Campus Community Updates

The University of Dubuque is closely monitoring and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our COVID-19 Recovery Task Force continually evaluates guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Iowa Department of Public Health, and other national, state, and local agencies. Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our UD family both on campus and at our LIFE sites.

View Face-to-Face and Safe for Fall 2021, UD's Ongoing Response to COVID-19

Final Reflections on 2021 Academic Year
June 7, 2021

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

This note to our UD family will be my final Presidential communication of the COVID-19 era. There will continue to be updates, for sure, but not of the depth or volume that this past year or so has required. In total, I have emailed over 25 COVID-19 updates and filmed around 50 UD Talks and UD Listens videos to share messages from our campus home. From the beginning, we believed that it was important to do our best to over-communicate with all of you. Each of you has an important claim in this Mission known as the University of Dubuque. And because each of you is invested in this Mission, we not only survived this year, we became stronger, more focused, and even more purposeful in our desire to offer a faith-based education of teaching and learning in our caringly intrusive environment. So as we end this epoch, I would like to offer a few words of thanks to each of you.

Students
Words cannot begin to express how proud I am of each one of you. Yes, there have been ups and downs throughout the year, and the experiences of this year are surely not the way any of you had anticipated engaging in your university education. Who would ever have dreamed that we would be wearing face coverings throughout the year or learning through a synchronous delivery platform? All of this alongside canceled concerts, virtual events, and shortened athletic seasons? But you persevered; you adapted. You exercised patience and ample amounts of forgiveness, even while you learned and made the most of this, your time. I know that you will use this experience to make you better and not bitter.

Faculty and Staff Colleagues
Each of you have been amazing in your own way! What a challenging - and rewarding - year in so many different ways. The accomplishment for which I am most grateful is that you set aside your personal convictions and, in some cases, fear and anxiety, and chose to focus on creating the best learning experience for our student body. Some of you facilitated that experience in the classroom. Some of you facilitated that experience through residence life or student engagement. Some of you did that through coaching and mentoring. Some of you did that by getting us to be equipped, technologically. Some of you did that by helping us identify resources for scholarships and increased COVID-19 testing. And some of you contributed by cleaning, sanitizing classrooms and residence halls, mowing, shoveling, repairing HVAC systems, and preparing and serving hundreds of thousands of meals to students in dining facilities and to those students in quarantine or isolation. Thank you - every one of you!

Parents of Current and Prospective Students
Thank you for entrusting us with your children. Though somewhat counter to the higher education culture, early in the COVID-19 crisis, we believed that your children - our students - needed to be in the classrooms to learn together. We communicated with you early and often throughout summer 2020, and we are grateful to have been able to deliver on our promise to educate and form students in a safe and supportive environment.

It is important for you to know that we will continue to do all that we can to be supportive and to help you and your family navigate during these next months and years. We understand that many of you still have concerns about the kind of educational experience your child will have during the 2021-2022 academic year. I will make three promises to you: 1) We will be delivering a high-quality educational experience, both in and out of the classroom, in a face-to-face caringly intrusive environment; 2) We will be a campus that is safe, monitored through mitigation strategies, and responsive to whatever environmental changes may come our way; and 3) We will do everything we can to support your child spiritually, emotionally, educationally, and financially.

As an example of that support, I would like to share a few details from the first full year of service to our students through the Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center. Our student health center opened three days before classes began in August 2020. Prior to the student health center, we contracted with UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital to provide acute care services for students in need of medical attention. I am proud to say that we are now able to provide a full continuum of care for all of our students; care that meets their physical and brain health needs. From September 2020 through May 2021, 2,818 students received medical attention including sports physicals, brain health treatments, learning challenge diagnostics, COVID-19 tests, vaccinations, and many other forms of medical tests and treatment. We expect this number to grow during the 2021-2022 academic year. By the time they have graduated, our goal is to have students equipped to ably manage their physical and brain health.

Trustees, Alumni, and Friends
Without your support, we would have experienced many more challenges throughout this past academic year. A record number of you supported our Annual Student Scholarship Fund. In fact, for the first time in its history, the Annual Student Scholarship Fund reached its goal in early Aprilâ€¦seven weeks ahead of schedule! Among many opportunities, this campaign provided extra financial support for students that were struggling to stay in school. A number of our Trustees, again, rose to their unique challenges as fiduciaries of this Mission. Trustees provided financial support to help students who could not afford prescription medications. Other trustees provided financial support to complete the Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center and the Peter and Susan Smith Welcome Center. And still other trustees provided financial support that encouraged the work of faculty and staff members who labored long and hard to keep us moving throughout this extraordinary year. Indeed, trustees, alumni, and friends have pitched in to help this Mission through these very challenging months.

Final Thoughts
As youâ€™ve gathered, making it through this year has been a team effort. In lots of ways, though challenging, this year has also been an enormous gift to each one of us. Petty differences were often set aside for the greater good. The importance of learning together, in community, was highlighted - and understood - in a way that many of us had grown to take for granted. Support to those of us in need was given with joy and received with thanksgiving. All of these ingredients are, in fact, essential in forming a healthy organizational culture.

And that healthy culture will be needed now, more than ever, as we move through these next 18 months at this Mission known as the University of Dubuque. Our own â€œsupply chainsâ€� have been disrupted, and it will take us time to rebuild the relationships put on hold with high school counselors, coaches, prospective students, and affiliated individuals that provide so much support for our students. Additionally, we will continue to work through challenges and teaching/learning opportunities that arise from unrest - whether that be civil, social, or interpersonal. Many people have been wounded over the last 15 months; trauma that is seen and unseen. Now, more than ever, we are committed to being that place of hospitality, hope, and healing. It is our Mission - it has been our Mission, which is now entering its 170th academic year.

So, for the last time -

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

Campus COVID-19 Plan for Operation Update
May 20, 2021

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

As I did in one of my first COVID-19 updates over a year ago, I want to compliment and affirm each of you for your care for one another and your willingness to be flexible and adaptive. We are here for each other, and we will get through this challenge together.

Since my last update, the City of Dubuque and Dubuque County rescinded their face covering mandates.

Effective immediately, face coverings will be optional on the University of Dubuque campus, except in the Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center and at clinical sites or internship locations that require face coverings.

Face coverings are recommended for those who are not fully vaccinated, which is in line with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. People are fully vaccinated two weeks after a second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines or two weeks after a single-dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

We strongly encourage students, faculty, and staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Please visit www.vaccines.gov to find locations that offer COVID-19 vaccines in the United States.

The University of Dubuque will continue to implement additional cleaning procedures that have been in place since the beginning of the pandemic. Hand sanitizing stations and face covering stations will remain at various locations throughout campus.

Iâ€™m excited to share that campus buildings closed to the general public since the pandemic, including the Charles C. Myers Library and Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center, will reopen to everyone starting Tuesday, June 1, 2021.

Iâ€™m looking forward to welcoming students in the fall for face-to-face classes. Additional updates about the fall semester will be shared this summer.

Our priority continues to be the safety and well-being of our UD family both on campus and at our LIFE sites in Dubuque, Iowa; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Tempe, Arizona; and Meridian, Idaho. Please, as we enter this new phase, practice our new mantra: Practice adaptability, patience, and forgiveness. There may be members of our UD family who wish to continue to wear face coverings even if they are vaccinated. Please feel welcome to do so if you would like.

Thank you for your care for one another. We will get through this together.

Rev. Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President of the University

May 14, 2021

Campus COVID-19 Plan for Operation Update

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

Thank you for your efforts to demonstrate care and respect for the more vulnerable among us throughout this pandemic. Today I ask for you to continue those efforts.

As you may know, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated its guidance for those who are fully vaccinated. The CDCâ€™s website states, â€œFully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.â€� The City of Dubuque ordinance and Dubuque County mandate requiring face coverings is still in place. Additionally, we do have a few active COVID-19 cases on campus. Given those factors, we will continue to require face coverings for everyone â€“ vaccinated or not â€“ in all campus buildings through at least May Term and will reevaluate for summer/fall.

We strongly encourage students, faculty, and staff to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As the CDC has stated, it is an important tool to help us get back to normal. Visit www.vaccines.gov to find clinics, pharmacies, and other locations that offer COVID-19 vaccines in the United States.

Thank you for following UDâ€™s mantra to help mitigate the spread of the virus: Practice common sense â€“ good hygiene, physical distancing, and wear a face covering for yourself and others.

Rev. Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President of the University

January 7, 2021

Athletic Facility Protocols During NCAA Competitions

Dear University of Dubuque Community and Parents,

The Department of Athletics is committed to the safety our student-athletes, the campus community, and spectators as we welcome you in preparation for Spartan Athletics for the winter and spring seasons, beginning Sunday, January 9.

At this time, with guidance from the NCAA, American Rivers Conference, as well as health officials, UD has implemented the following health and safety protocols for spectators in the following facilities during athletic competitions. Note that these guidelines are subject to change at any time.

Stoltz Sports Center (Jon Davison Court)
Spectators will be limited to two people for each student-athlete, coach, or staff member. The spectator list is submitted by the teams competing only and spectators will need to check in at the entrance to confirm names on the pass list. Seating will be designated. All UD athletic facilities are closed to the general public and if your name is not on the pass list, you will not be allowed to stay for the competition. During basketball doubleheaders, Stoltz Sports Center will be cleared after the first game for cleaning before spectators will be allowed inside for the second contest.

Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center
Due to the volume of participants and lack of adequately spaced viewing areas, no spectators will be permitted at this time for any NCAA athletic events.

Face coverings are required at all times while inside campus buildings and social distancing guidelines are required unless you are members of the same household. Anyone not following these guidelines will be asked to leave the facility.

Your patience and cooperation is greatly appreciated and we welcome you to Spartan Athletics!

Dan Runkle
Director of Athletics

DATE: November 5, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

I trust that all of you continue to do well. This has been a trying semester but, with patience, adaptability, and ample amounts of forgiveness, we are doing remarkably well. I am proud of our University community and sincerely grateful for the efforts of our students, our faculty, our staff, and our administrative team.

Spring Semester Plans
University of Dubuque will continue with its regular academic calendar as we have since day one of this academic year. I realize that many of you may have siblings, friends, or colleagues who belong to educational organizations that have elected to compress or change academic calendars and may even be wavering on their commitments for a face-to-face spring semester. University of Dubuque does not fall into that camp. Rather, we will continue to function using our COVID-19 operational protocols (including good hygiene, physical distancing, and wearing a face covering for yourself and for others) and our synchronous model of content delivery. We believe that students learn best in a face-to-face environment and that our brains require healthy social interaction. We will also continue our physical distancing protocols for classroom learning and it is our intention to be in a full face-to-face format again once it is safe to do so.

As a reminder, here are some operational protocols designed to keep our campus safer and to demonstrate our care and respect for the more vulnerable members of our University family:

UD Mantra No. 1: Practice common sense - good hygiene, physical distancing, and wear a face covering for yourself and for others.
Face Coverings: Required in classrooms and lab spaces. Also wear face coverings in all buildings including residence halls. Generally, the campus community is doing an excellent job wearing face coverings.
Temperature Checks: Continue to check your temperature daily before coming to campus or leaving your residence hall for the day. If your temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher, stay home or in your residence hall.
- Students should contact the Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center at 563.589.3360 or StudentHealthCenter@dbq.edu and their professors.
- Student-athletes should contact Erin Barsema at 563.589.3857 or EBarsema@dbq.edu and their professors.
- For a complete list of contacts, visit https://www.dbq.edu/COVID-19/HealthContactInformation/.
Fitness Facilities: Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Centerâ€™s fitness facilities are only open for use by UD faculty, staff, and students with strict precautions including wearing a face covering and practicing physical distancing.
LIFE sites: Our team is managing our sites in Dubuque, Iowa; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Tempe, Arizona; and Meridian, Idaho. We are grateful to provide an opportunity for working adults to return to complete their degrees.
UD Mantra No. 2: Adaptability, Patience, and Forgiveness.

COVID-19 Testing
The University will continue to offer weekly COVID-19 testing for UD faculty, staff, and students every Monday on campus as well as COVID-19 testing for students Tuesday through Friday at the Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center. I am convinced that the good efforts of our students, faculty, and staff in following our COVID-19 operational protocols is one of the reasons we have been able to contain our positive infection rate to between 1.5% to 3%. I realize that extended periods of isolation (positive cases) and quarantine (those whoâ€™ve been exposed to positive cases) creates its own set of challenges. Know that we are doing everything we can to accommodate each of you and, please, do not be hesitant to reach out if you have needs that are not being met. Because of each of your efforts, the University and each of its LIFE sites are one of the safest spaces in our respective communities.

On another front, thanks to the Student Government Association, the Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center was able to administer 100 flu shots to our students. We strongly recommend for those who havenâ€™t received flu shots this year to consider getting one through their health care provider or Hartig Drug in Dubuque. It is our intention to have more flu shots available for students next year. We have also filled out the necessary paperwork to be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine when that becomes available.

Health Reminders
Since opening in September, the Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center has provided assistance for over 500 students in the areas of physical and brain health treatment. As we enter flu season, I encourage each of you to monitor your health and, as this pandemic continues, I especially want to remind you to monitor your brain health. Extended periods of isolation, combined with the uncertainty created by this pandemic, a contentious election, and general weariness can trigger challenges with anxiety, depression, and other brain health conditions. Please understand that you are not in this alone, and reach out to the Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center at 563.589.3360 or StudentHealthCenter@dbq.edu for support.

University Reminders
We estimate that 100 to 150 students will remain on campus through the Thanksgiving Recess. Though housing costs and meals during this timeframe are not covered in room and board fees, the University is making plans to accommodate all students who remain on campus - at no additional cost. My expectation is that each resident will continue to follow our COVID-19 operational protocols. Itâ€™s also our intention to find a way to provide a traditional Thanksgiving celebration.

As a reminder, Thanksgiving Recess is Monday, November 23, through Friday, November 27, with the University and its LIFE sites closed November 25 to November 27. The Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center will remain accessible for students in need of services and can be reached at 563.589.3360. Food service will also be available during the recess.

Several of our students will be celebrating mid-year Commencements. The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Commencement will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 11, in Blades Chapel. The December 2020 Commencement Ceremonies for our undergraduate and graduate students will be held at 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. Thursday, December 17, in John and Alice Butler Hall. Graduates will be notified of their designated ceremony via an email from Registrar@dbq.edu. Tickets are required to attend these celebrations. Physical distancing and face coverings are required for everyone in attendance at these celebrations.

Campus Projects
We were so fortunate to be able to dedicate the new Peter and Susan Smith Welcome Center and the Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center on a beautiful October day. Both additions to our campus continue to be busy and active.

The installation of Opus 97 (John and Alice Butler Pipe Organ) continues in Butler Hall. The new organ will be premiered during our December 2020 Commencement Ceremonies, which will be streamed live at Facebook.com/UDubuque and YouTube.com/UDBQMedia.

The newly renovated Alumni Common, formerly known as the Quad, is nearing completion and looks absolutely beautiful. Additionally, the Vietnam Veteranâ€™s Memorial is being expanded and, when completed, will host the Vietnam Memorial as well as the names of subsequent alumni who have given their lives in service to our country.

Final Thoughts
I was privileged to have been invited to lead the worship service at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Dubuque on All Saints Day, Sunday, November 1. My sermon was grounded in a very strange passage of scripture from the Book of Revelation which, as some of you know, is full of wild, apocalyptic language and imagery. The passage I focused on also features a great, diverse multitude â€œâ€¦that no one can count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages.â€� This great gathering is comprised of those that have come through what Revelation refers to as the great Tribulation (or Ordeal) and, historically, may refer to those individuals that suffered at the hands of Nero and six other emperors to Domitian and, by extension, all of those who have since suffered.

One of the things that fascinated me about this passage was the authorâ€™s emphasis on the magnificent diversity of Godâ€™s created humanity - from every nation and all tribes and peoples and languages. Sometimes we forget that fact; that is, God is the creator of the beautiful complexity that is humanity. But there was another feature that struck me about this passage. That is, the universality of suffering perpetrated upon humankind. In other words, brutality does not discriminate.

We in our country have come through our own tribulation. Christians are not being crucified alongside the roads leading to Rome, but there is suffering, pain, and even hopelessness that is part of everyday existence for our brother and sister citizens. Some citizens are suffering from extreme isolation and loneliness. Others are suffering with poverty and extremely dim prospects for a healthy future. Some endure unimaginable indignities or suffer from being ostracized for their faith, relationships, or commitments. Sometimes, especially in times like these, itâ€™s incumbent upon each of us to set aside our politics, our differences, and our opinions and ask this question: What does love require us to do in this situation?

It is my sincere hope and prayer that, at the University of Dubuque, this question is considered as we study economics, history, sociology, theology, aviation, human anatomy, political science, and more for, indeed, love requires us to do. Sometimes that doing requires sacrifice on our parts, and other times it might be as profound as holding the hand of a dying person. And still other times love may require just listening, and not responding with an opinion. But in all cases it seems, we canâ€™t go wrong if we remember to love and to â€œdo justice, love kindness, and walk humbly - with God.â€�

Wishing you an early Happy Thanksgiving,

Rev. Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President of the University

DATE: October 6, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

Several of you have asked about our plans for the remainder of the fall semester, especially as you consider travel plans for Thanksgiving Recess. University of Dubuque will continue with face-to-face classes after Thanksgiving Recess. As a reminder, Thanksgiving Recess begins at 5:00 p.m. Friday, November 20, 2020, and classes resume at 7:00 a.m. Monday, November 30, 2020. We anticipate seeing most students return to campus following the break. However, we know that returning to Dubuque may be difficult for some students. The following outlines the options for completing coursework following Thanksgiving.

Undergraduate Students: Fall semester will continue through Thursday, December 17, 2020. Students, based on your travel plans for Thanksgiving Recess, you have the following options:
1. Spend the Thanksgiving Recess on campus and complete your semester in the face-to-face format. There is no additional cost for residential students to stay on campus during this period, and limited food service will be available.
2. Spend the Thanksgiving Recess off campus and return to campus to complete your semester in the face-to-face format. At this time there are no quarantine restrictions for those traveling within the United States. However, if guidelines change, you may need to quarantine in your Dubuque residence before returning to the face-to-face classroom.
3. Spend the Thanksgiving Recess off campus, do not return to campus, and instead finish the semester through synchronous, remote learning. If you choose this option, you will need to clear your remote attendance with your individual professors before Thanksgiving. Some courses, such as those in nursing and aviation, cannot be completed through remote attendance. Since University-owned housing will be available to residential students through the rest of the semester, room and board will not be refunded for those residential students who choose this option.

Graduate Students (Management, Physician Assistant, and Seminary): Fall terms will continue as scheduled. You are encouraged to work with your program advisor if the need arises for special accommodations.
LIFE Undergraduate and Graduate Students (Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Tempe, and Meridian): Fall terms will continue as scheduled. You are encouraged to work with your program advisor if the need arises for special accommodations.

An important milestone of the fall semester is December Commencement. We intend to hold in-person commencement ceremonies on Thursday, December 17, 2020. The Office of the Registrar will be in contact with December graduates in the coming weeks for more information.

Thank you,

Rev. Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President of the University

DATE: September 24, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

I am writing to update you on how the University continues to adapt our protocols as it relates to COVID-19. To date, our students have done a responsible job of adapting to the challenges presented by COVID-19. They, along with our faculty and staff, have followed UDâ€™s mantra to help mitigate the spread of the virus: Practice common sense â€“ good hygiene, social distancing, and wear a face covering for yourself and for others.

We have increased our testing of COVID-19 across campus for students, faculty, and staff since early August through partnerships with The Ohio State University and Education Test Iowa. As part of our regular testing routine, an additional 200 individuals underwent testing recently, 30 of which tested positive.

Student safety is our number one priority. We want to ensure students have a safe and secure space in which to isolate if they test positive. Because of the fluctuating numbers of positive cases, the availability of isolation spaces for residential students varies as well. There are three possible isolation options for our residential students:

On Campus: We have designated spaces on campus for isolation. If one of those spaces is available, that is our first option for isolating residential students who test positive.
In Dubuque: We have secured a limited number of safe off-campus spaces for isolation. If no isolation spaces are available on campus and an off-campus space is open, that is our second option for isolating residential students who test positive.
At Home: If we are unable to offer a safe and secure isolation space on or off campus, we will work with the student and their family to return the student home to isolate.

