In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Union University classes will move online beginning March 16, with regular face-to-face instruction scheduled to resume April 13, the university posted on Facebook Thursday night.
The following is Union President Dr. Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver’s March 12 letter:
Dear Union University community,
National and international news continues to escalate surrounding the rise of – and implications pertaining to – COVID-19 (Coronavirus). In the midst of what the World Health Organization is now calling a global pandemic, we deeply appreciate your prayers and concern for the Union University community. While there have been no confirmed cases at the University and no one associated with Union currently in self-quarantine, we believe that it is prudent to take necessary measures to protect the health and wellbeing of those in our community.
To mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the Executive Council of Union University has determined the following:
CLASSES
Union University’s commitment to our students includes continuing to provide excellent, Christ-centered education, and we will continue to do so in ways that minimize large group gatherings and thus achieves the medical goal of social distancing. We will complete spring semester courses in the following ways:
- On Monday, March 16, full semester classes will move to an online or alternate delivery format. Students will receive further instructions from their faculty about meeting course objectives. This delivery method will continue until Spring Break (March 23-27) and will resume from March 30-April 10.
- Courses which are scheduled to end March 19, 2020 will meet next week for final exams, as scheduled.
- Courses in the second accelerated term, which begins March 30, 2020, will begin in an online or alternate delivery format.
- Information related to courses with active learning components (e.g. nursing clinicals, student teaching, research labs, etc.). will be communicated to students from the Provost’s Office or the Academic Dean of the college or school.
- Faculty will continue to be available to students for office hours and advising through online and other means of communication.
Again, we hope to resume face to face instruction on Monday, April 13, but will monitor the ongoing situation and provide updates as we know more.
The Logos Library will remain open and will offer electronic resources, assistance with research, and safe, secluded spaces for studying. Sanitization and cleaning protocols for all public spaces have been escalated and will continue. Union’s housekeeping services have increased the frequency and depth of cleaning and disinfection in public areas and offices.
RESIDENCE LIFE AND DINING HALL
Residential students will receive individual correspondence from the Office of Residence Life related to housing and travel plans for March 14 through April 12. Union University’s residence halls will remain open for those students who wish to stay on campus. Therefore, there is no need for any residential student to move belongings out of your apartment if/when you leave. We look forward to being back together and living in shared community.
Union University Dining Services will remain open during this time (except during Spring Break when we were already scheduled to be closed); however, there will be no dine-in option. Stated differently, the dining hall will be open for students to pick up to-go orders during scheduled hours. For hours and information related to dining services please visit www.uu.edu/studentlife/dining/. For students with dietary concerns please contact dining services at dining@uu.edu.
CAMPUS EVENTS, ACTIVITIES AND ATHLETIC COMPETITIONS
All on-campus events with more than 100 people in attendance are suspended effective March 13 through April 12. This is done to ensure, as much as possible, social distancing for people as recommended by the CDC to control the spread of COVID-19.
Please note that campus visits for prospective students and families will continue as scheduled. For information please visit www.uu.edu/admissions/ or call 1-800-33-UNION.
Home athletic competitions are canceled on March 13-15. Thereafter, athletic competitions may continue pending information from the NCAA and Gulf South Athletic Conference.
UNIVERSITY OFFICES
Union University offices and operations will continue on a normal schedule. Faculty and staff are expected to communicate with their supervisor. Any deviation requires approval from the area vice president.
UNIVERSITY SPONSORED TRAVEL
Union University has suspended all international and domestic travel that is sponsored by the University for students and employees until the CDC’s travel restrictions and guidance related to student travel has been lifted. This restriction applies to all academic and administrative conferences. Please contact the appropriate vice president for further information.
FINAL WORD
We are truly experiencing an unprecedented public health crisis; however, this is not a surprise to the sovereign God whom we serve. Because of who Christ is, and who we are in relationship with Him, we should have faith over fear, peace over panic, and ultimately, love overall!
With abiding hope,
Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver, Ph.D.
President