All Stories

Dear students, faculty, and staff,

I am incredibly proud of how well we have done this semester in sacrificing and working to make the transformative Carthage educational experience possible, even during a pandemic! Considering the many uncertainties, and in light of the stories of what other schools are doing and how their students are faring, I am struck by how united and successful our Carthage community has been in enabling our students to succeed safely.

And yet we are not an island, and we are not untouched by our surrounding community. The state of Wisconsin is currently experiencing a dramatic rise in the number of positive COVID-19 cases, and the growth locally is significant. On our own campus, we have seen a concerning increase over the last three weeks, as positive cases have risen from 24 to 32 to now 62. Of course, we do not know what this week will bring, but given this pattern, it is clear that we must take additional steps now to protect the health of our community, which is a foundational value. 

I have been in communication with leaders across campus to learn from them and to discuss options. Regretfully, we are convinced that it is more likely than not that cases will rise in the next two weeks as we approach the last day for in-person classes and residential living, Tuesday, Nov. 24. With this in mind, we have determined that the following actions must be taken:

  • The Caf will be closed for in-person meals beginning Tuesday, Nov. 10. Students will need to take all meals in a “to go” manner. Residential students will need to eat their meals in their rooms. Commuter students dining on campus should eat in the TWC’s Jockey Rooms. Students are encouraged to also use the Grubhub app.

  • Beginning Wednesday, Nov. 11, the N. E. Tarble Athletic and Recreational Center will be closed for all activities except for classes.

  • All athletic practices will be suspended starting Wednesday, Nov. 11.

  • Beginning immediately, students, faculty, and staff will not be allowed to gather together in such areas as the Starbucks lounge area, Straz and Clausen common areas, conference rooms, and the Campbell Student Union.

  • Outdoor spaces will remain available as weather allows, but masks and social distancing will be required.

  • Students may wish to consider returning home earlier than Tuesday, Nov. 24, due to their own family or travel circumstances. Students who wish to do this should notify their faculty and the Dean of Students Office, studentlife@carthage.edu. Please know that if a student tests positive and cannot return home due to being positive, we are committed to helping them isolate here.

  • We anticipate reaching out to supervisors in the days ahead to determine ways to reduce the number of faculty and staff on campus while continuing to serve our students.

Our curricular activities are our core function, and we know from our contract tracing that little to none of the positive cases of the virus are originating through classroom interactions. Therefore we intend to continue classes as they are now, in a mix of virtual and in-person instruction. It is possible that we may need to advance the shift to virtual-only learning prior to Nov. 24, but we hope that we will not need to do so.  

It is very important, however, that students and families know that it may become necessary, as it has at a number of other colleges and universities, for all students remaining in residence halls to stay in place in their rooms for a period of time, if the positive case numbers continue to rise. I do not enjoy contemplating this possibility but feel that it is only right that I communicate that it may be necessary. This week will be determinative. 

I know this semester has been hard on all of us, especially our students. I also know from speaking with so many of you how committed you are to keeping our community safe. Thank you for this! 

Let us all work to keep our exposure to others as limited as we possibly can. In particular, please refrain from off-campus gatherings, whether in houses or elsewhere, for we know from contact tracing that these interactions are a significant factor in virus transmission. Having two young adult children facing their own restrictions due to COVID-19, I am very aware of how difficult these constraints can be, and yet I know that this is what we all need to do just now for the good of us all.

I am tremendously proud of how well the Carthage community has met the many challenges this year, pulling together for the love of making the Carthage experience possible for as many as possible. Thank you so much for your efforts thus far — and for your efforts to come.

John Swallow
President