Regrettably, at this point we find ourselves in the position of needing students to return to their home in order to isolate. Students will be able to access their classes remotely, but they will not be able to be on campus until their isolation period has ended. We understand that this is not the preferred option for students, for their families, or for us. However, until we can identify additional space that we deem to be safe, secure, and conducive to our studentsâ€™ well-being, we are left with no other option. Please know we are actively searching for additional safe and secure off-campus locations for our students to isolate.

If you have any questions, please email me at UDOfficeofthePresident@dbq.edu or Dean Mike Durnin, dean of student formation, at MDurnin@dbq.edu.

Thank you,

Rev. Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President of the University

DATE: September 21, 2020

Cedar Rapids, Iowa - The American Rivers Conference will postpone all winter sports competition until no earlier than January 1, 2021. The announcement was made by the conference's Presidents Council, which voted unanimously to approve the recommendation of the A-R-C's Directors of Athletics Council. The decision was made in response to the ongoing impact of COVID-19.

The conference sponsors the winter sports of women's and men's basketball, women's and men's indoor track and field, and wrestling. The postponement is for all competition -- games, scrimmages, exhibitions, and/or joint practices -- but does not prohibit practice in those sports. Basketball and wrestling can start practice no earlier than October 1. Indoor track and field could start practice immediately.

The conference expects to release schedules for the previously postponed fall sports of football, women's and men's soccer, and volleyball by not later than September 30.

Further announcements will be made public as appropriate.

DATE: September 18, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

We are off and running in this new, but very different, academic year. The campus community seems to have settled into its yearly academic routine and we are continuing to learn â€“ even in the midst of the challenges weâ€™re all confronting. Our testing protocols are going well and, thus far, we are keeping on-campus infections to a manageable level. Because of our synchronous learning platform and our ability to manage, with disciplined protocols, I donâ€™t anticipate any need to alter our academic calendar.

I want to thank the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force for their continued guidance. This team of colleagues has been a far better resource than the guidance weâ€™ve received from many of our elected and public officials, so I am grateful for their discernment, leadership, and dedication to our campus safety and health.

As a reminder, I invite you to please continue to monitor additional communications via email and at www.dbq.edu/COVID-19.

University Reminders
There is little that is normal about this fall semester. I sincerely miss attending Heritage Center events. I miss interacting consistently with students and my faculty and staff colleagues. I miss gathering together for football games, soccer games, and volleyball matches. Iâ€™m thankful that our cross country, golf, and tennis teams are able to compete and enjoy their years of preparation and participation. And, yes, I am grateful. I am grateful to be together, even in these unusual circumstances. Thank you â€” all of you â€” for doing your part to make our being together possible!

As a reminder, here are some operational strategies designed to keep our campus safer and to demonstrate our care and respect for the more vulnerable members of our University family:

UD Mantra No. 1: Practice common sense â€” good hygiene, physical distancing, and wear a face covering for yourself and for others.
Face Coverings: Required in classrooms, lab spaces, and being worn in all buildings, and common areas in residence halls. Generally, the campus community is doing a wonderful job wearing face coverings, so letâ€™s keep up the good discipline!
Temperature Checks: Check your temperature daily before coming to campus or leaving your residence hall for the day. If your temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher, stay home or in your residence hall.
- Students should contact the Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center at 563.589.3360 or StudentHealthCenter@dbq.edu and their professors.
- Student-athletes should contact Erin Barsema at 563.589.3857 or EBrasema@dbq.edu and their professors.
- For a complete list of contacts, visit https://www.dbq.edu/COVID-19/HealthContactInformation/.
Water Bottles: Please use the water fountains to fill your water bottles.
Campus Stores: Just a reminder that no more than three customers are allowed at a time in Babka Bookstore, Spartyâ€™s Convenience Store, and Sylviaâ€™s Common Ground.
Fitness Facilities: CRWCâ€™s fitness facilities are only open for use by UD faculty, staff, and students with strict precautions based on state and federal guidelines including wearing a face covering and practicing social distancing.
Library: The Charles C. Myers Library has new protocols for operation, from how you enter the library to how you clean the spaces you use. Additional information is available at https://www.dbq.edu/COVID-19/Facilities/.
LIFE Sites: Our team is managing our sites in Dubuque, Iowa; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Tempe, Arizona; and Meridian, Idaho. The LIFE format appears to be working well under these circumstances, so weâ€™re grateful that weâ€™re back to learning again.
UD Mantra No. 2: Adaptability, Patience, and Forgiveness.

Health Reminders
The Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center, which opened this fall, provides students immediate access for physical and brain health treatment. We want to thank lead investors, Barb and Jack Smeltzer, along with our other investors for making this dream a reality. As you know, I have long been concerned about health conditions such as anxiety and depression that arise from prolonged periods of isolation combined with the bombardment effect of incendiary and often insensitive social media postings. We have thankfully seen an increase in the number of students that are seeking assistance in learning how to manage their brain health challenges.

The Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center provides support services for depression, anxiety, and other brain health conditions throughout the academic year. You are not alone. It takes courage to seek support, and we are here to assist you in your journey to health maintenance.

If matters arenâ€™t complicated enough, we are about to enter flu season. More than ever before, please monitor your health. I encourage each of you to consider getting a flu shot this year. Students, please seek out information from your physician or the Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center regarding where you can receive a flu shot.

As you make an appointment at the Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center, I want each of you to understand that you are also making a commitment. That is, you are committing to keeping that appointment and you are committing to your own health. The Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center staff is equipped with the expertise and the desire to serve you. We also now have the staff with the resources to assist monitoring students who require medications.

Giving Opportunities
Even in the midst of diminished travel due to COVID-19, Iâ€™m proud to say that the Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement has connected with more alumni and investors than ever before. Much of our current support continues to come in the form of investments for additional student scholarships. Please contact a member of our Advancement Team at 563.589.3158 or visit www.dbq.edu/givingtoud to learn more about giving opportunities.

Other Campus News
We are honored to have been able to share what is happening on our campus. Recently, UD has been in the news for our athletic teams, unique programming at Heritage Center, reopening of the Bisignano Art Gallery, and campus-wide COVID-19 adjustments.

We will hold a special dedication service for the Peter and Susan Smith Welcome Center and Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, September 26, on the corner of Grace and North Algona streets. Seating is limited and UDâ€™s Mantra No. 1: Practice common sense â€“ good hygiene, social distancing, and wear a face covering for yourself and others must be followed. Please RSVP to udadv.alumrsvp@dbq.edu. The welcome center is a neat addition to campus. Visitors will be greeted with a history display, artifacts, and interactive media designed to tell the story of University of Dubuqueâ€™s Mission. Additionally, the welcome center includes a beautiful space for students to engage with the Office of Multicultural Student Engagement, a new auditorium, classrooms, computer lab, and office space for the Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement. The student health center includes a comfortable welcome area, labs, examination rooms, and brain health counseling rooms.

The installation of Opus 97 (John and Alice Butler Pipe Organ) in John and Alice Butler Hall inside Heritage Center is moving along. The organ consul is installed with over 50 percent of its more than 3,000 pipes. For at least the next two months, additional pipes will be installed while Opus 97 is voiced and tuned for the performance hall. We look forward to dedicating this magnificent instrument in May 2021.

Finally, though a bit unusual for this update, I would like to use this outlet to give thanks to God for the life and ministry of Rev. Dr. Cecil Corbett who recently entered the Church Triumphant at the age of 89. Dr. Corbett was a 1962 graduate from the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary and a member of the Nez Perce tribe. UDTS has long been acknowledged as a leader in preparing Native Americans for pastoral ministry, particularly within the Presbyterian Church (USA), and Dr. Corbett was a recognized leader and historian among those leaders. Dr. Corbett was a close friend of my adoptive father, Henry Fawcett. During the early years of my ministry, they and their colleagues in Native ministry were generous and warm in their welcome of people from all ethnicities. Over the years, Dr. Corbett and his spouse, Irene, became â€œUncle and Auntieâ€� to me. They were fun, faithful, forgiving, and full of hope and perseverance. In addition to being a pastor, Dr. Corbett served for many years as president of the Charles Cook Theological School in Tempe, Arizona. His leadership there, and throughout the Presbyterian Church, provided a way and a means for many Native people to have a voice and powerfully impact the world. Rev. Dr. Corbett was a faithful alumnus who truly made a difference â€œâ€¦in the church and in the world.â€� (You might enjoy seeing this brief Facebook tribute to him at: https://www.facebook.com/volkhard.graf/videos/10222802635843411)

Final Thoughts
I am really amazed, but not surprised, by how well our campus community has managed to address the daily challenges that are related to this moment in our history. I want to encourage each of us to remain vigilant in our approach to caring for the more vulnerable among us. I also want to encourage us to live with courage and without fear. Though it may sound a bit clichÃ©, during this time I have learned to do my best to embrace each day. Enjoy its happiness, address its challenges, and be thankful for the gift of life and the privilege of learning in community. Itâ€™s also important that we go the extra mile in supporting each other. Itâ€™s easy to become discouraged and sometimes even depressed during challenging times.

Letâ€™s go out of our way to offer a word of encouragement to a faculty, staff, or student colleague, and let us continue to work on being patient and forgiving. Weâ€™re here to learn and to provide support, especially in this extraordinary time!

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Rev. Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President of the University

DATE: August 26, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

I hope that this update finds all of you doing well. As you know, we are in the midst of welcoming new and returning students to campus. Spartan Start has gone exceedingly well and, by the time you read this update, classes will be ready to begin. Thank you for your patience and focus in helping get this new academic year off the ground.

I want to offer a special shout out to the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force. This group of extremely gifted colleagues has helped all of us plan and prepare for this moment. They will continue to meet and plan as we navigate the best way through this fall semester.

As a reminder, I invite you to please continue to monitor additional communications via email and at www.dbq.edu/COVID-19.

University Reminders
There will be little that is normal about this fall semester. However, there are things each one of us can do to keep our campus safer and to demonstrate our care and respect for the more vulnerable members of our UD family.

UD Mantra No. 1: Practice common sense â€” good hygiene, physical distancing, and wear a face covering for yourself and for others.
Temperature Checks: Check your temperature daily before coming to campus or leaving your residence hall for the day. If your temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher, stay home or in your residence hall. Students should contact the Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center at 563.589.3360 or StudentHealthCenter@dbq.edu and their professors. Student-athletes should contact Erin Barsema, athletics health care administrator, at 563.589.3857 or EBrasema@dbq.edu and their professors. For a complete list of contacts, visit dbq.edu/COVID-19.
Face Coverings: Required in classrooms and lab spaces. Also wear face coverings in all campus buildings. Students are not required to wear face coverings within their rooms in residence halls or UD-owned housing. UD students, faculty, and staff will each receive a reusable UD face covering. Residential students received their face covering during the move-in process. All other main campus students will be able to get a face covering between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the tent in the parking lot near Mercer-Birmingham Hall. Style selection is first come, first served.
Water Bottles: You will need to stay hydrated, particularly during the later weeks of August. Please use the fountains to fill your water bottles.
Campus Stores: Remember no more than three customers are allowed at a time at Babka Bookstore, Spartyâ€™s Convenience Store, and Sylviaâ€™s Common Ground.
Dining Services: There are additional safety measures that have been implemented including social distancing and wearing a face covering until sitting down to eat. Thank you to Chef Andy and his group for these new protocols and others to help keep us safe and to the campus community for following them.
Library: The Charles C. Myers Library is open for UD students, faculty, and staff. To enter the library this fall, scan your UD ID outside the libraryâ€™s exterior door.
Fitness Facilities: The Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center and other athletic facilities are only open for use by UD students, faculty, and staff with strict precautions based on state and federal guidelines including wearing a face covering and practicing physical distancing.
LIFE Sites: We are preparing to welcome LIFE students and instructors back to our sites as allowed by local health authorities in Dubuque, Iowa; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Tempe, Arizona; and Meridian, Idaho. In order to accommodate those who may be unable to return to the classroom, classes will be delivered both onsite and via web conference. Additional LIFE program details will be provided to students by academic officials at each location.
UD Mantra No. 2: Adaptability, Patience, and Forgiveness.

Face-to-Face Undergraduate Classes Resume
We are excited to welcome our traditional undergraduate students back to campus. As we make adjustments to the way we learn, we know there will be some unexpected challenges and irritations. In the days and weeks ahead we will have many opportunities to practice our mantra of adaptability, patience, and forgiveness. All of us at UD â€“ faculty and staff â€“ want to provide the best experience possible for our students. Students, if you have a problem or concern, please reach out to your faculty or to staff members. Theyâ€™ll get you to someone who can help.

UD in the News
The University has been in the news over the last several weeks. Some of those stories include the following. Senior Daâ€™Trevion â€œTreâ€� Moss was featured in The Wall Street Journalâ€™s article on Aug. 10, 2020, about the effects of increased isolation on our brain health. Mike Durnin, dean of student formation, and first-year student Brandon Coppola were interviewed on Aug. 21, 2020 for an article by the Telegraph Herald about local collegesâ€™ plans for welcoming students in this new academic year. Our groundâ€™s crew who volunteered to help Cornell College during its clean-up efforts was featured in multiple news outlets including an article in the Telegraph Herald on Aug. 22, 2020. We also were contacted from NBC News in New York City about an article on how college students' brain health has been impacted by the pandemic and what colleges are doing to help students with this.

Health Reminders
The Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center is now open. We want to thank our lead investors, Barbara and Jack Smeltzer, along with our other investors for making this dream a reality. As you know, I have long been concerned about health conditions such as anxiety and depression that arise from prolonged periods of isolation combined with the bombardment effect of incendiary and often insensitive social media postings. The health center provides support services for depression, anxiety, and other brain health conditions throughout the academic year. You are not alone. It takes courage to seek support, and we are here to assist you in your journey to health maintenance.

As you make an appointment, I want each of you to understand that you are also making a commitment. That is, you are committing to keeping that appointment and you are committing to your own health. The Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center staff is equipped with the expertise and the desire to serve you. We also now have the staff with the resources to assist monitoring students who require medications.

Giving Opportunities
I am so grateful for the work provided by our Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement. Even in the midst of a pandemic, philanthropic support for the Mission of the University of Dubuque was as strong as it has been in a decade. Much of that support came in the form of investments for additional student scholarships. Please reach out to a member of our Advancement Team at 563.589.3158 or visit www.dbq.edu/givingtoud to learn more about giving options and opportunities.

Final Thoughts
This Campus COVID-19 Plan for Operation Update is the 18th update to our University family since mid-March. Now that we are about to start the academic year, I will provide periodic updates as is appropriate for the moment. I want to encourage you to continue to watch our UD Talks and UD Listens series on Facebook and YouTube for features about the University, its students, and its Mission.

We have tried to over-communicate during this unprecedented time in our nationâ€™s history. As a team, we believed that more information was better than no information, and I like to believe that strategy has helped facilitate a relatively smooth transition into this new academic year. This has been a challenging six months, but we have come through this time stronger as a University family. We have many challenges yet to confront, but I am confident that we will meet them head-on with determination, grace, and a positive attitude. None of us welcomes this moment in our history, but how we respond to this moment says something about the character of our University. I am proud of our team â€” and proud to be a Spartan

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: August 12, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

I hope this update finds all of you doing well. There is so much that happens between updates that itâ€™s often difficult to know where to begin or end. Iâ€™ll begin with exciting news â€“ students have started to return to campus! I am counting on all of us to continue practicing our COVID-19 screening disciplines of checking your temperature daily before coming to campus or leaving your residence hall for the day. Our COVID-19 Recovery Task Force members continue to work with nationally recognized experts as it relates to our on-boarding procedures and, now, our testing protocols. I invite you to please continue to monitor additional communications via email and at www.dbq.edu/covid-19.

Reopening Campus
On July 6, 2020, we began our phased reopening of campus for faculty and staff. We are practicing UDâ€™s mantra to help mitigate the spread of the virus: Practice common sense â€“ good hygiene, social distancing, and wear a face covering for yourself and for others.

Some student-athletes began arriving to campus earlier this week. Given a mandate from the NCAA, the American Rivers Conference reluctantly moved football, soccer, and volleyball to spring 2021, while it maintained a modified fall 2020 schedule for cross country, golf, and tennis. Practices will continue for all fall sports, regardless of semester of competition. We believe itâ€™s extremely important for students to stay engaged physically and intellectually. This newest adjustment wasnâ€™t our preference, but it is our new reality. You can read my thoughts on the matter, which were shared via email yesterday, at www.dbq.edu/COVID-19/Athletics/. You might be wondering how this will impact our traditional Homecoming plans. Our team is working on it and will be sharing additional details soon.

The Charles C. Myers library is now open 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, and 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday. Starting the week of August 24, the library will resume normal, expanded academic year hours. UD students, faculty, and staff are asked to scan their UD ID outside the exterior door before entering the library. If your UD ID is over 10 years old, please contact the Office of Safety and Security at 563.589.3333 to verify whether you need your card replaced.

We have decided to close the Charles C. Myers Library, Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center, Stoltz Sport Center, Veterans Memorial Training Center, and outdoor athletic facilities to the general public through the fall semester. As we welcome students back to campus and learn how to effectuate a safe learning environment, it seemed as if our hands were full enough without the added complication of accommodating non-UD faculty, staff, or students.

Recently, the Dubuque City Council unanimously adopted a city ordinance that requires everyone within city limits to wear a face covering in public, with some exceptions. You can read the full announcement regarding the ordinance here. As a campus community, we will also be doing our part on campus to mirror these guidelines. Face coverings will be required in all classrooms on campus and we will also be asking that they be worn in all campus buildings in public spaces.

Students
Our phased reopening of campus is going well. Our team meets regularly to review our procedures and to modify our protocols as new information is received. One thing that has not changed is the need for all of us to follow the UD Mantra outlined in Shaping Our Return. That is: Practice common sense â€” good hygiene, social distancing, and wear a face covering for yourself and for others.

Though student-athletes and students assisting with the Office of Residence Life and Spartan Start are moving onto campus, classes donâ€™t begin until Thursday, August 27. I want to remind all of us that the first several weeks of class will require abundant amounts of what Iâ€™m going to refer to as Mantra No. 2: Adaptability, Patience, and Forgiveness. We continue to work through wrinkles to create a completely synchronous learning environment. When technology works, itâ€™s great. When technology doesnâ€™t work, or when those of us using it donâ€™t know how to make it work properly, it gets frustrating. Letâ€™s commit ourselves, both students and faculty, to be long on Mantra No. 2 â€” particularly the patience part. It will take time to make sure that you, as students, have what you need to successfully engage your learning, and it will take our faculty time to learn how to best respond to each unique learning situation. Adaptability. Patience. Forgiveness.

For fall 2020 classes, our team is making preparations to welcome LIFE students and instructors back to our sites in Dubuque, Iowa; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Tempe, Arizona; and Meridian, Idaho; as allowed by local health authorities. In order to accommodate students and instructors who may be unable to return to the classroom, classes will be delivered both on site and via web conference. Additional LIFE program details will be provided to students by academic officials at each LIFE location.

We understand that due to their individual situations, some students will not be able to attend face-to-face classes. The University's plan for flexible and synchronous learning will allow students to remotely access many face-to-face classes through video conferencing technology; however, some programs may have limitations on remote learning due to external licensing requirements. Students interested in this approach will need to formally request the remote learning option. Returning students will find the request form on MyUD on the Students tab under Forms. First-year students will need to contact their admission counselor with questions about remote learning. If you would like help thinking through your options for the fall, the Office of Academic Advising at KSchroeder@dbq.edu would be happy to assist you.

Once you arrive on campus, please stop by the Technology Helpdesk Office in the lower level of Van Vliet Hall to make sure that all of your technology questions are being answered and all of your equipment is appropriately outfitted. DO NOT WAIT until after classes begin!

Finally, as has been our practice the last several years, I look forward to guiding all of our first-year students through our Student Success Commitment. Growing from our Mission and research, the Student Success Commitment identifies those habits and disciplines that are necessary for a quality and successful educational experience. When you arrive to campus, there will be an opportunity for each first-year student to reflect on the Student Success Commitment and, ultimately, to make that commitment real by affixing their signature. This year, we will be asking all students to sign a Spartan Pledge that commits each of us to do our very best to ensure a safe and healthy campus during this COVID-19 time.

Faculty and Staff
We continue a phased return of faculty and staff to campus. We have become more familiar with the initial awkwardness of wearing face coverings and everyone remains exceptionally positive. Honestly, it seems to me that people are just happy to be together once again.

As you all know, we are implementing a number of community disciplines to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. These disciplines and protocols are available in Shaping Our Return, which is available at www.dbq.edu.

