Coronavirus

Contact Georgia Health Department at 706-845-4035 or visit their website if you have questions or concerns.

Update: 3/18/2020

Community Letter from President Collins

In these uncertain times, I want to express my gratitude for the encouragement and prayers many of you are already sending our way as we work together to navigate this serious and difficult situation in our community, our country and our world. Nearly every aspect of our lives has been impacted. I know you understand that we are doing our best to make immediate and important changes in the way we continue operations.
You may already be aware of some of the steps we have taken, including:
  • Classes will be held online for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester.
  • Spring break will be observed from April 6-10, as originally scheduled.
  • Students moved out of on-campus housing this week, and housing will remain closed for the duration of the semester. Our team in the Student Life Office worked with students who had extenuating circumstances or had no place to go.
  • The NAIA has cancelled the spring 2020 sports season, and all University-related sports events are cancelled for the remainder of the semester.
  • A decision regarding spring commencement will be made in the coming week.
  • Staff have been strongly encouraged to work remotely through the end of March.
We are saddened to know that this will negatively affect our students’ Point experience, especially those graduating in May. This is not how they pictured their last semester at Point.
We ask that you, our alumni and friends, continue to pray for us as we navigate this unprecedented situation. Know that we are spending time in prayer for all of you, too, as you adjust to rapidly changing circumstances in your own lives, churches and workplaces.
Amidst the uncertainty, we know this: God has not abandoned us in our time of need, nor will He. We serve a God who is present and active. He hears your prayers. He understands your needs. He feels your pain. And as His followers, we must seek His help and share his love with those around us – now more than ever. Yes, the coronavirus has limited us from being around each other physically, but this virus cannot and must not stop us from caring, from calling, from praying, and from encouraging each other virtually, and even silently, with thoughts and prayers. Remember, as Scripture tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7, “God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control” (ESV).
I pray that you will be overwhelmed by the peace of the Holy Spirit and choose faith over fear. We will get through this, by God’s grace and mercy.

 

Update: 3/16/2020

ACADEMICS

  • All coursework will continue online through the end of the spring semester.
  • Students can expect to hear from faculty about plans for the continuation of their classes. All questions should be directed to your faculty members, who will then relay them through the proper channels.
  • The University is developing contingency plans for students and faculty who might need technical assistance and support during online learning. Please direct questions to Jessica Mazaheri in the Educational Resource Center: mazaheri@point.edu.

RESIDENCE LIFE

  • All students remaining in Point residence halls should collect belongings and move out of their rooms between now and Wednesday, March 18, at 5:00 p.m. Residence halls will close at this time and will remain closed for the spring semester.
  • For checkout, all West Point living areas need to come to room 117 in the academic building to turn in their keys. Residents of Skyhawk Hall should go to the residence hall/security office (room 222) to check out. Both locations will be staffed from 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.
  • For students who have already left campus, we ask that you not come back to campus until Thursday, March 19, as we are following CDC guidelines for social distancing. Sign-ups will be created by living area. Check your email for more information.
  • Students who may have housing-related extenuating circumstances, need to fill out the Hardship Stay RequestSign in to eRez and access the form which is located under “My Forms” by noon on Tuesday, March 17.  If you have questions about logging into your eRez account, please come by the Student Life Office or email clarice.dillard@point.edu.

ATHLETICS

  • Effective immediately, the NAIA cancelled the spring season. Please click here for more information.

FINANCIAL AID AND STUDENT ACCOUNTS

  • For students requiring assistance from financial aid and student accounts, please refer to the FAQs attached to this email.

STAFF MEMBERS

  • Staff are encouraged to work remotely through the end of March; utilize available technologies like Zoom to continue regularly scheduled meetings. Work directly with your supervisor to cover essential duties as needed.
  • All work phone numbers still need to be answered and can be forwarded to your cell phone.
  • Because classes have moved online, the need for student workers has been reduced. If your supervisor needs you to continue working, you will be notified.
  • University employees, look for an update later today providing resources and guides for remote work.

