University Daily Update - March 20

Friday, March 20, 2020

Rockhurst University Daily Update 
March 20 

Rockhurst University Companions, 

Today, at the end of a week none of us anticipated or welcomed, we focus on “Cura Personalis.” Our thoughts turn to those in our Rockhurst community whose circumstances have changed and who need our support. Below you will find a list of resources to help you with a variety of challenges. While our days have seemed long, they were also filled with many graces we could not have experienced otherwise. Please be sure to read to the end for today’s Mission Moment. You won’t want to miss a surprise from Fr. Curran! 

Resource Round-up 

On-Campus Point People  

First and foremost, students are encouraged to lean into existing on-campus supports – advisor, faculty members and mentors.   

Contact:  

  • Ashley Halter for students facing barriers to success and in need of strategizing around access to supports,  
  • Financial Aid for assistance in completing the special conditions form if a student is concerned over the ability to pay due to loss of income reflected on FAFSA,  
  • April Gray for students lacking access to computer and broadband,  
  • Emily Kempf for international students,  
  • Ashley Halter for first-generation students, and  
  • Cindy Schmersal for individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 and who need supplements to existing support systems.  

Prosperity Center  

Rockhurst’s Prosperity Center is available to support individuals living in Metro KC with: 1) applying for access to income supports (e.g., unemployment, supplemental nutrition assistance) where eligible, 2) financial counseling and coaching, and 3) access to employment services.    

Rockhurst University’s Love in Action Offerings   

Food Insecurity  

  • Grandma’s Pantry is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily for those in proximity to campus. After 6 p.m. Monday, March 23, you will need your Rockhurst ID for swipe access to Massman Hall.  
  • One City Café is offering takeout meals M-F for those in Kansas City who are experiencing food insecurity. Lunches are available from noon-1 p.m. and dinners from 4:30-6 p.m.  
  • From any location, find your local food bank.  

Additional Resources  

COVID-19 Business Resources Available  

Internet Access  

  • Comcast and Spectrum have Wi-Fi hotspots across the country and are providing free access to all people. Click on the provider names to see their hotspot locator maps.   
  • Charter is offering free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with college students who do not already have a Spectrum subscription. To enroll, call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.  
  • Comcast is offering 2 months of free internet for low-income households through their Internet Essentials program.  
  • Travel  
  • Frontier flying home college students for free — Students Fly Free with Frontier  
  • Enterprise is dropping the age restriction to 18 for college students who can’t fly home —Enterprise Waives Young Renter Fees  
  • Local Contact:  Greg Malloy, Assistant Branch Rental Manager  

600 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64106  

816-842-4700 (telephone), 816-842-9356 (fax)  

Storage  

  • U-Haul – 30 days free storage for college students - U-Haul Offers 30 days of free self-storage  
  •  Century Van Lines – see attachment for more information (packing and storage for a fee)  

Textbooks  

Barnes & Noble Education has announced that it has joined VitalSource to support students impacted by the recent COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Beginning today and through the remainder of the spring 2020 term, VitalSource will offer free access to eTextbooks for students at BNED campuses that have closed due to COVID-19. A list will be provided soon of eligible schools for this program please check back to review your schools’ eligibility. In the interim, review the attached “Vital Source Help FAQs” to familiarize yourself with the program and the student experience.  For a full list of publishers that are participating click here: https://get.vitalsource.com/vitalsource-helps-full-list-of-participants.   

Reminders 

  •  If you are on campus, please remember that CDC guidance regarding social distancing must be followed. Please do not gather in any campus location in groups of more than 10. Please allow six feet of space between yourself and others. 
  • Remember to stay home if you are not feeling well. Anyone who has traveled to a country with CDC level designation of three or higher; has a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 or who has been exposed to someone in this category should self-quarantine for 14 days and will not be allowed on campus. Please know that we are requiring this because of the evidence that shows those countries that have taken stricter measures are seeing a drop off of new cases.  
  • Take your laptop and all essential equipment and materials home each evening. Because local, state and federal mandates are changing so rapidly, we never know if we will be able to return to the office the next day. 

Researchers 

·         Researchers should suspend research studies with human participants if physical proximity is necessary; alternatively, you may modify your methods of data gathering to avoid physical proximity. If you have questions about modifications to your protocol, then please contact the IRB chair, Dr. Paul Scott. Research that involves surveys, case studies, etc. may continue. 

Travel 

  • The University has suspended all University-sponsored travel by air through the end of August. 

Counseling Center 

  • During this time of uncertainty, we all need something to assist us along the way. We have each other and our family and friends. Now we have a tool that helps us take care of ourselves as well. Our mental health support app, Sanvello, is now offering access to its premium services. To download Sanvello: 

o    Go to the App Store on your phone and search for “Sanvello” 

o    Download the app and proceed through the setup steps 

o    When it asks for the email address, enter your Rockhurst email address (…@rockhurst.edu or …@hawks.rockhurst.edu). This will ensure free access (the university has already paid access fees). 

o    Browse and utilize the functions, even take a tour. There are several videos to help get you started.

Campus Ministry 

  • Due to a software glitch, Campus Ministry will not be able to email The Companion E-Bulletin this week. Look for it to return next weekend. In the meantime, please note: 
  • Sadly, we will not be able to gather for Senior Get-A-Way.  Sigh. On a brighter note, look for updates and invites for a virtual version of this retreat, with talks, small group discussion, etc. via Zoom.  Stay tuned! 
  • The Lumberjack Service Retreat has been cancelled.  Look for it to re-appear in May 2021. 

·         Cura Communities launch on Monday.  Again, Cura Communities are small groups that will meet weekly to afford members the chance to: 

o    connect and check-in with one another 

o    rely upon St. Ignatius’ Examen to identify points of gratitude and areas of struggle 

o    invite faith sharing, deep listening, and prayer 

Sign up today!! 

  • Join us to pray the rosary each Tuesday at 9 p.m. We’ll live stream on Instagram @rucampministry 

Students 

  • We have had some questions regarding housing applications for next year. The focus at the moment is moving students out of their current residences for the rest of the semester. We anticipate sharing information about changes in housing applications for next year by March 27.  
  • Rockstop will be open during normal hours with limited staffing. Students can request after-hours appointments at https://connect.rockhurst.edu/portal/rockstop 

Bookstore 

  • The bookstore will be open 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Monday, March 23, and will be closed to customers starting Tuesday. Visit their website for free shipping. If you have questions or need assistance, contact them at bookstore@rockhurst.edu 

Help Desk 

  • UPDATE: In an earlier email, we indicated that in some cases, people with laptop issues may be required to come to campus and connect to the Rockhurst network for the IT Help Desk to work on your laptop. We have recently acquired a new Help Desk tool that will greatly reduce or eliminate the need for you to come to campus should a software issue occur. The IT Help Desk can now remote control your device, after your prior approval, to install software or adjust configuration, providing you have an internet connection. This new solution will reduce the time it takes to resolve any issues you may be having and assists with recommended social distancing practices during this time. 

Communication Round-up 

  • FAQs are now posted at www.rockhurst.edu that will make it easier to locate information. 

Mission Moment 

  • Knowing that video can provide more of a personal connection than words, we are looking at ways to provide more video content in light of our current challenges. Fr. Curran very much wants to offer a helpful presence for those in our community and today he produced his own video to share with you. March 20 Video Update 

Matthew D. Quick, Ph.D.                                               Randy Hopkins 

Vice President & Dean of Students                           Chief of Security 

Crisis Management Co-Chair                                       Crisis Management Co-Chair