Again, as I did above, I offer Mantra No. 2 for your consideration: Adaptability, Patience, and Forgiveness. The beginning of every new academic year is exciting, stressful, and hectic. This year will be all of that â€” squared. I know that everyone is doing their absolute best to make this semester into an incredible learning environment. Give yourself time to settle into these first three weeks of the new semester. You can make up ground in the discipline you are teaching if you fall behind, due to the unexpected, throughout the semester. This semester, the unexpected will happen. So, please, practice Mantra No. 2.

Parents
We continue to remain focused on maintaining a safe and healthy campus by utilizing local, state, and federal resources and guidance. We have begun our first phase of testing for new and returning students, faculty, and staff members. That process is moving along smoothly. Our COVID-19 Recovery Task Force revisits and revises our plans, daily. In addition to equipping our campus with face coverings, hand sanitizer, thermometers, tissues, and newer safety and health protocols, we are collaborating with extremely gifted researchers and medical providers in service to the safety and comfort of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. On top of these new practices, another task force is putting the final staff plans in place in order to open our new student health center. The Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center will serve students with counseling, physical health, dietary, wellness, and other health-related needs. This new facility will complement our existing relationship with UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital, which is just a short two-block walk from campus. We will utilize every available resource to keep our University community safe during this very fluid environment.

Appointments and services will be available through the Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center. As you make an appointment, I want each of you to understand that you are also making a commitment. That is, you are committing to keeping that appointment, and you are committing to your own health. The Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center staff is equipped with the expertise and the desire to serve you. We also now have the staff with the resources to assist monitoring students who require medications.

Giving Opportunities
We continue to experience an increase in financial support by our alumni and friends. Fiscal Year 2020 was a strong year of Missional support. Thank you. I am really concerned about the financial foundation for many of our students, particularly this year. Students need your scholarship support.

If you do invest in our student scholarship fund, I want to invite you to continue to do so, and maybe even consider increasing your investment this fiscal year. If you have yet to invest in the University of Dubuque and its Mission, now is an important time to consider making that investment. Our students need your support â€” itâ€™s as simple as that. Please reach out to a member of our Advancement Team at 563.589.3158 or visit www.dbq.edu/givingtoud to learn more about giving options and opportunities.

Final Thoughts
My day is filled with conference calls, briefings, Zoom meetings, updates, and decision-making. It has been that way for many of us for the past six months. Though it will be construed differently, I am really looking forward to days filled with conversation, introductions, and the making of new friendships. We need those moments â€” as humans and as a University community.

I am inviting each of us to seriously practice Mantra No. 2 â€” Adaptability, Patience, and Forgiveness â€” because if we have learned anything since COVID-19 began, it is that our being together can be taken away from us in the blink of an eye. So be abundant in adaptability, long on patience, and overflowing in your willingness to forgive this semester. These disciplines are also part of maintaining a healthy community. There are plenty of enemies and injustices in the world around us â€” viruses, bigotry, racism, and other forms of hate and intolerance. Excel in adaptability, patience, and forgiveness.

So, as your president, my hope is this: work hard this semester to be the change you wish to see in the world around you. Practice being that person, and the world around you will eventually begin to reflect those commitments.

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: August 11, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

As many of you know, the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) and its presidents were the last Division III Conference in the country to support a modified fall sports schedule. We believe that participation is critical to the healthy formation of students. Late last week, after the A-R-Câ€™s announcement, the NCAA issued a set of last-minute mandates that made both implementation and participation in fall 2020 intercollegiate athletics nearly impossible.

Because of the recent NCAA mandates, we as a conference, regrettably adopted the following motion at our late afternoon meeting Monday, August 10: â€œIt is moved that the A-R-C postpone football, soccer, volleyball to the spring semester 2021 and will endeavor to continue as planned with tennis, golf, and cross country for the fall semester 2020.â€�

With this development, I envision a rigorous and safe fall semester practice for football, soccer, and volleyball while we continue to maintain our screening and testing protocols. It is the A-R-Câ€™s intention to host a full spring semester of competition for all three sports. There are many details to work out, but the intention is clear: to host a full, meaningful, and competitive spring semester of competition for the sports that were postponed in fall 2020.

Tennis, golf, and cross country will continue with their modified schedule of competition for fall 2020 with our screening and testing protocols.

I understand the inconvenience and even hardship that this decision has placed on our student-athletes and their families, coaches, athletic trainers, administrators, and support personnel. Since day one, our commitment has been to our student-athletes and to doing all that we could to ensure a meaningful and safe experience for each one of them. As of late last week, that commitment was removed from us as a conference and replaced by the poorly written and ambiguous NCAA mandate.

University of Dubuque is committed to working through this time in a way that addresses the needs, concerns, and safety of each student-athlete. If you have concerns about your safety, we will work with you. If you have questions about your eligibility, we will work with you and support you. We will work with each one of you, our students.

I understand that this is not how you envisioned your fall semester at University of Dubuque. Itâ€™s certainly not my preferred way of student participation and welcoming you. Nevertheless, it is what confronts us now. And we will each do our best to learn, grow, and work through this experience â€” together.

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

August 3, 2020

Dear University of Dubuque Community,

After further review, fitness facilities at the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC) and Veterans Memorial Training Center (VMTC) will reopen at 4:00 p.m. today for use by UD faculty, staff, and students with strict precautions based on state and federal guidelines.

CRWCâ€™s courts, A.Y. McDonald Indoor Track, Douglas J. Miller Track, and Chalmers Field will also reopen for only non-contact activities such as racquet sports and individual basketball shooting. Participants must first check in at the front desk.

The safety and well-being of the campus community is a top priority. Please remember to follow UDâ€™s mantra to help mitigate the spread of this virus: Practice common sense â€“ good hygiene, social distancing, and wear a face covering for yourself and for others.

Monitor www.dbq.edu/COVID-19 for updates on UDâ€™s response to the pandemic. You can find COVID-19 symptoms and advice on when to seek emergency medical attention on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention here.

Thank you for your cooperation,
The Office of Safety and Security

DATE: July 31, 2020

Dear University of Dubuque Community,

As a precaution and for the health and safety of our campus community, the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center and campus gymnasiums will be closed at 5:00 p.m. today for the weekend and will reopen for university personnel only after evaluating further guidance. This decision is based upon a new federal report stating that Dubuque County is a red zone for COVID-19. The report recommends that, due to new COVID-19 activity, bars and gyms should close and that restaurants should restrict indoor dining and promote outdoor dining, and face coverings should be required in all businesses.

Monitor www.dbq.edu/COVID-19 for updates on UDâ€™s response to the pandemic. You can find COVID-19 symptoms and advice on when to seek emergency medical attention on the CDCâ€™s website here.

Thank you for your cooperation,
Office of Safety and Security

DATE: July 29, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

I trust that this update finds all of you doing well. Our students, faculty, and staff are being diligent about practicing our screening disciplines, and these practices are working. Thank you. Our COVID-19 Recovery Task Force members continue to work with nationally recognized experts as it relates to our on-boarding procedures. I invite you to please continue to monitor additional communications via email and at www.dbq.edu/covid-19.

Reopening Campus
On Monday, July 6, 2020, we began our phased reopening of campus for faculty and staff. We are practicing social distancing, wearing face coverings, and learning how to be together â€” and safe.

The Charles C. Myers library is open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. UD students, faculty, and staff are asked to scan their UD ID outside the exterior door before entering the library. If your UD ID is over 10 years old, please contact the Office of Safety and Security at 563.589.3333 to verify whether you need your card replaced. Community members are asked to call the library at 563.589.3100 to be allowed into the building.

Students
Our phased reopening of campus is going well. Our team meets regularly to review our procedures and to modify our protocols as new information is received. One thing that has not changed is the need for all of us to follow the UD Mantra that was outlined in the document, Shaping Our Return. That is: Practice common sense â€” good hygiene, social distancing, and wear a face covering for yourself and for others.

For fall 2020 classes, our team is making preparations to welcome LIFE students and instructors back to our sites in Dubuque, Iowa; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Tempe, Arizona; and Meridian, Idaho; as allowed by local health authorities. In order to accommodate students and instructors who may be unable to return to the classroom, classes will be delivered both on site and via web conference. Additional LIFE program details will be coming once the start of the fall session one is closer.

We understand that due to their individual situations, some students will not be able to attend face-to-face classes. The University's plan for flexible and synchronous learning will allow students to remotely access many face-to-face classes through video conferencing technology; however, some programs may have limitations on remote learning due to external licensing requirements. Students interested in this approach will need to formally request the remote learning option. Returning students will find the request form on MyUD on the Students tab under Forms. If you would like help thinking through your options for the fall, the Office of Academic Advising at KSchroeder@dbq.edu would be happy to assist you.

The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) will be one of only eight Division III conferences in the country to maintain a fall schedule of competition. That schedule will be modified, based on some guidelines provided by the NCAA, but student-athletes can still experience intercollegiate athletic competition. This experience is incredibly important to nearly 40 percent of our traditional undergraduate student body. For those not involved in intercollegiate athletics, we are still planning for a modified intramural program and the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center continues to be active and benefiting from following the UD Mantra.

I had the privilege of welcoming a new class of physician assistant (PA) students earlier in the week. These students begin an incredibly rigorous 27-month academic program this week, and they are certainly entering the health care profession during an amazing time. I tried to emphasize two main points in my time with them. They are that COVID-19 has taught us: 1) we need to be adaptable and resilient, and 2) we need to learn appreciating and getting the most out of today. Not tomorrowâ€”but today.

Finally, as has been our practice the last several years, I look forwarding to guiding all of our first-year students through our Student Success Commitment pledge. Growing from our Mission and research, the Student Success Commitment identifies those habits and disciplines that are necessary for a quality and successful educational experience. When you arrive to campus, there will be an opportunity for each first-year student to reflect on the Student Success Commitment and, ultimately, to make that commitment real by affixing their signature. This year, we will be asking all students to sign a Spartan Commitment which commits each of us to do our very best to ensure a safe and healthy campus during this COVID time.

As you all know, we are implementing a number of community disciplines to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. These disciplines and protocols are available in the document, Shaping Our Return. Shaping Our Return and other related information are available at www.dbq.edu.

Parents
We continue to remain focused on maintaining a safe and healthy campus by utilizing local, state, and federal resources and guidance. Our COVID-19 Recovery Task Force revisits and revises our plans, daily. In addition to equipping our campus with face coverings, hand sanitizer, thermometers, tissues, and newer safety and health protocols, we are collaborating with extremely gifted researchers and medical providers in service to the safety and comfort of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. On top of these new practices, another task force is putting the final staff plans in place in order to open our new student health center. The Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center will serve students with counseling, physical health, dietary, wellness, and other health-related needs. This new facility will complement our existing relationship with UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital, which is just a short two-block walk from campus. We will utilize every available resource to keep our University community safe during this very fluid environment.

I am remiss if I donâ€™t share how excited our faculty and staff are to have students back on campus. Weâ€™re a relational community, and itâ€™s really hard to nurture healthy relationships at a distance. I am really proud of my colleagues and grateful for each one of them. I know of many campuses across the country where professors are reluctant to return to the classroom. Though I understand that fear, I also understand that we are in a vocation that requires us to be completely present and available to our students â€” for their sake, for their learning, and for their intellectual and emotional development. Every one of us here is committed to being that kind of a place.

Health Reminders
As you know, I have long been concerned about health conditions such as anxiety and depression that arise from prolonged periods of isolation combined with the bombardment effect of incendiary and often insensitive social media postings. Know that we will continue to provide support services for depression, anxiety, and other brain health conditions throughout the summer and, of course, throughout the academic year. You are not alone. It takes courage to seek support, and we are here to assist you in your journey to health maintenance. We are also working to staff our new Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center with the resources to assist monitoring students who require medications. Please â€” if you can benefit from professional guidance, call our University Counseling and Life Services at 563.589.3911 or visit https://www.dbq.edu/CampusLife/OfficeofStudentLife/CounselingLifeServices/.

Giving Opportunities
We continue to experience an increase in financial support by our alumni and friends. Thank you. I am really concerned about the financial foundation for many of our students, particularly this year. If you do invest in our student scholarship fund, I want to invite you to continue to do so, and maybe even consider increasing your investment. If you have yet to invest in University of Dubuque and its Mission, now is an important time to consider making that investment. Our students need your support â€” itâ€™s as simple as that. Some of you have asked where you can find more information on giving options. Please reach out to a member of our Advancement Team at 563.589.3158 or visit www.dbq.edu/givingtoud to learn more about giving options and opportunities.

Final Thoughts
I am ready to get this new school year started. Please continue to monitor our website for updated information. And, as you prepare to return to campus, please remember the two points from my talk with the PA students: 1) be adaptable and resilient, and 2) appreciate and get the most out of today. Not tomorrowâ€”but today! And one point that I forgot to mention: Be kind and patient with each other!

Iâ€™m looking forward to learning â€” with each of you. Together, we will be adaptive and let us promise, together, to never again take this day â€” this day that is before us right now â€” for granted.

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: July 1, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

Students
Summer school has been very active. In fact, we have the largest enrollments in our history! We are all looking forward to being together in the fall. One point I want to emphasize is that we are requiring that face coverings be used in all classrooms â€” by students and instructors. This requirement is out of respect to the more vulnerable members of the class that are dealing with health-related challenges.

Several years ago, in response to a suggestion by one of our planning teams, the University organized a new Spring Convocation during Black History Month. Planners recommended that this be more than a â€œone and doneâ€� moment in our University life together. With that recommendation in mind, during the 2019 and 2020 spring semesters, between 90 to 100 courses and seven to nine cultural experiences were scheduled to continue the conversation. These continuing the conversation experiences include, but are not limited to, classroom learning, lectures, campus visitors, social gatherings, listening sessions, and service opportunities â€” many of which are open to the public at no charge. I encourage all of us to engage these amazing opportunities.

Additionally, over 40 members of our faculty and staff who identify as being from new, emerging, or underrepresented populations are meeting with me, via Zoom, in open and honest discussions about how the University can continue to grow into that â€œâ€¦diverse and equitable community where Christian love is practiced.â€� These conversations have been wonderful and are bearing fruit. Members of this ongoing conversation are working together to improve and mature our University culture and policies, in addition to identifying future opportunities for programming, training, and learning. This effort continues our commitment to be a faith-based University of teaching and learning â€” which applies to ALL of us.

Reopening Campus
On Monday, July 6, 2020, we continue our phased reopening of campus for faculty and staff. We are practicing social distancing, wearing face coverings, and learning how to be together â€” and safe.

The Charles C. Myers library is now open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. UD students, faculty, and staff are asked to scan their UD ID outside the exterior door before entering the library. If your UD ID is over 10 years old, please contact the Office of Safety and Security at 563.589.3333 to verify whether you need your card replaced. Community members are asked to call the library at 563.589.3100 to be allowed into the building.

Safety protocols must be observed by all users of the library and other campus facilities. What are those protocols? UDâ€™s mantra to help mitigate the spread of the virus is: Practice common sense â€” good hygiene, social distancing, and wear a face covering for yourself and for others.

Please remember that checking your temperature daily before arriving to campus along with the availability of supplies, campus-wide, of face coverings and hand sanitizers will be essential to maintaining a healthy campus.

Unlike some other universities across the country, we are not considering a deviation from our published academic calendar. We believe we have the right protocols and safety procedures in place to facilitate a safe campus assuming, of course, we all practice the above mantra.

Faculty and Staff
As stated previously, we will continue a phased return of staff beginning Monday, July 6, 2020, in a coordinated process. We have become more familiar with the initial awkwardness of wearing face coverings, and it is now time for the remainder of our team to get comfortable with these protocols as we prepare to welcome students back to campus.

As you all know, we are implementing a number of community disciplines to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. For example, I expect that every student and professor in every classroom, out of respect and care for the most vulnerable among us, will wear face coverings as a health precaution. When you return to campus, make it a habit to check your temperature before you leave your home. If your temperature is 100.4 or higher, please do not come to campus, call your health care provider, and notify your supervisor and human resources.

Finally, some of you have mentioned how much youâ€™ve enjoyed our Friday UD Talks series on Facebook and YouTube. You might also be interested to know that weâ€™ve implemented another feature to this series called UD Listens. We have currently published three UD Listens for the month of June and we look forward to restarting a new version of UD Listens this fall.

Parents
We continue to remain focused on maintaining a safe and healthy campus by utilizing local, state, and federal resources and guidance. Our COVID-19 Recovery Task Force revisits and revises our plans, daily. In addition to equipping our campus with face coverings, hand sanitizer, thermometers, tissues, and newer safety and health protocols, we are collaborating with extremely gifted researchers and medical providers in service to the safety and comfort of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. On top of these new practices, another task force is finalizing plans to resource our new student health center. The Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center will serve students with counseling, physical health, dietary, wellness, and other health-related needs. This new facility will complement our existing relationship with UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital, which is just a short two-block walk from campus. We will utilize every available resource to keep our University community safe during this very fluid environment.

Final Thoughts
I am ready to get this new school year started. In every other year, July 4th has always tended to be the emotional end of my summer and the beginning of a new academic year. COVID-19 has changed all of that for me as Iâ€™m sure it has changed your routines. One of the silver linings of this experience for me, however, is how important it is to cultivate meaningful relationships with other human beings. In a culture that is inclined to objectify each of us in so many different ways, purposeful one-on-one conversations build a kind of community that better represents the ideals of our Mission. University of Dubuque is not a perfect organization, but it is intentional in its efforts to be and do better and to always be looking for ways to improve. That intentionality requires organizational humility. And, of course, living and learning with other humans takes humility as well.

Iâ€™m looking forward to learning â€” with each of you.

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: June 29, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

University of Dubuque has been informed that one of our employees has tested positive for COVID-19.

Your safety and well-being is a top priority. Our COVID-19 Recovery Task Force has prepared protocols with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), and various other national, state, and local agencies.

The employee is in self-isolation at home. UD is cooperating with the IDPH, who will contact individuals who have had close contact with the employee to discuss precautions and any necessary health measures.

Following protocols developed by the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force, we will temporarily close and disinfect areas where it was confirmed the employee was present.

In accordance with federal laws, it is our responsibility to safeguard the privacy of the employee so that they may focus on their health. I ask that you avoid speculation and rumors.

I encourage all of us to remember to follow UDâ€™s mantra to help mitigate the spread of this virus: Practice common sense â€“ good hygiene, social distancing, and wear a face covering for yourself and for others. Here are some other recommendations from the CDC:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue whenever you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home or in your residence hall if you are sick.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.

Additionally, remember to check your temperature before coming to work or attending class. If your temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher, stay home or in your residence hall. Consult your health care provider via an initial phone consultation and contact the following individuals:

University of Dubuque Main Campus
- Students: Erin Barsema, health services administrator, at 563.589.3857 or EBarsema@dbq.edu and their professor(s)
- Faculty/Staff: Julie MacTaggart, director of human resources, at 563.589.3619 or JMacTaggart@dbq.edu and their supervisor
University of Dubuque LIFE â€“ Dubuque
- Students/Instructors/Staff: Melissa Gunnelson, senior director of LIFE advising, at 563.589.3123 or MGunnelson@dbq.edu
University of Dubuque LIFE â€“ Cedar Rapids
- Students/Instructors/Staff: Karen Middleswarth, academic advisor at LIFE â€“ Cedar Rapids, at 319.775.0204 or KMiddleswarth@dbq.edu
University of Dubuque LIFE â€“ Tempe
- Students/Instructors/Staff: Heidi Burks, academic director at LIFE â€“ Tempe, at 480.845.0081 or HBurks@dbq.edu

I encourage you to monitor additional communications via email and at www.dbq.edu/COVID-19 for updates on UDâ€™s response to the pandemic. You can find COVID-19 symptoms and advice on when to seek emergency medical attention on the CDCâ€™s website here.

Information about future confirmed cases will be shared on our COVID-19 website at www.dbq.edu/covid-19. Other significant developments that are important to the safety and well-being of our campus community will be shared as well.

Please take care of yourself as we continue to navigate this dynamic situation.

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: June 17, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

Welcome to our COVID-19 written update. I hope you are all safe and well. Weâ€™re being safe and I couldnâ€™t be happier about seeing, in person, students, friends, and colleagues. Our students, faculty, and staff are being diligent about practicing our screening disciplines. And our COVID-19 Recovery Task Force continue to work with nationally recognized experts as it relates to our on-boarding procedures. I invite you to please continue to monitor additional communications via email and at www.dbq.edu/COVID-19.