For concerns not addressed above, please send an email to covid19-info@point.edu.

Update: 3/13/2020

As we continue to navigate the rapidly changing situation resulting from COVID-19, we are providing you with more specific details related to several areas.

ACADEMICS 
Await an announcement from your instructors. If you do not have internet access, please contact your instructor to arrange for alternate modes of instruction, delivery, and assessment.

RESIDENCE HALLS 
We encourage all students who can return home, please do so. Please inform your CLM if you are returning home. We want to maintain an accurate headcount. We ask those who remain in the residence halls to avoid large group gatherings and refrain from having any outside guests.

International students should plan on remaining on campus.

DINING SERVICES 
We will maintain dining services, although we will adopt a weekend schedule (brunch from 11:30 – 1:00 and dinner from 5:00 – 6:30).

ATHLETICS 
All athletic practices have been cancelled until March 30; all AAC competitions have been cancelled through April 5. Activities after that point will be decided closer to the date pending NAIA national office mandates.

SUPPORT SERVICES 
Because the building remains open and operational, counseling services will continue. Contact information remains updated on our website. Because other campus services remain operational, the shuttle will continue to run.

EXTRA-CURRICULARS
All extra-curricular activities (intramural sports, etc.) are suspended until further notice. We are exploring options for online entertainment and community activities.

COMMUNICATION PLANS
Further details and updates will be sent via email and through your CLMs on GroupMe.

Update: 3/12/2020

We are living in a rapidly changing and therefore stressful moment in our global and local communities. As believers we are called to not be fearful but to trust in God. However, as we move forward we must alter our normal schedules and plans to protect against the possibility of health-related risk on our campus. There are no known cases of COVID-19 on our campus or in our immediate area.

Our leadership team and task force have been closely monitoring COVID-19 the past few weeks and making plans should the need arise to implement them. Thirty-one cases have been reported in the state of Georgia according to the Centers for Disease Control. We continue to remain prepared if we need to act and will follow the guidance of the Georgia Department of Public Health. All governmental and regulatory agencies are aware of the difficulties that this creates for institutions of higher education, and they are extending grace as we navigate the situation.

Out of an abundance of caution, Point University leadership decided today that several changes will go into effect on Monday in the following areas:

ACADEMIC
Point University is transitioning all on-campus instruction to online delivery beginning Monday, March 16, and continuing through April 10. Spring Break will be observed during April 6-10. Students will be receiving information from faculty members detailing how to access course materials.

FACILITIES
All departments and offices will remain open for normal operations. This includes all residential facilities and the dining hall; shuttle services will continue as usual.
We encourage students, who are able, to return home in order to increase social distancing. If you are not able to return home, we will keep residence halls and dining facilities open. During this period, we will be increasing the frequency of cleaning services in the residence facilities.

STAFF
Point will continue normal operations, while allowing for flexibility in scheduling and remote work. Staff should consult supervisors to ensure continuity and coverage.

STUDENTS
We encourage students, who are able, to return home, although our facilities will remain open to serve students who need to remain on campus. If you choose to go home, you will need to keep up with your classwork. Knowing that many of our students are unable to travel on short notice we will maintain essential support services, including dining services. Students who choose to leave campus may do so without penalty, provided they continue in their coursework.
We will be providing a fuller set of instructions for students on Friday, March 13.

EVENTS
During this time, all University-sponsored events will be postponed or moved online until further notice. Athletic conference decisions will guide our participation in athletic events. An announcement will be sent out once the conference decisions are made.
Events after April 10 will be assessed closer to time to determine if there is a need for cancellation or postponement.

TRAVEL
All University international travel is cancelled. Travel to conferences and meetings with large gatherings is also cancelled. Any other University-related travel should be approved by your supervisor.

