Summer/Fall Semester News and COVID-Related Updates

Rockhurst Student, Faculty and Staff Companions, 

We have definitely reached a challenging stretch of winter weather and we hope you are keeping safe and warm. Today we have some news about the summer and fall semesters to share, as well as links to new vaccination and mask information.

Summer and Fall Semester News

It may seem like we have barely begun our spring semester but we are already looking forward to the summer and fall semesters, and to beginning to re-establish more of a sense of normalcy on our campus. 

During the summer semester, things will function much as they are now, with our pandemic protocols still in place. Like this semester, you will be able to select from a range of course modalities, including face-to-face, hybrid and online options. 

For fall semester, we plan to return to full classroom capacity and to increase the number of face-to-face classes, in addition to remote learning options. You likely will still be required to wear face masks depending on COVID conditions at the start of the semester, but we believe participating in class with additional classmates will make your experience more robust and rewarding. It should also simplify completing your schedule for the semester. We plan to keep residential facilities at their normal occupancy levels for each unit — and hope to increase the number of in-person social activities that are offered. 

We learned a great deal this past spring and fall about how to transition our campus to accommodate the fluid conditions of the pandemic, so if the trajectory of the pandemic recovery changes we will be able to again alter our plans. However, we wanted to share this news as you think about finishing this academic year and planning for the next.

Important Reminders 

• The CDC has updated its guidance on mask wearing to advise that wearing two masks can provide additional protection against COVID-19. Learn more about how to correctly wear two masks and how to select and wear masks properly from the CDC’s mask information.
• If you find out you are COVID positive or have been in close contact with a COVID-positive person, please submit the Illness and Exposure Reporting Form immediately.

COVID Vaccinations

• If you receive a COVID vaccination, please notify the University after you receive the second dose by completing this COVID-19 vaccine form. 
• We continue to advise you to register your interest to obtain a vaccine wherever you are eligible. In addition to the resources we listed last week, you can register with the State of Missouri. Higher education faculty and staff are eligible to receive vaccinations under Phase 2 of Missouri’s plan. This is true for those who work at Missouri institutions, including Rockhurst, who live in Kansas.

Positive and Quarantined Cases 

We are currently Level 3 (Orange) out of four levels, which simply means there is one or more active cases on campus. 

As of Feb. 9  

*None of the undergraduate positive cases is in University residential facilities. The number of beds available on campus for isolation is 45 and the number of occupied beds is zero. 

Definitions 

• COVID Active: tested positive for COVID; isolated 
• Quarantined: had close contact with a COVID-positive person; possibly being tested 
• Close Contact: You were within 6 feet of someone who has COVID-19 for a cumulative total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period; You provided care at home to someone who is sick with COVID-19; You had direct physical contact with the person (hugged or kissed them); You shared eating or drinking utensils; They sneezed, coughed, or somehow got respiratory droplets on you 

Keep safe, keep warm and have a happy Valentine’s Day!

Matthew D. Quick, Ph.D.   
Dean of Students/Vice President   
Student Development and Athletics   
   
Douglas N. Dunham, Ph.D.   
Provost and Senior Vice President   
Academic Affairs