Since the first days of the global coronavirus outbreak, Dickinson staff members have been monitoring the virus's spread as new cases were reported throughout the globe and within the United States. Because Dickinson is a global college with international students and faculty as well as students studying around the world, those staff members have been meeting about and monitoring the issue to make the best decisions possible for the Dickinson community.
With spring break approaching, President Margee Ensign recently sent the following message to the campus community to update Dickinsonians on the latest recommendations and to provide guidance on travel during the upcoming break period:
To the Dickinson community:
The emergency response team continues to meet daily to monitor the recommendations from state, federal and international health organizations.
As spring break begins, please remember the following:
- We highly recommend that no member of the Dickinson community travel to Italy, China or South Korea, or other countries with a Level 3 travel warning from both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of State. If you do travel to these countries over break, when you return you must stay at home for 14 days and monitor your symptoms before returning to campus, based on new CDC recommendations issued on Wednesday. If you have recently traveled to any of these countries, do not come to campus until you have been at home for 14 days, symptom-free.
- Students who returned recently from study-abroad programs in Italy should report to campus on March 15. Based on CDC guidelines issued yesterday, those students should be staying at home and monitoring symptoms.
- If you have travel plans over spring break, remember that this situation is changing rapidly, and you should be monitoring travel advisories closely. Keep in mind that some countries and regions may impose entry or exit restrictions and even quarantines with little advance warning. Airlines may cancel flights or change schedules abruptly. If you travel to an area that becomes categorized as a Level 3 area, you will be asked to stay at home for 14 days before returning to campus.
- Anyone planning to travel internationally over spring break should consider registering for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. This program allows U.S. citizens to receive important information from the U.S. Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country and allows the U.S. Embassy to contact you in an emergency.
Employees
- If a college employee is traveling for the college and is unable to come back to campus as scheduled, either because of an area being quarantined or because of a requirement to monitor symptoms at home for 14 days, you will need to work with your supervisor. We will ask that you work from home if possible. If remote work is not possible, employees will still be paid and the time will be considered an extension of the business travel. For questions, please contact Human Resource Services at 717-245-1503.
- An employee who is traveling for a personal trip and is unable to return to campus at the expected time, either because of a quarantine in the area where they have been traveling or the 14-day stay-at-home period, will trigger paid leave. Please contact your supervisor as soon as you know about the change to your situation. For questions, please contact HR Services at 717-245-1503.
- If you become sick, we encourage you to contact your health care provider. If you experience a fever, cough or other respiratory symptoms, please also contact your supervisor and stay home.
Students
- All students traveling during spring break, including those who are in study-abroad programs and traveling during their travel breaks or independently, should keep in mind that regions and countries may impose entry or exit restrictions and even quarantines with little advance warning. If you are traveling and are unable to get back to campus, either because of a quarantine or a required 14-day period at home, please contact Student Life at 717-245-1639. Study-abroad students should call the Center for Global Study & Engagement at 717-245-1341 or, during non-business hours, the Department of Public Safety at 717-245-1349. We also remind study-abroad students to inform their onsite program staff of their travel plans.
Actions You Can Take
- Because it is flu season, the CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine.
- Wash hands often using soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cough or sneeze into your arm and use disposable tissues.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- More information is available at the CDC website. Keep up to date with campus communications at our coronavirus page.
Community Response
As we continue to navigate this changing situation, it is important that we remain supportive and welcoming toward all community members, including those who were born in, lived in or traveled to the areas of the world most affected by this global issue. Discrimination has no place here. The CDC has created a website encouraging people to share facts to reduce stigma around this virus.
Dickinson has long been a leader in global education, and we remain committed to the value of international study and the importance of intercultural education. This situation does not change our commitment.
We will continue to update you throughout spring break. As we navigate this challenging situation, we are guided by recommendations from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the CDC, the U.S. Department of State and the World Health Organization.
We know this situation is causing anxiety for many, and our thoughts are with members of our community who have been impacted in some way.
Thank you for your attention and your flexibility.
Sincerely,
Margee M. Ensign
President
Published March 5, 2020