花椒直播

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Coronavirus Update Archive

The below information are older updates on USM's coronavirus response. 

For the most recent, up-to-date information, go to www.stmary.edu/covid

Older COVID Updates Below

POSTED: December 2020
Spring Semester 2021 Update

The 花椒直播 resumes in-person instruction for main campus undergraduate students on Feb. 2, 2021. Currently, Overland Park campus students will be learning remotely for the 8-week Spring 1 term. USM is open to visitors.

Safety protocols: 

USM will continue to take steps to help protect the health and safety of our community, including our daily preventive cleaning, our masking protocols, and the distribution of wellness kits. We also would like to take this opportunity to remind our community of some important guidelines that are focused on the safety and well-being of our community: 

  • Continue performing your daily wellness checks, and do not attend in-person classes, jobs, or activities if you are not feeling well. Contact student life and the USM public safety office if you are not feeling well.
  • Follow government mandates around travel, work, and leaving your home. 
  • Engage in social distancing. Keep distance from others of at least 6 feet. 
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 
  • Wear a cloth face covering. 
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
  • Avoid touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. 
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. 
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. 
  • Stay home or in your room if you are sick. 
  • Watch for cough, troubled breathing, or other signs of respiratory infection. 
  • Monitor temperature for a fever above 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C). 

Learn more about COVID-19 precautions and how to minimize the spread in our community.

Main Campus Undergraduate Classes Moving to Remote Delivery for the Remainder of the Fall Semester

Nov. 13, 2020

With a recent increase in positive COVID-19 cases among members of the University of 花椒直播 community and a steep increase in positive cases in the Leavenworth area, we have made the decision, in consultation with the Leavenworth County Health Department, to move undergraduate classes to remote delivery effective Monday, Nov. 16.

For students: instructors will notify you about plans regarding final exams. Please reach out to the KLC (at ask@stmary.edu) if you need technology accommodations for your finals.

The Leavenworth Public Health Department encourages students who are not quarantined to head home this weekend.

If you have tested positive, are symptomatic, or have been exposed to a positive case: we request that you stay here and respect the quarantine directives of the Leavenworth County Health Department until you are cleared to depart.

For students who tested Nov. 12, please await the results of your test before travelling home--this is the best way to ensure that you do not endanger your families and loved ones, as well as prevent exposure to your fellow travelers.

Housing will remain open as needed for impacted students. All sports-related activities will be suspended Monday, Nov. 16, until further notice.

Residential students not currently quarantining or awaiting test results may contact their RA to go through the check-out process. Residents must complete the check-out procedure before leaving campus, including returning their room and mail keys for the break. Questions may be directed to robert.schuchardt@stmary.edu.

I regret needing to make this adjustment so close to the end of the semester. Safety remains our top priority.

I am grateful for your resiliency this semester. Prayers for a safe and healthy holiday.

Diane Steele, SCL, Ph.D.
President
花椒直播
Leavenworth, KS

Update on Athletics and Fan Attendance

Sept. 1, 2020

A message from USM President Sister Diane Steele

USM's on-campus mitigation efforts have been largely successful this fall, with recent large-scale retesting of students and faculty producing no new positive COVID cases.

However, many other colleges in our state and region are currently experiencing small-scale outbreaks as they work on their own mitigation efforts. Further, there are many states and counties--including our surrounding counties--where health officials continue to report significant community spread of the virus.

Our goal remains keeping the members of the campus community safe, and keeping our students learning on-ground and able to participate in sports. As such, we will continue to approach fall athletic competitions cautiously. 

While our teams are returning to play beginning this week, there may be unexpected changes to our various sports' schedules as we respond to conditions on campuses and in various states as well as our own guidelines intended to keep our students safe. Our soccer teams, for example, this weekend will be playing Park University rather than Friends. 

This will be a very fluid fall season, and your patience and support is greatly appreciated.

An additional key part of our cautious strategy is the university's approach to spectators. 

Due to current health department indicators in Leavenworth and the surrounding counties, we--for the time being--reluctantly will close our sporting events to outside spectators. Only members of the on-campus community--students, faculty, and staff--will be permitted at USM on-campus athletics events for the month of September. If you want to attend Saturday鈥檚 soccer game you must reserve your seat by contacting Julene Jennings in the Athletic Department. 

We will revisit this approach for contests in October, with the hope that we will again be able to welcome Spires families for games on campus. We know this will be disappointing to our many USM parents and families. Please bear with us as we work to keep the students safe.

