Dear APU Community,
I am writing with an important update to APU’s response to the COVID-19 and our plans for the rest of the semester.
Classes Next Week
All face-to-face (in person) meetings of courses are canceled through Friday, March 20 to give faculty opportunities to plan for distance delivery. All online courses will continue as planned.
Transition to Distance Delivery of Classes
With the exception of science labs, music classes, and a few other classes that require face-to-face instruction, APU will move all courses, including intensives, to distance delivery for the remainder of the semester. Most classes will continue through Blackboard at their regularly scheduled times. Instructors will notify their classes about the arrangements for each particular course. Make sure your Blackboard notifications are turned on for the latest information about your classes.
Housing and Dining Services
Students living on campus should arrange to return home or move off-campus by Friday, March 20. We are encouraging students to move off-campus as soon as possible. Exceptions will be made for students who have extenuating circumstances—contact Manda Hill (ahill@alaskapacific.edu) to make a request for an exception. On-campus storage is available through the summer.
- Limited dining options will remain available.
- We are evaluating a process to refund funding for housing and meals.
Advising
Faculty and professional advisors will hold office hours by phone, chat, or virtually for advising registration and other consultation. Contact your advisor directly to make an appointment. Registration for summer and fall 2020 will proceed as normal.
Other Campus Offices
Campus offices will remain open; however, you are encouraged to email or call for assistance. Moseley and the Atwood gym will be closed to external groups and other members of the public.
Commencement and Other End-of-Semester Activities are canceled
With travel restrictions and other limitations on large gatherings, we have made the difficult decision to cancel the commencement ceremony in April. Graduating students will be invited to participate in the Fall 2020 commencement to celebrate their achievements. We all also be making alternative arrangements for the presentations of Senior Projects, Ensemble, and Honors Assembly.
Although there have been no confirmed cases of the virus in Alaska, we are taking preventive measures to protect the health of our students, faculty, staff, and communities throughout the state, to help slow the spread of the virus, and to ensure students are about to complete their courses and educational programs in a timely way. By reducing the number of people on campus, we can help Alaska mitigate the risks of the virus. We realize you may have questions about this decision and other campus services. We will be evaluating our campus response continuously using the guidance of public health officials and will continue to update the APU community at least weekly through emails and posting on the APU website.
Please continue using good practices that will limit the spread of respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.
- Stay home when you are sick and avoid close contact with others.
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If water is not available, use hand sanitizer, with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick.
- Cover your mouth/nose with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing. Immediately throw the tissue in the garbage.
I appreciate your assistance and patience as we work through this dynamic situation. I know this is not the ideal way to end the semester, but APU is a resilient institution dedicated to the success of our students and the health of our communities, and we will continue to work together to respond effectively to this challenge.
We will be frequently updating the community and providing more details for both students and employees.
Thanks,
Bob
Robert Onders MD, JD, MPA
President
Alaska Pacific University
