Office of the President Header
Dear Stonehill Community Members,

Late Friday evening we were informed that a third-party, non-Stonehill individual, who—while off-campus—was in close contact with a small number of our employees, has tested positive for COVID-19. Our employees who had close contact with this individual have been informed, have self-isolated, and are receiving care and advice through their physicians and public health officials.

We ask all community members to respect the individuals' privacy and avoid speculation and rumor as to their identities. We are following the guidance of public health authorities pertaining to notification of community members who may have had contact with these individuals. Those community members have been contacted directly by College officials and provided with information and direction, including information on self-isolation.

As a result and out of an abundance of caution, the College is taking additional preventive measures to preserve the health and safety of our community, and may take further steps if necessary. We also want to clarify and reinforce aspects of the guidance shared in Wednesday’s community message.


Students

  • Students who have received permission to return to campus and stay in the residence halls due to special circumstances may do so as previously communicated.
  • Students who planned to come to campus Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday to retrieve their belongings may do so, but only for the following reasons:
    • To retrieve a laptop, books, or other materials needed to continue classes online.
    • To retrieve medication, medical devices, or other critically necessary assistive devices that were left in their room over Spring Break.
  • While on campus, students should limit their time spent and interactions with others, practice social distancing, and minimize the number of surfaces that they touch.
  • If coming to campus to retrieve belongings, students are strongly encouraged to do so between the hours of 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
  • All students—once they have collected their critically necessary belongings—should refrain from visiting campus until further notice.

Staff

  • Starting Monday and continuing through Friday, March 27, the College is asking nonessential staff members to implement the work-from-home contingency plans that were discussed within their Departments and with Division Heads.
  • Division Heads will contact any staff they deem to be essential personnel. Any staff member deemed essential personnel shall report to campus Monday as usual.

Faculty

  • Faculty meetings pertaining to on-line implementation scheduled for Monday and Tuesday will continue to be held virtually.
  • Faculty, like staff, are being asked to implement their work-from-home contingency plans through Friday, March 27.

Additional Guidance

The institution’s Emergency Response Group continues to monitor the situation and will update the community prior to Friday, March 27 regarding whether we plan to extend remote learning, work from home, and other safety measures. In the interim, the College will continue to update the COVID-19 guidance on our website both for students and parents and for faculty and staff.

As has been mentioned in the past, we encourage everyone in the College community to carefully follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance regarding how best to prevent contraction and spread of COVID-19.

Moving Forward

I know this is an uncertain time not just for the Stonehill community, but for our friends and neighbors all over the world. Each of you continues to live out the College’s mission through the kindness, patience, and resilience you show daily in the face of these challenges.

Let us pray for the wellbeing of our colleagues, the swift recovery of all those affected by COVID-19, and continued success for the medical professionals, public servants, and scientists working around the clock to help guide us through this pandemic.

Yours in Holy Cross,
Fr. John signature
Fr. John Denning, C.S.C.
President