Notification of Positive COVID-19 Cases on Campus (Aug. 1)

To all members of the 花椒直播 Community:

The welfare and safety of our community during this time is a central concern. We are writing to inform you of recent developments relating to COVID-19. 

On July 31, the university began testing students who had returned and were returning to campus. Since that time, several who had been residing on campus, as well as several who are residing off campus, have tested positive for COVID-19.  

USM immediately contacted the Leavenworth County Health Department and is following the county's guidance in response -- including in regards to notification of individuals who may have been in close contact.

Any member of the university community who has tested positive is quarantined off campus. 

We ask that you respect the privacy of these individuals.   

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

We will continue to take steps to help protect the health and safety of our community, including our daily preventive cleaning, our masking protocols, and the distribution of wellness kits. We also would like to take this opportunity to remind our community of some important guidelines that are focused on the safety and well-being of our community: 

CONTACTS AND RESOURCES 

Please know that we monitor updated guidance from local and state health authorities and information to determine appropriate action.  We will be keeping you informed about developments occurring in order to minimize the spread of the virus on our Covid 19 webpage linked above.

 

Move-in/Check-in Dates for Fall 2020 Announced

As part of the university's efforts to better ensure student safety, move-in/check-in dates for the Fall 2020 semester for main campus undergraduates will be earlier than previously announced. Move-in days will also be spread out to keep crowd sizes limited. The list of dates are below, more information will be released in the coming weeks.

 

USM Updates 2020-2021 Academic Calendar

While the 花椒直播 believes it can deliver a robust and supportive educational experience to students in any format--including remote/hybrid or fully asynchronously online--it's our preference and, overwhelmingly, the preference of our students, that classes be held on ground and in person as much as possible this fall.

In order to ensure that we're able to deliver this experience as safely and completely as possible, the university is planning multiple mitigation tactics for the fall, and has revamped the fall 2020-21 academic calendar for undergraduate students. The graduate calendar will remain as initially published.

The highlights of the new calendar, which features 15-week semesters, are as follows:

You can find the new Undergraduate Academic Calendar here. For the Graduate Calendar, please click here.

We regret any disruption or inconvenience caused by these new calendar dates. But we believe moving the start of the year up as well as completing it at a rapid pace will help us avoid much more severe disruptions if a resurgent COVID-19 outbreak occurs in the late fall. Many public health care experts are predicting a new heightened outbreak to coincide with flu season. The new academic calendar should help us avoid that outbreak while minimizing students' travel between home states and the KC area.

Beyond the calendar, the university is reviewing the following other mitigation options:

There are no foolproof plans, but the 花椒直播 will continue to do everything possible to keep our community safe. Questions may be directed to ask@stmary.edu. We will continue to update you with more details as the situation evolves.

It's been generations since we, as a country and community, have weathered such disruption. With your help, we will emerge stronger and tell our future generations of the successes hard earned through our collective efforts.

 

 

Notice of Information: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) Grants to Students at 花椒直播

 

USM plans to re-open for face-to-face classes for Fall 2020 Semester

Updated May 11, 2020

To our 花椒直播 community,

As the nation begins to reopen, the university, too, is planning how it will reopen for face-to-face classes and activities this fall.

As always, ensuring the safety of our 花椒直播 community--our students, families, faculty, and staff--remains our top priority.

To that end, the particulars of our re-opening are being worked out in tandem with the Leavenworth County Health Department along with guidance from other state and local health authorities. Actions we are considering include:

花椒直播 is a strong community--and we are strongest when we are together. We will continue to plan for our shared future while doing our best both ensure your safety and provide our students with the best possible experiences and opportunities.

 

Updates on the Spring 2020 semester

Updated April 24, 2020
The 花椒直播 is monitoring the spread of the Novel Coronavirus, and is dedicated to keeping the university community safe. To that end, the university's ICT (incident command team) has met with local and state health officials, and has enacted the following measures:

  • All face-to-face classes at the Leavenworth and Overland Park campuses will be held remotely for the remainder of the Spring semester. Learn more about remote learning and technology here.
  • All student activities--including athletics events and practices--are cancelled for the remainder of the Spring semester.
  • USM will not hold its traditional graduation activities this May. We are exploring ways to honor our graduates in the future.

The University will continue to respond to guidance from those groups as well as from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Maintaining safety in this case is a team effort. The university stands ready to help guide our Saint Marians through this challenging time. But we also ask all members of the USM community to take precautions and communicate readily with the university.

This page will be updated frequently.

