Coronavirus (COVID–19) information for Central Penn College Students

Dear Central Penn College Students,

Your health and safety are our top priority. Like all of you, I am concerned about COVID–19 (novel coronavirus), its spread and its impact on the health of the greater campus community, including our family and friends.

Central Penn College has no confirmed cases of COVID–19 as of this writing. The college will continue to take every precaution to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors.

During the upcoming break between winter and spring terms, our residential housing units will undergo a deep, enhanced cleaning. To ensure that common areas in every unit are thoroughly disinfected, we will be closing all residential housing from Friday, March 20, 6 p.m., to Sunday, April 5, noon.

All residential students must be off campus by 6 p.m. on Friday, March 20, and remain off-campus until noon on Sunday, April 5. If you have a unique set of circumstances, please see the Director of Residence Life.

In addition, all Conference Center events scheduled over term break have been cancelled or postponed to a later date.

The situation regarding the coronavirus continues to evolve. With that in mind, we ask all residential students to take home essential items (computer, laptops, books, etc.) over break, in case that academic instruction moves to an online format when the spring term begins. The college has the capability to offer all classes remotely through our online portal Blackboard. In addition, we are asking all students to complete the online Screening form by Thursday, April 2.

If you travel to the following areas over the break, please remain off campus for 14 days of self-quarantine:

• Europe and Asia
• Cruise ships
• New York City, Seattle and San Francisco metro areas
• Areas with high exposure, such as New Rochelle, New York
• Any subsequent location identified as a high-risk area by federal and state officials

The Emergency Response Committee, which is a subcommittee of Campus Continuity Response Team, has been meeting regularly to determine what is best for our students, faculty and staff, as we navigate this new challenge. The subcommittee includes myself and other key faculty and staff members.

Good personal hygiene is critical to preventing the spread of coronavirus. As a reminder, there are 12 hand-sanitizer stations throughout campus and foaming hand soap dispensers in all restrooms. Our cleaning vendor also has been providing more frequent and enhanced cleanings of bathrooms, railings, doorknobs and other high-touch areas.

To prevent the spread of the coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends:

• Frequent handwashing.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
• If you’re sick, stay home.
• Avoid large gatherings (25 people or more).
• Clean and disinfect high-touch areas daily.
• For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

All updates on the college’s response to COVID-19 will continue to be posted on our website, www.centralpenn.edu/covid, including our Response Plan. I encourage you to check the website frequently.

I thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Dr. Linda Fedrizzi-Williams

President, Central Penn College