COVID-19 Community Update – March 1, 2020

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Dear Northwest University community member,

Thank you for all of the positive responses we have received from yesterday’s communication about the COVID-2019. We want you to be well-informed about how the University will respond to the emerging situation, so we will be updating our website regularly as the situation emerges. We urge you to check in daily with our website (www.northwestu.edu).

1. In an abundance of caution, we have decided to take temporary steps to reduce interpersonal contact on campus. Accordingly, we will cancel chapel services, select student activities, and close the Eagle Fitness Center through Spring Break. During that time, we will evaluate whether this measure needs to continue into the rest of the semester.
2. The University will be in communication with and will carefully follow all directives of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Public Health—Seattle & King County.
3. In the event that a confirmed case of COVID-19 occurs on the Northwest University campus, we will immediately inform the Public Health—Seattle & King County and follow their directives. If that were to occur, it is likely that classes would be temporarily suspended. Students would be encouraged to go home if possible. Students who choose to go home would be expected to fulfill all coursework requirements through remote study.
4. Students who are experiencing the specific symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath) should call the Wellness Center at (425) 889-5282, which will advise them about what to do and follow up with daily check-up calls to monitor their progress. If symptoms occur outside of the Wellness Center’s regular hours, students may call the 24-hour free nurse hotline at (425) 899-3000 for advice.
5. Classes will continue to meet on campus for the time being. Faculty members are preparing for the possibility that classes will need to be taught remotely and will be ready to do so if necessary.
6. We encourage everyone to stay current with the information available on the CDC’s website (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html) and/or Public Health—Seattle & King County (https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/disease-control/novel-coronavirus.aspx).

May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.

Sincerely,

Joseph Castleberry, Ed.D.
President, Northwest University