 

Review our frequently asked questions (updated May 6, 2020):

USM has a limited pool of additional aid available for students who've been financially impacted by COVID-19. There are restrictions on the aid. Aid is available through an application process and is first-come/first-serve. LEARN MORE 禄

Leavenworth and Overland Park classes will not re-start until March 23, at which time, they will be offered remotely--and not face-to-face--through the end of the Spring semester. During this time, you will not need to return to campus for coursework. Students who are in clinicals or student-teaching should reach out to a faculty member or program director for additional information.

Click here for detailed information on accessing courses, class delivery, and technology concerns.

Due to the COVID-19 situation, the 花椒直播 is responding by offering the following options to undergraduate students enrolled in full 16-week courses and 8-week courses that began March 17th or March 23rd.  If you want to take advantage of any of these options, please contact your academic advisor to determine which option(s) are best for you. 

Withdraw Deadline Extended

The deadline to withdraw from a course and receive a non-punitive grade of 鈥淲鈥� has been extended to midnight CST May 1, 2020 for 16 week courses and midnight CST May 4, 2020 for 8 week classes.

Students may elect to withdraw from one or all courses.  鈥淲鈥� grades do not impact grade point average, there is no refund for the course and no credit is awarded towards program or degree requirements. There will only be 鈥淲鈥� grades for the Spring 2020 semester (WP and WF grades will not be issued). 

To withdraw from one or more courses, complete this form: .

Incomplete Grades Offered

Students may work with a faculty member to receive the grade of Incomplete for a course to allow more time to complete course requirements. Students are not eligible for the Dean鈥檚 List (if applicable) if there is an Incomplete Grade on the student transcript; however, the designation to Dean鈥檚 List will show up at a later point once the grade(s) are issued. 

Please work with individual faculty to identify if this option is available.  The incomplete contract form can be found by following the following link: . 

Pass/Fail Option

Students may elect to receive a Pass/Fail grade in one course for the Spring 2020 semester. Certain courses will not be eligible for Pass/Fail grades due to accreditation, licensure or other requirements.  Once paperwork is approved, the decision is final.

a. A 鈥淧ass鈥� will be issued in one course if the student has achieved a minimum of 70% in the course.

b. The grade of 鈥淧ass鈥� will not impact the grade point average; however, the grade of 鈥淔ail鈥� will count in the computation of the term and cumulative grade point averages.

c. Students must complete the following application:  prior to midnight CST Friday, May 1, 2020 for 16 week courses or midnight CST Monday, May 4, 2020 for 8 week courses.

The following are a few things to consider as you and your advisor discuss options:

  • a 鈥淲鈥� or a 鈥淧鈥� grade will not affect your GPA, but a Fail will negatively impact your GPA.
  • there is no refund for courses that receive a 鈥淲鈥� or Pass/Fail grade.
  • your decision may impact Veteran鈥檚 Services benefits.
  • there may be athletic eligibility consequences to this decision.
  • there may be financial aid implications to this decision.
  • a Pass/Fail course may not transfer to another institution. Each institution sets its own acceptance standards for coursework. If a student plans to transfer, they should consult with the other institution to discuss the implication(s) of taking a course Pass/Fail.
  • a course may need to be repeated if required for program progression, accreditation or licensure purposes and have discussed these with my advisor.
  • graduate schools may not accept a Pass/Fail grade for acceptance to graduate programs. If a student plans to attend graduate school or transfer, they should consult with the other institution to discuss the implication(s) of taking a course Pass/Fail.


Currently, all university-sponsored student events and all athletics activities--including games and practices--are cancelled through the end of the semester.

Students who stayed in the residence halls over Spring Break may remain if they need to. Students who left campus over break cannot move back in.

The KLC will still be open. Many KLC services will still be available on a one-on-one basis. If you need assistance, drop by! Please continue to practice good safety procedures: Do not return to campus if you've recently traveled to a heavily impacted area or have been exposed to someone with the virus. Protocol calls for staying off campus for 14 days afterward.

USM will be restricting access to all athletic facilities. The Ryan Sports Center, McGilley Field House, Depaul Fitness Center, will be closed for all fitness activities until further notice.

Many KLC services are still available. In response to COVID-19, Campus Counseling Services will also offer remote counseling. This method includes both video and audio components, you and counselor can both see and hear each other in the session. All sessions remain confidential.

Counseling appointments can be scheduled by accessing the "Request an Appointment" link on the Campus Counseling website: . For any questions regarding Campus Counseling appointments, please contact Dr. Christina Dunn Carpenter at dunncarpenter299@stmary.edu.

