Update on Spring Semester

This information is archived as of May 26, 2020, and is saved here for reference. See latest health information.

March 16, 2020

Dear Central College family,

As you know, the world continues to grapple with how to respond to the coronavirus. Over the weekend, several events occurred that have required Central’s senior leadership team to consider how to best keep our community safe.

Considering these significant changes (outlined below), Central will not have in-person classes resume March 30 as we announced last week. Instead we will move to remote teaching and learning for the remainder of the spring semester. Only by exception will students be able to remain on campus. All major events and activities have been canceled until further notice.

Federal and Iowa Updates

  • Today the CDC issued new guidance about gatherings of 10 people or more. The CDC recommends no gatherings with 10 people or more take place for the next 15 days to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
  • In Iowa, at this hour we have four new cases of COVID-19 (for a statewide total of 22). It is believed three of Iowa’s cases come with no identified travel-related risk or exposure to a known COVID-19 case, indicating community spread. At this time, there are no known cases of coronavirus on Central’s campus or within our community.
  • Late Sunday evening, March 15, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, in consultation with the Iowa Department of Public Health, announced it is time to move to the next level of response. She is recommending all Iowa schools close for a period of four weeks to help mitigate the spread of the disease.

Academics

Classes will resume remotely March 30; between now and then faculty members are preparing to shift their instruction.

Central is committed to making it possible for all students to complete the semester without losing financial aid or progress toward graduation. We will do so while maintaining a strong educational community, ensuring academic integrity and employing sufficient flexibility to adapt to fluid external conditions.

All registered students will complete the semester through remote access to the courses in which students are currently enrolled. Information about how to access classes will be shared on or before Friday, March 27. There are unique circumstances we will need to work through: internships, community-based learning course components, laboratories, undergraduate research, etc. Those conversations with students will be in progress this week and next; please be patient and watch email for further details.

Moving Off Campus

Some students may wish to get belongings sooner rather than later. Others may wish to delay, and we can accommodate that as well. We request students let us know intentions by completing the form at central.edu/2020-moveout as soon as possible. This will permit student development staff to prepare for students’ return to campus to check out of rooms.

For the safety of others, students should not return to campus if they or a family member is not well or believe they have been exposed.

Students with exceptional circumstances or reasons to remain on campus may use the same form to provide rationale to do so. Examples may be geographic, academic or personal. College staff will review requests and grant or refuse permission no later than March 27. We will make individual exceptions. Please contact Charlie Strey, dean of students, at streyc@central.edu with questions.

Campus Activities and Commencement

It is with great regret and sadness we also announce that all college events, including athletics, scholarship dinner and large group visit days are canceled until further notice. Commencement is unlikely to occur in its original format. If circumstances permit, we will consider an opportunity to recognize our graduating students in the weeks ahead.

Student Accounts

The college will consider adjustments to student accounts later as we get more clarity on each student’s unique situation. We sincerely appreciate your patience as this work is done. Once we have details, we promise to share them. Right now, our focus is on the health and safety of all for the greater good of our students, campus community and the world.

We wanted to inform you about our decision that the semester will be completed by remote access as quickly as possible. As we have indicated, more information will be coming as decisions are made about how this will affect daily operations and people around campus. You may also visit central.edu/coronavirus regularly for the most up-to-date information and frequently answered questions. We will continue to update the FAQs as needed.

Thank you and be well.

Mark L. Putnam
Central College President