New Updates and a Theological Perspective on "Social Distancing"

03/12/20

Dear Seminary Community,

Dedicated people across all areas of our school are working quickly to help us transition into our new and unprecedented way of life. I’m grateful for the many people who are devoting long hours to support the needs of our community in light of the changes on campus and in the world. This week faculty are investing time in refashioning syllabi and digital training. Administrators and staff are establishing new policies and practices to continue operations and provide for the health and safety of our community.

The Seminary remains open and will continue to operate on a normal schedule as we implement social distancing practices in the classroom, by moving all classes online, and in the workplace. The Seminary continues to operate with regular business hours. If the Seminary needs to close or modify business hours, we will update the community.

The best way to stay informed is to visit the Seminary’s alerts page. Today new information was added:

For students:

• Expanded FAQ section with information about housing, health, and student work study
• A technology page that summarizes all of the digital tools available
• Local health services added to the resource page

For employees:

• Expanded FAQ section with information about workplace guidelines and health
• A technology page that summarizes all of the digital tools available

We are issuing new guidance about social distancing in the workplace. Each Seminary office will develop and implement a social distancing plan that is appropriate to their work and schedule. This may include:

• Encouraging employees to work from home whenever possible
• Allowing for flexible work hours
• Limiting in-person meetings and using digital technology to communicate whenever possible
• Avoiding large meetings or meetings in rooms that cannot hold at least three times the number of persons

Managers will develop social distancing policies for their offices and will receive more information about this process tomorrow.

As you continue to digest this new information, please consider these insightful and encouraging words from Executive Vice President Dr. Shane Berg that gives us a theological context about the Seminary’s decision to practice “social distancing” as the primary method to mitigate the risks of exposure to COVID-19.

Grace and peace,

M. Craig Barnes
President