Letter to Campus Community and Parents about COVID-19 on March 5, 2020

Dear Roanoke College family: 

In light of recent developments related to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), I’m writing to let you know Roanoke College is continuing to monitor circumstances related to the national and international spread of the disease.  The College is following recommendations from the Virginia Department of Health, the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) regarding this rapidly evolving situation. At this time, there are no confirmed cases in Virginia, but we are taking precautions to prepare the campus community for everyone’s return from Spring Break next week and assessing future travel for this semester.

Regarding international travel, Roanoke College follows the State Department guidelines and does not send students into countries with a Level 3 or higher advisory. So far, one student has returned from China, another did not travel to South Korea as planned, and two students have returned from programs in Italy. Although it is too early to make decisions, we will continue to monitor the outbreak and travel advisories in relation to May Term classes.

For those returning to campus from Spring Break, we ask that any students, faculty or staff who are ill or experiencing symptoms stay home and recuperate before returning to campus. If students, faculty or staff traveled to any affected areas during Spring Break, please follow all public health official recommendations.

While we believe the risk to the campus community is low at this time, it’s important that we do what we can to minimize the possible spread of illnesses. With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the seasonal flu or the common cold, taking basic precautions can be very effective in avoiding illness. As a reminder, please make sure to:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use alcohol-based (60%+) hand sanitizer.
• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then immediately dispose of tissues.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Stay home when you are sick. Do not attend class if you are ill.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Practice other good health habits – disinfect surfaces, get sleep, exercise, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

Roanoke College’s crisis management team has been monitoring the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak and preparing for the return of students, faculty and staff after Spring Break. We know this outbreak causes anxiety for faculty, staff, students and parents, but the best defense is for us all to work together to practice good health habits and look out for one another.

Roanoke has created a web page https://www.roanoke.edu/covid19 where we will share updates as the semester continues.

The following Roanoke College measures are in place:

• Actively monitoring developments surrounding Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and in communication with appropriate governmental authorities.
• Ongoing communications to staff, faculty, students and parents with updates and information on how to stay healthy via the web page: https://www.roanoke.edu/covid19.
• Increased vigilance and training for the cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces and common spaces in college buildings.

We look forward to having everyone back to campus next week and involved in the remaining months of the busy spring semester very soon.

Wishing each of you safe travels and good health,
President Michael Maxey
Roanoke College