To Students and Families:

Planning for the fall quarter at K continues. Here are some important updates:

Housing

As communicated earlier, the College is prioritizing the housing of first-year students and Visiting International students. Students living on campus will reside in rooms or in individual bedrooms by themselves, with no roommates. This is the most effective way to create physical distance in a group living environment. Residential student expectations in the context of the coronavirus and logistical details will be communicated later in the summer, once the housing process is underway. Residential students will be charged the double room rate.

After reviewing the “opt out” data from first-year and sophomore students, it is clear that there will not be space to house sophomore students on campus, including those who had planned to live in Living Learning Houses. This means that sophomores should make plans to live off campus (in Kalamazoo or at home). This is not what we had hoped would happen, but it is now clear that we must greatly minimize the number of students in residence in the interest of student health and safety.  

Classes

The College will offer classes in person, in a hybrid (partly in-person and partly virtual) format, and in a virtual format. Students who wish to take a full load of courses remotely will be able to do so. The mix of courses offered in each format will be informed by the very short survey of student preferences regarding classes that students received on Friday. Please take the time to complete the survey if you have not already done so. Not every course will be available in every format, but our goal is to provide a full load of courses that will enable each student to continue making progress toward their degree, whatever format they choose.  

Information about the final mix of classes in each format (and also directions on how to search the course schedule by format) will be available by the beginning of August when the add/drop period reopens for returning students so that students will have several weeks to adjust their schedules as needed before the start of fall term.

As we continue to navigate through the pandemic, the College’s priorities remain: a) the health and well-being of our students and employees and b) assisting students in progressing toward graduation with coursework that reflects the K experience of small classes and deep engagement with faculty and staff. The housing information and mix of course formats above reflect those dual priorities. We continue to monitor the public health situation in southwest Michigan and will let you know as soon as possible if we need to modify plans for housing or classes in response to the developing public health situation.

We appreciate your patience as we continue our planning efforts. We will communicate again soon with more information.

Sarah B. Westfall
Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students

Danette Ifert Johnson
Provost

Return to all Coronavirus Information and Updates

Dear K Students and Families:

I write to provide a comprehensive update on our planning for the fall, with a focus on three important areas—student health and safety, course offerings and campus housing. Our priorities for fall planning are to protect student health and safety, and to provide a robust student experience, even in the midst of unusual circumstances.

We at K may be approaching these issues differently from other institutions due to our size, location and academic calendar. We are working to balance the desire for concrete information (about housing, for example) with the changing face of the pandemic. Our fall term classes start on September 14, later than many other institutions, and we will conclude the first term prior to Thanksgiving as always. This gives us time for preparation that may be unavailable to other colleges. Even so, our extended timeline for planning may cause anxiety as other institutions are announcing their plans while you still have decisions to make.

Student Health

Our priority in planning for the fall is doing as much as possible to ensure student health and safety. We will continue to rely on current public health guidance as we make decisions. It is clear that physical distance will be a key element in preventing and mitigating the spread of the virus, along with related practices like hand washing, mandatory wearing of masks/face coverings, and monitoring our health. Campus custodial staff will employ enhanced cleaning practices throughout, and it is also clear that each of us who work and learn at K will have responsibilities for further sanitizing spaces that we occupy. As a community, we have a shared responsibility for engaging in these behaviors for the well-being of all.

Classes

To provide appropriate physical distance, classes will be offered in a variety of ways in the coming year. For the fall, we plan to offer courses in a hybrid of in-person and online components that will reflect a range of instructional formats, from those with significant in-person components to others that are completely virtual. The goal of this approach is to enable students to have interactive, relatively small classes in the K tradition whether they are able to physically access campus resources or must take their full course load from a distance. It also ensures that we can nimbly adapt to changes in public health that may occur during the term.

Now that the spring term has ended, faculty are working on details about which courses will be offered in which format. Faculty will also be spending time this summer refining the virtual aspects of courses, taking into account their experiences during the spring, survey and other student feedback, and information from colleagues, so that the educational experience is engaging and rigorous regardless of format. Information about the format for specific courses will be available by early August and students will have the opportunity to adjust their fall course schedules if needed. While there will be an array of online-only course options for the fall, students taking courses remotely will not be able to register for some courses with significant in-person components. In addition to the work faculty are doing to prepare courses for fall, we are also reducing classroom capacities and looking at traffic flow and time between classes to promote physical distance.

