Conn expects decision about remainder of semester Thursday as students await COVID-19 test results
Photo by Sydney Pressley
In a Monday afternoon Q&A livestream, Dr. Conn addressed Lee’s continued response to the COVID-19 crisis, noting a final decision for the remainder of the semester will be announced on Thursday.
“Naturally, the situation globally and nationally has changed and has gotten worse,” Conn said. “This pandemic seems to be worsening around the country and around the globe.”
Conn said Lee is working to define a clear path forward for students to return to campus on April 13, but the chances of that are “increasingly unlikely.”
“As you know, last week I announced that we were going to set a date of April 13 to try to resume our class schedule and our on-campus operations,” Conn said. “We are reevaluating and reassessing that.”
Conn said a decision and formal announcement about the remainder of the semester and summer classes can be expected on Thursday after the chapel livestream.
“If you don’t mind, I want you to give us another three days to see if something good might happen that would allow us to come back for the last couple of weeks of classes, final exams and commencement,” Conn said. “I’ll be honest with you, it’s looking increasingly unlikely that we can do that.”
Following the screening of over 200 students returning from Spring Break, Conn said four students with coronavirus-like symptoms have been quarantined off-campus and are currently awaiting their test results.
On Sunday, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee ordered establishments to exclusively offer take-out, drive-through or delivery options. Additionally, the order prohibits social gatherings of 10 or more people and closes all gyms and fitness centers until April 6.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created both an economic and a health crisis and our response must continue to address both aspects,” Gov. Lee said in a statement. “Our goal is to keep the public, especially vulnerable populations, safe while doing everything possible to keep Tennesseans in a financially stable position.”
According to Conn, Gov. Lee’s decision has directly affected how Lee is responding to the pandemic. Lee’s on-campus dining options will now exclusively offer carry-out services, and the recreation center will remain closed in accordance with the order. The Early Learning Center (ELC) will also close its doors during this time.
Conn added Lee’s writing center has shifted to an online format with virtual tutoring to meet the needs of students writing papers during this time. Additionally, Lee’s service learning requirements have been amended by the Leonard Center to remove the 20 hours per organization limit and expand the list of permitted service opportunities.
Conn also addressed advanced housing selection, which Residential Life and Housing converted to an online format, and the possibility of Lee moving to a pass/fail system of grading.
Conn ended the livestream by encouraging students to stay optimistic, healthy and continuously in-touch with the administration as decisions are made and updates are provided.
“Stay optimistic and hopeful,” Conn said. “God’s in control, and good things are going to happen that we can’t even imagine right now.”
For immediate questions, email pconn@leeuniversity.edu or Dr. Murray at debmurray@leeuniversity.edu. For ongoing updates, follow @LeeClarion on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