Students
I have really been inspired by the way our students, who have remained on campus or live in the area, have constructively responded in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. The most recent example is the Black Lives Matter Peaceful Protest organized by one of our education majors. The University was well-represented with participants in the event including students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

Several years ago, in response to a suggestion by one of our planning teams, the University organized a new Spring Convocation during Black History Month. Planners recommended that this be more than a â€œone and doneâ€� moment in our University life together. With that recommendation in mind, during the 2019 and 2020 spring semesters, between 90 to 100 courses and seven to nine cultural experiences were scheduled to continue the conversation. These continuing the conversation experiences include, but are not limited to, classroom learning, lectures, campus visitors, social gatherings, listening sessions, and service opportunities â€“ many of which are open to the public at no charge. I encourage all of us to engage these amazing opportunities.

There is a lot more work to do, but Iâ€™m really proud of our students and our alumni who have taken on leadership responsibilities in our community including the Dubuque Police Department, Dubuque Community School District, and in city and non-profit leadership.

Reopening Campus
We continue in our phased reopening of main campus. The Babka Aviation Learning Center and Marge Kremer Little Spartans Childcare Center opened a month ago with new protocols. You can see how the protocols work in my recent UD Talks, featuring Director of Aviation Programs Chaminda Prelis, at www.facebook.com/UDubuque.

Earlier this month, fitness facilities at the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC) and Veterans Memorial Training Center (VMTC) reopened for use by faculty, staff, and students with strict precautions. Today, CRWCâ€™s courts, A.Y. McDonald Indoor Track, Douglas J. Miller Track, and Chalmers Field also reopen for use by faculty, staff, and students. Only non-contact activities are allowed such as racquet sports and individual basketball shooting. Participants must first check in at the front desk.

We are excited to welcome students back to campus for face-to-face Summer School Session II classes. Students should know that on Monday, June 22, 2020, the Charles C. Myers Library will reopen with for the summer. Until further notice, the library will be open 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. UD students, faculty, and staff will be asked to scan their UD ID outside the exterior door before entering the library. If your UD ID is over 10 years old, please contact the Office of Safety and Security at 563.589.3333 to verify whether you need your card replaced. Community members will be asked to call the library at 563.589.3100 to be allowed into the building.

And, of course, safety protocols must be observed by all users of these facilities. What are those protocols? UDâ€™s mantra to help mitigate the spread of the virus is: Practice common sense â€” good hygiene, social distancing, and wear a face covering for yourself and for others.

Faculty and Staff
We will continue a phased return of staff beginning Monday, July 6, 2020, in a coordinated process. More information will be shared with employees later this week. We have become familiar with the initial awkwardness of wearing face coverings, and it is time for the remainder of our team to get comfortable with these protocols as we prepare to welcome students back to campus.

Finally, some of you have mentioned how much youâ€™ve enjoyed our Friday UD Talks series on Facebook and YouTube. You might also be interested to know that weâ€™ve implemented another feature to this series called UD Listens. My first UD Listens guest was Director of Admission Chris Peterson (Câ€™04). During our hour-long conversation, you hear Chrisâ€™ story. He landed on campus in 2001 â€” nearly 20 years ago! If you havenâ€™t already, I hope you can take the time to listen to my conversation with Chris Peterson at www.facebook.com/UDubuque or www.youtube.com/UDBQMedia. And, if you think of it, offer a word of affirmation to Nathan Ripperger, media services specialist, and thank him for his excellent work.

Parents
We continue to remain focused on maintaining a safe and healthy campus by utilizing local, state, and federal resources and guidance. Our COVID-19 Recovery Task Force revisits and revises our plans, daily. In addition to equipping our campus with face coverings, hand sanitizer, thermometers, tissues, and newer safety and health protocols, we are collaborating with extremely gifted researchers and medical providers in service to the safety and comfort of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors. On top of these new practices, another task force is putting together plans to resource our new student health center. The Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center will serve students with counseling, physical health, dietary, wellness, and other health-related needs. This new facility will complement our existing relationship with UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital, which is just a short two-block walk from campus. We will utilize every resource available to keep our University community safe during this very fluid environment.

Health Reminders
As you know, the catastrophic effects of COVID-19 are near 0% for the college-age population according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, I am concerned about health conditions such as anxiety and depression that arise from prolonged periods of isolation combined with the bombardment effect of incendiary and often insensitive social media postings. Know that we will continue to provide support services for depression, anxiety, and other brain health conditions throughout the summer and, of course, throughout the academic year. You are not alone. It takes courage to seek support, and we are here to assist you in your journey to health maintenance. We are also working to staff our new Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center with the resources to assist monitoring students who require medications. Please â€” if you can benefit from professional guidance, call our University Counseling and Life Services at 563.589.3911 or visit Counseling & Life Services online.

Giving Opportunities
We continue to experience an increase in financial support by our alumni and friends. Thank you. I am really concerned about the financial foundation for many of our students, particularly this year. If you do invest in our student scholarship fund, I want to invite you to continue to do so, and maybe even consider increasing your investment, if at all possible. If you have yet to invest in University of Dubuque and its Mission, now is an important time to consider making that investment. Our students need your support â€” itâ€™s as simple as that. Some of you have asked where you can find more information on giving options. Please reach out to a member of our Advancement Team at 563.589.3158 or visit www.dbq.edu/givingtoud to learn more about giving options and opportunities.

Final Thoughts
I was grateful to have been invited to the Black Lives Matter Peaceful Protest this past Sunday evening. We are a better University, and a much better community, because of the inspiring ways our students, faculty, and staff are leading. As one of my recently retired colleagues used to put it: â€œWe have a mission and we are a Mission.â€� These students and colleagues are leading in what author James Davison Hunter in To Change the World describes as their â€œâ€¦ sphere of influence.â€�

Thatâ€™s one of the ways systemic racism can be attacked; that is, by exercising constructive leadership within each of our own spheres of influence â€” one gathering at a time. I walked away grateful â€” and inspired.

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: June 3, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

Welcome to our COVID-19 written update. I trust and pray that all of you are healthy and well. Iâ€™ll address this in more detail later in the update, but more people are returning to campus. Weâ€™re being safe and I couldnâ€™t be happier about seeing, in person, students, friends, and colleagues. I invite you to please continue to monitor additional communications via email and at www.dbq.edu/COVID-19.

Students
In case you missed it, what follows is a statement from my office that was shared yesterday.

â€œI really donâ€™t know where to begin. As I have throughout my career at UD, I have wanted to communicate with all of you about the injustice we have all been witnessing. In all honesty, it has taken me some time to get to a point where I have any words to share. Telling you that I am saddened, angry, shocked, sickened, and frightened for members of our community is not enough. I realize that. Whatever words I can muster will surely fall short.

Last Thursday night, when I arrived home from my office, I watched in horror as breath was drained from the life of George Floyd. Up to that moment, I had placed disciplined limitations on my consumption of the news, and I had missed out on the events of the previous days.

On Thursday evening and Friday, I watched the protests.

On Saturday and into Sunday, I watched the cruel death of George Floyd get overwhelmed by opportunistic distractors. I am worried about many of you and your families. However, I am buoyed by the love that we have for one another in the UD community.

So, truthfully, I really donâ€™t know where to begin or how to begin. So Iâ€™ll just start writing and, with any degree of Godâ€™s grace, what I have to say will, hopefully, communicate how much I care for each of you â€” our returning students and those of you I have yet to meet. My initial thoughts take me to some authors of particular significance.

Toni Morrison was one of the great American writers of the 20th century. An African American who was raised during the time of Jim Crow laws, Morrisonâ€™s act of defiance was to become educated. First she received her bachelor of arts in English from Howard University and then she earned a master of arts in American literature from Cornell University. She became a teacher and, in the late 1960s, she became the first black female editor in fiction at Random House Publishing in New York City. Of the many books she published, the one that still haunts me is Beloved. She died in 2019.

Elie Wiesel was a Holocaust survivor. He was orphaned. His family was slaughtered. For many years after his release from the camps, he didnâ€™t speak. The silence was his act of defiance, of remembering and honoring the dead, of voicing his grief, and of processing his experience of total humiliation and the utter contempt of humanity shown in Hitlerâ€™s death camps. Wiesel went on to be a prolific writer and peace activist. Of the many books he published, the one that still haunts me is Night. He died in 2016.

Among many of their accomplishments, both Morrison and Wiesel received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Nobel Peace Prize. I wish their voices were still with us today. We need to hear those voices.

Why do I mention these two writers: an African American survivor of Jim Crow America and a Jewish survivor of the death campus? Especially now?

I mention them because it is my hope and prayer that each of you, with your own, distinctively strong voices, will identify a way to understand America, critique America, and, through that critique, improve America and the world in which she exists: her children, her families, her immigrants, her unwashed and unloved. I offer that hope and prayer because that is the single most important contribution that this University can make through you; that is, preparing you â€” each of you â€” for service to the church and to the world. And I donâ€™t make that ask lightly. I really do believe that you â€” each of you â€” has the potential to be the antibody to the cancerous tumor known as racism that is so deeply embedded in our body politic.

Here is my promise to you who will be new students and those of you who are returning students: the University of Dubuque will not be a perfect place. We are 100 acres of buildings and grounds filled with other imperfect human beings from over 40 states and 25 countries. We get a lot right, but we also sometimes fall short of our own high expectations. But our Mission is more than bricks and mortar. It is a very serious challenge to each of us to be more human; that is, to be more hospitable, accepting, and curious towards all people and to learn in a â€œdiverse and equitable community where Christian love is practiced.â€� It is not my expectation that every person on this campus be a practicing Christian. In fact, I have long said that I believe we are a lessor community if that were to be the case. But it is my expectation that we will practice the very hard work of learning how to love and respect each other as we prepare you to step up to be the next Toni Morrison or Elie Wiesel. And, no; you donâ€™t have to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom or the Nobel Peace Prize to make your contribution. But you do have to want to be the change that you wish to see implemented in the world, and my belief is that change begins by, first, learning how to love.

So be prepared, when you return to campus and when you arrive for the first time, to continue to learn, and to continue to learn how to love. Together, let us pray for George Floyd and for his family. May they experience peace, and may justice be served. And let us resolve to pray, without ceasing, for the other innocent victims of this national disease we know as racism. And may each one of us identify a way to be part of a just, equitable, and reconciled world.â€�

Reopening Campus
As shared in the last update, we have begun a phased reopening of Main Campus. The Babka Aviation Learning Center and Marge Kremer Little Spartans Childcare Center opened two weeks ago with carefully planned protocols. Fitness facilities in the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center as well as Veterans Memorial Training Center opened this week for faculty, staff, and students with new guidelines. And we are seeing many more visitors to campus. In all cases, we are learning to recite the following mantra:

Practice common senseâ€”good hygiene, social distancing, and wear a face covering for yourself and for others.

Please remember that instituting daily health checks before arriving to campus along with the availability of abundant supplies, campus-wide, of face coverings and hand sanitizers will be essential to maintaining a healthy campus.

As part of our virtual registration, first-year/first-time students are receiving their â€œSpartan Welcomeâ€� boxes as we continue making plans for new arrivals. These fun boxes are just one more way that we can express our excitement about your arrival to our campus. Before class begins, all students will be receiving a packet of instructions and supplies such as customized UD face coverings and hand sanitizer to welcome all of you back in a safe and healthy way.

And, finally, at its meeting on Friday, May 29, our Board of Trustees went on record with our intention to be fully functional for the 2020-2021 academic year. We continue to plan for every contingency including, but not limited to, ample supplies, COVID-19 testing kits, quarantine spaces, synchronous learning technologies, face coverings, hand sanitizer and, hopefully, some good humor.

Faculty and Staff
Unless something dramatically changes, we plan on implementing a number of community disciplines to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. For example, I expect that every student and professor in every classroom, out of respect and care for the most vulnerable among us, will wear face coverings as a health precaution. When you return to campus, please make it a habit to check your temperature before you leave your home. If your temperature is 100.4 degrees or higher, please do not come to work, call your health care provider, and notify your supervisor and human resources. I will elaborate on more of these community habits throughout the summer.

Parents
We continue to remain focused on maintaining a safe and healthy campus by utilizing local, state, and federal resources and guidance. Our COVID-19 Recovery Task Force works on daily plans to move our campus back to a face-to-face environment. In addition to equipping our campus with face coverings, hand sanitizer, thermometers, tissues, and newer safety and health protocols, we are collaborating with extremely gifted researchers and medical providers in service to the safety and comfort of our students, faculty, personnel, and visitors. On top of these new practices, another task force is putting together plans to resource our new student health center. The Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center will serve students with counseling, physical health, dietary, wellness, and other health-related needs. This new facility will complement our existing relationship with UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital. We will utilize every resource available to keep our community safe during this very fluid environment.

Health Reminders
As you know, the catastrophic effects of COVID-19 are near 0% for the college-age population according to the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention. However, I am quite concerned about health conditions such as anxiety and depression that arise from prolonged periods of isolation, combined with the bombardment effect of incendiary and often insensitive social media. Know that we will continue to provide support services for depression, anxiety, and other brain health conditions throughout the summer and, of course, throughout the academic year. You are not alone. It takes courage to seek support, and we are here to assist you in your journey to health maintenance. We are also working to staff our new Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center with the resources to assist monitoring students that require medications. Please - if you can benefit from professional guidance, call our University Counseling and Life Services at 563.589.3911 or visit Counseling & Life Services online.

Giving Opportunities
We continue to experience an increase in financial support by our alumni and friends. Recently, an endowed scholarship was created in memory of Tracy Less, a beloved former UD employee who, as many of you know, died two weeks ago. Some of you have asked where you can find more information on giving options. Please feel welcome to reach out to a member of our Advancement Team at 563.589.3158 or visit www.dbq.edu/givingtoud to learn more about giving options and opportunities.

Final Thoughts
Sometimes the best way to end a missive that began as this one did is by not writing another word. With that thought in mind â€”

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: May 27, 2020

DUBUQUE, Iowa â€“ On Monday, June 1, fitness facilities at the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC) and Veterans Memorial Training Center (VMTC) on University of Dubuqueâ€™s campus will reopen for use by UD faculty, staff, and students with strict precautions based on state and federal guidelines.

CRWCâ€™s Cottingham and Butler Fitness Center will be open 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The track and courts remain closed until further notice. CRWC staff will limit the number of participants to 50 percent capacity.

At the VMTC, only one patron per rack and lift will be allowed at a time by appointment through UD strength and conditioning coaches.

UD remains committed to providing a safe environment and mitigating the spread of COVID-19. Please observe the following precautions when visiting the CRWC and VMTC:

Patrons must wear a face covering when checking into the fitness facility. Face coverings will be worn by all staff.
Patrons and staff must sanitize their hands before and after entering the fitness facility.
Patrons must complete the COVID-19 Health Assessment on site the first time they use the fitness facility and whenever they leave Dubuque County.
Patrons will have their temperature checked with non-contact thermometers.
Social distancing of six feet should be practiced throughout the fitness facility.
All equipment must be sanitized by the patron when they are finished using the equipment.
All equipment used must be used by only one patron at a time.
Patrons must have their own water bottle.
Only the small menâ€™s and womenâ€™s locker rooms on the main level of CRWC will be available for use. Two people will be allowed in the locker rooms at a time to shower and change. Lockers are not to be used to store belongings at this time.
In-Person Group Fitness Classes are postponed. Group Fitness Classes will be offered via Zoom this summer for you to workout wherever you are. Click here to find the classes.

UD is committed to providing a safe environment. Cleaning will be conducted at regular intervals during the day in line with guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If you have any questions about the fitness facilities, please contact Wendi Wipperfurth, assistant athletic director, at 563.589.3229 or WWipperfurth@dbq.edu.

If you have any questions about the CRWC, please contact Vic Popp, director of recreation, at 563.589.3449 or VPopp@dbq.edu.

DATE: May 20, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

Welcome to the 12th edition of our COVID-19 written update. I trust and pray that all of you continue to be healthy and well. Unless there is an obvious reason to change direction, these updates will continue regularly, but will now be distributed every other week. I donâ€™t want to waste your time with redundancy, but I do want to keep you informed. Please continue to monitor additional communications via email and at www.dbq.edu/COVID-19.

Students
We received many positive affirmations from students, families, trustees, alumni, and friends across the country about our virtual commencement ceremonies. In fact, we even received a few calls from other colleges and universities soliciting our insight as they work through the logistics of hosting their own ceremonies. Again, I want to compliment our very large team that worked tirelessly over the last month in pulling off this massive undertaking! Really, really well done! Thank you. You can view the commencements at www.youtube.com/UDBQMedia.

As we move into the summer term, we will continue to monitor the Technology Helpdesk from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday. If you need additional assistance, you may contact the Technology Helpdesk at HelpDesk@dbq.edu or 563.589.3737.

The Academic Support Center and Charles C. Myers Library have professional staff available to help you virtually and face-to-face. Please, do not hesitate to use these resources whether you need a tutor, assistance in researching a paper topic, or editorial advice on the best way to strengthen your essay. Click â€œAcademicsâ€� at www.dbq.edu/covid-19 to learn how to schedule an appointment. Additionally, there are many options available to students who need to return books to the library. Please click here to find out more information.

CARES Act applications were sent out to all Title IV eligible students about 10 days ago. We will send out one more application notification in the next several days to students from whom we have not yet heard. CARES Act distributions will be made in June 2020.

We are finalizing our Room and Board Refund formula. A description of that formula and our calculation will be included in your refund. If you believe that the University is mistaken in its calculation, or that the calculation formula doesnâ€™t fairly or equitably account for your individual situation, we invite you to contact us for a second evaluation. Our goal is to have these distributions completed by the end of May 2020.

Reopening Campus
We have begun a phased reopening of our Main Campus. The Babka Aviation Learning Center and Marge Kremer Little Spartans Childcare Center opened on Monday, May 18, with carefully planned protocols and limitations. Also this week, our physician assistant students returned to a modified classroom setting. Fitness facilities at the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center and Veterans Memorial Training Center will open Monday, June 1, for faculty, staff, and students with new guidelines based on guidance from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. These guidelines will be clearly posted as you enter the buildings. I also anticipate that we will be seeing many more summer visitors, particularly campus visits for fall 2020 and fall 2021 prospective students. In all cases, we will be reciting the following mantra:

Practice Common Sense â€” good hygiene, social distancing, and wear a face covering â€” for yourself and for others.

Abundant supplies, campus-wide, of face coverings and hand sanitizers should be arriving soon, and disciplined controls are in place at the Babka Aviation Learning Center and the Marge Kremer Little Spartans Childcare Center.

Summer instruction will remain in a distanced format for the first session, but we anticipate moving to a more traditional format (Practice Common Sense) for the second session. LIFE students in Dubuque as well as Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Tempe, Arizona, should check with their respective LIFE office for the reopening protocols at each site.

Some of you may have seen last weekâ€™s press release from the American Rivers Conference (A-R-C). Briefly, it is the intention of each school in the A-R-C to resume a complete schedule of regular competition in the fall. The A-R-C continues to work with the NCAA and the State Department of Health to provide a meaningful and safe competitive experience for all student-athletes.

Finally, I am aware that there is a lot of chatter in the media about whether colleges and universities will be open in the fall. It really is amazing to me how many opinions exist on this topic. As you know, I have previously declared my confidence that the University of Dubuque is â€œall inâ€� for the fall. For our purposes, the opinions that matter most to us are those coming from our students and prospective students. In both instances, there is a strong desire, even passion, to be back together this fall. That desire is further highlighted in a recent study by the firm, Carnegie Dartlet. They are one of the first entities to provide empirical support to what we have been hearing, anecdotally from many of you; that is, only 2% of students have plans to delay their college admission and 42% will not delay â€” under any circumstance. And over 95% of students derive confidence if simple social distancing measures are practiced.

Parents
We continue to remain focused on maintaining a safe and healthy campus. Our COVID-19 Recovery Task Force is working to move our campus back to a face-to-face environment. In addition to equipping our campus with face coverings, hand sanitizer, thermometers, tissues, and newer safety and health protocols, we are collaborating with extremely gifted researchers and medical providers in anticipation of taking advantage of and learning from the natural seasonal increases in campus activity including students, faculty, personnel, and visitors. On top of these new practices, another task force is putting together plans to resource our new student health center. The Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center will serve students with counseling, physical health, dietary, wellness, and other health-related needs. This new facility will complement our existing relationship with UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital.

