From the Office of the President
Dear Cav Nation,
Walsh University is committed to our students’ success and to the health and well-being of everyone in our community.
We continue to pray for and reflect upon the safety and health of our campus community as we determine what is in the best interest of the common good, our institution, and our people in all of our decision-making.
In matter of days, the situation surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic is unfolding at a rapid pace. This afternoon President Trump declared a national emergency related to the COVID-19 and the experts anticipate a skyrocketing of exposure across the country peaking-out sometime this spring.
As we consider that risk, we have examined every aspect of university operations. In the best interest of our university and local community, we are taking the following actions.
The Great Midwest Atlantic Conference (GMAC) has canceled all spring athletics competition and championships. For the safety and well-being of our students, Walsh is discontinuing all team-related activities, including practices, for the remainder of the semester.
All student life and student/club organization programming events are canceled for the remainder of the semester.
Effective immediately, all supervisors will establish adjustments in individual work schedules to maximize the use of flextime and telework options to ensure university operations continue uninterrupted with a reduced presence of employees on campus. All proposed adjustments will be approved by a Vice President prior to implementation.
Anyone feeling the effects of the COVID-19 symptoms must seek medical attention prior to returning to campus.
All global learning trips through August 31, 2020 are canceled.
We will maintain our online/remote modalities of learning for all coursework for the remainder of the semester. We will not return to face-to-face classroom instruction for the remainder of the semester.
Practicums, clinicals and labs in graduate programs (PT, OT, and CHD) will continue with some modifications. The respective program directors will provide guidance to the graduate students.
The Herttna Center will close to outside clients. The Vice President for Academic Affairs will establish the closing time as soon as possible and no later than close of business, Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
Nursing graduate students may continue as permitted to their assigned clinical sites.
All recreational facilities are closed for the remainder of the semester. All intramural sports activities and fitness classes are canceled.
All on-campus housing will close at Noon, Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
We need our students living on-campus to begin preparations this weekend and check-out of the residence halls on Monday but no later than Noon, Tuesday, March 17, 2020.
We know there are extenuating circumstances which may prevent a student from departing by Tuesday and we are prepared to help find solutions that meet their needs. Students who have extenuating and significant travel restrictions, employment or special circumstances need to complete a request form that will be provided by Residence Life via email. If you have questions, please contact Bianca Hicks, Director of Residence Life.
The residence halls and key access will end at Noon on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, except for those with an approved exception for residence. Limited dining services will remain available to students who remain in the residence halls after March 17, 2020.
As a result of the closure of undergraduate residential housing, Walsh University will pro-rate room and board charges, where applicable. Expect a separate message related to this before the end of the semester as this will be a unique adjustment for each individual student.
It is our intention to conduct a commencement ceremony honoring those completing their studies. If Governor DeWine (Ohio) has not lifted the ban of mass gatherings by Monday, April 6, 2020, then Walsh will postpone our April 26, 2020 spring commencement activities. Please expect a separate message related to commencement.
The university leadership team shares the community’s concern with the events which led to these difficult decisions and recognizes we must think and act in a manner that contributes to our success with our mission without compromising our academic standards.
The days ahead may be dark and stormy … always necessary before a rainbow. We must keep faith in each other and in Our Lord to carry us through the storm.
Many thanks to each of you for great flexibility, gentle patience, and kind understanding.
May God bless and protect Cav Nation in the difficult days ahead.
Our Lady of Perpetual Help - pray for us.
Warmly, Tim
Dr. Tim Collins
President
Walsh University