Housing

Student housing will be very different from previous years. We cannot safely have a full residential system, so we have to make difficult decisions. As mentioned in a recent communication, the College is prioritizing first-year students and visiting international students for campus housing. First-year students are a priority given the important process of acclimating to life at K. While we hope to accommodate sophomores who seek campus housing, we cannot guarantee that space will be available. I encourage sophomores to seek housing off-campus, whether in Kalamazoo or at home if you prefer to learn from there. In addition to providing needed certainty for planning, this will also enable sophomores to establish desired environments, including choice of roommates. Please also remember to opt-out of housing via the form by July 12, 2020.

While the current pandemic has created many challenges for all of us, I continue to be impressed by the commitment of every member of our community to do whatever it takes to make sure that the education of our students continues. Despite having to adjust to a different environment and to high levels of uncertainty, our single focus has not moved from our mission of preparing our graduates to better understand, live successfully within, and provide enlightened leadership to a richly diverse and increasingly complex world. I will continue to communicate with you as the start of the fall term approaches and our plans evolve.

Saludos,

Jorge G. Gonzalez

President

Return to all Coronavirus Information and Updates

Dear Campus Community,

The purpose of this message is to update you on the ongoing work of the Fall Planning Group that is planning for the return to campus for faculty and staff currently working remotely, as well as for the return of students. In addition to the members of the President’s Staff, this group includes representation from health services, facilities management, campus safety, residential life, human resources and communications. The group is also coordinating with the Academic Planning Group, which is addressing course instruction models going forward. Information from the governor’s office, local public health officials and consortia discussions (e.g., Great Lakes Colleges Association (GLCA), Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities (MICU) and Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA)) are forming the basis of discussion and decision making.

Some of the planning tasks currently underway include:

• Drafting a Return to Work Plan as required by the State of Michigan, which includes faculty, staff and student training; requirements for daily health monitoring; reporting requirements; and assessment of each workspace for potential modifications to reduce risk of exposure to COVID-19. (This plan must be in place and available for review by employees for two weeks before employees begin a phased return to campus.)
• Drafting protocols for individuals at higher risk for COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions.
• Identification and purchasing of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for faculty, staff and students based on their positions, and determination of quantities and recommended inventory of PPE items to have on hand so that we are prepared for fall.
• Assessment of appropriate phasing for returning faculty, staff and students to campus.
• Square footage measurement of all classrooms and other public areas to establish density guidelines.
• Establishment of cleaning guidelines (frequency and type of cleaning) for various spaces on campus, including offices, classrooms, labs, bathrooms and residence halls.
• Identification of potential quarantine spaces for residential students should any become ill with COVID-19

There are many issues and details that need to be put into place before faculty, staff and students can begin to return to campus; however, the Fall Planning Group is working diligently and hopes that a phased return to campus for employees can begin no later than mid-July. We will continue to keep you updated on our progress. You should also continue checking the College’s COVID-19 website for updates.

For the Fall Planning Group,

Sarah B. Westfall

Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students

Return to all Coronavirus Information and Updates

Dear Campus Community,

The following message was sent this morning to members of the Class of 2020 and their families.

——————————————————-

Dear Class of 2020,

With a heavy heart, I am writing to you today to announce that Kalamazoo College’s Commencement will not take place as scheduled on June 14, 2020. This has been a tremendously difficult decision for us to make; however, public health experts continue to advise against large group gatherings as we head into summer. While the tradition of Commencement is sacred and dear, your safety and the safety of your families must come first. Nevertheless, I want to reassure you that we will have a Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2020 on campus once it is safe to do so.

I know the rescheduling of the Commencement ceremony is extraordinarily disappointing for you. We have been working with the leadership of the Kalamazoo College Council of Student Representatives (KCCSR) and with the Office of Alumni Engagement as we evaluate the different options available to us. You will be hearing from them as we seek your input to ensure that rescheduled events reflect your hopes and expectations. Our plans are to organize a weekend of activities that will include the different events normally associated with Commencement (e.g., Senior Toast, Baccalaureate, Posse Celebration, etc.). We will also be seeking your input regarding the best dates for this Commencement celebration. We will communicate details as they become available, so that you can plan accordingly.