Health Reminders
As you know, the catastrophic effects of COVID-19 are near 0% for the college-age population; a total of 59 deaths, nationally, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the CDC data, college students have been at greater risk for the more familiar pneumonia, and as youâ€™ve seen in these updates, are far more susceptible to challenges related to extended isolation. Anxiety, depression, and death-by-suicide are the health issues about which I most worry these days, and as we reopen. Know that we will continue to provide support services for depression, anxiety, and other brain health conditions throughout the summer. You are not alone, and it is a person of courage that endeavors to seek support. We are also working to staff our new Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health Center with the resources to assist monitoring students that require medications. Please â€” if you can benefit from professional guidance, call our University Counseling and Life Services at 563.589.3911 or visit Counseling & Life Services online.

Giving Opportunities
We continue to experience an increase in giving by our alumni and friends as we near the end of our Fiscal Year on May 31, 2020. I believe that this time of isolation has helped to highlight both the need and benefits of our brand of higher education, and it has given individuals time to even more closely scrutinize their investment priorities and choices. Some of you have asked where you can find more information on giving options. Please feel welcome to reach out to a member of our Advancement Team at 563.589.3158 or visit www.dbq.edu/givingtoud to learn more about giving options and opportunities.

Final Thoughts
As I conclude this message, I want to encourage you to continue monitoring the Universityâ€™s website for regular updates. This fall will surely be different in ways that we canâ€™t completely anticipate, but I am confident that we will, nevertheless, be together. Weâ€™re all committing to getting used to our new mantra: Practice Common Sense â€” good hygiene, social distancing, and wear a face covering â€” for yourself and for others.

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: May 13, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

Welcome to the eleventh edition of our COVID-19 written update. I trust and pray that you are healthy and well. We are having internal discussions about whether and how to continue these updates. I donâ€™t want to waste your time with redundancy, but we do want to keep you informed. Please continue to monitor additional communications via email and at www.dbq.edu/COVID-19.

Students
Welcome to the end of finals and the beginning of your virtual commencements. I hope that you feel like you gave your best effort in your final exams, papers, and projects. It isnâ€™t the same as being in person; I get that and so do your professors. Those of you who are graduating received your Commencement in a Box last week and I hope you enjoyed the surprises that were inside. I reviewed the first virtual commencement trial run earlier today. It was really, really well done. But, like your classes, it wasnâ€™t the same as being together in person. Though I was somewhat saddened by the experience, I was very grateful to our team and for their vision and effort to create a memorable moment for all of you! Our teams in the Office of Academic Affairs, Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, Office of the Registrar, and Office of University Relations have gone to extraordinary lengths to plan our virtual commencements. Thank you for doing your part in helping to make this experience come to life. It will be differentâ€”but special! Here is where you can watch virtual commencements Saturday, May 16:

Seminary Virtual Commencement, 9:30 a.m.

www.facebook.com/UDTSeminary, www.facebook.com/UDubuque, and www.youtube.com/UDBQMedia

Undergraduate Virtual Commencement, 1:00 p.m.

Graduate Virtual Commencement, 2:00 p.m.

Graduating students are also invited to return to campus to participate in December 2020 Commencement or May 2021 Commencement.

Itâ€™s still not too late for you to register for summer school courses. Summer school will keep you engaged and keep you moving along in your programs of study. Classes begin Monday, May 18, 2020.

Though there is very little usage, we will continue to monitor the Technology Helpdesk from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday for the first week of summer school, and then we will adjust the hours accordingly. If you need additional assistance, you may contact the Technology Helpdesk at HelpDesk@dbq.edu or 563.589.3737.

Need to return a library book? We recognize that most of you arenâ€™t still on campus. You have a few different options including multiple locations in Iowa to return items thanks to our friends at over 30 Iowa college libraries across the state. Here are some other options:

If youâ€™ll be back on campus in the fall, you can return your item(s) then. Email library staff at LibCirc@dbq.edu and tell them you plan to return item(s) in the fall. They will extend the due date on your items so you donâ€™t receive overdue notices;
If youâ€™re in or near Dubuque, you can drop off your book(s) in the book drop in the lobby of the library;
If youâ€™re in Iowa, or nearby, check out this map of over 30 Iowa college libraries participating in this book return program. Drop your UD library book(s) at any of the libraries listed on the map and it will get back to us;
Or you can mail book(s) back to the library. When you take them to the post office, ask for the media mail or book rate. It should be less expensive. The libraryâ€™s address is: Charles C. Myers Library, 2000 University Avenue, Dubuque, Iowa

Finally, if none of these options work for you, please email library staff at LibCirc@dbq.edu and let them know youâ€™re having trouble getting your items back to us. Theyâ€™ll work with you to identify a solution.

The University received the first allocation of our CARES Act distribution about three weeks ago. Application and documentation forms were mailed to all Title IV eligible students. On a matter unrelated to the CARES Act, it is our goal to have room and board refunds in the hands of eligible residential students no later than Sunday, May 31.

Parents
We continue to remain focused on maintaining a safe and healthy campus. Our COVID-19 Recovery Task Force is working to move our campus back to a face-to-face environment. In addition to equipping our campus with face coverings, hand sanitizer, thermometers, tissues, and newer safety and health protocols, we are collaborating with extremely gifted researchers and medical providers in anticipation of taking advantage of and learning from the natural seasonal increases in campus activity including students, faculty, personnel, and visitors. On top of these new practices, another task force is putting together plans to resource our new student health center. The Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health and Wellness Center will serve students with counseling, physical health, dietary, wellness, and other health-related needs. This new facility will complement our existing relationship with UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital.

Health Reminders
Though the catastrophic effects of COVID-19 are near 0% for the college-age demographic, this age group is far more susceptible to challenges related to brain health. Know that we will continue to provide support services for depression, anxiety, and other brain health conditions throughout the summer. You are not alone, and it is a person of courage who endeavors to seek support. We are also working to staff our new Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health and Wellness Center with the resources to assist monitoring students that require medications. Please â€” if you can benefit from professional guidance, call our University Counseling and Life Services at 563.589.3911 or visit Counseling & Life Services online.

Giving Opportunities
It has been amazing for me to watch our alumni and friends identify new ways to support the Universityâ€™s Mission and its students during this time. This week, I was approached by one of our Trustees about the possibility of endowing a scholarship fund to provide tuition support for students. Another trustee wants to provide support for students for use in our new health center. I never cease to be inspired by the way this Mission generates generosity, joy, and enthusiasm for giving. Some of you have asked where you can find more information on giving options. Please feel welcome to get in touch with a member of our Advancement Team at 563.589.3158 or visit www.dbq.edu/givingtoud to learn about giving options and opportunities.

Final Thoughts
As I conclude this update, I sincerely want those of you who are graduating to know that we will be with you in spirit this coming Saturday, May 16, 2020. I am proud of each one of you, and I look forward to following your adventures and joining you at alumni gatherings around the country. Please stay in touch with me, and with all of us. Come back to find your personalized alumni brick along University Park Drive this coming October during Homecoming. Your name will, literally, be engraved in stone!

This moment in our nationâ€™s history is memorable, but it will not define your future. Your futures will be defined by who you have become, in contrast to what you will do. Mark Ward, vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty, shared with me that you have become one of the 10% among the worldâ€™s population to have achieved an undergraduate degree. (You who are receiving a graduate degree join only 3% of the world population.) So, in your rarified air of achievement, you have become leaders, but I hope leaders with a servantâ€™s heart. And as leaders with a servantâ€™s heart, remember the words of the prophet Jeremiah: â€œSeek the welfare of the city, wherever you may be.â€� In other words, do well and be good wherever you may be, and the rest of your lives will fall into place.

Congratulations, Class of 2020!!

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: May 6, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

Welcome to the tenth edition of our COVID-19 written update. I have noticed more activity as the weather begins to warm and certainly more cars in our parking lots. I trust and pray that you are healthy and well. Please continue to monitor additional communications via email and at www.dbq.edu/COVID-19.

Students
Itâ€™s hard to believe, but the semester is coming to a close. Those of you who are graduating should receive your Commencement in a Box this week. Our teams in the Office of Academic Affairs, Office of Advancement and Alumni Engagement, Office of the Registrar, and Office of University Relations have gone to extraordinary lengths to plan our virtual commencements. It will be memorable! Here is where you can watch virtual commencements Saturday, May 16:

Seminary Virtual Commencement, 9:30 a.m.

facebook.com/UDTSeminary, www.facebook.com/UDubuque, and www.youtube.com/UDBQMedia

Undergraduate Virtual Commencement, 1:00 p.m.

Graduate Virtual Commencement, 2:00 p.m.

Graduating students are also invited to return to campus to participate in December 2020 Commencement or May 2021 Commencement.

Itâ€™s still not too late for you to register for summer school courses. Summer school will keep you engaged and keep you moving along in your programs of study. Currently about 800 of you have registered for summer school courses.

Though there is very little usage, we will continue to monitor the Technology Helpdesk from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday. If you need additional assistance, you may contact the Technology Helpdesk at HelpDesk@dbq.edu or 563.589.3737.

The Academic Support Center and Charles C. Myers Library have professional staff available to help you virtually and face-to-face. Please, do not hesitate to use these resources whether you need a tutor for a math or chemistry class, some assistance in researching a paper topic, or editorial advice on the best way to strengthen your essay or paper. Click â€œAcademicsâ€� at www.dbq.edu/COVID-19 to learn how to schedule an appointment.

The University received the first allocation of our CARES Act distribution about two weeks ago. According to the law, students that are Title IV eligible qualify to receive financial support through this federal government program. Eligible students will be receiving application information from the Office of Student Financial Planning. On a matter unrelated to the CARES Act, residential students who qualify for a room and board refund will soon be receiving instructions from the Office of Student Financial Planning. As I shared before, we are processing this information in May, and weâ€™d like to have our work completed by the end of the month.

Parents
We continue to remain focused on maintaining a safe and healthy campus. Our COVID-19 Recovery Task Force is working to move our campus back to a face-to-face environment. In addition to equipping our campus with face masks, hand sanitizer, thermometers, tissues, and newer safety and health protocols, we are collaborating with extremely gifted researchers and medical providers in anticipation of taking advantage of and learning from the natural seasonal increases in campus activity including students, faculty, personnel, and visitors. Thankfully, according to the most recent data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the college-age population is the least at risk from the most severe effects of COVID-19. Additionally, another internal task force is putting together plans to resource our new student health center. The Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health and Wellness Center will serve students with counseling, physical health, dietary, wellness, and other health-related needs. This new facility will complement our existing relationship with UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital.

Health Reminders
Though the catastrophic effects of COVID-19 are near 0% for the college-age demographic, this age group is far more susceptible to challenges related to brain health. As you all know and may be tired of hearing by now, this continues to be a major concern for me. We will continue to provide support services for depression, anxiety, and other brain health conditions that more consistently impact students. Additionally, we are working to staff our new Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health and Wellness Center with the resources to assist monitoring students who require medications. Please â€” if you can benefit from professional guidance, call our University Counseling and Life Services at 563.589.3911 or visit Counseling & Life Services online.

Giving Opportunities
It has been amazing for me to watch our alumni and friends identify new ways to support the Universityâ€™s Mission and its students during this time. Any support for students, whether that be the student scholarship fund, the food pantry, or all opportunities in-between, is sincerely appreciated and genuinely cherished. I never cease to be inspired by the way this Mission generates generosity, joy, and enthusiasm for giving. Some of you have asked where you can find more information on giving options. Please feel welcome to get in touch with a member of our Advancement Team at 563.589.3158 or visit www.dbq.edu/givingtoud to learn about giving options and opportunities.

Final Thoughts
As I was getting visibly agitated over the weekend by my youngest sonâ€™s propensity for pacing around the dining room table, I was reminded by my wife, with her kind smile, that Seth comes by this trait naturally. It is just harder and harder for me to stay still. I suspect that Iâ€™m not alone!

It is good to see our country opening up again â€” even slowly. Yes, I realize that there will continue to be discussions and differences of opinion about appropriate social distancing, safety, and what it means to return to â€œnormal.â€� I also know that we cannot live in fear forever. That is why we are doing everything we can to make sure that our campus is safe upon your return. Though we are still sorting out the details, we will surely operate differently than pre-COVID-19 days. When students arenâ€™t feeling well, we will expect them to immediately seek help at our Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health and Wellness Center. If the required intervention is beyond our capabilities, then students will receive support through our existing relationship with UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital. That same self-discipline will apply to the rest of us as well. The lesson, here, is that we all need to take better care of ourselves, if not for our own benefit, then for the benefit of others. We will each commit to being more diligent in how we approach healthy living in a residential learning environment.

But even as we look to the future, I donâ€™t want us to lose site of the accomplishments of our graduates. Traditional Class of 2020 undergraduates came into the world near 9/11 and will be bookended by COVID-19. LIFE students have put their lives and the lives of their families on hold so that they could complete their degree. Seminarians have studied and learned for three, four, and sometimes five years, and now they are entering an ecclesial world of service much changed. And I think of our students in health-related fields: I am grateful for their service and, yet, the dad in me continues to worry for them. In each instance, our graduates have pursued their educational dreams for a purpose â€” a new career opportunity, the opportunity to serve the underserved, a chance to be the first in their family to earn a college degree. Each student is different, and each dream is unique. And, yet, that which binds them together is that they will have received their diploma from a place like University of Dubuque that, at its core as stated in our Mission, is committed â€œâ€¦ to serving the Church and the World.â€�

Now, more than ever, our country and our world are in need of such servant-leaders. I trust and pray that each one of our graduates will carry that mantel of privilege and responsibility with perseverance and integrity.

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: April 29, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

Welcome to the ninth edition of our COVID-19 written update. I continue to trust and pray that you are healthy and well.

Students
Weâ€™re nearing the end of the semester. You have done a terrific job of transitioning into this new delivery format and, with any transition, I suspect you have had good and not-so-good experiences. I believe the same can be said for your faculty. Nevertheless, we are nearing the end of this semester, and you have admirably confronted the challenge that was set before us.

I am pleased to report that 751 of you have registered for summer school courses. Summer school will keep you engaged and moving along in your programs of study. There is still time to register for summer school classes if you have not done so already.

Though there is very little usage, we continue to monitor the Technology Helpdesk from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday. If you need assistance, you may contact the Technology Helpdesk at HelpDesk@dbq.edu or 563.589.3737.

The Academic Support Center and Charles C. Myers Library have professional staff available to help you virtually and face-to-face. Please, do not hesitate to use these resources whether you need a tutor for a math or chemistry class, assistance in researching a paper, or advice on the best way to strengthen a paper. Click â€œAcademicsâ€� at www.dbq.edu/COVID-19 to learn how to schedule an appointment.

Earlier this week, the Class of 2020 received an email inviting you to create a â€œDigital Youâ€� and record a 10-second personal video message for Undergraduate Virtual Commencement and Graduate Virtual Commencement on Saturday, May 16. You can find the email with details on how to participate at bit.ly/2020UDgrad. Graduating students are invited to participate in the virtual commencement ceremonies and, if you would like, either the December 2020 or May 2021 Commencement services. We will also have a special recognition for all 2020 graduates during Homecoming on Saturday, October 24, 2020.

Parents
We continue to remain focused on maintaining a safe and healthy campus. The Universityâ€™s COVID-19 Recovery Task Force is working on plans to move our campus back to a face-to-face environment. In addition to equipping our campus with facemasks, hand sanitizer, thermometers, tissues, and newer safety and health protocols, we are collaborating with extremely gifted researchers and medical providers in anticipation of taking advantage of the natural seasonal increases in campus activity including students, faculty, personnel, and visitors. Thankfully, according to the most recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the college-age population is the least at risk from the most severe effects of COVID-19. To date, there have been 33 deaths nationally for this demographic. Though tragic in every way, these deaths represent a smaller overall percentage than the more familiar pneumonia or seasonal influenza.

Health Reminders
Though the catastrophic effects of COVID-19 are near 0% for the college-age demographic, this age group is far more susceptible to challenges related to brain health. Thatâ€™s where most of my worry is. We continue to focus and provide services for depression, anxiety, and other brain health conditions that more consistently impact this demographic. Please, if you can benefit from professional guidance, call our University Counseling and Life Services at 563.589.3911 or visit Counseling & Life Services online.

Final Thoughts
As you have likely gathered, I am confident that we will soon be together to inaugurate the Universityâ€™s 169th year of service to the church and world. We fully anticipate and are looking forward to a strong entering class and we will again welcome returning students from across the country and around the world. I have been in communication this week with one of our new students from Northern Ireland, which is both exciting and hopeful! She is excited about becoming a member of our University community, participating in our choir, and taking lessons on the new pipe organ (Opus 97 www.dobsonorgan.com) in John and Alice Butler Hall.

Though I understand the fear that has gripped our country and world over the last six weeks, I am also cognizant of the fact that fear, as a way of living, isnâ€™t healthy for human beings. Whether it is COVID-19, the economy, or circumstances beyond our control, fear, if we let it, will cloud our days and turn what is intended to be joyful into misery. Weâ€™re designed differently; that is, on this University campus in America. We believe that hope trumps fear and that faith in a promised good future is the core essence of our Mission. The overall purpose of that Mission is to equip and guide students into becoming leaders and message-bearers of that hope and promise the world so desperately needs to hear â€” especially now.

So, as we have every year since 1852, even as we celebrate the exceptional Class of 2020, we look forward to welcoming the Class of 2024 home to, this, your Alma Mater.

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: April 27, 2020

Dear Class of 2020,

Your resiliency and accomplishments deserve to be celebrated. Since we canâ€™t gather in-person because of the pandemic, University of Dubuque is excited to hold virtual commencements for all undergraduate and graduate students in the Class of 2020 on Saturday, May 16. Virtual commencements will be shared on UDâ€™s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/UDubuque. The times will be shared later.

Itâ€™s easy to participate! First, create a â€œDigital Youâ€� that will accept your diploma in a virtual Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center. Second, record a message for your family, friends, and others that will be shared during virtual commencement â€“ a first for UD!

Step One â€“ Create a â€œDigital Youâ€�

Visit 2020UDgrad.com and create your Bitmoji, a â€œDigital You!â€�
- Undergraduates: Your Bitmoji will walk across a virtual stage and receive your diploma from a Bitmoji President Bullock.
- Graduates: Your Bitmoji will walk across a virtual stage, be cloaked in your graduate hood, and receive your diploma from Bitmoji President Bullock.
Students who do not create a Bitmoji will have a Bitmoji Sparty accept their diploma on their behalf.
Submit your Bitmoji no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 1.

Step Two - Record A Personal Message

Record a 10-second video clip.
Tell us who inspired you. Give a shout-out to your family and/or favorite professor.
Video clips will play after your Bitmoji accepts your diploma.
Video clips MUST be no more than 10 seconds. Be sure to pause before and after you speak.
- If English is your second language, feel free to speak in your native language.
- Have a difficult name to pronounce? No problem. Record your name at the beginning of the video, wait one second before beginning your message. Stating your name will not count against your 10-second message.
To submit your video, email 2020UDgrad@dbq.edu with the following information:
- Subject Line: Last Name, First Name, and Middle Initial, â€“ ____ (Choose One: Bachelorâ€™s or Masterâ€™s)
- Submit your video no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday, May 1.
- If you do not want to submit a video, you may submit one photo of yourself instead.

Tips to Make the Perfect Video Clip

Video clips need to stay within the allotted time.
Clean your camera lens.
Always shoot in landscape mode.
Donâ€™t use the zoom function.
Be aware of what is in your background.
Avoid standing in front of windows.
Be close to your recording device to ensure the microphone will pick up audio.
Wait one second before you begin speaking and wait one second after you stop speaking before shutting off the recording.
We are all representatives of University of Dubuque, and videos should reflect UDâ€™s Code of Conduct. Be appropriate and remember the following:
- No mention or view of alcohol or drugs.
- No profanity.
- Wear your UD blue or regalia.
All video clips will be reviewed. UD reserves the right to edit for time or deny the use of any video clip submitted.
Use your smart phone camera app to record your clip. No smart phone? No problem! Click Zoom or Microsoft Teams for help on how to record in those formats.

Donâ€™t Forget

You can still order your regalia if you missed the Wednesday, April 22, deadline.
- Herff Jones will accept orders through the end of May to have commencement regalia mailed to your home â€“ at no cost.
- Place your order at herff.ly/dubuque. Please know that orders placed now cannot be guaranteed to arrive by Saturday, May 16.
- Students who placed their regalia order by Wednesday, April 22, were inadvertently told their order would take 28 days to receive. Herff Jonesâ€™ website automatically generated the message; however, UD students are guaranteed orders would arrive by Saturday, May 16, if their orders were placed by Wednesday, April 22.
We have a special commencement gift for you! If you havenâ€™t already done so through your regalia order, please update your address by contacting the Office of the Registrar at Registrar@dbq.edu to ensure your celebration package gets to the right address.
Celebrate on Saturday, May 16! Get dressed in your commencement regalia, decorate your cap, share photos on social media with #2020UDgrad, and watch your virtual commencement.
Encourage your friends and classmates to participate!

