeWine’s three-week closure of K-12 schools, which includes Mount Vernon City Schools, the Esther Jetter Preschool will also be closing for three weeks as of the end of the preschool day on Monday, March 16.

We will be closed as planned for the preschool spring break from Monday, April 6 through Monday, April 13. Our plan is to reopen on Tuesday, April 14.

We will remain vigilant in communicating to our Esther Jetter Preschool staff and families the latest and best information provided to us by Gov. Mike DeWine, the CDC, the Ohio Department of Health, and local health departments. You may also visit https://www.mvnu.edu/stayinformed for MVNU community updates.

Thank you,

Dear Esther Jetter Preschool families,

As of Tuesday, March 10, at 6 p.m., there are no confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 in Knox County, Ohio. In response to Governor Mike DeWine’s recommendations to Ohio colleges and universities, all in-seat MVNU classes will be delivered through distance learning starting Monday, March 16th.

Governor DeWine is not currently recommending that K-12 schools be closed. Based upon this recommendation for K-12 schools to remain open at this time, the Esther Jetter Preschool will remain open. MVNU will follow the lead of Mount Vernon City Schools in regards to any future closure of the Esther Jetter Preschool.

MVNU and the Esther Jetter Preschool continue to be committed to following the precautions to reduce the risk of infection as recommended by the CDC, ODH, and our local health department.

We remain committed to doing everything in our power to support the health and safety of all Esther Jetter Preschool staff, students, and families. We will remain vigilant in communicating to our Esther Jetter Preschool staff and families the latest and best information provided to us by the CDC, the ODH, and local health departments. You may also visit https://www.mvnu.edu/stayinformed for MVNU community updates.

Thank you,

MVNU is implementing the following actions in response to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine’s recommendations to Ohio colleges and universities:

• All in-seat classes on all campuses are suspended Thursday, March 12, and Friday, March 13, as we transition to distance learning starting Monday, March 16, 2020.
• Faculty will use a portion of class time on Wednesday, March 11, to discuss their protocol and expectation for distance learning.
• Chapel is cancelled beginning Wednesday, March 11, through March 27.
• Students must maintain communications with their faculty members during the distance learning period.
• Residence halls and dining service will remain open.
• Most public gatherings/events are cancelled through March 29. Visit mvnu.edu/events to confirm if an event is taking place.
• Athletic competitions will continue as scheduled. Indoor events will continue without spectators.
• Staff will continue to report to campus. Employees should work with their direct supervisor to determine if working remotely is necessary.
• As of Tuesday, March 10, at 6 p.m., there are no confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 in Knox County, Ohio.

These decisions will remain effective until March 29. University officials will continue to assess this fluid situation and provide updates at mvnu.edu/stayinformed.

MVNU continues to work closely with Knox Public Health to stay abreast of the latest developments in Knox County.

The Senior Leadership Team is continuing to finalize the plan for distance learning. Additional details will be released Wednesday, March 11.

March 3, 2020

Spring break at Mount Vernon Nazarene University means global engagement and, because of that, MVNU officials are monitoring the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). While at this time (March 3, 2020) there are no confirmed cases of the virus in Ohio, we are monitoring conditions closely.

A number of MVNU students have been participating in various travel programs over the past two weeks — including in Italy, a country with significant clusters of coronavirus.

Because of the higher risks that have emerged relative to travel in Italy, the Knox County Health Department has prescribed that MVNU trip participants follow a 14- day quarantine procedure. The university has communicated the protocol to trip participants and are providing support to them as they continue in their classes from home rather than on campus.

The trip’s itinerary did not include visits to towns where the virus has been most active but did include regions where the virus has been present. Travel followed state department guidelines that were in place as the trip unfolded. The trip’s host organization, CHA Educational Tours, is committed to following state department guidelines for all their tours and has the capacity to alter an itinerary on the ground if necessary. No alterations were deemed necessary for this trip.

As students and employees return to campus next week, it is important to keep in mind that the risk of contracting coronavirus is small. Even so, vigilance is in order, and we all benefit from observing good hygienic practices.