While holding our regular Commencement ceremony is not possible this June, we do not want the current public health crisis to affect the date when you were expecting to receive your degree. Consequently, on June 14, we will hold a virtual Conferral of Degrees ceremony so that you will officially be a graduate of Kalamazoo College. More details about this event will be forthcoming via email and on the Commencement page at kzoo.edu.

I began my tenure here at K in the fall of 2016, making the Class of 2020 my inaugural class. You are the first group of students I have been with for all four years. For this reason, your class and this Commencement hold special meaning for me. I hope you will take a moment to listen to a video message I recorded regarding Commencement, as well as a message from your classmates and KCCSR leaders, Karina Pantoja and Mya Gough. I am very proud of what you’ve accomplished in your four years at K, and how you’ve handled adversity this term. I look forward to awarding your degrees in June and celebrating your accomplishments together on campus once we can safely gather on this fair Arcadian Hill.

Saludos and lux esto,

Jorge G. Gonzalez

President

Return to all Coronavirus Information and Updates

Dear Campus Community,

In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 throughout the state of Michigan, the governor’s office has issued an executive order requiring Michigan residents to remain at home to the maximum extent feasible. Kalamazoo College will follow the “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order to our utmost ability, allowing on campus only those employees who must be physically present to provide essential services. Under no circumstances should a person who is ill come to campus.

These are the services that require employees to be on campus:

• Campus Safety
• Food, custodial and health services for the very few students still on campus
• Direct and technical support for teaching and learning
• Payroll and other essential business functions

With the exception of Campus Safety, other services will be limited. The main phone line, 269.337.7000 will continue to be answered.

Employees are expected to continue working from home. The College intends to pay employees and maintain benefits for as long as possible into the future.

Faculty and staff who need to come to campus to retrieve equipment may do so; however, please coordinate the timing with your supervisor and practice social distancing. Teaching faculty are encouraged to work from home and to contact the Provost’s Office if technology is a barrier.

As additional information becomes available, the College will continue to communicate with you via Hornet Hive messages, and we will update our COVID-19 webpage.

Please remember, by staying away, you protect the health and safety of the very few students who could not go home and your colleagues who must be on campus to provide essential services. I know these are uncertain times, and the fluidity of the COVID-19 developments is not within our control. I am profoundly grateful for our faculty and staff’s exceptional commitment to our students, our alumni, our families and friends, and to one another. Together, we will get through this global health crisis.

Saludos and be well,

Jorge G. Gonzalez

President

Return to all Coronavirus Information and Updates

Dear Campus Community,

It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that all Kalamazoo College courses during the spring will be conducted through distance learning for the duration of the term. This difficult decision was made based on rapidly evolving recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and our local and state governments. This action is being taken with an abundance of caution. The health and safety of all members of our community and their loved ones must be paramount.

No in-person finals will be offered after 9 p.m. tonight, Monday, March 16, 2020. Please watch for communication from your faculty member regarding exams previously scheduled for Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Face-to-face interaction between students and faculty is at the heart of a Kalamazoo College education. The education during the Spring Term will be different. Learning and advising can take place remotely, and I have full confidence that our faculty and students will engage in meaningful ways from a distance. I appreciate the extra work and effort involved from faculty and students. Thank you.

While students will be billed for Spring Term tuition, the College will not charge room or board to anyone not living in the residence halls. Special course and lab fees for the spring semester will be waived. The activity fee will also be waived. The College is working on a mechanism to refund or reimburse already paid Spring Term room and board, as well as special course, lab and activity fees.

The College expects students to vacate the residence halls for the entire spring term. In addition, the employees are encouraged to work from home until further notice.

Students must vacate the residence halls by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. (This is an extension of the original noon deadline).

• Only international students, who cannot return to their home countries, will be allowed to remain on campus. This criterion supersedes any previously published criteria.
• Students should take what they can from their rooms. Rooms with belongings still inside will be locked and remain untouched until students have time to properly vacate them. Please place a priority on taking valuables (whether monetary or sentimental) with you.
• Students who have already departed the residence halls may not return to campus at this time. The College will develop a process for gathering belongings that remain when it is safe to do so. We will communicate with you on this topic at a later date.
• We hope to hold Commencement ceremonies as scheduled. It is simply too soon to know if this will be possible. We will hold a ceremony at some point, if not in June.

Faculty and staff who can conduct their primary work functions from home, should do so beginning no later than Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 8 a.m. and continue indefinitely.

