COVID-19 Update 3.12.20

As many of you are aware, in the past 24 hours, the state of Michigan and the United States Government have issued new public health and travel guidelines that inevitably have an effect on the Kalamazoo College community.

There is a great deal of information in this message. Please take the time to carefully read the entire communication. Additional information is available on K’s COVID-19 webpage.

• Based on the recommendation of the Michigan Governor’s office, effective tomorrow, March 13, 2020, through a 30-day period, Kalamazoo College will cancel events with expected gatherings of more than 100 people. In addition, no outside groups of any size may use Kalamazoo College spaces during the specified time frame.

Hornet Athletic teams will not engage in team travel during spring break, and the Athletic Department has cancelled all non-conference games for the spring season. Hornets spring teams plan to participate in MIAA conference contests, which begin in late March.

The College has made the difficult decision to cancel Spring Short-term Study Abroad. The Center for International Programs (CIP) will continue to provide individual support to students transitioning from programs abroad. In addition, during the next few weeks, the CIP will be researching other international opportunities for students who are unable to study abroad this spring.

Regarding Spring Break, regular policies and procedures apply. The only students who may request to stay on campus during Spring Break are international students, in-season athletes, students who are employed by the College or in the local community (pending employment verification), and domestic students whose permanent residence is more than 450 miles away.  

As you pack for Spring Break, please anticipate the possibility of a longer break than is currently scheduled. If the Spring Break schedule is amended, the College will ensure time for students, faculty and staff to make arrangements and will make adjustments for extenuating circumstances.

Cleaning contact points such as doorknobs is a priority of the custodial staff, as is ensuring soap and hand sanitizer dispensers are filled. Please understand that as a result of the sanitizing efforts, dusting and vacuuming may be less frequent.

• For faculty, staff and dependents covered by the College’s health plan, K has enhanced our insurance plan to include 100 percent coverage of COVID testing.

• Faculty and staff are encouraged to renew their business continuity plans. The College is committed to exploring ways to keep employees financially whole in the event of a College-wide work schedule variation.

We are deeply disturbed by reports of racism on our campus related to COVID-19. Discrimination harms public health. Let’s fight this public health concern with compassion and science, not fear and discrimination. Students with concerns may contact the Student Development Office at 269.337.7210.

Thank you for paying close attention to the contents of this message. Given the rapidly evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, this information could quickly change. We urge you to continue to watch Hornet Hive emails for updated information.

Sincerely,

President’s Staff

Return to all Coronavirus Information and Updates