For Federal Work Study, students who are local or are living on campus and have not visited an infected area may continue to work and should contact their supervisor. Students who are not local or are unable to work may still retain their Work Study funding. Contact Nicole Bibler at 913-758-6123 or nicole.bibler@stmary.edu for additional information.

For other campus jobs, USM will review on a case-by-case basis. Similar restrictions apply: Students who are local or living on campus may still be able to work their campus job, if they so desire. However, if these students have visited an impacted area, quarantine restrictions may apply.

First, rest assured that your belongings are safe and secure. USM will also go room to room, and empty out fridges to ensure that you don't have spoiled food.

If you'd like to come and get your belongings, you absolutely can. Please connect with Bob Schuchardt via email at Robert.schuchardt@stmary.edu before you arrive.

If you're unable to come, USM will ship essential items--only books, laptops, and medications. If you need items shipped, please contact Bob Schuchardt via email at Robert.schuchardt@stmary.edu

If you are on campus and become ill with cough, fever, and shortness of breath, you are to contact Don Stubbings, Director of Public Safety, at 913-240-0875, upon onset of symptoms.

If you鈥攁s a student at Leavenworth or Overland Park鈥攈ave traveled to an area designated as 鈥渉igh alert鈥� by the CDC鈥攃urrently China, Iran, Italy, or South Korea鈥攐r a state heavily impacted by the virus ( currently CA, WA, NY, MA, FL, CO, IL, TX, or GA) or have knowingly been exposed to COVID 19 please notify Don Stubbings, 913-240-0875. Per the CDC, in either case, you will be required to quarantine at home for 14 days after return prior to returning to campus.

 

Staying Safe

 

Previous Updates Below

 

 

Updated March 16, 2020

Dear USM community, 

In light of new guidance from the CDC, and in consideration of the safety of our students, community, and the larger world, USM will not resume face-to-face classes for the Spring semester. All courses will be completed remotely. 

Further, USM's athletics activities--including practices and games--for the remainder of the Spring semester are cancelled. 

We will not have a traditional graduation ceremony at the end of the semester, but are considering a variety of ways we may celebrate our graduates. 

For students who have left belongings in the residence hall, please see information below on recovering your things. USM will pro-rate room and board charges and credit your account--the details on this are still under review.

USM greatly appreciates your patience and understanding through this process. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to reach out.

We will continue to put out relevant information throughout the days and weeks to come. Stay safe!
 

March 12 Update

Out of concern for our community and in the interest of being responsible and respectful citizens of the region and the world, the 花椒直播 will extend its Spring Break for one week, and will prepare to offer its classes remotely.

Classes will resume remotely on Monday, March 23. The university will provide additional information in the days to come.

At this point, students who stayed in the residence halls during Spring Break may remain. However, all other students are to stay home until further notice from the university.

All school-sponsored activities, including athletics events, will be suspended through April 3.

To be clear, there are no confirmed or suspected cases in the university or the Leavenworth community of which 花椒直播 is aware. But we consider the safety of our community and the larger world of tantamount importance.

Classes at the Overland Park Campus will not be held the week of March 16. Starting the week of March 23, OPC courses will be offered remotely until further notice.

Online students will continue as originally planned, with the Spring II term starting March 17.

We will continue to provide updates to this situation as it evolves. 

Contact Don Stubbings, director of public safety, at 913-240-0875, with any questions.
 

March 11 Update

The 花椒直播 is monitoring the spread of the Novel Coronavirus, and is dedicated to keeping the university community safe.

To that end, the university president has created an ICT (incident command team) that meets regularly to coordinate and plan the university鈥檚 response as well as address any related issues that may impact the university, our students, faculty, and staff, as well as the greater community.

ICT has already met 鈥� and will continue to meet with 鈥� the Leavenworth and Johnson county health departments, and will respond promptly and appropriately to guidance from those groups as well as from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Maintaining safety in this case is a team effort. The university stands ready to help guide our Saint Marians through this challenging time. But we also ask all members of the USM community to take precautions and communicate readily with the university.

Please be aware of the following:

This site will be updated as the situation develops. We will continue to monitor the situation in cooperation with the Leavenworth Public Health Department and under the direction of the CDC.

As a community, we will overcome this challenge. If you have questions, concerns, fears, or just need to talk an issue through, please reach out to 花椒直播. Your instructors, coaches, advisors鈥攔eally, all faculty or staff鈥攁re here for you. Don鈥檛 hesitate to ask.