COMMUNITY
I want to encourage each of you to stay calm and to convey that assuredness to our students and to our community.
In moments like these we must practice what we say we believe.  Paul’s words in Philippians 4:6-7 can guide our thoughts and guard our hearts.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

Update: 3/11/2020

Point University continues to monitor developments related to the coronavirus. Our task force is continuing to work to ensure our campus takes precautionary measures to mitigate the risk of infection and have appropriate plans in place in the event there is an infection reported on campus. At this time, there have been no cases of the disease on campus or in Alabama. 23 cases have been reported in the state of Georgia according to the Centers for Disease Control. We are following the CDC published recommendations to avoid an outbreak on campus and to be prepared in case of a widespread outbreak in our area.

Current actions
Here are some steps that Point is already taking or that we will be taking shortly:

  • The task force has met and will continue to meet regularly.
  • Custodians are using industrial disinfectant and taking extra steps in cleaning.
  • Offices on campus are preparing plans for the continuation of essential operations in the event of a campus shutdown of two weeks or more.
  • Faculty are preparing to move on-campus instruction online, if that becomes necessary.
  • Dining hall staff is taking extra disinfecting precautions, eliminating all unnecessary self-service food stations in the dining hall on the West Point campus and will be providing additional bakery sheets and wipes for service utensils.

Symptoms
According to the Centers for Disease Control – for confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, symptoms can include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath

The CDC believes at this time that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear in as few as 2 days or as long as 14 days after exposure.
Visit the CDC website for more symptom clarification here.

Spring break travel
Point recognizes and adheres to the travel advisories enacted by the U.S. Department of State and the Centers for Disease Control. For the most up-to-date travel restrictions and guidelines, please visit the CDC Information for Travel page here.  Students, faculty and staff who are planning to travel during the upcoming Spring break and return from a country that is classified as Level 3 or higher by the CDC for COVID-19 are required to self-quarantine for 14 days and not return to campus unless they are asymptomatic for that period. You can visit here for information about countries and their travel classification. Those returning from countries classified by the CDC as Levels 1 and 2 are required to monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days and take their temperature twice a day. If they develop even a mild cough or low-grade fever (i.e. a temperature of 100⁰ F or more) they should stay at home and self-quarantine. This means avoiding close contact (6 feet or nearer) with other people, including family members. They should also telephone their healthcare provider or the local public health department, giving them details of their recent travel and symptoms.

Advice
If you are experiencing symptoms, CALL either your private physician or the nearest medical center before going to these locations to seek attention. Click here for information from East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, AL and locally in Valley, AL. You can also visit WellStar’s website for additional local information for WellStar in LaGrange, GA. The Georgia Department of health, here. If you are experiencing symptoms, do NOT attend classes or other events and do NOT come into work. Please err on the side of staying in or staying home. Students or employees should not return to classes or work until they have been free of fever and other symptoms, without the use of fever- or symptom-reducing medicines, for at least 24 hours.

Update: 3/6/2020

This semester’s study abroad trip has been cancelled. Centers for Disease Control are recommending against nonessential travel abroad. Some travelers returning to the United States are being required to enter quarantine, and some travelers have been quarantined abroad. Point officials report making the decision to cancel the trip out of an abundance of caution for safety and following the guidance of the CDC.

The University task force continues to monitor the potential impact of the coronavirus. There are still no reported cases in the counties surrounding our campus locations.

Update: 3/4/2020

President Collins formed a task force to monitor the status of the coronavirus and work on contingency plans for the University. Currently, there are no known cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Alabama.  There are two confirmed cases of coronavirus in Georgia, and those individuals have been quarantined. Reference the CDC website here for ongoing updates regarding cases of coronavirus in the United States.

While there is currently no known local impact for our students, we are taking extra precautions at our campus locations to keep our students healthy.

  • Our cleaning staff increased the frequency of cleaning, including sanitizing door knobs and desks more often than the normal routine.
  • Our cleaning staff confirmed that all utilized cleaning supplies can kill coronavirus living on surfaces.

As always, please take precautions and use preventative measures to ensure you are keeping yourself protected. Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds; avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; avoid shaking hands with others if possible; and cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue. If you are sick, call your doctor or use Tele-med services if available, and please stay home if you are sick to avoiding spreading germs.

If you have concerns about the following, please reach out to the appropriate contact provided below: