RU Pandemic - May 7

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Rockhurst University Companions,  

We are sending good thoughts to all faculty and students during this period of final exams. At the end of this message, we have included a prayer that we hope you will find comforting. To all Rockhurst staff, we thank you again for all you are doing to maintain the culture of our University. You may be working in isolation at times, but you are not alone. Last but not least, we welcome all of our newest companions from Saint Luke’s College of Health Sciences. We look forward to meeting you in person! 

Returning to Campus 

Beginning May 6, some businesses in Kansas City, Missouri, were allowed to reopen under certain restrictions with more openings to follow May 15. At Rockhurst, the Office of Human Resources is working with President’s Cabinet on guidelines for returning to campus. The guidelines will be based on recommendations from expert sources on public health and will be designed to protect the health and safety of faculty, staff and students, as well as visitors to campus. More information about the detailed guidelines is forthcoming. Campus will continue to be closed to everyone except essential personnel until the end of May at the earliest. 

EAP Information 

Did you know May is Mental Health Month? The University’s Employee Assistance Plan, offered through New Directions Behavioral Health, has compiled a number of resources encouraging you to #CheckIn on your family, friends and yourself during this stressful time. Learn more here. 

Sanvello App 

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.  

In addition, Sanvello offers a number of helpful, brief video resources, including these: 

Coping with the Media 

 

https://vimeo.com/401495848/fd595b7493 

Managing Anxiety 

 

https://vimeo.com/401497280/5b37b8d5ff 

Managing Family and Friendships 

 

https://vimeo.com/401499766/ae5db1c312 

Coping with Social Distancing 

 

https://vimeo.com/401502441/1430c9bf9b 

Virtual Care and Therapy During the Crisis 

 

https://vimeo.com/401503836/2012c81e20 

Volunteering and Support 

 

https://vimeo.com/401505284/3202dfcc85 

Managing Immunity and Symptoms 

 

https://vimeo.com/401501574/17bb45f06e 

Job Loss and Fear 

 

https://vimeo.com/405453397/ddb98008c5 

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  

Prayer Before an Examination 

Dear Lord, as I take this exam, I thank you that my value 
Is not based on my performance, but on your great love for me. 
Come into my heart so that we can walk through this time together. 
Help me, not only with this test, but the many tests of life that are sure to come my way. 

As I take this exam, bring back to my mind everything I studied 
and be gracious with what I have overlooked. 
Help me to remain focused and calm, confident in the facts and in my ability, 
and firm in the knowledge that no matter what happens today you are there with me. 

- A Salesian Prayer 

  • The Kansas City Jesuit community is livestreaming Mass at 5:15 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10:30 a.m. Sunday. Virtual congregants are asked to attend “live” if at all possible, and videos will only be available until midnight each day.    
     

Matthew D. Quick, Ph.D.                            Randy Hopkins  

Vice President & Dean of Students          Chief of Security  

Crisis Management Co-Chair                     Crisis Management Co-Chair