Dialogue: Nota Bene: Weekly Update

Our risk management team is closely monitoring the situation surrounding COVID-19 (coronavirus), and is following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.gov), the World Health Organization (WHO.int), and the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov). In addition to published recommendations, we routinely dialogue with experts at the CDC, the Virginia Department of Health, and Sentara Healthcare.

The safety and health of our students, faculty/staff, alumni, parents, and friends is of the utmost importance. At this time, the Robert F. Boyd Institute originally scheduled for March 23-24 has been postponed. An announcement regarding the new date will be forthcoming. The Class of 1970 50th Anniversary Celebration, originally scheduled for Friday, April 3, has been postponed to Homecoming and Family Weekend (October 2-4). All other Spring Alumni Weekend activities originally scheduled for April 3-4 (Parents Council Business Meeting, Alumni Social, Pig Pickin' Picnic, and Strike Out Cancer) have been cancelled.

Additionally I share with you information released by the Old Dominion Athletic Conference:

“The ODAC has also been closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on operations at ODAC member-institution campuses. The ODAC announces the following procedures regarding the remainder of the 2019-20 athletic seasons:

All regular season conference competition will be suspended indefinitely beginning Saturday, March 14 in response to growing concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The conference will remain in communication with its member institutions on a regular basis to monitor the landscape and evaluate its response. Updates will be made when appropriate with regards to the possible continuation of the spring seasons as well as any upcoming postseason events. This news does not prohibit institutions from continuing their athletics programs as they see fit.”

At the present time, VWU is working toward continuing its practice and competition schedule as soon as opponents are available to resume competition in a safe and reasonable manner.

I share with you a link to statements from the NCAA on the cancellation of winter and spring championships and regarding eligibility.

As was communicated with the campus community last week, all campus events are being monitored, modified, or cancelled based on supporting information and the nature of the event. University services and offices, including residential halls and dining services, will still be available to students during spring break. All University-sponsored international travel has been suspended until further notice. University-sponsored domestic travel is being evaluated on a case-by-case basis. All VWU students studying abroad have been asked to return to the U.S. Students returning from high-risk areas will remain in a two-week self-quarantine at home prior to returning to campus.

More information will be shared on Wednesday of this week (March 18) regarding operations for the two weeks following spring break. Faculty have developed plans for remote course delivery, should that become necessary. We do not intend to cancel classes outright.

Please continue to monitor the University website for institutional updates regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus). We thank you for your understanding and wish you good health in the coming weeks.

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On a brighter note, it's hard to believe it's Spring Break at Virginia Wesleyan! We certainly have had a lively and eventful spring semester, and last week was no exception. Wednesday was a special day in Virginia Wesleyan's history as we celebrated the rededication of H.C. Hofheimer II Library and paid tribute to its namesake. Mr. Hofheimer was one of the first major contributors and visionaries of not just the library, but of the institution. He served on the Board of Trustees and was instrumental in the growth of Virginia Wesleyan, providing strong support from the beginning. The library was originally dedicated on March 5, 1970 under the leadership of Mr. Hofheimer and then-President Lambuth Clarke, and it was a true privilege to re-dedicate the library 50 years later. The celebration included a special unveiling of a commissioned portrait of Mr. Hofheimer that is prominently displayed near the main entrance of the library. I was honored to join Dr. Steve Mansfield, University Archivist and Vice President and Dean Emeritus, and Sue Erickson, Director of Hofheimer Library, in delivering remarks, honoring the past, present, and future of this significant building in the heart of campus.

We were honored to host some very special guests for the ceremony, including Clay Barr and Linda Kaufman (two of Mr. Hofheimer's daughters), Ms. Elena Baum (granddaughter of Mr. Hofheimer) and her husband Gary, and President Emeritus Lambuth Clarke's wife Alice Clarke and daughter Virginia Hitch. We thank Elise Wright, Mr. Hofheimer's daughter, for sending her support and celebrating with us from afar. Read more and view the photo gallery here.

ET CETERA

President's Council

We had a productive spring meeting of the Virginia Wesleyan University President's Council recently. The Council is comprised of business leaders who embrace, embody, and similarly align with the University's vision and values in their management practices. Their personal and professional influence and support ensures students are strategically positioned to participate in opportunities such as internships and externships that will prepare them for a meaningful life and career. VWU Chief Diversity Officer and Director of Wesleyan Engaged Brian Kurisky along with student India Khanna gave an engaging presentation on our civic engagement and service learning initiatives and progress.

Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI)

Virginia Wesleyan joined more than 100 major businesses, investors, and higher education institutions in supporting the Transportation & Climate Initiative (TCI), a regional effort to decrease transportation-sector emissions from across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. TCI presents an opportunity to address climate change and ensure state economies continue to thrive while modernizing the region's transportation system.

A list of our fellow signatories in each state, as well as more information about the policy and resources to learn about TCI can be found here. Read more in the press release.

Duplication and Postal Services

The Virginia Wesleyan University Mail and Copy Services has been renamed as Duplication and Postal Services to better reflect the activities and functions provided to our faculty, staff, and students. To further improve services and efficiencies to our customers, Duplication and Postal Services has a new location in the Scribner University Store located in the Batten Student Center. The email address has changed to reflect this renaming: duplicationandpostalservices@vwu.edu. These changes went into effect last week.

AROUND TOWN AND ACROSS CAMPUS

Recently I attended the 2020 Virginia Beach State of the City at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Thanks to Mayor Bobby Dyer for the invitation and updates regarding the city. Mayor Dyer discussed key business development initiatives, provided strategic municipal progress updates, addressed challenges and opportunities, and provided a glimpse into the city's future.

Thanks to Doug Smith, President and CEO of Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance (HREDA), for the informative and engaging presentation at our Greater Norfolk Corporation Executive Committee meeting last week. Doug discussed HREDA's new business model and current Initiatives.

At a meeting of the Hampton Roads Chamber Virginia Beach Board of Directors, Norfolk International Authority provided a briefing. The meeting was held earlier this month in Virginia Beach Town Center.

I enjoyed visiting with Kurt Krause, President and CEO of Visit Norfolk, at Mayor Kenny Alexander's reception welcoming the MEAC Tournament to Norfolk. During the event, MEAC Commissioner Dennis Thomas announced the cancellation of the tournament--which had already started. The reception was held at the newly renovated NEON House on Granby Street. Kurt has been the visionary for "Campus 757"-- a new multifaceted collaborative of the five Norfolk-based higher educational institutions that will soon be announced.

Finishing touches were made on the new entrance at the Betty S. Rogers Track and Field Center.

We recently welcomed scholars from across the country for our third and final Batten Honors Competition of the academic year. View the photo gallery here.

Kudos to student-athlete Hanna Hull of the Virginia Wesleyan softball team for picking up her third Pitcher of the Week honor of the season by the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). Read more here.

Read up on the latest accomplishments of Virginia Wesleyan University faculty and staff in the March edition of The Pharos.

Catch the latest in Virginia Wesleyan Athletics in the recent edition of Marlins SportSplash here.

STAY CURRENT ON VWU NEWS AND FEATURES

Virginia Wesleyan University Magazine

The Pharos

REFLECTIONS

I hope you find these links useful to my recent columns and publications:

The Virginian-Pilot