IMPORTANT: DMU Response to Virginia Stay at Home Mandate
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
I pray that you are all adjusting to the very trying situation we are all attempting to navigate. You and your families are in my daily prayers and thoughts. This has been and will continue to be a very fluid state of affairs and your health and safety remain our primary concern. With God’s help, we will get through this and we will get through this together.
Virginia Governor, Ralph Northam, has instituted Executive Order Number Fifty-Five, Temporary Stay at Home Order Due to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), whereby all individuals in Virginia shall remain in their place of residence, except as provided by this Order and Executive Order 53. These rules will go into effect this evening at 8:00pm. Maryland Governor, Larry Hogan, also issued additional directives which also go into effect this evening.
A change to online classes for the Summer Semester is under serious consideration by the executive team. We are receiving student feedback through the survey shared with students late last week. These responses, in conjunction with an evaluation of the current and projected situation, as provided by local, state and federal agencies, will be considered when making this decision.
For the time being, the following changes are effective tonight at 8:00pm:
- Until further notice, the DMU campus will no longer be accessible to students. All classes will continue to be conducted online. The virtual library hours are unchanged. Any library requests should be completed using existing online services.
- Faculty and staff should telework as much as possible, and only come to campus under the direction and with the approval of their supervisor. Please limit non-essential time on campus and coordinate with your Dean or your supervisor to ensure that you have the resources to be productive while telecommuting. Under no circumstances should anyone be on campus if they are sick, are displaying any symptoms of COVID-19 or have been exposed in the last fourteen days to someone that has contracted COVID-19.
It is important that we work together over this next phase of the crisis to support each other and provide the best experience for all. Through the intercession of Mary and Joseph, I pray for the continued prosperity of each of you and your families and in our work.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Charles Sikorsky, LC, JD, JCL
President
Divine Mercy University
