Rockhurst University Pandemic Update - April 20

Rockhurst University Companions, 

As the semester begins to wind down and we move toward finals, we realize that with our unusual circumstances, this time of year might be extra stressful for some in our community. Today we provide new information for students from the Counseling Center and a helpful resource for financial information that should benefit students, faculty and staff alike. Fortunately, this time of year also brings many signs of hope and joy, including beautiful spring weather and the return of flowers and green foliage. We hope you’ll be able to spend some time enjoying the outdoors this week. 

Counseling Center News 

The Counseling Center is now able to accept new clients. As we approach final exams, some students may benefit from counseling services and, thanks to some great work by Computer Services, we are now able to grant online access to our intake process. Students can contact April Gray by phone (816 501-4826) or email (April.gray@rockhurst.edu) to schedule an appointment with one of our counselors. April will schedule the appointment and provide a link to the website where the intake paperwork can be completed. The first appointment will then take place via video platform or over the telephone (student’s choice), and counseling will proceed from there. Students who are currently clients of the Counseling Center will need to access the Titanium website and read and sign the Consent for Remote Counseling form. Their counselor can provide access to the web link. 

Unfortunately, there are still limits on where we can provide services. Students who reside in Missouri can continue to receive counseling remotely with no changes. We recently learned that Nebraska now allows licensed professionals from other states to work remotely with their residents. That means that all of our students who live in Nebraska can resume their counseling with their Rockhurst counselor if they so desire. This is fantastic news, and we are hopeful that other states will soon make similar provisions, especially with final exams around the corner.  Students from other states who may be in distress are invited to schedule a consultation with one of our counselors via April Gray (see contact info above) - and the counselor will accompany the student in identifying and transitioning to a more long-term therapy provider in the city in which they reside. 

In addition, students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use the Sanvello app. Everyone has free access to this mental health support app thanks to a grant from AT&T and its Believe Kansas City initiative. To get the app, go to your phone’s app store, search for Sanvello and download that app. Follow the installation instructions and be sure to use your Rockhurst email address to access all of the app’s capabilities.  

Financial Resources Roundup 

The Prosperity Center for Financial Opportunity has compiled a list of helpful financial resources, including information about federal stimulus checks, student loan relief and tax-favored withdrawals from retirement plans. You can find it here. 

Illness Reporting 

• Students, faculty and staff members are asked to report to the University when you are under investigation for having COVID-19, you are presumed positive with a case of COVID-19, or you have a laboratory confirmed case of COVID-19 (see definitions below). 
• Person under investigation: Any person who is under investigation for having the virus that causes COVID-19, or who was under investigation but tested negative for the virus. 
• Presumptive positive case of COVID-19: Anyone who has tested positive for the virus, but testing was conducted at the local or state level. Currently, presumptive positive cases must have a sample undergo confirmatory testing at the CDC. 
• Laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19: Anyone who has tested positive for the virus at the CDC laboratory. 
• Please report your status by sending an email to illnessreport@rockhurst.edu. The University will contact you by phone to learn some additional details about your situation and arrange for follow-up. The intent of this information sharing is twofold: 
• First, it is our desire to care for our fellow companions during this challenging time. 
• Second, the University has a desire to take reasonable steps to notify individuals from the Rockhurst community who may have been exposed – and also do a deeper cleaning of any spaces that you may have occupied while infected. 

Our follow-up process with those who might make a report to us has been reviewed, approved, and applauded by the Kansas City Department of Health. Only a limited number of RU staff members will have access to the information that is shared with us on a need-to-know basis – the proper and respectful use of your personal information is important to us. 

Pandemic Information 

You can find previous messages, an FAQ and other pandemic-related resources at our coronavirus web page. 

Mission Moment 

Wednesday, April 22, marks the 50^th anniversary of Earth Day. The Ignatian Solidarity Network offers inspirational resources and suggestions for actions to take, including accepting the “carbon challenge,” on its Earth Week web page. 

Matthew D. Quick, Ph.D.                            Randy Hopkins 

Vice President & Dean of Students          Chief of Security 

Crisis Management Co-Chair                     Crisis Management Co-Chair