UDâ€™s virtual commencement isnâ€™t the only way to celebrate! You are still welcome to return to campus to walk in-person in the December 2020 or May 2021 Commencement Ceremonies. The Office of Alumni Engagement will celebrate you at Homecoming 2020! The Class of 2020 will be recognized on October 24, 2020, during halftime and you will be invited to a celebration at the Spartan Nation Reunion at Old Chicago that evening.

Congratulations, graduates. We are proud of all of you and we look forward to celebrating with you!

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: April 22, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

Welcome to this eighth edition of our COVID-19 written update. I trust that this memo finds you healthy and well. Please continue to monitor additional communications via email and at www.dbq.edu/covid-19.

Students
I want to affirm all of you in your adaptation to online learning. I have heard from traditional undergraduate students, LIFE students, and graduate students over the last week. They have shared that this method of instruction is different, but that they are still learning. Some have even shared some â€œsilver liningâ€� moments.

Starting today, the Technology Helpdesk will return to their regular office hours of 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Friday. You may contact the Technology Helpdesk at HelpDesk@dbq.edu or 563.589.3737.

Also, the Academic Support Center and Charles C. Myers Library have professional staff available to help you virtually and face-to-face. Please, do not hesitate to use these resources whether you need a tutor for a math or chemistry class or some assistance in researching a paper topic or thinking about the best way to write an essay. The ASC and library are full of amazing people, each one of whom is absolutely committed to your academic success! Click â€œAcademicsâ€� at www.dbq.edu/covid-19 to learn how to schedule an appointment.

This is the time of year when we celebrate the accomplishments of our students. Last week, we inducted 50 new members into UDâ€™s chapter of Alpha Chi, a national academic honor society whose purpose is promote academic excellence and exemplary character among university students. Members represent the Top 10 percent of students in the junior and senior classes. You can watch the virtual ceremony at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gosr31grFd4. We are proud of the outstanding work done by these UD students!

Parents
We remain focused on maintaining a safe and healthy campus. A Task Force is working with me to identify a safe and methodical process to open our campus and best prepare us for a healthy spring, summer, and new academic year. We are also committed to incorporating new, healthy practices and procedures that ensure the safety of our campus; in fact, we are working with some of the best minds in the country to meet that commitment. I am grateful that we will have the new Smeltzer-Kelly Student Health and Wellness Center in operation, and it will be resourced with health practitioners, clinicians, counselors, and dieticians. As an added and timely benefit, this new facility will also include a private, isolated quarantine space for students with the mumps, measles, or other contagious diseases.

Health Reminders
Donâ€™t forget to take care of your brain health. Isolation is difficult for those among us who cope with depression, anxiety, and other brain health conditions. Call a friend. Support one another. And, if you could benefit from professional guidance, please call our University Counseling and Life Services at 563.589.3911 or visit Counseling & Life Services online.

Final Thoughts
There continues to be a lot of mixed messaging in the media on how weâ€™re handling COVID-19 on a national and local level. As I shared last week, though I donâ€™t have a crystal ball, I honestly believe that we are getting closer to a time when we will begin to return to our lives as we knew them. A culture premised on freedom just cannot stay locked up for an indefinite amount of time. Those of us with challenging health conditions will need to remain careful, and those of us with better immune systems will soon be entering back into our former routines.

As we listen to various pundits sharing their various point of views, I want to assure all of you that we will be ready to open campus as soon as it is safe to do so. There will be a full entering class of new and returning undergraduate, graduate, LIFE, PA, and seminary students. There will be a fall season of Spartan athletics. There will be new friends made on campus and new jobs or other opportunities for our spring graduates. Andâ€”speaking of graduatesâ€”we WILL be celebrating with a Virtual Commencement on Saturday, May 16! No, it wonâ€™t be the same as graduating in John and Alice Butler Hall or the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Centerâ€”but it WILL be memorable and you wonâ€™t want to miss it!

And, finally, remember this: we are in this together!

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: April 20, 2020

Dear Class of 2020 Graduates,

Congratulations on all of your achievements! Although the pandemic forced us to cancel our in-person May 2020 Commencement Ceremonies, it will not prevent us from celebrating each one of you.

University of Dubuque invites you to return home to participate in on-campus ceremonies in December or May 2021. We also encourage you to attend a virtual commencement Saturday, May 16, 2020. Here are ways you can help make your virtual commencement memorable and meaningful:

Step One â€“ Get Your Commencement Gear Now

We want to see you in your commencement regalia! Herf Jones has created a website for UD grads to have your cap, gown, and tassel mailed to your homes â€“ at no cost.
- Undergraduates: Order your commencement regalia by Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at herff.ly/dubuque.
- Graduates: If you did not preorder your commencement regalia, please order your regalia by Wednesday, April 22, 2020, at herff.ly/dubuque All preordered regalia and new orders will be shipped to you.

Step Two - Update Your Address

We have a special commencement gift for you! Please update your address when you order your commencement regalia or contact the Office of the Registrar at Registrar@dbq.edu with your updated address.

Step Three - Send A Personal Message

Be on the lookout for updates on how to participate in your virtual commencement! You will receive details on how you can submit a 10-second video message that will play during your virtual commencement. Tell us who inspired you. Talk about who helped you along the way. Give a shout-out to your family and/or favorite professor.
We are working on a way to have digital versions of our graduates participate in virtual commencement. More details to come soon.

Step Four - Celebrate Your Commencement on May 16

Get dressed in your commencement regalia, decorate your cap, share photos on social media with #2020UDgrad, and watch your virtual commencement.

Congratulations, graduates. We are proud of all of you and we look forward to celebrating with you!

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: April 14, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

Welcome to this seventh edition of our COVID-19 written update. As we settle into a new routine for this semester, future updates will be shared around noon on Wednesdays via email and at www.dbq.edu/covid-19. This will be our primary weekly update for the UD community.

Students
I trust that this note finds each of you doing well. I know that this is an adjustment for everyone, but I am also encouraged about what we have learned of ourselves â€” and each other â€” during this very unique time in our history. I hope that each of you registered for your fall 2020 classes. Each day, I am more and more confident that we will be greeted this fall with a regular school year.

As a reminder, we are addressing rebates or credits for spring 2020 room and board in May. Early on in this process, we elected to wait until May because we wanted to make sure that we had appropriately followed US Department of Education guidelines. Each on-campus studentâ€™s situation will be addressed fairly and individually.

As you know, we canceled our in-person May 2020 Commencement Ceremonies based on guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We look forward to welcoming you back to campus to participate in either the December 2020 or May 2021 Commencement Ceremonies. In addition, we will be holding a memorable and meaningful virtual commencement on May 16, 2020, to celebrate your original commencement date. Over the next few weeks, you will be receiving additional information about how you can participate in your virtual commencement. Graduates, although we are physically separated, we are excited to celebrate your original commencement date.

Parents
We remain focused on maintaining a safe and healthy campus. Although we have reduced the number of personnel that are coming to campus to work, we continue to have three shifts of our security personnel and around the clock monitoring of our security cameras. Our campus has been very quiet and safe.

Classes
A reminder that the Technology Helpdesk is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for those who have questions or are having trouble with technology. You may contact the Technology Helpdesk at HelpDesk@dbq.edu or 563.589.3737. LIFE students should continue to use their after-hours technology support number.

Also, the Academic Support Center and Charles C. Myers Library have professional staff available to help you, both virtually and face-to-face. Please, do not hesitate to use these resources whether you need a tutor for a math or chemistry class or some assistance in researching a paper topic or thinking about the best way to write an essay. The ASC and library are full of amazing people, each one of whom is absolutely committed to your academic success! Click â€œAcademicsâ€� at www.dbq.edu/covid-19 to learn how to schedule an appointment with the ASC or library.

Employees
I want to personally thank all of you for your continued commitment. I am hopeful that we will be back together sooner rather than later. I want to encourage each of you to maintain your healthy practices of social distancing and good judgment. I also want to encourage you to reach out to a colleague you havenâ€™t heard from for a while. Call to check on them, and on each other.

Health Reminders
As Iâ€™ve mentioned in earlier updates, we can all do our part to help prevent the spread of germs such as washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home if ill.

Donâ€™t forget to take care of your brain health. Isolation is difficult for those among us who cope with depression, anxiety, and other brain health conditions. Call a friend. Support one another. If you could benefit from professional guidance, please call our University Counseling and Life Services at 563.589.3911 or visit Counseling & Life Services online.

The healthier we stay as a community, the sooner we will be able to get back to operating our Mission face-to-face.

Opportunities to Give
To our alumni and friends, thank you for the phone calls, emails, and social media posts asking how you can help students during this time. Please continue to pray for one another and for UD students, faculty, and staff and their families â€“ as we continue to offer our prayers for all of you. Also, please consider supporting our students through the Annual Student Scholarship Fund. You can do this online at www.dbq.edu/invest or by mail at Office at Advancement, University of Dubuque, 2000 University Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001. If you have any questions, please reach out to our Advancement Team by phone at 563.589.3158.

We know this current situation is concerning to our students and their families and, in some cases, may impact their ability to continue their education at UD. We want to be able to offer students every opportunity to continue their education and that includes being able to support them with additional financial assistance when it most matters. We have deployed University resources to help our students when a need arises, and your support of scholarships helps us to keep our students in the classroom â€“ regardless of where that classroom may be located.

Final Thoughts
There have been a lot of mixed messages in the media over the last month. One day, the news is hopeful; the next day, it seems as if the sky is falling. Though I donâ€™t have a crystal ball, I honestly believe that we are getting closer to a time when we will begin to return to our lives as we knew them. A culture premised on freedom just cannot stay locked up for an indefinite amount of time. Those of us with challenging health conditions will need to remain careful, and those of us with better immune systems will soon be entering back into our former routines.

As we move through these next weeks, there will be a lot of work to do. Pieces of our lives will need to be picked up, while lessons learned during this time will become part of our ongoing individual and cultural identity. In both scenarios, we will need to remain patient and hopeful.

And it is with an abundance of hope â€” and a bit of caution â€” that I look forward to greeting each of you in person in the not-so-distant future!

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: April 7, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

Welcome to this sixth edition of our COVID-19 written update. These updates will continue to be shared around noon on Tuesdays via email and at www.dbq.edu/covid-19. We will also continue to share UD Talks videos around noon on Fridays at facebook.com/UDubuque.

Students
Mystery solved! Last week a reader responded with the background story of how the â€œWEâ€™RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHERâ€� sign showed up on the front door of my home. One of our recent graduates and current employees is helping to provide care to a child in our neighborhood. As an exercise in extending kindness, the child posted signs throughout our neighborhood. They have been an encouraging boost to all of us! If youâ€™d like to see the sign, I shared a photo on my Instagram account at instagram.com/j.f.bullock/.

Summer School
Many of you registered for summer school over the last week. As an encouragement for you to stay engaged and progressing in your programs of study, UD reduced summer school tuition by 15 percent per credit hour.

Fall 2020 Registration
Registration has started for fall 2020! Yesterday, registration opened for seniors. Registration for juniors begins April 8, sophomores April 13, and first-year students April 15. Students should contact their academic advisor to discuss their course schedule for this fall.

In order to do our best to provide additional support for our students and their families, we eliminated the 2020-2021 scheduled increase in tuition, room, board, and fees for traditional undergraduates. Our rates will remain at the current 2019-2020 rate structure.

Parents
We remain focused on maintaining a safe and healthy campus. We have reduced the number of personnel that are coming to campus to work. For those of you whose children remain on campus, I want you to know that we continue to have three shifts of our security personnel and around the clock monitoring of our security cameras. Our campus has been very quiet and safe.

Classes
Starting tomorrow, the Technology Helpdesk will have new hours. It will be open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for those who have questions or are having trouble with technology. You may contact the Technology Helpdesk at HelpDesk@dbq.edu or 563.589.3737. The Technology Helpdesk will be closed Friday, April 10, through Sunday, April 12, for Easter. LIFE students should continue to use their after-hours technology support number.

Also, the Academic Support Center has professional staff available by appointment from noon to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please, do not hesitate to use these resources whether you need a tutor for a math or chemistry class or some assistance in thinking about the best way to write your essay or paper. The ASC is full of amazing people, each one of whom is absolutely committed to your academic success! Click â€œAcademicsâ€� at www.dbq.edu/covid-19 to learn how to schedule an appointment with the ASC.

Employees
Thank you for your amazing commitment. We seem to have found a way to continue our high level of instruction and maintain our healthy community of support and interaction. As we all adapt to this different way of executing the Universityâ€™s Mission, I want to encourage each of you to maintain your healthy practices of social distancing. I also want to encourage each of you to care for your brain health. Reach out to a colleague you havenâ€™t heard from for a while. The healthier we stay as a community, the sooner we will be able to get back to operating our Mission face-to-face.

Future Dates
We are sorting through Commencement 2020 options and details should be available soon. We are working through two options for graduates: a virtual May Commencement and our regular December Commencement. A team is working through details for both of these options, and weâ€™ll be providing more information as soon as is possible.

Isolation is difficult for those among us who cope with depression, anxiety, and other brain health conditions. Call a friend. Support one another. And, if you could benefit from professional guidance, please call our University Counseling and Life Services at 563.589.3911 or visit Counseling & Life Services online.

Opportunities to Give
To our alumni and friends, thank you for the phone calls, emails, and social media posts asking how you can help UD students during this time. For right now, my answer is simple and twofold: First, please continue to pray for one another and for University of Dubuque students, faculty, staff and their families, as we continue to offer our prayers for all of you. Second, supporting our students through the Annual Student Scholarship Fund is essential. You can do this online at www.dbq.edu/invest or by mail at Office of Advancement, University of Dubuque, 2000 University Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001. As always, our Advancement Team is available to answer your questions by phone at 563.589.3158.

We know this unprecedented situation is concerning to our students and their families and, in some cases, may impact their ability to continue their education at UD. We want to be able to offer them every opportunity to continue their education and that includes being able to support them with additional financial assistance when it most matters. We have deployed UD resources to help our students when a need arises, and your investment through scholarships helps us to keep our students in the classroom â€“ regardless of where that classroom may be located.

Final Thoughts
This week marks Holy Week observances for two of the three religious traditions that trace their lineage to Abraham: Passover and Easter. Passover is an eight-day commemoration celebrating the departure of Jewish people from slavery in Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. The name â€œpass overâ€� references a passage from Exodus 12.13 in which God offers instructions on how to avoid the plagues upon the Egyptians after Pharaoh refused to free the Israelites. Easter, for Christians, is a celebration of victory over a different plague; that is, death itself. In each gospel account, after his crucifixion, women headed to Jesusâ€™ tomb only to find it empty. He was goneâ€”resurrected from the dead.

We are told that these next two weeks will be a time of both plague and death in our country, and around the world. There is no way to sugarcoat the bitterness of those words. People will suffer. Families will mourn. Parents will weep. And, yet, we know that suffering, mourning, and weeping are not foreign concepts within the great faith traditions. In fact, they are more often the norm than the exceptionâ€”take the book of Lamentations, for example. It just so happens that we live in a time in human history when intellect often believes that it holds the superior hand to biology. But not nowâ€”not these next two weeks. Not ever, actually. Most certainly, this plague will end and our lives will return to normal, but it will be a normal that has been tempered by suffering, mourning, and weeping. Those experiences always breed humility, and humility is a good thingâ€”thatâ€™s why itâ€™s called a virtue.

In ways that I canâ€™t yet describe, my belief is that we will collectively become better as a nation, maybe even a little more patient and tolerant of each other, and of our world. So as we move through this time of challenge, let us walk as people of hope and not as people of despair. Let us walk as people who come from faith traditions that have seen this before and know what to do and how to be in the getting there.

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: March 31, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

Given that we are beginning to settle into a â€œnew normalâ€� routine, and knowing that your in-boxes receive plenty of activity, I will be reducing these written updates to once per week. The updates will be shared around noon on Tuesdays via email and at www.dbq.edu/covid-19. We will continue to share UD Talks videos around noon on Fridays at facebook.com/UDubuque.

Students
Over the weekend, someone attached a colorful â€œWEâ€™RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHERâ€� sign on the front door of my home. Thank you, to whomever, for those encouraging words! If youâ€™d like to see the sign, I shared a photo on my Instagram account at instagram.com/j.f.bullock/.

Additionally, in order to do our best to provide additional support for our students and their families during these unprecedented times, we are eliminating the 2020-2021 scheduled increase in tuition, room, board, and fees for full-time undergraduate students. These will remain at the current 2019-2020 rates.

Summer School
Many of you registered for summer school last fall. Classes are scheduled to begin the week of May 26. Many of the courses were already scheduled to be online and those will continue as scheduled. At this time, we are planning to offer face-to-face courses that are scheduled. If we are unable to move forward with face-to-face courses in late May, we will contact each registered student to discuss alternatives. As an encouragement for you to stay engaged and progressing in your programs of study, we are reducing summer school tuition by 15 percent per credit hour.

Fall 2020 Registration
We have delayed registration for fall 2020 classes by one week so that faculty and students have time to adjust to the online coursework. Registration will proceed on the following schedule:

April 6 â€“ Seniors
April 8 â€“ Juniors
April 13 â€“ Sophomores
April 15 â€“ First-Year Students

Students are encouraged to reach out to their academic advisor to discuss their course schedule for next year.

Additionally, in order to do our best to provide additional support for our students and their families during these unprecedented times, we are eliminating the 2020-2021 scheduled increase in tuition, room, board, and fees. These will remain at the current 2019-2020 rates.

Parents
We remain focused on maintaining a safe and healthy campus and providing a strong learning environment for each one of our classes. For those of you whose children remain on campus, I want you to know that we continue to have three shifts of our security personnel and around the clock monitoring of our security cameras. Our campus has been very quiet and very safe. Additionally, the first week of distance delivery went well. Attendance was strong, our technology worked well, and our faculty and instructors continued to make adaptations to their coursework over the weekend. I anticipate that this week will go even more smoothly.

Classes
A reminder that the Technology Helpdesk is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. for those who have questions or are having trouble with technology. You may contact the Technology Helpdesk at HelpDesk@dbq.edu or 563.589.3737. After 9:00 p.m., people will be directed via voicemail to send an email to HelpDesk@dbq.edu to leave a call back number. LIFE students should continue to use their after-hours technology support number.

Employees
I want to personally thank all of you for your amazing commitment. We seem to have found a way to continue our high level of instruction and maintain our healthy community of support and interaction. Thank you for all that you do!

In addition to your COVID-19 adaptations, I am proud of so many of our faculty and instructors for their commitment to continue improving their talents and academic credentials. Please join me in congratulating the following individuals upon the successful completion of their Doctor of Education degrees:

Katie Boyer â€“ Dissertation: A Program Evaluation of a Districtâ€™s Elementary School Wellness Curriculum to Improve Undergraduate Training
April Elsbernd â€“ Dissertation: Short-Term Athletic Foreign Tours and Student Learn Outcomes: A Program Evaluation
Michelle Grace â€“ Dissertation: The Importance of Creating Curriculum and Practices for the 21^st Century Master of Arts in Communications: a Program Evaluation
Liza Johnson â€“ Dissertation: Social Emotional Learning in Higher Education: a Program Evaluation
Scott McCaw â€“ Dissertation: Dialogic Impact: a Program Evaluation of On-line Learning in Pastoral Spiritual Formation, Connection, and Vocation
James Romagna â€“ Dissertation: Creating a Culture of Physical Activity for Faculty and Staff on a University Campus
Jennifer Supple â€“ Dissertation: The Role of Bi-directional Sensemaking in Developing Professional Learning Communities in Higher Education

Future Dates
We continue to work through our rescheduled plans for Commencement and other year-end celebrations. As I shared in previous updates, our May 16 Commencement ceremonies will be rescheduled to a later date. I expect these alternative plans to be clarified within the next two weeks. You will receive plenty of advance notice about the rescheduled date in order to adequately accommodate your travel plans.

Health Reminders
We can all continue do our part to help prevent the spread of germs such as washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home if ill.

Donâ€™t forget to take care of your brain health. Isolation is difficult for those among us who cope with depression, anxiety, and other brain health conditions. Call a friend. Support one another. And, if you could benefit from professional guidance, please call our University Counseling and Life Services at 563.589.3911 or visit Counseling & Life Services online.

