Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates

Dear Wheaton students, faculty and staff:

As our campus begins spring break, I am writing to provide an update and additional information regarding the procedure for returning to campus after traveling during spring break, or any personal or college-sponsored travel this spring. Please read this information carefully.

If you are traveling on a college-sponsored trip or if you are traveling internationally on an independent trip, you must complete this travel registry form.

As you were notified earlier in the week, all students, faculty and staff that have traveled to, or through, a location assigned a Level 2 or Level 3 Travel Advisory by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) must return to your family home or to an off-campus residence, self-quarantine, for a minimum of 14 days after returning to the U.S. AND refrain from close contact (within 6 feet) with individuals (students, staff and faculty) currently on campus. You will not be permitted to return to campus during this time. Students should email [email protected] as well as notify their faculty of their inability to return to campus. Similarly, faculty and staff should notify their supervisor and [email protected].

Self-Quarantine means:

• Limit contact with others; staying at your family home (not on campus).
• Monitor for fever by taking your temperature twice a day (morning and night).
• Remain alert for signs of fever, cough, sore throat, wheezing and/or difficulty breathing during the 14 day self-observation period.
• Seek health advice by telephone from a health care provider if you develop any symptoms of illness; call ahead before entering a medical facility; and notify emergency personnel of your travel history and symptoms if you call 911.
• Wash your hands with soap and water, or use a 60% alcohol-based hand rub after coughing and sneezing. Throw used tissues in an appropriate receptacle.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with your upper sleeve or a tissue.
• Avoid sharing household items. Do not share drinking glasses, straws, smoking devices, cell phones, towels, eating utensils, bedding or any other items until you are no longer asked to self-isolate.
• Clean surfaces that you share with others, such as doorknobs, phones, any objects that you sneeze or cough on, and bathroom surfaces (including sinks, countertops and toilets) with a standard household disinfectant such as Clorox wipes. Wash your hands after cleaning the area.

Social distancing means:

• Avoiding locations where large groups of people congregate (more than 10 people), such as: public transportation, shopping centers, movie theaters, restaurants, supermarkets, stadiums, workplaces, schools and classroom settings. Again, we include campus in this category.
• Maintaining a distance (approximately 6 feet) from others. This includes limiting contact with persons living in your residence.

In the face of ever-changing information about the coronavirus, college officials will continue to closely monitor ongoing developments and guidance offered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). We hope you have a safe and enjoyable spring break. Please check your email as we will continue to communicate with you and your families as updated information becomes available. Thank you in advance for your cooperation as we strive to keep our campus community safe and healthy in these unprecedented times.

For Questions and More Information:

If you are a student, please contact Cynthia Maricle, Associate Director of Student Health Services at [email protected], or Zack Irish, Interim Dean of Students at [email protected].

If you are faculty or staff, please be in contact with Omaira Roy, Associate Vice President of Human Resources at ext 3544 or via email at [email protected].

Kind regards,

Zachary Irish, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Omaira Roy, Associate Vice President of Human Resources

Categories:
• Student Health Services