President Turner encourages making wise decisions

Bearcat family, 

You want to be on campus and have in-person classes. We want you to be on campus and instruct you through in-person classes. In order to do this, we all must make wise decisions. As we head into the weekend, you will have some decisions to make concerning travel or off-campus activities.

We are seeing other universities already pivoting to fully online classes within a week or two of starting the fall semester. University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, University of Notre Dame and others have pivoted temporarily or permanently online because of COVID-19 clusters resulting from off-campus weekend activities where students did not follow appropriate COVID-19 protocols.

I know we can do better, Bearcats. I have seen you wearing masks and following other protocols on campus. Please continue to follow these protocols, even when off-campus. Let us continue to be an example of what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Please keep this guidance in mind as you make plans:

• Limit travel outside of the immediate area. Unnecessary travel increases the risk of exposure to yourself and those around you.
• Avoid large gatherings, especially when physical distancing is not possible and/or masks are not being worn.
• Wear masks or other face coverings in community spaces or when around other people — both indoors and outdoors.
• Observe proper physical distancing. Wearing a face covering is NOT a substitute for physical distancing. It adds an additional layer of protection against spread of the virus.
• Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands often. Cover your coughs and sneezes.

Please be responsible and make wise decisions. Your individual decisions affect the entire Bearcat community.

 

Shaping our story together,

Dr. Eric Turner
SBU President