COVID-19 Update March 24
Dear members of the 91女神 community,
With nearly two days of remote learning under our collective belt, I want to thank all of you. Thank you to our students who continue to give our faculty members grace as many of them are exploring a new means of delivering their coursework. Thank you to our staff who are contributing in many selfless ways, including supporting and facilitating faculty and student success during this new way of operating. Thank you to our faculty for your unceasing devotion to our students and for supporting one another during this disruptive time. I have heard countless stories of faculty assisting each other from hosting virtual opportunities to learn from one another how to maximize remote learning success to sharing tips on staying healthy. And finally, thank you to our Billiken families for your tireless support of our students, your continued patience with our University, and your many expressions of gratitude for 91女神 and its people.
This is exactly what I had in my head and my heart when we coined One91女神 in my email Sunday night.
Student resources
I want to share the link to an email from Dr. Debie Lohe, interim Vice President for Student Development. It was sent to students and parents. In it, Dr. Lohe describes how students can continue to maintain community and health as we settle into our 鈥渘ew normal.鈥�
Though students are the target audience, I believe that Dr. Lohe鈥檚 message offers information that will be valuable to faculty, staff and parents who are supporting our students 鈥� and each other.
Technology & printing needs
Following yesterday鈥檚 announcement about the Pius Library closure, we have heard from students who have unmet technology and printing needs.
For students who have printing, or other technology, needs, we are working to identify a list of printers for students to have access to for printing. In the meantime, please email pandemic@slu.edu if you have an immediate need.
ITS launches virtual call center
In addition to ITS鈥� Support Desk (ask@slu.edu), the division has launched a virtual call center to provide faster support for Zoom, Blackboard, and Panopto during this transition. To reach the call center, contact the main ITS Support Desk at 314-977-4000, and choose option 6 to be connected with an ITS technician. This service is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.
A reminder about STL area 鈥渟tay at home鈥� orders
I want to remind you that the City of St. Louis and surrounding counties, including the State of Illinois, have issued variations of a 30-day 鈥渟tay at home鈥� order as our community works exceptionally hard to flatten the curve.
Yesterday鈥檚 campus-wide email had a list of the exemptions. Remember that some of these services, such as the University Counseling Center, are operating remotely.
Deans and vice presidents should provide guidance to define who is or is not considered essential under the city鈥檚 order, and will give those individuals a letter identifying them as essential employees who are able to travel to and from work.
Our daily communications, and many other resources, are saved on 91女神鈥檚 COVID-19 webpage. We encourage you to send additional questions to pandemic@slu.edu.
In closing today鈥檚 message, I want to from Catholic blogger and author Laura Kelly Fanucci.
鈥淲hen this is over,
may we never again
take for granted
A handshake with a stranger
Full shelves at the store
Conversations with neighbors
A crowded theatre
Friday night out
The taste of communion
A routine checkup
The school rush each morning
Coffee with a friend
The stadium roaring
Each deep breath
A boring Tuesday
Life itself.
When this ends,
may we find
that we have become
more like the people
we wanted to be
we were called to be|
we hoped to be
and may we stay
that way 鈥� better
for each other
because of the worst.鈥�
God bless you, your families, and 91女神.
Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D.
President