This report was updated Aug. 20 at 10:05 p.m.
In an email to students Thursday afternoon, interim vice president for student affairs Gloria Roldán Jenkins announced the immediate change to the visitor policy which will last at least two weeks. In addition, visitors may not visit public areas on campus grounds.
“As we seek to limit exposure to the virus for students on our campus, effective immediately and for at least the next two weeks, students at Saint Mary’s may not have visitors on campus grounds,” Jenkins said. “This includes visitors from our tri-campus community, and the general external population. It also affects visits in public areas on campus grounds, including those in cars, on the nature trail, and walks on our pathways.”
Though students in residence halls can continue to visit each other using the proper safety protocols, off-campus students can no longer visit students living in dorms.
Jenkins also reaffirmed the College’s commitment to uphold the decisions by Notre Dame and Holy Cross to not allow Saint Mary’s visitors on their campuses. Alternative plans are in place for students who take classes outside their home campus, so they can continue their coursework virtually.
“We are joining our neighbors in their endeavor to maintain a safe and healthy community by supporting their decision to not allow Saint Mary’s students to visit Notre Dame and Holy Cross College campuses for the next two weeks,” Jenkins said. “Saint Mary's students enrolled in classes at Notre Dame and Holy Cross will participate in their classes virtually. Notre Dame and Holy Cross students who have classes at Saint Mary's can also participate in their classes virtually.”
Jenkins encouraged students to report anyone who makes them feel uncomfortable with their noncompliance to the policy via a Student Concern Form. She also warned that anyone in serious violation of new standards will face disciplinary measures, including the potential removal from the College.
“Belles, while Saint Mary’s is part of a tri-campus community, we are a fully independent campus,” Jenkins said. “Our choices are our own. Because of this, we have an opportunity to take action — and limit the virus on our campus. Please do your part and hold others accountable for doing theirs.”
In a second email Thursday evening, interim vice president for student affairs Gloria Roldán Jenkins announced that for at least the next two weeks, informal social gatherings will be limited to 15 people.
“This does not include classroom instruction, Mass, student organization approved events and meetings or other formal student events,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins went on to ask students to dramatically decrease their time off campus and only attend essential events.
Jenkins referred students to the College's Live, Learn, Work page for daily updates on positive cases.
“For the protection of everyone, it is imperative that you are aware of how many positive cases there are in our College community,” Jenkins said. “Our online COVID-19 status is updated daily with the number of positive cases. This number reflects all those whose tests are conducted on campus, as well as those reported tests off campus.”
Additionally, Jenkins reminded students to report all positive results to the Health and Counseling Center.
“As a reminder, you must report your COVID test results to Health and Counseling by calling 574-284-4805, even if the test was conducted at a local laboratory,” Jenkins said.
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