TCU Parent & Family Update- 3-12-2020 Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Greetings All!

 

Below you will find several pieces of information, some of which have been sent to students.  Some of you have seen other items but did not receive them yourself.  Other items were determined this afternoon.

Please be advised, each of these was current at the time it was posted.  As we move forward in this time of uncertainty, you will be notified if/when any of this information changes.

• Chancellor Boschini’s letter to the Campus Community dated 03.11.20. (This was sent to you yesterday.)
• Vice Chancellor Cavins-Tull’s letter to students dated 03.11.20.
• Director of Housing & Residence Life, Craig Allen’s letter to residential students dated 03.11.20.
• Current procedures for allowing a proxy (student/relative) to enter a student’s room to retrieve the student’s property, dated 03.12.20.
• Dining Services locations/hours beginning Sunday night, 03.15.20.

This information should answer most of the questions I have read on the TCU Parents Association page as well as emails sent to me.

Thank you for your patience.

 

Chancellor Boschini’s letter to the Campus Community dated 03.11.20. (This was sent to you yesterday.)

 

March 11, 2020

 

Dear Horned Frogs,

 

Texas Christian University remains vigilant in monitoring the spread of coronavirus in our community and as such, we have been preparing the campus for the potential impact from COVID-19. TCU’s top priority is always the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff, and we make decisions with our community in mind.

 

While there are no cases of COVID-19 on the TCU campus, TCU will extend Spring Break the week of March 16 – 20 and resume with online coursework only beginning March 23 – April 3. This action is being taken due to the rapid spread and unpredictable nature of this disease, which just today was designated as a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

 

Many students have been away from campus for Spring Break. As we navigate how to keep our campus healthy, we are asking that all students who have been away hold on returning to campus until you receive further instruction.

 

Taking a pause during the week of the 16^th will allow faculty to prepare classes for an online format. Please check your email today for further details and instructions about online classes as well as updated travel procedures.

 

I want to thank you in advance for your help in keeping our campus community safe. We have a responsibility to each other, our campus and the greater community to help ensure good health, decrease the potential impacts of COVID-19, and to prevent its exposure to vulnerable populations.

 

In this rapidly evolving situation, please be assured we are doing our best to answer each and every question that you have.  We are frequently updating TCU’s COVID-19 information, located at https://www.tcu.edu/news/coronavirus.php, and this will be a good source for information, in addition to the forthcoming emails from TCU leadership.

 

Sincerely,
Victor J. Boschini, Jr.

 

Vice Chancellor Cavins-Tull’s letter to students dated 03.11.20.

 

March 11, 2020

 

Dear TCU Students,

 

By now, you’ve seen the communication from Chancellor Boschini outlining the plan for moving our semester forward given the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the United States.  The status of COVID-19 is changing rapidly and, with the aim of protecting our campus and community, we will deliver coursework online beginning March 23 through at least April 3, and encourage students to remain at home.

 

For those who cannot travel or do not have a viable place to go, campus housing will remain open.  In order to remain on campus, students will need to do the following:

 

1. Register with Housing and Residence Life at the following link https://tcu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6FfaAY9SINoB96l).  If you are experiencing symptoms, you will not be permitted to be quarantined in a residence hall.  Proper locations for quarantine and isolation will be defined by the Office of Emergency Management and the Tarrant County Public Health Department.
2. Follow the CDC guidelines for hygiene and social distancing.  That information can be found at www.cdc.gov.

 

Many students have been away from campus for Spring Break. As we navigate how to keep our campus healthy, we are asking that all students who have been away hold on returning to campus. We are working through the complex details of what this means to each individual student and will send more information as we finalize our procedures and processes. If you live on campus and need access to specific items before April 3, please contact Housing and Residence Life at 817-257-7865.

 

Please note the following regarding services for students:

 

1. Brown-Lupton Health Center will remain open.  If you have traveled to an affected area and have symptoms of COVID-19, please contact TCU Brown-Lupton Health Center prior to coming to the center at 817-257-4707.
2. Counseling and Mental Health Services will remain open and offer appointments via phone and tele-health. Please contact the main officer at 817-257-7863 if you would like to conduct your appointment electronically.
3. Campus Recreation Services will be closed.
4. Campus Dining Services will remain open with reduced times. Specific information will be provided as soon as possible.
5. Student workers may choose to continue to work on campus or may choose to not work while classes are being offered online.  Please inform your supervisor of your choice.

 

As we learn more, we will update you via email.  Please continue to check your email.  If you have questions, please direct them to Campus Life at 817-257-7926.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Kathy Cavins-Tull

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

 

Director of Housing & Residence Life, Craig Allen’s letter to residential students dated 03.11.20.

 

Dear Campus Residents,

 

In light of the recent emails from the Chancellor’s Office and Dr. Kathy-Cavins Tull regarding the suspension of face-to-face classes, we wanted to provide you more information about your status as a residential student. Please read the information below and contact Housing & Residence Life if you have any questions.

 

1. The status of COVID-19 is changing rapidly and, with the aim of protecting our campus and community, we will deliver coursework online beginning March 23 through at least April 3, and encourage students to remain at home.
2. If you need to pick up books, clothing or other essentials to go home and participate in on-line classes, we encourage you to come and get those items and leave campus as soon as possible.
3. If you have a need to stay on campus you will need to request permission using this link: https://tcu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6FfaAY9SINoB96l
4. Limited amenities and dining will be available; however, residential staff will be on-call 24 hours per day to assist you as needed.
5. TCU resident students will receive a credit for housing and dining charges. Details on credits will be determined in the next few weeks.
6. Ongoing communication will be sent and posted to university websites as it is made available.

 

We are working through the complex details of what this means to each individual student and will send more information as we finalize our procedures and processes. If you live on campus and need access to specific items before April 3, please contact Housing and Residence Life at 817-257-7865.

 

 

Thank you,
Craig Allen

Director of Housing & Residence Life

 

Current procedures for allowing a proxy (student/relative) to enter a student’s room to retrieve the student’s property, dated 03.12.20.

 

Protocol for Residents Sending a Proxy to Retrieve Personal

Items from their Room

 

Residents are requesting to have friends enter their spaces to gather personal items.  The current protocol follows.

1. Resident or visitor either calls the HRL Office (817.257.7865) or RA/HD on Duty number. (The number is on the building door.)
2. The resident must use their TCU email to communicate with the responding HD/RA and give detailed permission for entry and retrieval of personal items. This permission should include the resident’s name, TCU ID number, hall/chapter, room number, visitor name, visitor phone number, time frame visitor will be coming to the hall, and items they are allowed to take.
3. The resident should inform the visitor that they will be expected to show identification.
4. Responding HD/RA will escort the resident’s guest into the room and back out of the facility, staying with the person the entire time.