Thinking Outside the Box

"Each student will be provided with a portable chair to facilitate moving classes outside when feasible." -- Villanova University COVID-19 Health and Safety Plan

Admittedly, there isn't much to smile about these days. The image of a few thousand college students zipping around campus with their matching navy blue Villanova University camp chairs, ready to convene outdoors at a moment's notice has provided a rare note of levity to our lives. Tim, who enjoys a bit of quirky, is delighted about his portable chair -- can't wait to see a picture, hopes it is sturdy enough to last well into the future, plans to bring it out to sit by the campfire with his own kids someday. He went so far as to consider sending a message to the university president, suggesting the the person who came up with the portable chair idea should receive a large and immediate raise.

There are pictures floating around Facebook of 1918 pandemic outdoor classrooms of elementary students, so the idea isn't new. But, students today are of much less hearty stock, and perhaps lack a willingness to both be outside in cooler temperatures and to carry around the extra weight of a chair. Tim, however, is ready to bundle up and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine right through the winter. To be fair, he did attend nature based preschool in Minnesota, where half the time was spent outside every single day. It's all about layering!

We aren't the only ones excited about the chair. Apparently, the Villanova Portable Chair has its own Instagram. Really.

They Might go Back to College . . .

We are looking forward to welcoming students back to campus as scheduled in the fall.

Freshman in the Honors Program move in date, August 16th.

The University is paying close attention to state guidelines.

The University has convened a task force.

Your room assigment is . . .

Orientation will now be held virtually.

Decisions about the University Fall Semester will be made by June 30 . . .

July 1 . . .

After New York State provides additional guidelines . . .

July 15 . . . 

Please fill out this additional online form regarding university housing options.

Marshall Hall will now be the designated quarantine building, please be aware that your room assignment has changed.

Students willing to opt out of their housing contract, click here.

Financial Aid awards will be communicated by July 2 . . .

July 15 . . .

Before your first bill is due . . .

After we determine what funds are available . . .

Honors Program orientation has been canceled.

Kirk Douglas Hall will now be the designated quarantine building, please be aware that your room assignment has changed.

Your move in date range is August 14-16

August 20-22

August 23-25

Please sign up for a move in slot.

Your move in slot will be assigned to you.

If you need to change your move in time, please do so as soon as possible.

Changes to move in times will not be permitted.

All students must take a COVID-19 test 5-7 days prior to arriving on campus, and provide results on the student portal.

A COVID-19 test will be mailed to your home, please take it immediately and provide your results.

All students will be tested upon arrival.

No students will be tested unless showing symptoms or have had a known exposure.

Please consider getting a COVID-19 test before arriving on campus.

Based on current state guidelines, students will now be tested upon arrival.

The University will provide quarantine facilities for all students.

Quarantine facilities will provided, at a charge of $100 per day.

The University will provide all students with one reusable mask.

Two reusable masks.

All the masks students need.

The University will not be able to provide masks.

Please bring enough cloth masks for at least a week.

Student workers can wear their own masks.

Student workers cannot wear their own masks.

Please purchase a clear mask for your American Sign Language class.

Minnesota is now on the New York State 14 day quarantine list.

Minnesota has been removed from the New York State 14 day quarantine list.

Your new room assignment is . . .

You will receive your new room assignment on July 20.

Please fill out a housing form on July 20, then your new room will be assigned.

You will receive your new room assignment August 5.

All students must sign a campus pledge to follow all health guidelines.

We are confident that students will help us keep our community healthy.

We hope all students will follow the guidelines to protect our community.

Follow the guidelines to protect our community, or you will be asked to leave campus.

Your move in date is August 15 . . . August 22 . . . August 24 . . . we will notify you of your move in date on August 7.

No off campus visitors will be allowed.

One person can assist each student with move in.

You will be allowed one person to accompany you to campus, but they will not be allowed in the dormitory to assist with move in.

You may have two people help with your move in.

University students will only be allowed in their own dormitory.

Students may visit between dormitories after the first two weeks of the semester.

Please do not travel off campus.

Travel off campus is permitted within St. Lawrence County.

All fall breaks are canceled.

Students may remain on campus through the Thanksgiving break and finals.

All students must leave campus at Thanksgiving break, and complete the semester remotely.

The semester will end at Thanksgiving break.

Spring semester will begin on January 4 . . . January 11 . . . January 18 . . . January 25 . . .

Masks must be worn at all times when outside your room.

Masks can be removed for eating, as long as social distancing is maintained.

You can create a family unit in which you do not need to wear masks if social distancing is maintained.

Your family unit may include . .  .your roommate . . .your suitemates . . . single rooms sharing one bathroom . . . up to ten select individuals . . . your freshman seminar . . .

Please be aware that at any time during the semester, the University may be required to move to fully remote learning and all students will be asked to leave campus immediately.

If the University moves to fully remote learning, room and board will be partially refunded.

If the University moves to fully remote learning after 60% of the semester has been completed, there will be no refunds of room and board.

Decisions on refunds for room and board will be determined on a case by case basis.

Campus gatherings will be limited.

Clubs may continue to meet in small groups.

Parent's Weekend will be a series of exciting virtual events.

Homecoming will look different this year.

Reunion Weekend will be a series of exciting virtual events.

The rescheduled graduation ceremony for the Class of 2020 has been canceled.

Athletic events will look different this year.

No decision has been made about University athletics.

Intramural athletics have been canceled.

The University is committed to providing the same quality education you have come to expect, it will just look a little different.

We are looking forward to seeing students back on campus for another great year!

It's been a Minute

It's a good thing I'm not writing this blog for cash, huh? Things being what they were here in MN at the end of May and throughout June, it just felt terribly inappropriate to bring humor to all the trauma. Curfews, overheard helicopters, boarded up buildings, sadness and anger made it an overwhelming time. With all that comes a sense of inertia, and anxiety, and a feeling of dread that we will ever move forward with real change -- in ALL the areas that need it. Which is not to say we've been sitting here doing nothing, just that there hasn't been a strong spark for me personally to write about it. It is definitely a time to listen, learn, and absorb.

That being said, we're still here. All of us. The house has not gotten any bigger, and the temperature seems to get hotter every day, so we are feeling the pinch. If she could figure out a way to add air-conditioning, I'm pretty sure Caroline would pitch a tent in the yard, just to have her own space.

Not to worry, just because you weren't hearing about it, doesn't mean we don't have stories with which to entertain. Linnea still lives here, after all!