Final Thoughts
I am greatly encouraged by the way that our University community has adapted to this â€œnew normalâ€� in our country. I am also confident that when this â€œnew normalâ€� goes away, we will quickly adapt to a new routine but, perhaps, with a little more joy and thanksgiving for the great gift of a steady routine! I travel a lot for my job, and I get irritated by the inconvenience that often accompanies many of these trips. Never again. I shake a lot of hands and extend a lot of greetings. Iâ€™ll never again take those handshakes or greetings for granted. One of the legacies of COVID-19 is that it will have changed us and changed our country. Not all of that change is bad. In fact, a lot of it â€“ particularly the gift of daily interactions with those we love and with colleagues â€“ is an important reminder about how the little things in life do, indeed, matter.

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: March 26, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

Welcome to this fourth COVID-19 update to the University community. Please know that we are doing our best to provide accurate information in a timely way. All of these updates will be posted at www.dbq.edu/COVID-19.

Students
I continue to receive unsolicited confirmation that many of you are reaching out to infirmed neighbors or family members who may need assistance with errands, trips to the grocery store, or just for general support. Though I am not surprised, this makes me very proud of you. You are living our Mission! Continue to monitor your health and take care of yourselves, even as you serve others. For the time being, I would like to post some of these â€œpaying it forwardâ€� moments on my Instagram account (instagram.com/j.f.bullock/) or through this written update. You may continue to send these â€œpaying it forwardâ€� actions to me at President@dbq.edu.

Parents
I want to reiterate that we are focused on two primary objectives during these first several weeks of this new normal. First, we continue to remain focused on maintaining a safe campus and a healthy environment. To further illustrate this point, this past fall, we broke ground on the new Smeltzer-Kelly Health Center. The student health center will not only allow us to continue to stay proactively engaged with our students and their physical and brain health, but it will also provide additional safe and comfortable spaces designed for students who may need to be quarantined whether that be because of an outbreak of the mumps or, in our current case, COVID-19. I want to personally thank Barb and Jack Smeltzer, in addition to our other investors, for fully funding this new student health center. Importantly, we are not using tuition dollars to construct this or any other construction project on our campus. Secondly, we remain focused this semester on ensuring a distance learning environment that is supportive, productive, and of superior quality. As I mentioned in my last update, I understand that all of us are trying to make sense of what this new normal means to the finances of families and businesses. For some of you, your employment has already been impacted. For others of you, your company or business may be in serious financial jeopardy. In either case, I know that you are concerned, worried, and understandably frightened. Know that we will do everything we can to ease these concerns. We will get through this!

Classes
Weâ€™re receiving feedback about the transition to distance delivery of spring classes, and while there have been some bumps, many of you have been able to dive right into your classes. Mark Ward, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty, will be my guest for our Friday, March 27, 2020, UD Talks video, which will be shared at Facebook.com/UDubuque. He will have additional information about the academic side of our Mission.

I also want to remind you that the Technology HelpDesk is open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. for those who have questions or are having trouble with technology. You may contact the Technology HelpDesk at HelpDesk@dbq.edu or at 563.589.3737. After 9:00 p.m., people will be directed via voicemail to send an email to HelpDesk@dbq.edu to leave a call back number. LIFE students should continue to use their after-hours technology support number.

Residence Halls
In a million years, I never thought I would utter this phrase: â€œItâ€™s too quiet in the residence halls!â€� For those of you still living in the residence halls, continue to monitor www.dbq.edu/COVID-19 for guidance and times for food service distribution.

Campus Buildings and Facilities
The Universityâ€™s main campus is open, but with limited and restricted access per CDC and the Governorâ€™s guidelines. The Charles C. Myers Library will be accessible by appointment only for UD students, faculty, and staff from noon to 8:00 p.m. All athletic and wellness facilities and fields are closed. University food service carry-out meals will be available each day during posted hours, which can be found at www.dbq.edu/COVID-19.

Employees
Faculty colleagues: thank you for calming the nerves of your anxious students. I have sincerely appreciated receiving your insights about how this moment is providing some of you with an opportunity to innovate. Staff colleagues: thank you for your continued persistence and for the wonderful work you do for our University. And remember: please be healthy, and follow all of our guidelines as previously published for maintaining your health and reporting any illness.

Health Reminders
We can all do our part to help prevent the spread of germs such as washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home if ill. If you have flu-like symptoms, please stay at home.

Itâ€™s also important to remember to take care of yourselves physically. Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water, and get some exercise. Walking, running, or riding a bike are great stress relievers, and moderate exercise is good for your immune system.

Finally, please take care of your brain health. Isolation is difficult for those among us who cope with depression or anxiety and other brain health conditions. Call a friend. Support one another. And, if you could benefit from professional guidance, please call our University Counseling and Life Services at 563.589.3911.

Final Thoughts
It is amazing how quickly this week has flown by. Please try to capture some rest over the weekend and learn to embrace this unexpected time with your family. I will be back in touch next week. Until then --

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: March 25, 2020

This information only applies to traditional undergraduate students. It does not impact graduate, physician assistant, seminary, or LIFE program students.

Dear University of Dubuque Undergraduate Students,

I hope that you are healthy, staying safe, and adjusting to the new online delivery format. Keep communicating with your professors. They are here to help.

Because of the unplanned change in course delivery in the middle of the semester, we are adjusting our normal grading policies for traditional undergraduate students for the spring 2020 semester and extending the deadline for withdrawing from a course. The new policy and deadline can be found here. You do not need to make any decisions at this time. You will have until May 26, 2020, or one week after final grades are available to you (on May 19) to make your choice.

Our hope is that this policy change encourages you to make the best out of this semester.

If you have been thinking about withdrawing from a course or courses, this policy should give you a reason to stick with your courses.
Keep working hard on your course work. The higher your final grade, the more options you will have.

Keep checking the COVID-19 student resource page for updates found under â€œcoursesâ€� on UDOnline. If you have questions, email Joe Green, dean for undergraduate studies, at JGreen@dbq.edu. We are here for you!

Mark Ward, PhD
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty

DATE: March 24, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

Welcome to this third COVID-19 update to the University community. It is my intention to provide an update from the President at approximately noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I also intend to share a recorded message or Facebook Live broadcast every Friday at facebook.com/UDubuque. Given the rapidity of changing guidelines from our federal and state government, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other entities, some information may at times be outdated sooner rather than later. Please know that we are doing our best to provide accurate information in a timely way. All of these updates will be posted at www.dbq.edu/COVID-19. Our COVID-19 webpage has been redesigned to simplify the distribution of information related to UDâ€™s response to the pandemic. I encourage you to be patient with us as well as with each other, and please get into a discipline of reviewing this update every Tuesday and Thursday, and on Friday.

Students
I hope that all of you are hanging in there and identifying ways to turn this present challenge into a new opportunity for growth. Are you taking care of yourselves? Are you reaching out to your family or those who are vulnerable in your community?

On Friday, my office received word that two UD students were walking through their neighborhood and volunteering to grocery shop or perform other needed errands for their older or shut-in neighbors during this difficult time. I was deeply touched by their actions. Knowing you, my guess is that many of you are performing similar acts of leadership and generosity. With your permission, I would like to share those acts of leadership and generosity through these updates and/or on Instagram at instagram.com/j.f.bullock/. You may send these â€œPaying it Forwardâ€� actions to me at President@dbq.edu.

Parents
I want you to know that we are focused on two primary objectives during these first several weeks of this new normal. First, we remain focused on maintaining a safe campus and a healthy environment. Secondly, we remain focused this semester on ensuring a distance learning environment that is supportive, productive, and of superior quality. But as we look further down the road, I also understand that all of us are trying to make sense of what this new normal means to the finances of families and businesses. For some of you, your employment has already been impacted. For others of you, your company or your business may be in serious financial jeopardy. In either case, I know that you are concerned, worried, and understandably frightened. I promise each of you that we will do everything within our means to address your worries in such a way that we can continue to provide a quality education at the lowest possible price point for your child. I know that I speak for our Board of Trustees, our faculty, and our entire staff as we each live into this commitment.

Classes
All undergraduate and graduate instruction is now being offered in a distance format through UDâ€™s existing UDOnline platform, effective March 23, 2020. Every student is being contacted by a UD representative to make sure they have the resources to successfully continue their studies and to troubleshoot any problems that might arise. The University has modified certain academic policies for traditional undergraduate students. The most significant modification gives students more options for how the grades they receive during this semester will be recorded on their academic transcript and how the grades will factor into their overall grade point average. In addition, registration and course withdrawal dates have been extended. By Wednesday, March 25, 2020, the modifications will be posted to UDOnline and to the Office of the Registrarâ€™s page at www.dbq.edu.

Classroom instruction in the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program also is now being offered in a distance format, effective March 23, 2020. Student clinical rotations are being suspended from April 1, 2020, through April 30, 2020.

The LIFE program is now being offered in a remote instruction option from March 23, 2020, through April 23, 2020, in Dubuque, Iowa; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Tempe, Arizona. At this time, all three locations are still open for students with protocols in place for maintaining social distancing and maximum class sizes under 10 people. Students have been contacted by LIFE program representatives to discuss individual concerns and options.

The Technology HelpDesk is now open seven days a week from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. You may contact the Technology HelpDesk at HelpDesk@dbq.edu or at 563.589.3737. After 9:00 p.m., people will be directed via voicemail to send an email to HelpDesk@dbq.edu to leave a callback number. LIFE students should continue to use their after-hours technology support number.

Residence Halls
I want to compliment all residential students, and I want to thank our Office of Residence Life staff for helping students move off campus in an orderly fashion. It is already too quiet for me, and I promise never again to complain about not having enough parking or having to wait too long in the lunch line! We currently have some students remaining in our residence halls for whom this is their primary home. Campus food service is available for those on campus per the Governorâ€™s health guidelines. Please see www.dbq.edu/COVID-19 for guidance and times.

Campus Buildings and Facilities
The Universityâ€™s main campus is open, but with limited and restricted access per CDC and the Governorâ€™s guidance. The Charles C. Myers Library will be accessible by appointment only for UD students, faculty, and staff from noon to 8:00 p.m. All athletic and wellness facilities and fields are closed. University food service carry-out meals will be available each day during posted hours, which can be found at www.dbq.edu/COVID-19.

Employees
Thank you for your stellar efforts in keeping the University alive and well. To faculty members: thank you for converting over 900 undergraduate classes for distance delivery, and for embarking on this new adventure with confidence and enthusiasm. To the technology team: thank you for what you have done in support of strengthening our technology infrastructure and delivery systems, and for your willingness to resource our help desk nearly 109 hours per week. To our maintenance, grounds, and support colleagues: youâ€™re all wonderful! I am very proud to be associated with such a dedicated team that is so committed to this Mission known as the University of Dubuque!

Final Thoughts
This past week has been a week like none other in my life. I suspect that the same holds true for each of you. I want to urge all of us to remain calm and to be patient with one another. Observe appropriate social distancing. Be kind and generous. Offer to help those in your orbit who are vulnerable. Do not lose faith. I believe that each one of us was created for a special purpose. I also know that this University was founded for a special purpose 168 years ago, and we intend for that purpose to be even more evident 168 years from now as well!

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: March 19, 2020

In anticipation of further government guidance about restrictions, weâ€™ve made the decision to cease all flight training related activities at the end of business today. Aviation classes will continue as planned in the distance delivery format starting Monday, March 23.

DATE: March 19, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

Before I begin this second Spring COVID-19 Plan for Operation update to the University of Dubuque community, I want to compliment and affirm each of you. Your care for one another and your willingness to be flexible and adaptive in the days and weeks to come is an encouragement to me. Weâ€™re here for each other, and we will get through this challengeâ€”together.

It is my intention to provide an Update From the President to this audience at approximately noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I also intend to share a recorded message or Facebook Live broadcast every Friday at facebook.com/UDubuque. Consequently, my message will be concise and, given the rapidity of changing guidelines from our federal and state government, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other entities, some information may at times be outdated sooner rather than later. Please know that we are doing our best to provide accurate information in a timely way. All of these updates will be posted on our website (www.dbq.edu), and I encourage you to share this update with others, particularly parents. I have been blessed with a strong campus-wide leadership team that meets for hours daily. We are processing vast sums of information, and we are working to prioritize our responses, decisions, and decision-making. We are doing our best, but we will not be perfect. So I encourage you to be patient with us as well as with each other, and please get into a discipline of reviewing this update every Tuesday and Thursday, and on Friday.

Students
My message to you may be different from what your friends may be hearing from their university presidents. That is, I believe in your ability to make the best decisions for you and your individual situation. I am convinced that this event will be your generationâ€™s Pearl Harbor, Vietnam, or 9/11. This moment will be imprinted on your life, and the patterns you establish now will be the patterns that will accompany you on your lifeâ€™s journey. It is with that imprint in mind that I expect you to both lead and learn. You can lead in this time by being the member of your family who is reaching out to others. This week, you can begin by contacting them through FaceTime, telephone, email, text, or social media. Call your grandparents or elderly neighbors. Check in with your familyâ€”your parentsâ€”to see how they are doing. They all need to know that you are okay, and now is your time to demonstrate your love and care for them. And this will be your opportunity to learn; in this case, you will learn by what I do well and by those areas in which I will fall short. Leaders lead, and leaders never stop learning. You are those leaders.

As you know, like virtually every campus in America, we will be going live on Monday, March 23, with distance delivery of your classes. We were one of the first universities that was authorized by our HLC/NCA accrediting body to deliver content at a distance nearly 15 years ago. You will receive the instruction and support you need to fulfill the content requirements of your class so that you will not lose ground in your academic progression. Though we are planning for every contingency, the volume of this transition will generate some anticipated bumps in our Monday launch. Please be patient as we, together, learn to learn in this different way and manage our own issues with our nationâ€™s technology supply-chain.

Though we havenâ€™t made a final decision about an alternative date, the guidance we are receiving from the CDC makes our May 16 Commencement Ceremonies, along with other year-end gatherings and recognitions, an impossibility. Our intention is to provide an alternate Commencement dateâ€”along with alternate year-end gatheringsâ€”in a format that best replicates our traditional spring celebrations. That date and those plans will be provided as soon as we receive guidance that allows us to establish an immutable time and date for these important ceremonies and celebrations. We will need to celebrate when this is over!

Finally, some of you and your parents have inquired about whether there will be a Room and Board adjustment to your University bill, given the fact that many of you are no longer on campus. Adhering to University policy, we intend to address each unique situation fairly but, truthfully, will not likely have that work completed until May. It is a priority for us, but not until we are confident about the health and safety of our campus, and the efficacy of our distance instruction. We will be in touch with you once our work is finished.

Classes
Our faculty has been converting classes for distance delivery for the last two weeks. We will go live Monday, March 23. Though your department has reached out to you, feel free to contact the Office of Academic Affairs at 563.589.3246 or VPAA@dbq.edu if you have additional questions.

Residence Halls
Students have been contacted by the Office of Residence Life about their living arrangements. Students leaving campus are asked to retrieve their belongings by 6 p.m. Sunday, March 22. Those in need of an extension for moving out should contact the Office of Residence Life at 563.589.3163 or ResidenceLife@dbq.edu. Students with specific academic program requirements or extenuating circumstances can petition to remain on campus and will be asked to note their intention on a housing registration form that has been emailed to studentsâ€™ UD email addresses. Requests must be approved by the Office of Residence Life and are subject to change, pending CDC or other governmental directives. For those students who must remain on campus, please limit yourselves to your respective hall and room with no outside guests. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in your removal from campus. Finally, campus food service is available for those remaining on campus per the Governorâ€™s health guidelines. Please see our website (www.dbq.edu) for guidance and times.

Campus Buildings and Facilities
The Universityâ€™s main campus is open, but with limited and restricted access per CDC and the Governorâ€™s guidelines. Starting Monday, the Charles C. Myers Library will be accessible by appointment only for UD students, faculty, and staff from noon to 8 p.m. All athletic and wellness facilities and fields are closed. LIFE students in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Tempe, Arizona, should call each siteâ€™s director with their facility inquiries. If there are gatherings, they must be comprised of no more than 10 people at this time. On-campus in-person dining is prohibited, per CDC and the Governorâ€™s guidelines. However, University food service carry-out meals will be available each day during posted hours, which can be found on our website (www.dbq.edu).

Employees
By now, many of you have filled out the Office of Human Resources COVID-19 Employee Survey. Please continue to stay in regular contact with your supervisor. We continue to access all employee-related concerns, and we are addressing them as quickly as is possible.

Student workers remaining on campus who have not reached out to their supervisor are reminded to do so quickly.

Employees who are unable to report to work because their health symptoms led them to engage in self-isolation should contact their supervisor and the Office of Human Resources at 563.589.3619 or JMacTaggart@dbq.edu to document the beginning date of their self-isolation. You will not be charged sick time during the 14-calendar day period of self-isolation.

Prospective Students
As much as we would love to host you and your families on campus and in person, our government is recommending significant restrictions to travel. All UD-related international travel has been suspended until further notice, and all UD-related domestic air travel has been suspended until further notice. For those of you who have not yet seen us in person, we are putting the final touches on an updated Virtual Campus Tour. Our Admission Counselors will continue to reach out to you, talk with you, answer your questions, and assist you in your application as you finalize your plans to enroll in August 2020. We are on track to receive another stellar entering class.

Finally, please take care of your Brain Health. Isolation is difficult for those among us who cope with depression or anxiety and other Brain Health conditions. Call a friend. Support one another. And, if you could benefit from professional guidance, please call our University Counseling and Life Services at 563.589.3911.

Currently, no member of our UD community has tested positive for COVID-19.

Final Thoughts
I would be deceiving each of you if I said that I didnâ€™t have concerns. Like each of you, I sometimes feel like an emotional ping-pong ball. However, I get stronger when I am around people I love and respect. I know that we will have some preliminary glitches in our Monday launch of distance delivery for spring classes, and I know those glitches will be repaired. I know that some of my friends and colleagues will become ill, yet I remain grateful for the amazingly talented care providers we have in our country. And though I get frustrated with some of our government leaders, I also understand that they are under a lot of pressure and doing the best that they can as well. I also know that we will get through this. All of us will be scared in some way, some of us more than others. But there will be a day when those scares will serve as reminders of what we endured, what we learned, and who touched our lives at this moment. I want to challenge each of you to be that encouraging memory in the lives that you touch. We will, of course, get through the challenge of COVID-19. How we get through this challenge will define this generation of leadership.

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: March 19, 2020

Due to the uncertainty of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and out of an abundance of caution, the following events have also been postponed or canceled:

April 1: Worship Night â€“ canceled
April 16: STEM Festival â€“ canceled
April 17: Give â€˜Em Hell Harry! â€“ A Tribute to President Harry S. Truman â€“ postponed
April 18: Yid Vicious â€“ postponed
April 25: Concert Choir Spring Concert â€“ canceled
April 25: Run the Runway 5K Run/Walk Against Human Trafficking â€“ canceled
May 4: Sparty Awards â€“ canceled
May 5: Spartaneous Improv â€“ canceled
May 8: Wind/Jazz Concert â€“ canceled
May 9: Chamber Singers Concert â€“ canceled

DATE: March 17, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

Before I begin this update to the University community, I want to both compliment and affirm each of you. Your care for one another, your focus on attending to the best interest of our students, and your willingness to be flexible and adaptive in the days and weeks to come is an inspiration to me. Weâ€™re here for you; weâ€™ll get through this together.

As we all know, the University of Dubuque has a Missional, moral, and ethical responsibility to fully educate each student in a supportive and safe environment. The COVID-19 outbreak requires all of us to be adaptive. With that in mind, spring classes will move to distance delivery beginning Monday, March 23. All other scheduled events, and other details related to this change, are under consideration and will be regularly updated on the universityâ€™s website at www.dbq.edu.

Through the end of the semester, classes will be accessible remotely through Moodle, the online course management tool already in use at UD. Students can find their courses at udonline.dbq.edu. Every effort will be made and available technology will be used to provide the personal experience students are accustomed to receiving. UD has over 15 years of experience in distance learning. Our accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission, has approved UD to provide distance education.

Campus will remain open, and support services will continue remotely and on campus.

Currently, no member of our UD community has tested positive for COVID-19.

Classes
Our faculty, instructors, and staff are working this week to ensure we can sustain the academic experience that best supports learning. I am genuinely in awe of the work they do. I trust in their ability to make good decisions about meeting our high academic standards and continuing to go the extra mile for each student.

Students will receive more information about their classes from their professors. In addition, flight, LIFE, nursing, physician assistant studies, and teacher education students will receive additional information related to their specific program.

