President Alison Byerly sent the message below to the College community on Wednesday afternoon, March 9. The message was also sent to parents. It is the latest in a series of communications keeping the campus and parents informed about the virus that has impacted the College.
Cancellation of Classes and College Activities
To: The College Community
I am writing to provide the campus with an update on the contagious stomach virus that has affected the College for the past few days as well as information on actions we are now taking.
The College has received confirmation from the Pennsylvania Department of Health that the cause of the outbreak is norovirus. While there has been an encouraging downward trend in the number of students who have been treated for symptoms of the virus since the outbreak began last weekend, and every student who has been treated has recovered uneventfully, a number of students are still experiencing these symptoms.
Recognizing both the strain these illnesses have placed on our community, and the importance of minimizing student contact with visitors to the campus, the College is cancelling all classes, co-curricular, and extracurricular events, including intercollegiate athletics and club sports, effective immediately. This includes events scheduled for this evening. These cancellations will remain in effect throughout the weekend. The College will resume its normal operations on Monday.
These cancellations, and the resulting reduction in the number of people on campus, will benefit the entire campus community by facilitating ongoing cleaning and sanitizing of the campus through the weekend. These cleaning efforts will be augmented by extra personnel during the next four days.
Students who are able to travel home are strongly encouraged to do so. This includes those who have experienced symptoms of the virus but are no longer feeling ill. The Office of Residence Life will be sending a message to all students asking them to confirm whether they are remaining on campus or traveling home. Dining Services will also communicate directly to students with a modified schedule for the College’s dining facilities during the next four days.
The College will remain open throughout this time for essential services. The Health Center, Dining Services, and Residence Life will be in operation. Skillman Library will also remain open. All other student services will be closed until Monday. As always, the Office of Public Safety will be open 24/7.
All College employees will receive a communication from their divisional vice president or department head with information on expectations for reporting to work for the remainder of the week.
The College’s Incident Action Group will continue meeting to address the situation and will keep the College community and parents informed.
While Farinon Center will not be open, the Office of Residence Life will be staffed during normal operating hours and available for phone calls at (610) 330-5335. After hours, please address questions to Public Safety at (610) 330-5330.
I very much appreciate the concern that everyone has demonstrated for the well-being of the community. This situation has involved hard work and long hours by staff in the Health Center, Facilities, Public Safety, and Residence Life offices; flexibility on the part of faculty; and supportiveness on the part of students who have helped to care for each other. My thanks for your continuing support.
President Alison Byerly