What is the College doing to protect the campus community?
The College has convened its incident response team and is planning for different scenarios in the event it becomes necessary to implement emergency operations. We are in communication with local and state health officials to monitor the impact of COVID-19 and have been notified that there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Crawford County.
The College is closely monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation, and as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is taking action to address a potential future outbreak in the U.S. that could impact College operations, study away programs, and other educational, personal, and business travel for students, faculty, and staff.
What preventative actions can I take?
The best protection from the spread of any virus, including the flu and COVID-19, is through everyday preventive actions, including the following:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Cough into your elbow if you do not have a tissue.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. This includes your cell phone.
Have any College events or activities been canceled?
Non-essential events through the end of the semester are canceled.
Updated: March 16, 2020
Will I be penalized if I don’t attend class?
As per CDC guidelines for institutes of higher education, students, staff, and faculty should not attend class or work when sick. We ask that you work with faculty individually to see how you might best continue to participate in classes, as you are able. We have asked faculty to provide flexibility and options for individuals who may be temporarily unable to attend class due to restrictions placed on them related to possible exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19.
Update for Spring Semester 2020 Study Abroad Program Participants
Thursday, March 12, 2020
The International Education Office in the Gateway is closely monitoring changing conditions and travel advisory levels in countries where our students are currently studying abroad. In just the last 24 hours, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) elevated their travel warning to a Level 3 (Avoid Nonessential Travel) for most of Europe (excluding the UK) and to a Level 2 (Practice Enhanced Precautions) for the rest of the world. In addition, the U.S. State Department has issued a Global Level 3 Health Advisory – Reconsider Travel.
Effective March 13, Allegheny is requiring that all students currently studying abroad in a location with a CDC Level 3 Warning (Germany and France) begin to make arrangements to return home as soon as possible. You should plan to return to your home, not to Allegheny’s campus, and follow CDC recommendations for self-care. The International Education Office stands ready to assist you and your family in making the necessary travel arrangements to return to the U.S. The International Education Office will also work with our study away providers/institutions in these locations to determine whether academic work initiated abroad can continue remotely, and/or if work completed to date can be transcripted and transferred back to Allegheny. The International Education Office will also work closely with the Registrar, Financial Aid Office, your academic advisor, and others to determine options for you to complete additional spring semester academic work (remotely) through Allegheny (e.g. independent studies) if necessary.
For all other students currently enrolled in study abroad programs in locations with a CDC Level 2 Warning, Allegheny is allowing you the option of continuing in your program as long as your program provider/institution continues to offer instruction. If your study abroad provider/institution cancels the program, or if your study abroad location moves to a CDC Level 3 Warning, we will work with you to make arrangements to return home per the guidelines provided above.
Please don’t hesitate to contact Lucinda Morgan (lmorgan@allegheny.edu), Lenee McCandless (lmccandless@allegheny.edu), or Terry Bensel (tbensel@allegheny.edu) with questions or concerns.
Updated: March 12, 2020
What counseling and support resources are available at Allegheny?
We understand members of our community may be concerned and anxious, and especially so if they have loved ones living in affected areas. As always, if students wish to speak with someone about their worries or other personal concerns, the following resources are available:
Counseling Center
(814) 332-4368
Dean of Students
(814) 332-4356
Combating Stigma Related to COVID-19
(Adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Fear and anxiety about a disease can lead to social stigma toward people, places, or things. Stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is specifically at risk for the disease (for example, Chinese-Americans and other Asian-Americans living in the United States).
Harassment and discrimination are not acceptable at Allegheny College. Speak up if you hear or see discriminatory behavior. Remind each other that prejudiced and discriminatory language and actions make us all less safe. We encourage students and employees who have experienced or observed harassment or discrimination to file an incident report.
Accurate information is another important step in combating social stigma and discrimination. Everyone can help stop stigma related to COVID-19 by knowing the facts. No one group, ethnicity or population in the US is at a higher risk for getting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) than others.
During such challenging times, we must be especially mindful to stand behind our Statement of Community, showing respect and compassion for others and actively confronting and challenging harassment and discrimination.
For more information on the impact of stigma related to COVID-19 and how you can confront stigma related COVID-19:
Stigma Related to COVID-19, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Share Facts About COVID-19, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
When Xenophobia Spreads Like A Virus, NPR
Updated: March 13, 2020
I have a question not answered here. Who should I contact?
Please contact the Dean of Students Office at (814) 332-4356 or deanofstudents@allegheny.edu.