For general academic questions, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs at 563.589.3246 or VPAA@dbq.edu. For student organization questions, please contact the Office of Student Engagement and Services at 563.589.3867 or NEdmonds@dbq.edu.

Residence Halls
All students currently living in UD-owned housing will be contacted by the Office of Residence Life with instructions on how to properly check out of their respective residence. Students are asked to retrieve their belongings by 6:00 p.m. Sunday, March 22. Those in need of an extension for moving out should contact the Office of Residence Life at 563.589.3163 or ResidenceLife@dbq.edu.

Students with specific academic program requirements or extenuating circumstances to remain on campus will be asked to note their intention on a housing registration form that will be emailed to studentsâ€™ UD email addresses. Requests must be approved by the Office of Residence Life. For those students who must remain on campus, we are asking you to limit yourselves to your respective hall with no outside guests until further notice.

If you have questions about housing, please contact the Office of Residence Life at 563.589.3163 or ResidenceLife@dbq.edu.

Employees
All employees should report for work at their regular times. However, if your area of responsibility allows you to work remotely, you may do so with the documented authorization of your supervisor and the Office of Human Resources, which can be contacted at 563.589.3619 or JMacTaggart@dbq.edu. At this time, if your responsibilities donâ€™t allow you to work remotely and you choose not to come to work, you may use vacation time. We are assessing all employee-related concerns and operating options and will be communicating within the next week. Please contact your supervisor and the Office of Human Resources at 563.589.3619 or JMacTaggart@dbq.edu with any questions.

Employees who are unable to report to work because their health symptoms led them to engage in self-isolation should contact the Office of Human Resources at 563.589.3619 or JMacTaggart@dbq.edu to document the beginning date of their self-isolation. You will not be charged sick time during the 14-calendar day period.

Student workers will be contacted by their supervisor.

Events
All athletic and recreational facilities on campus, including Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center, are closed until further notice.

A decision regarding spring semester events, including May Commencement and the Board of Trustees meeting, will be made soon. Event postponements and cancellations will be listed at www.dbq.edu.

Travel
All UD-related international travel is suspended until further notice. Non-essential UD-related domestic air travel is also suspended until further notice.

We continue to follow guidance from the Visiting Nurse Association, Iowa Department of Public Health, and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Please monitor updates at www.dbq.edu and reach out to 563.589.3551 or VPAA@dbq.edu for any questions. Additional information can be found at the IDPH, CDC, and Arizona Department of Health Services for those at LIFE â€“ Tempe.

Though I have concerns, I am confident in our ability to weather this current crisis and to come out of it even stronger as the community of teaching and learning known as the University of Dubuque.

Mancherlei Gaben Und Ein Geist (Various Gifts and One Spirit),

Jeffrey F. Bullock, PhD
President

DATE: March 16, 2020

Due to the uncertainty of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and out of an abundance of caution, the following events have also been postponed or canceled:

March 20: Piano Fondue, Dueling Pianos â€“ postponed
March 25: Jackson Katzâ€™s presentation â€œCulture of Respect: Ending Campus Sexual Violenceâ€� â€“ postponed
March 27: River Valley Conference High School Track Meet â€“ canceled
March 31: Tri-College Take Back the Night â€“ postponed
April 3-5: An Exploration of Endgame, An Adaptation of Samuel Beckettâ€™s Endgame by Greg Wolf â€“ postponed
Recreation Fitness Classes â€“ postponed

DATE: March 14, 2020

The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin has canceled all conference competition for the remainder of the winter and spring seasons. The cancellation includes University of Dubuque Menâ€™s Lacrosse.

DATE: March 13, 2020

Dear University of Dubuque In-Season Athletes,

The American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) announced today, Friday, March 13, 2020, that all conference competition for the remainder of the spring season has been canceled in light of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation. The cancellation, which includes all A-R-C spring regular season competition, championships, and awards, impacts University of Dubuque baseball, softball, menâ€™s golf, menâ€™s and womenâ€™s track and field, womenâ€™s golf, and menâ€™s and womenâ€™s tennis. The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), which includes menâ€™s lacrosse, has not made an announcement to cancel the season as of yet.

We recognize the effort and commitment of coaches and student-athletes and acknowledge their contributions to their craft and intercollegiate athletics as a whole.

Yesterday, UD announced spring break would be extended by one week through Friday, March 20, for undergraduate students and certain graduate programs. Classes are scheduled to begin Monday, March 23.

Given the A-R-Câ€™s announcement, in-season student-athletes are no longer encouraged to remain on campus during the extended spring break.

Students who are unable to stay at their homes next week are welcome to return to campus. If you have traveled to an area of ongoing COVID-19 spread and/or have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, you will be asked to self-monitor for 14 days. This measure is out of an abundance of caution and in line with recommendations from the Iowa Department of Public Health. To self-monitor, take your temperature twice daily and monitor for cough or difficulty breathing. If you feel feverish or develop a fever of 100.4F or higher, cough, or difficulty breathing, call the Visiting Nurse Association at 563.556.6200 before seeking in-person care. Please visit www.dbq.edu for a University of Dubuque Self-Monitoring Checklist document.

Campus will remain open. During this time, UD officials will continue to monitor the COVID-19 outbreak in coordination with local, state, and federal health and emergency preparedness organizations. We will assess the situation and share additional decisions as necessary that impact our community by email and at www.dbq.edu.

UD is committed to the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, instructors, and staff. Currently, there are no cases of COVID-19 among those individuals.

Please continue to monitor email and our website, www.dbq.edu, for up-to-date information. Additional information can be found at the IDPH and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as Arizona Department of Health Services for those at LIFE â€“ Tempe.

Thank you for your flexibility as UD officials monitor and assess the COVID-19 pandemic.

DATE: March 13, 2020

Due to the uncertainty of the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak and out of an abundance of caution, the following events have been postponed or canceled:

March 13-14: UD High School Track Classics â€“ canceled
March 15: UD Boyâ€™s Youth Basketball Tournament â€“ canceled
March 15: Football Camp â€“ canceled
March 16-17: Darryl Van Leer presents The Norm of Greatness: A Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. â€“ postponed, will be rescheduled at a later date
March 20: Tri-Rivers Conference Track Meet â€“ canceled
March 21: IATC Indoor Track and Field Championships â€“ canceled
March 21: UD Wind and Jazz ensemblesâ€™ presentation of â€œShowstoppers: Music of Stage and Screenâ€� â€“ postponed, will be rescheduled at a later date
March 23: Spring Renewal with Jonathan Brooks â€“ canceled
March 23: Christian Community Development â€“ canceled
March 24: Tri-College Student of Color Leadership Luncheon â€“ canceled
April 1: DAYLC â€“ postponed, will be rescheduled at a later date
April 3: Celebrate Africa and the Diaspora â€“ canceled
April 23: Bubble Soccer â€“ postponed, rescheduled to the fall

DATE: March 12, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

By now you are all aware of the growing concerns surrounding the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. After careful study and further consultation with experts in the field, University of Dubuque has decided to extend spring break for undergraduate students and certain graduate programs by one week through Friday, March 20. Classes are scheduled to begin Monday, March 23.

UD is committed to the safety and well-being of our students, faculty, instructors, and staff. Currently, there are no cases of COVID-19 among those individuals.

Students
Students who are unable to stay at their homes next week are welcome to return to campus. If you have traveled to an area of ongoing COVID-19 spread and/or have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, you will be asked to self-monitor for 14 days. This measure is out of an abundance of caution and in line with recommendations from the Iowa Department of Public Health. To self-monitor, take your temperature twice daily and monitor for cough or difficulty breathing. If you feel feverish or develop a fever of 100.4F or higher, cough, or difficulty breathing, call the Visiting Nurse Association at 563.556.6200 before seeking in-person care. Please see the University of Dubuque Self-Monitoring Checklist document.

In-season student-athletes are encouraged to return to campus to continue scheduled practices and competitions. Student-athletes will be required to report to their sportâ€™s athletic trainer daily.

The extension of spring break will impact students in different ways:

Undergraduate Students. For general questions, contact VPAA@dbq.edu or Christina Stringer, administrative assistant for the Office of Academic Affairs, at 563.589.3246. Flight, nursing, and teacher education students will receive program-specific information via a separate email by Friday afternoon.
- Note: Current undergraduate online classes will continue as scheduled.
Graduate Students. Please watch for an email from your program director outlining the impact on your program of study. For specific questions, contact your program director.

MBA, MM, MAC. New courses, scheduled to start this week, will now begin the week of Monday, March 23.
MSPAS. At this time, all face-to-face classes and clinical rotations will continue as scheduled.
UDTS. Residential classes will move into the online format beginning Monday, March 16.
For general questions, contact VPAA@dbq.edu or Christina Stringer, administrative assistant for the Office of Academic Affairs, at 563.589.3246.

LIFE (Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Tempe). At this time, all classes will continue as scheduled. If you have questions, contact the academic director at your location.

Faculty, Instructors, and Staff
Faculty, instructors, and staff who are healthy should report to work. If you have traveled to an area of ongoing COVID-19 spread and/or have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, you will be asked to self-monitor for 14 days. This measure is out of an abundance of caution and in line with recommendations from the Iowa Department of Public Health. To self-monitor, take your temperature twice daily and monitor for cough or difficulty breathing. If you feel feverish or develop a fever of 100.4F or higher, cough, or difficulty breathing, call the Visiting Nurse Association at 563.556.6200 before seeking in-person care. Please see the University of Dubuque Self-Monitoring Checklist document.

Faculty, instructors, and staff who have flu-like symptoms should stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone. Please notify your immediate supervisor and Julie MacTaggart, director of human resources, at 563.589.3619 or JMacTaggart@dbq.edu, that you are ill and unable to work.

Faculty, instructors, and staff will receive further communication from the Office of Academic Affairs and Office of Human Resources in the coming days.

Campus Services and Activities
All campus services including the Academic Success Center, Charles C. Myers Library, Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center, Heritage Center, and food service will remain open under regular academic calendar hours.

Currently, UD athletic events are still scheduled. Updates will be available at www.dbq.edu.

All student meetings during this week will be rescheduled. UD officials are reviewing other activities, such as those at Heritage Center open to the general public, to determine whether they should be postponed or canceled. Updates will be available at www.dbq.edu.

Campus visits through the Office of Admission will operate as usual.

University Travel
At this time, there are no restrictions to university-related domestic travel. International travel for university-related activities are suspended until further notice.

General Health Reminders
While the immediate risk of COVID-19 to the general public is believed to be low at this time, we can all do our part to help prevent the spread of germs. Those precautionary measures include washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home if ill. The Iowa Department of Public Health recommends people get a flu shot if they havenâ€™t already done so. While a flu vaccine does not prevent COVID-19, influenza activity is widespread in Iowa.

Thank you for your flexibility as UD officials monitor and assess the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jeffrey F. Bullock
President

DATE: March 11, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

We are excited to welcome students back to campus for classes on Monday, March 16.

As the COVID-19 outbreak continues to develop, we want to assure you that University of Dubuque is actively monitoring the situation in coordination with local, state, and federal health and emergency preparedness organizations.

Many members of our UD family have traveled during spring break. As we return to campus, we all play a role in helping to mitigate not only the potential exposure of COVID-19 but also influenza.

For the health and safety of our community, UD is asking faculty, instructors, staff, and students who traveled during spring break to an area of ongoing COVID-19 spread and/or have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19 to self-monitor for 14 days after travel. This measure is out of an abundance of caution and in line with recommendations from the Iowa Department of Public Health.

To self-monitor, please take your temperature twice a day and monitor for cough or difficulty breathing. If you feel feverish or develop a measured fever (100.4F or higher), cough, or difficulty breathing, you should call your healthcare provider or the Visiting Nurse Association â€“ liaison to the Iowa Department of Public Health â€“ at 563.556.6200 before seeking in-person care.

While there are presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 in Iowa and Arizona where LIFE â€“ Tempe is located, no UD faculty, instructors, staff, or students are reported to have COVID-19.

UD continues to follow guidelines established by the US Department of State regarding international travel, which assesses the risk to traveling Americans by county. We do not sponsor travel to areas with Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisories. At this time, those countries include China, Italy, and South Korea.

While the immediate risk of COVID-19 to the general public is believed to be low at this time, we understand that there is a natural psychological reaction that many people may initially have. With that in mind, everyone can do their part to help prevent the spread of germs:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home if you are sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. If a tissue is not available, you should sneeze into your elbow.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily.
Get a flu shot if you havenâ€™t already done so. While a flu vaccine does not prevent COVID-19, influenza activity is widespread in Iowa right now.
Follow the CDCâ€™s recommendations for using a facemask
- If you are sick: You should wear a facemask when you are around other people and before you enter a healthcare providerâ€™s office. If you are not able to wear a facemask, then you should do your best to cover your coughs and sneezes, and people who are caring for you should wear a facemask if they enter your room.
- If you are not sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.

Non-residential students with flu-like symptoms should stay home. Please notify your professors that you will miss classes. You will not be penalized for missed classes because you are sick, and you will be expected to make up missed assignments.

Residential students with flu-like symptoms should stay in their residence hall and immediately contact Erin Barsema, health services administrator, at 563.589.3857 or ebarsema@dbq.edu. If necessary, we have plans in place for quarantine and care on campus. Please notify your professors that you will miss classes. You will not be penalized for missed classes because you are sick, and you will be expected to make up missed assignments.

Faculty, instructors, and staff who are sick also should stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone. Please notify your immediate supervisor and Julie MacTaggart, director of human resources, at 563.589.3619 or jmactaggart@dbq.edu, that you are ill and unable to work.

At this time, classes will continue to be held in person at University of Dubuqueâ€™s main campus and LIFE sites. UD leadership representing key areas at the university continue to communicate regularly to review and plan for the potential impact of COVID-19. Should anything change, UD will notify you immediately.

Additional information on COVID-19 can be found at the IDPH and CDC as well as Arizona Department of Health Services for those at LIFE â€“ Tempe. Please refer to our website, www.dbq.edu, for up-to-date information on how UD is responding to COVID-19. Thank You

DATE: March 11, 2020

Out of an abundance of caution, University of Dubuque has canceled the UD High School Track Classics on Friday, March 13, to Saturday, March 14, and the UD Boyâ€™s Youth Basketball Tournament on Sunday, March 15. Thank you for your understanding.

DATE: March 9, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Family,

University of Dubuque continues to closely monitor the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in coordination with local, state, and federal health and emergency preparedness organizations as it relates to the safety and well-being of our UD family on campus and at our LIFE sites.

On Sunday, March 8, 2020, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced three presumptive positive cases of COVID-19. The individuals, one middle-age adult between 41 and 60 years old and two older adults between 61 and 80 years old, are from Johnson County and were part of a cruise in Egypt. None of the individuals required hospitalization and all are recovering in isolation at home. Confirmatory testing is pending at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The individuals have no known connection to UDâ€™s main campus or LIFE â€“ Cedar Rapids site. At this time, the presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 do not immediately impact the operations of UD including classes, events, and activities.

No additional or special precautions were recommended by IDPH for those in Iowa beyond the simple daily precautions to combat the flu including washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill. The IDPH recommends people get a flu shot if they havenâ€™t already.

Also over the weekend, the Arizona Department of Health Services confirmed two presumptive positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of cases in Arizona to five. Two of the five cases were in Maricopa County where LIFE â€“ Tempe is located. There are no reported cases of COVID-19 for LIFE â€“ Tempe students, instructors, or staff at this time.

If you have flu-like symptoms, please consult your healthcare provider and your UD Health Contact listed above.

While there is no immediate threat to faculty, staff, and students, UD leadership representing key areas at the university continue to meet regularly to review and plan for the potential impact of COVID-19 on campus and at our LIFE sites.

UD encourages you to stay informed with the latest information on COVID-19 and practice daily habits such as washing hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when ill to prevent the spread of illness. Additional information on COVID-19 can be found at the IDPH and CDC as well as Arizona Department of Health Services for those at LIFE â€“ Tempe.

University of Dubuque will continue to monitor the COVID-19 outbreak and update our UD family as it evolves. Thank you,

DATE: February 28, 2020

Dear Members of the University of Dubuque Community,

University of Dubuque, in coordination with state and local public health experts, continues to closely monitor reports and recommendations from national and regional health departments regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as it relates to the health and well-being of our campus community. We will provide updates as appropriate through a campus-wide email.

The respiratory disease, first identified December 2019 in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China, has been detected in 50 locations internationally including cases in the US. There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Iowa and the risk to the general public in the US is low at this time. This may change over the days and weeks ahead.

Currently, UD-sponsored faculty, staff, and student travel to and from China and South Korea is temporarily suspended. We are monitoring developments in other countries closely. No students, faculty, or staff have recently returned from China, South Korea, Japan, or Italy â€“ areas impacted by COVID-19 â€“ in the last month.

The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, and staff is a top priority. UD is blessed to be a diverse campus committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment.

Spring Break Advice
If you plan to travel internationally during UDâ€™s Spring Break March 7-15, please monitor travel advisories due to the outbreak of COVID-19. You can find up-to-date travel information as well as frequently asked questions and answers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For questions or concerns about international travel, please contact UDâ€™s Office of International Student Services and Study Abroad at 563.589.3712.

Symptoms of COVID-19
COVID-19 symptoms can include fever, cough, and shortness of breath, similar to what you may feel with influenza or a bad cold. At this time, the CDC believes that symptoms of COVID-19 may appear between two to 14 days after exposure.

Seek care immediately and notify UDâ€™s Office of Health Services at 563.589.3857 if you have recently traveled within the affected region or been exposed to a sick traveler from the affected region and are experiencing these symptoms. You will be asked for your travel history and if you have been in contact with people known to have COVID-19. We will follow guidelines from the CDC and UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital.

Individuals who have not traveled within the affected region but have influenza symptoms such as a fever, cough, body aches, severe sore throat, or runny nose should consider seeking medical attention for the possibility of the flu. Students who are ill can contact UDâ€™s Office of Health Services at 563.589.3857 or consult their regular health care provider. Faculty and staff with flu-like symptoms should stay home, contact their personal physician, and notify their supervisor.

General Health Reminders
UD CARES about you. Here are general everyday health reminders:

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Additional hand sanitizer dispensers have been placed around campus.
Get between 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily.
Drink plenty of water.
Avoid sharing beverages, food, and school supplies.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If a tissue is not available, you should sneeze into your elbow.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects.

Flu Shot
The CDC recommends people get a flu shot. Consider visiting your family physician or one of the following pharmacy walk-in options to get a flu shot without an appointment:

Hartig Drug Stores, 1600 University Avenue â€“ Open 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday through Sunday
Hy-Vee, 3500 Dodge Street â€“ Open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday
Hy-Vee, 400 South Locust Street â€“ Open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, and 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday
Walgreens, 55 John F. Kennedy Road â€“ Open 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily

Individuals with health insurance should remember to take their insurance card. Those who do not have health insurance should be prepared to pay $20 to $30 for a flu shot.

For non-emergency health concerns, please call UDâ€™s Office of Health Services at 563.589.3857 or visit Room 304, Stoltz Sports Center.

COVID-19 - Campus Community Updates

May 14, 2021

January 7, 2021

DATE: November 5, 2020

DATE: October 6, 2020

DATE: September 24, 2020

DATE: September 21, 2020

DATE: September 18, 2020

DATE: August 26, 2020

DATE: August 12, 2020

DATE: August 11, 2020

August 3, 2020

DATE: July 31, 2020

DATE: July 29, 2020

DATE: July 1, 2020

DATE: June 29, 2020

DATE: June 17, 2020

DATE: June 3, 2020

DATE: May 27, 2020

DATE: May 20, 2020

DATE: May 13, 2020

DATE: May 6, 2020

DATE: April 29, 2020

DATE: April 27, 2020

Step One â€“ Create a â€œDigital Youâ€�

Step Two - Record A Personal Message

Tips to Make the Perfect Video Clip

Donâ€™t Forget

DATE: April 22, 2020

DATE: April 20, 2020

DATE: April 14, 2020

DATE: April 7, 2020

DATE: March 31, 2020

DATE: March 26, 2020

DATE: March 25, 2020

DATE: March 24, 2020

DATE: March 19, 2020

DATE: March 19, 2020

DATE: March 19, 2020

DATE: March 17, 2020

DATE: March 16, 2020

DATE: March 14, 2020

DATE: March 13, 2020

DATE: March 13, 2020

DATE: March 12, 2020

DATE: March 11, 2020

DATE: March 11, 2020

DATE: March 9, 2020

DATE: February 28, 2020