The following post is a message from ASMSA Director Corey Alderdice sent at 7pm on March 12, 2020. ASMSA understands this is a fluid situation, and as new information becomes available, we will provide updates.
As noted in my previous communications to campus, the circumstances regarding COVID-19 and institutional responses across Arkansas are evolving rapidly. In the time since my most recent message, school closures in central Arkansas as well as shifts to digital instruction at the majority of universities across the state have accelerated our response plans to ensure that students remain safe while still engaged in their learning.
While our initial hope had been to reach Spring Break before shifting to remote instruction, we believe there are two compelling reasons to move forward with sending students home. First, our students come from two-thirds of the state’s counties. We believe it is productive to release students to the care of their parents prior to a case of the virus in Hot Springs or on the ASMSA campus. Second, in times of uncertainty, parents and guardians will always prefer to have their children nearby. We accept our role of stewardship of these young people with the utmost pride and care and have made this decision out of an abundance of caution.
With that said, ASMSA students will be asked to leave campus no later than 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 15, 2020. Remote instruction will begin on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, and continue through the remainder of the week. During spring break week, ASMSA leadership will continue to assess statewide circumstances and will make a determination on if remote instruction will continue or if we will be able to safely resume the residential experience on campus with check-in on Sunday, March 29, 2020.
Classes will meet Friday, March 13, 2020, as usual following the B schedule.
The ASMSA campus will remain open through this period under otherwise normal operations. All employees will be expected to report to campus.
Students: We will meet tonight at 9:30 p.m. in the CIC to go over some basic preparation for your transition away from campus and into remote instruction. Dean Flynn, Dean Morris, and I will take your questions. Dean Morris will discuss signout procedures and preparing your room for your absence. Dean Flynn will talk about gathering textbooks and other materials you will need to continue your studies while away.
We still need your assistance in determining your access at home to broadband internet and phone service. While this week’s developments will have resulted in some changes to your spring break plans, we do ask that you provide that information so we will have it in case there is a need for self-quarantine and further remote instruction. Finally, we ask that you alert staff to any concerns about food insecurity and access to meals while away from campus.
Employees: We will meet on Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. in the CIC to discuss the transition. We will continue our discussions with faculty about preparing students for continued instruction. We will work collectively on Monday to align our remote instruction efforts.
Parents: We ask that you refrain from signing your student out from campus until after 3:00 p.m. on Friday afternoon. Again, students will have until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday to complete the checkout process.
There will be a special Possip check on Friday that asks the following question: “ASMSA is using Possip to help plan for the next steps in response to COVID-19. What additional questions do you have about COVID-19 and how it may impact school?”
This information will be especially insightful as we continue to provide updates by email. ASMSA leadership will look to hold a digital forum by Zoom and phone next week to answer further questions and outline additional steps in how we will work together to support students.
ASMSA will be making additional decisions over the next few days regarding cancellation of other on-campus meetings and events. Whenever possible, we will work to replicate those events digitally.
These are extraordinary measures and challenges that ASMSA has not faced at any point in the past three decades. I want to commend our faculty and staff for their efforts and work they have been doing behind the scenes over the last few weeks. I appreciate the patience and care of our students and parents as we have responded to the shifting landscape as new information has become available. Our goal remains to provide exceptional instruction, support students as they reach their final decisions on opportunities for college after ASMSA, carry forward with the selection of our next cohort of talented young Arkansans, and continue our outreach programs that make an impact across the state. ASMSA has always been a lab-based learning environment where we embrace flexibility and rise to unknown challenges. That spirit will continue to define our campus in the coming days as we move forward, together.
Original Post
The following post is a message from ASMSA Director Corey Alderdice sent at 12:45pm on March 12, 2020.
As you will have likely seen in the news, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff as well as the University of Arkansas at Monticello will suspend on-campus classes until at least Monday, March 30, 2020. The closures are being undertaken to limit the spread of COVID-19 in light of nursing student interactions with the first presumptive cases of the virus in the state.
There are no active cases under investigation or quarantines on the ASMSA campus at this time. Our intent at this stage is for campus to remain open through the start of spring break on the afternoon of Friday, March 20, 2020, and make further determinations as needed.
Governor Hutchinson’s stance on the topic is that widespread closures are not yet necessary, and ASMSA will only consider a campus closure should the circumstances necessitate it for the safety of our students and employees. The realities of this situation will continue to evolve in the coming days and weeks, but I would like to outline several topics related to COVID-19, campus preparedness, and response scenarios. Please know that circumstances are likely to change quickly and we will revise plans as necessary.
The Arkansas Department of Health has provided a variety of online resources to better inform citizens about the COVID-19 virus as well as state responses:
https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/novel-coronavirus
Global Learning
You are aware by now that the Greece program has been delayed and both Japanese exchange visits cancelled for this semester. I do not believe it would be prudent for the Costa Rica program to continue as planned; however, we have not been able to reach a suitable outcome should the original spring break trip be cancelled. Rescheduling for both Greece and Costa Rica are ongoing discussions, and we are striving for a solution that is fair for students and families. The Sister City Program has not yet made a determination regarding the June trip to Hanamaki. At this time, we are not yet expecting changes to the summer language immersion program in Quebec.
Travel, Events, and Competitions
Governor Hutchinson announced yesterday that out-of-state travel for state employees would be restricted for the next sixty days. We will adopt the Governor’s recommendations regarding travel out-of-state. Any events which are scheduled to continue out of state through early May will need special authorization from the Director to continue. The two primary events affected by this restriction are the Ocean Bowl National Competition and Regeneron ISEF. A decision has not yet been reached by either organizer to cancel, and will we work to determine if participation is prudent.
