We are making frequent updates about our campus response to Coronavirus and COVID-19. Read the latest on our Coronavirus/COVID-19 page.
Dear Carleton faculty and staff,
We’re writing to share details about what the College is doing to keep our community safe amidst the rapidly evolving global outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19). Most importantly, you should know:
- The threat to our campus remains low at this time. As of March 5, there are no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Minnesota and no suspected cases on our campus.
- The single most important thing we can do as a community right now is to prevent the spread of illness on campus.
Carleton’s Infectious Disease Team is meeting weekly to plan and prepare around this situation and is working with College leadership to recommend and implement actions in the best interest of our community. The most current information related to COVID-19 and how it affects our campus is on our coronavirus website, which is being updated as changes arise.
As Winter Term comes to an end and we look forward to spring break and Spring Term, there are a number of issues associated with this outbreak that you need to be aware of:
- Off-Campus Studies programs are being impacted.
We currently have 89 Carleton students studying abroad around the world for Winter Term, with the majority of these in Carleton-sponsored programs in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Spain, and Myanmar. We made the decision this week to continue to operate these programs as planned; however, any student who wishes to leave a program site and return to their home can do so. These students will finish their academic work remotely and return to campus at the start of Spring Term.
We have also made the decision to cancel the spring 2020 program to Japan, where sustained community transmission of COVID-19 is occurring. We are working with students who were enrolled in that program to make alternate arrangements, including registering for spring courses and securing on-campus housing assignments.
The Off-Campus Studies (OCS) staff is working closely with College leadership to evaluate the viability of other planned spring programs. We will communicate changes directly to enrolled students and their parents and families by email, as well as on the coronavirus website. If a large-scale change is made, we will communicate through campus-wide communications.
OCS also continues to support students who are enrolled in non-Carleton study abroad programs throughout the world. If you have questions or concerns, please contact OCS directly.
- We ask that you exercise caution with your spring break travel.
If you plan to travel over spring break, know that there are risks associated with traveling internationally during this rapidly evolving global outbreak. You could be exposed to the virus, quarantined upon return to the U.S., or restricted from re-entering the country.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has created threat levels to indicate the risk of traveling to any one country. As a result, you should avoid all nonessential travel to China, Iran, South Korea and Italy (level 3), consider postponing travel to Japan (level 2) if you are an older adult or have a chronic medical condition, and exercise caution when traveling to Hong Kong (level 1). If you or someone in your household plans to travel to any of these countries over spring break or spring term, please let Human Resources know.
If you plan to travel domestically, please monitor the CDC website for COVID-19 cases in the U.S. Pay particular attention to developing hotspots and consider changing your plans accordingly. Testing criteria was broadened significantly this week, and more cases are likely to be confirmed as a result.
- Know the symptoms of coronavirus and what you should do if you suspect you have it.
The CDC believes that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure. Confirmed cases have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death. Symptoms can include:
- Fever (100.4 F or higher)
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
If you are experiencing these symptoms and suspect you have been exposed to COVID-19, you should stay home and call your healthcare clinic. Your healthcare professional will work with the Minnesota Department of Health to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
Even if you don’t suspect COVID-19, particularly now, you should stay home if you have a cough, sore throat or fever. Report the illness and subsequent absence to your department head (faculty) or direct supervisor (staff). Information regarding sick leave benefits can be found in the Campus Handbook.
The health and safety of the campus community and the educational experiences of students are paramount. If you have any questions or concerns related to the College’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we encourage you to reach out to Kerstin Cardenas in Human Resources or either of us.
Sincerely,
Bev Nagel
Dean of the College
Fred Rogers
Vice President and Treasurer