March 12: Carthage’s response to COVID-19

Dear Colleagues,

I write with important updates regarding Carthage’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the United States. I know many of you are closely watching news of the outbreak’s rapid spread and far-reaching impact on travel, public gatherings, sporting events, global business operations, and — this week, especially — higher education. 

The Executive Staff and members of our Emergency Management Team have examined the anticipated spread of COVID-19, reached out to medical experts, and closely reviewed recommendations from local, state, and federal public health agencies. 

As you can imagine, these discussions have been extensive and complex. We walked through multiple scenarios and the potential impact of each. We are appreciative of your patience and understanding as we considered how Carthage could most effectively deliver academic courses in these rapidly changing circumstances. 

While there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on campus or in Kenosha County at this time, there are 6 confirmed cases in Wisconsin and 25 confirmed cases in Illinois. Residential colleges like Carthage face unique challenges in this situation: Our students study, work, and often live in close quarters. Our students and faculty regularly travel domestically and abroad. Spring break travel means many of our students and faculty are spending this week in cities across the country. It is impossible to know how many of our community members may be recommended by health officials to self-quarantine for two weeks. 

For these reasons, we have come to the following decisions. We will be sending a version of this communication to students and families momentarily. 

• Carthage will extend our spring break by one week (March 16-20).

• Beginning Monday, March 23, all undergraduate and graduate classes will resume through remote teaching and learning. Faculty members will receive a message from the Provost with information about this after this message has been sent. The extra week of spring break will provide our faculty some time to prepare for this shift. Given the magnitude of this change in the delivery of our academic program, I ask all employees of the College to provide whatever support they can to our faculty. 

• This remote teaching and learning will continue through Thursday, April 9, before our regularly scheduled Easter break (April 10-13). We plan to resume regular classroom instruction on Tuesday, April 14. We will continue to monitor the spread of the virus to confirm that this will be possible and to make other adjustments if it is not possible.

• All staff should report to work as regularly scheduled. All Carthage offices will remain open and services will still be provided to support our students and faculty during this time. All employees should contact their supervisors should they have questions.

• We recognize that there are many more details involved in taking this step — from advising, to registration, to decisions regarding on-campus events and athletics. We are working through those. More information will be shared in the coming days. We will be working closely with offices to make arrangements and will keep you updated.

• We will continue to post relevant announcements to the College’s coronavirus / COVID-19 website, www.carthage.edu/coronavirus.

• Carthage is ramping up our efforts to ensure campus remains a healthy workplace for employees. Updated travel restrictions and remote work policies will be posted to the College’s Coronavirus website, www.carthage.edu/coronavirus, by the end of the day today. Click on “COVID-19 Plan.” 

This was a very difficult decision. Carthage has long prided itself on our small classes, hands-on learning, and supportive, in-person academic environment. I share your dismay that we have reached this point, and I share your hope that we can return to our traditional format in April.

Educating students in the best way possible and promoting the health, safety, and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff — even during this time of great uncertainty — remain our first and highest priorities. 

Many of you have long heard me champion the power of being nimble in order to respond to evolving needs. This is certainly not what I had in mind! But we have repeatedly proven our ability to meet new challenges, and we will do that now. 

As we navigate these uncharted waters, let’s be sure of three things: As Carthage faculty and staff, we will work with students to help them complete their spring semester courses and meet graduation requirements. We will be generous with understanding and support for each other during trying times ahead. And we will continue to make careful decisions in the best interest of all Carthaginians.

Sincerely,

John Swallow
President