In-state events like the Arkansas State Science and Engineering Fair, FBLA Leadership Conference, State Quiz Bowl, and other events remain as scheduled for the moment. Because many of these events are hosted on university campuses, we will continue to monitor other campus policies regarding large group events and meetings, which could result in the cancellation of these activities.
Students have worked incredibly hard over the past year to be prepared to compete as well as represent themselves and ASMSA at the highest levels. While any event cancellation will be disappointing, I hope you will understand the necessity of doing so.
We will make a decision regarding Interview Weekends for applicants in the Classes of 2022 and 2023 prior to notification of semifinalist status in the coming week. Interviews have served as supplemental components of the review and selection process, and the on-campus activities that day are part of our pre-orientation processes for incoming students. We will continue to explore alternatives and make a decision that is best for campus and our prospective families.
ASMSA will also evaluate individual events that have been scheduled on campus such as workshops, external meetings, and other activities on a case-by-case basis.
Online/Blended Learning
I have previously shared that System leadership has encouraged campuses to take proactive measures to plan for a shift to digital learning in the event of a campus closure. For example, all University of Arkansas at Fayetteville faculty have been requested to be ready to implement digital learning by March 30th. Because of the nature of ASMSA’s residential experience, we do not often utilize blended learning as frequently as many other institutions.
I asked faculty earlier this week to begin thinking about what the transition for courses would look like should we need to close campus. While students all have access to technology, one of my greatest concerns is that not all students will have access to quality broadband (or any internet connection at all) at home. We must keep equity in access in mind as we plan but must also consider additional ways that technology can scaffold and expand core instruction. I recognize that some experiences will be difficult to replicate and have encouraged faculty to think about the core concepts and essential ideas that need to be explored in classes. Completing labs and earning concurrent credit will be tertiary components of our planning rather than initial priorities.
Should ASMSA have to shift to an independent or blended learning model, we will ensure that expectations on assignments, learning outcomes, and process are both flexible and appropriate. Much of ASMSA’s work in digital learning has been focused on adapting aspects of the ASMSA curriculum for blended environments. The goal has not been to directly translate our courses or experiences. As such, this scenario will involve a variety of challenges. This shift will naturally create some stress and anxiety for both students and faculty, and we will encourage patience and grace on everyone’s part.
Information Gathering
While social distancing remains one of the most effective strategies to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, I recognize that many of you have established plans for spring break that cannot be changed. If you are traveling out of the country, to an area of the United States that has experienced significant cases (i.e., New York, California, Washington), or to a major tourist area or large gathering of people (Disney World, for example), I would ask that you proactively inform your Residential Mentor of these plans. We will make decisions regarding any potential need for self-quarantining in conjunction with health officials as we reach the end of spring break or sooner should the need arise.
During room checks on Thursday night, Residence Life Staff will be asking students to electively provide this information in addition to information about their access to broadband and unlimited phone minutes at home. We are also mindful of cases where lack of access to meals may be a concern for some students in the event of an extended campus closure. If this is a concern for you or your family, please share that information as well.
Hand Washing and Campus Cleaning
From the Centers for Disease Control: “Regular handwashing, particularly before and after certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. It's quick, it's simple, and it can keep us all from getting sick. Handwashing is a win for everyone, except the germs.” As simple as it sounds, regular handwashing with soap is one of the most effective strategies to prevent spread of viruses.
The Arkansas Department of Education also makes the following general recommendations for health and safety. To reduce the risk for getting and spreading viral respiratory infections, including the flu and the common cold, students are encouraged to take simple steps to help prevent COVID-19. These include:
- Alerting the nurse or other staff member if they feel sick;
- Frequent handwashing with soap and water. If soap and water are not readily available, using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol;
- Advising persons to avoid touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing;
- Urging students and staff to get a flu shot during the flu season; and
- Providing adequate supplies for good hygiene.
In addition to usual campus cleaning measures, additional emphasis will be placed on frequently touched surfaces such as door handles, handrails, elevator buttons and other common surfaces.
New Resource for Arkansas
The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) is pleased to announce that UAMS HealthNow, its 24-hour digital connection to healthcare professionals, will soon offer free screenings for all Arkansans who have questions about whether they may have the COVID-19 virus.
UAMS HealthNow site will have a screening tool with a series of questions about their symptoms, age, overall health, travel and other potential exposure to the COVID-19 virus and guide them regarding next steps, if any. This may include a video session with a UAMS HealthNow provider, advice to contact their local physician for further evaluation and possible testing for the virus. People who have symptoms and who have been exposed to COVID-19 are urged not to visit a physician office, urgent care clinic, emergency room or hospital without first talking to the facility and getting instructions on how to prevent spreading the virus to healthcare providers and other patients. This service will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to patients of all ages across the state of Arkansas and can be accessed from a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer. https://uamshealth.com/healthnow/
A Word of Thanks
The discussions we’ve had and decisions we’ve reached over the past several days have required input and insight from a variety of individuals on campus. I wish to express appreciation to Ron Luckow and other faculty for their work with the Global Learning Program, Amy Brown-Westmoreland for her communication with our Japanese partners, Nurse Monica, Nia Rieves in HR, finance/travel staff, the maintenance and janitorial staff, as well as everyone who has offered individual perspective. Challenging times require communication and support. We will continue to be transparent as decisions are made and keep you updated as frequently as possible.
Corey Alderdice
Director