Dear Rock Alumni,
Last week, in response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic, I shared with the University community the measures that Slippery Rock University has been taking to mitigate the impact of the situation. Our full response, designed to protect the health and welfare of the SRU community, can be found by clicking here. In short, the University made the decision to extend the current spring break, originally scheduled from March 8-15, until March 29 in order to prepare to continue the spring semester through distance education formats. Instruction will resume through distance education on March 30. This extension pertains to on-campus (residential and commuter) students only. All online students resume classes, as scheduled, March 16.
In reaching these critical decisions, senior leadership at the University has remained thoughtful of our entire community, but particularly our students and the completion of the spring semester. All of our students are deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and I am grateful for the many individuals who have reached out and have offered assistance. For those of you wishing to help our students, the Student Support Fund provides assistance to students to offset short-term, immediate financial need. Please consider helping our students if your personal situation allows.
Of course, the alumni community is also affected by these measures. All University events and programs, including alumni events, are canceled for the foreseeable future. If you are registered to attend an event in the next few weeks, the event organizer will be in touch with you to discuss future plans for the event. We will be in touch in April about this year’s Alumni Weekend, which is currently scheduled in June.
While we are not able to bring the Rock Nation physically together at this time, social distancing does not need to mean social isolation. Remain engaged with our online communities. Reach out to friends and family. I know that there is great strength and resiliency in our community and I look forward to the next time we are able to gather together.
Information on COVID-19, steps the University is taking in response and frequently asked questions will be updated on our website as often as possible. Please be diligent in following the precautions outlined by health care professionals in order to prevent either contracting or spreading COVID-19. Thank you for your ongoing support for your alma mater and our students, faculty and staff.
Sincerely,
William Behre, Ph.D.
President