• The intent is to maintain College operations and to keep employees financially whole as long as possible. By financially whole, we mean the College plans to pay employees in full during the period of time we will be working from home. Benefits will also be maintained.
• The College recognizes not everyone can conduct their main work functions from home. Please talk to your immediate supervisor regarding arrangements.
• Some employees may work on alternating schedules, allowing the College to maintain critical functions while practicing social distancing.
• We are all in this together. It is safer for those who must come to campus if those who can work remotely stay at home.

The Upjohn Learning Commons and the Fitness and Wellness Center will be closed at 3 p.m. today, Monday, March 16, 2020, by executive order of the Governor of Michigan. These facilities will remain closed to everyone except employees who work in those facilities until at least 11:59 p.m., Monday, March 30, 2020.

I know there are many unanswered questions. You may send your questions to info@kzoo.edu, and we will address them as best we can. We appreciate your patience as we address the most pressing concerns first.

As additional information becomes available, the College will continue to communicate with you via Hornet Hive messages, and we will update our COVID-19 webpage. I am grateful to the faculty and staff who have worked and will continue to work incredibly hard to address this national health crisis.

The College recognizes this action is particularly challenging for seniors. We know there will be no final spring athletic season, no final performances or presentation, no last Day of Gracious Living at the beach, just to name a few. We know students cannot get the spring of senior year back.

The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us that we are one. Our humanity is global, and so must be our response. We must think of each other as well as ourselves. I encourage you to be open to the changes we must now all adopt, stay healthy, and be mindful of the safety of others. I look forward to the day that we may all gather together again on our fair Arcadian hill.

Saludos and lux esto,

Jorge G. Gonzalez

President

This message has been sent to Kalamazoo College students, faculty and staff:

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Kalamazoo College’s decision-making process has been science-based and informed by our local health department, state government and the Centers for Disease Control. Based on the evidence of how this virus spreads and the patterns identified in other communities, it is with an abundance of caution that Kalamazoo College will start the spring term on Wednesday, April 1, 2020, with distance instruction.

• Winter term finals will continue as planned from Sunday, March 15, 2020 through Tuesday, March 17, 2020
• Residence halls will close on Wednesday, March 18, 2020
• Academic courses in distance learning formats begin Wednesday, April 1, 2020
• The residence halls will open on Sunday, April 12, 2020
• In-person instruction resumes on Monday, April 13, 2020

The only students who may request to stay on campus during Spring Break and during the distance learning period are international students, student-athletes (as long as conference competitions are scheduled), 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.    

The health of our students, faculty and staff is our utmost concern, and we believe this approach to social distancing is in the best interest of our campus community. Recognizing circumstances can quickly change, we will continue to monitor COVID-19 developments. Should plans for the spring term change, we will notify you no later than Monday, April 6, 2020.

We recognize the alternative formats used in distance learning will not replicate the in-person classroom experience for students and faculty. It will be different. We are confident meaningful teaching and learning experiences will occur, and the goal is to return to in-person instruction as soon as possible.

During this period of distance learning, Kalamazoo College offices will remain open and employees will report to work on their regular schedules. Employees should discuss with their supervisors options for working from home when appropriate. Please remember it is in your best interest and that of your colleagues to stay home if you are ill. We are aware Michigan public schools will be closing on Monday, March 16, and we understand some of you may have childcare concerns. Please work directly with your supervisors.

In addition, K is suspending all non-essential college-sponsored travel, effective immediately. Travel may only occur with the approval of the appropriate vice president.

For students with campus employment, the College is exploring ways to ensure you are kept financially whole during the extended break from campus. In addition, for those who live in the residence halls, room and board charges will be adjusted. Additional communication on this topic is forthcoming.

Please know this extremely difficult decision was made with the intent to protect the health and safety of our entire campus community. We appreciate your patience, your resiliency and your flexibility. I know this news is disappointing, and that you will have many questions. The situation is fluid, and we will continue to communicate with you. The College’s COVID-19 webpage is an additional resource for you. We care about your well-being and urge you to take care of yourselves and one another during this public health crisis.

Saludos,

Jorge G. Gonzalez

President

Return to all Coronavirus Information and Updates

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

Each of us needs to consider our own health and that of others as we make decisions about travel during the upcoming break. Our individual decisions have a direct impact on the health of our campus community. Please carefully reconsider travel plans if they will take you to areas of significant COVID-19 outbreak.

