To: Antioch University Students, Faculty and Staff
From: Chancellor Bill Groves and University Leadership
Subject: Temporary closure of Antioch campus facilities through April 30, 2020
Our collective efforts to slow the spread of the Covid-19 virus will be the only difference between catastrophic levels of sickness and a shorter pandemic that will take a less destructive course. We all hope for the latter, but we are also increasingly aware that half-measures and less disruptive steps will not do what is needed to avoid an unacceptable outcome.
So in order to protect the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, their families and communities, we will be temporarily closing Antioch facilities in Seattle, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Keene, and Yellow Springs, Ohio through April 30, 2020. Members of our campus leadership have been planning for such an eventuality and will continue to pursue arrangements for remote instruction and work, as well as for the maintenance of essential services. Antioch New England facilities will close no later than Friday, March 20 at 4:00 p.m (PDT). All university instruction and campus services will continue remotely (please see specific information below).
As has been noted from the start of this crisis, our absolute first priority has to be everyone’s health and safety. The rising numbers of students who have been exposed to the Covid-19 virus and the exponential growth of the numbers of cases across the country make this decision unavoidable. Drastic and immediate actions at the local, state, national and global level are taking place, and we believe that these are essential to our collective and individual well-being. We all must do our part by acting quickly to minimize opportunities to spread the virus.
I recognize the extraordinary effort on everyone’s part as we pull together to hold together. Thank you is clearly not enough, but there are few words that can express our appreciation for your commitment to our students and Antioch.
To Our Antioch New England Community Members:
While we have attempted to keep resources available to those who had needs, this is no longer a viable option given the coronavirus developments. Should conditions change in the future we will work to restore tech options available for students and adjuncts. What we need from all those who are not transitioned to remote operations at this time:
Students
Work-Study students should work with direct supervisors to make sure they have a plan moving forward so that if there are needs/tasks that can be completed remotely they are available—all will be paid as they have been contracted for this spring.
Students need to be sure to take any of their personal computer equipment, etc. with them so they can continue their work for the semester. There will be no access to the building after 3/20/20.
Staff
All student accounts-related personnel and registrar office staff, as well as department support staff, should work with Lind Gobbo to make sure they have the necessary equipment to support their job-related functions remotely. Linda will coordinate with those needing to make this happen in an orderly manner.
Facilities will work with Library staff and student accounts personnel to make sure our mail-related functions can continue to operate—additional keys may be needed.
Faculty
All faculty should make sure they have everything they need to continue all job-related responsibilities remotely. Please let your department chair know if you have any tech needs required to support your work—we will attempt to accommodate what we can given our resources.
Only essential personnel (HR, Facilities Services, Provost Team, and IT) will be allowed access to the building after 3/20/20. Requests to access campus for any reasons will need to be made well in advance and ONLY upon approval of facilities services and the provost’s office.
Again, please know we care about you and hope you are safe and healthy. Please take care of yourselves, your families, and loved ones. If you have specific questions, please feel free to reach out to any of those below.
Sincerely,
Shawn Fitzgerald
Provost
Antioch University New England
[email protected]