Campus Report

Update on Coronavirus Preparedness

Office of Communications
March 6, 2020

Dear members of the Kenyon College community,

The circumstances regarding COVID-19 are changing daily, and the College is following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to ensure we can respond quickly to a variety of situations. There are no known cases of COVID-19 on our campus today, nor in our state, and the proactive steps we are taking will ensure that we are prepared if the virus emerges in our community. Here is a summary of the steps we have taken since our last update.

Website
We have established a webpage to serve as a central resource for our community, with information about prevention and what to do if you’re sick, as well as links to the most recent campus updates.

Preparedness Planning
The task force leading Kenyon’s COVID-19 preparedness efforts has identified the following priorities:

  • Monitoring the guidance from public health authorities and making contingency plans should recommendations about travel, international programs or large-scale gatherings change;

  • Preparing the Health and Counseling Center for COVID-19, including establishing protocols for screening, treatment and sharing information with local health partners;

  • Reviewing emergency operations plans, including provisions for isolating suspected and confirmed student cases of COVID-19;

  • Enhancing our existing cleaning routines and ensuring adequate supplies;

  • Exploring options for accommodating work that is completed remotely, whether by a student, faculty member or staff member;

  • Exploring options for students who may not be able to return home this summer and/or may have difficulty returning to campus in the fall, and determining what to do should students not be able to study abroad next academic year;

  • Establishing communications channels and sharing information about prevention.

Travel, International Programs, Large-Scale Gatherings
The College consults the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization and the U.S. Department of State to make decisions about College-related travel, international programs and large-scale gatherings. At this time, Kenyon does not plan to suspend any operations, including off-campus study unless recommended by program providers. The Center for Global Engagement is in close contact with students studying off campus and will continue to monitor the situation with overseas program partners.

Off-Campus Work and Community Engagement
Students who volunteer or work for off-campus organizations should alert their supervisors to any recent travel and understand any special precautions the organization is taking. The Mount Vernon City Schools, for example, requests that all volunteers who have traveled abroad be symptom-free for 14 days upon return to the United States prior to returning to volunteer activities. 

The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff are our highest concern. We appreciate your partnership in this important work — please check the website for the latest updates.

Meredith Harper Bonham ’92
Vice President for Student Affairs
on behalf of the Task Force for COVID-19 Preparedness

> Read more about coronavirus preparedness at Kenyon

> View all campus updates related to COVID-19