Remember to continue robust prevention practices, including:

• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, sneezing, or coughing.
• If you are unable to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer with at least a 60% alcohol content.
• Cough and sneeze into tissue, or into your sleeve. Throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Consider “elbow bumping” in lieu of shaking hands or fist bumping.
• Stay home and away from others when you are sick.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

We urge you to pay close attention to information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and the United States Department of State, especially if you plan to travel internationally.

Domestic and international travel may be impacted by the spread of the virus. Please stay actively alert to changes and developments that may affect your plans. Again, information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and the United States Department of State will be especially helpful. Some countries have restricted entry to individuals. Information resources include:

• World Health Organization
• Centers for Disease Control
• Michigan Department of Public Health

If you plan to travel outside the U.S., monitor travel advisories daily:

· U.S. Department of State
· Government of Canada
· Government of México

Travel limitations within the U.S. may also come into play. You may encounter the following issues:

• Airlines may cancel/limit flights in or out of a country or region.
• Additional quarantine measures may be applied by the U.S. and other countries.

After Spring Break

Current CDC guidelines require you to self-isolate (i.e., stay away from others) if you are returning to the U.S. from China, Italy, Iran, and South Korea. This means that you are expected to self-isolate AWAY from campus for 14 days. This list may change during the course of spring break, so please monitor the situation via the Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Department of State.

As of this date, we plan to resume courses on campus for Spring Quarter. Faculty and Academic Affairs staff members are working on options for alternative instruction if traditional classroom/lab/studio learning needs to change in response to the virus. Additional specific information to facilitate spring course planning will be sent to all faculty tomorrow morning.

In the event of a suspension of classes or a delayed start to Spring Quarter, students may wish to take appropriate class and study resources/supplies with them.

If you have underlying health issues that put you at risk in the event of a local COVID-19 outbreak, please consult your health care provider now to develop a plan. Employees should also consult with Human Resources staff as appropriate.

We encourage you to reach out to campus offices if you have questions or concerns about returning to campus Spring Quarter. The Center for International Programs, CIP@kzoo.edu, is monitoring COVID-19 information from around the world and is happy to answer any questions or direct you to resources. Human Resources, HR@kzoo.edu, can provide information for faculty and staff.

Please monitor campus email during the break, especially Hornet Hive announcements. This will continue to be a primary source of information.

We hope you have a safe and healthy spring break.

-Crisis Management Team

Return to all Coronavirus Information and Updates

We write with an update on COVID-19 as it relates to the campus community. Late in the day on Monday, the government of Madrid ordered all schools to be closed in response to the spread of COVID-19. As a result, our spring term study abroad program in Madrid has been cancelled. This affects 24 students, all of whom are working with the Center for International Programs to develop alternate plans which might include study abroad elsewhere or staying on campus for spring classes.

We will continue to monitor developments related to COVID-19 domestically and internationally, and will communicate with impacted students directly.

Campus custodial staff have recently transitioned to using more aggressive cleaning supplies. We urge you to keep your own living spaces as clean as possible. Please refer to information provided by the Centers for Disease Control for resources for home.

If you are diagnosed with COVID-19 by a medical professional, please share that information with us. We ask that students who have a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 or are persons under investigation by a local health department notify the Student Health Center healthsv@kzoo.edu for further information and guidance. We ask that faculty and staff who have a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 or are persons under investigation by a local health department notify Human Resources for further information. This information will help us provide appropriate support to our entire campus community.

Spring Break is coming soon. Each of us needs to consider our own health and that of others as we make decisions about travel during the upcoming break. Our individual decisions have a direct impact on the health of our campus community. Please carefully reconsider travel plans if they will take you to areas of significant COVID-19 outbreak. Domestic information can be found at the CDC website and international information can be found at CDC international travel website.

Remember to continue robust prevention practices, including:
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, sneezing, or coughing.
• If you are unable to wash your hands, use hand sanitizer with at least a 60% alcohol content.
• Cough and sneeze into tissue, or into your sleeve. Throw the tissue away and wash your hands.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Consider “elbow bumping” in lieu of shaking hands or fist bumping.
• Stay home and away from others when you are sick.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Thank you for being careful and considerate of others in our community.

Return to all Coronavirus Information and Updates