Here are recommendations from the CDC:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Anyone who feels ill should stay home and contact their doctor. Employees and supervisors are encouraged to adopt flexible work-from-home practices or to take time off in the event of illness. Students who are sick should not attend class, chapel, athletic events or other activities. The university will loosen its class attendance policy to ensure that students who are sick do not attend class. Sick students should communicate directly with their instructors and also communicate their symptoms by phone to Student Health Services (740-397-9000, ext. 4632). Students sick outside of business hours should communicate their symptoms by phone to a local health provider who can provide further instructions.

“Our number one concern is the safety of our students, staff, faculty and community,” said Dr. Henry Spaulding II, MVNU president. “We will remain vigilant in communicating to our campus and local community the latest and best information provided to us by the CDC, and the state and local health departments.”

The University asks that any student or employee who has travelled internationally over break on trips not associated with the university, to email Krissta Hadsell at Krissta.Hadsell@mvnu.edu.

March 3, 2020

Due to the CDC Level 3 (Avoid Nonessential Travel) warning and the US State Department’s Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) travel advisory to all parts of Italy and Level 4 (Do not Travel) warning for Lombardy and Veneto due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), MVNU has been monitoring the situation closely.

The Knox County Health Department has prescribed a 14-day quarantine period for all participants of the MVNU trip to Italy. MVNU is committed to following the Health Department’s prescription and will follow this protocol:

• All students will be quarantined at their home off campus for the duration of the 14 day period. Students who remain free of the virus are invited to return to campus on Thursday, March 19.
• Students, faculty and staff will go directly to their homes from the airport, unless they need to return to campus on MVNU-provided transportation to meet a ride or pick up their car. Students returning to campus will not be allowed to enter dorms, apartments or academic buildings (restroom facilities will be provided).
• After students return home, they will be contacted by university staff for a list of materials from campus (laptops, textbooks, etc.) needed by students to continue their studies from home. These materials will be provided.
• Faculty have been informed of the situation, and have been instructed to work with students to continue their studies during the quarantine period.
• Any off-campus experience (clinical, student teaching, practicum) will be cancelled for quarantined students for the duration of the quarantine period.
• All quarantine absences, including chapel, will be considered excused.
• The Knox County Health Department prescribes that we share contact information for all trip participants with them; health department officials have indicated they will share that list with other appropriate county health departments.

Your county health department will be in touch with each of you regarding their protocol for the quarantine. In the event that your health department fails to contact you, please contact their office directly.

We look forward to having you back on campus! In the meantime, keep in touch with your faculty and the administration as you have questions.

Thank you,

B. Barnett Cochran
Vice President for Academic Affairs
Mount Vernon Nazarene University

March 3, 2020

MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – Spring break at Mount Vernon Nazarene University means global engagement and, because of that, MVNU officials are monitoring the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

A number of MVNU students have been participating in various travel programs over the past two weeks — including in Italy, a country with significant clusters of coronavirus.

Because of the higher risks that have emerged relative to travel in Italy, the Knox County Health Department has prescribed that MVNU trip participants follow a 14-day quarantine procedure. The university has communicated the protocol to trip participants and are providing support to them as they continue in their classes from home rather than on campus.

The trip’s itinerary did not include visits to towns where the virus has been most active but did include regions where the virus has been present. Travel followed state department guidelines that were in place as the trip unfolded. The trip’s host organization, CHA Educational Tours, is committed to following state department guidelines for all their tours and has the capacity to alter an itinerary on the ground if necessary. No alterations were deemed necessary for this trip.

As students and employees return to campus next week, it is important to keep in mind that the risk of contracting coronavirus is small. Even so, vigilance is in order, and we all benefit from observing good hygienic practices.

“Our number one concern is the safety of our students, staff, faculty and community,” said Dr. Henry Spaulding II, MVNU president. “We will remain vigilant in communicating to our campus and local community the latest and best information provided to us by the CDC, and the state and local health departments.”

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students, and working adults. With a 327- acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and several convenient Graduate and Professional Studies locations throughout the state, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education to more than 2,200 students from 29 states and 14 countries/U.S. territories.

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• Rev. Tracy Waal, VP for Student Life, on President Spaulding's daily update (posted 3/13/2020, 7:25 p.m. DST)
• Rev. Tracy Waal, VP for Student Life, on MVNU transitioning to online education and keeping campus open (posted 3/13/2020, 8:50 a.m. DST)