Mar 11, 2020

UPDATE: Friday, March 13, 2020

SBU offering online-only classes through March 27

Dear Members of the Bonaventure Community:

Beginning Monday, March 16, St. Bonaventure University will offer its classes only online for the next two weeks, through Friday, March 27. Students can choose to stay on campus or return home.

All online classes will start no later than Wednesday, March 18, although some could start as early as Monday. Faculty will reach out to students to explain scheduling.

All in-class instruction is suspended until March 27.

HOWEVER, the campus will remain open. 

Students who feel safer staying on campus — and many have indicated that to myself and colleagues — can do so. I’ve received many messages from parents expressing the same sentiment. 

Faculty and staff are expected to report to work as usual to maintain services for our students who choose to remain.

Peace and all good,
Dr. Dennis R. DePerro
University President

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UPDATE: Thursday, March 12, 2020

Overnight guests not allowed on campus until further notice

In the spirit of the university’s considerable efforts to limit any potential spread of the coronavirus, overnight guests will not be allowed on campus until further notice unless they have approval to be here from our Admissions Office.

While we still are maintaining in-class instruction based on guidance from the county’s Health Department, it remains the obligation of everyone in the Bonaventure community to do as much as we can to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.

Limiting the number of people coming to campus is one significant step we can all take.

Peace and all good,
Dr. Dennis R. DePerro
University President

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UPDATE: Wednesday, March 11, 2020

University-sponsored student travel, campus events suspended

To the St. Bonaventure Community:

In an effort to do as much as possible to control what we can as the coronavirus crisis evolves, we are temporarily suspending all university-sponsored student travel unless it’s directly related to instruction or course requirements (student teaching, for example).

In addition, we are suspending all organized extracurricular and co-curricular campus activities and events, as well as campus events the university hosts, including but not limited to dinners, lectures, conferences and competitions.

This suspension is effective at 5 p.m. Friday, March 13. This includes intramurals, club sports, Campus Activity Board events, open student club events and Quick Center events.

These restrictions will remain in place until March 31, 2020, at which time university administrators, in consultation with the County Health Department, will re-examine the situation to decide if the suspension needs to be extended.

While we have no reported cases on campus or in the surrounding community, we’re exercising an abundance of caution in limiting crowd gathering. We’re fortunate that we have relatively small class sizes so we are continuing with in-class instruction for the time being.

The guidance we are getting from the county Health Department tells us that’s the right decision at this time. But as we all know by now, this is a rapidly evolving situation.

Decisions regarding Division I athletics will follow based on guidance from the Atlantic 10 and NCAA.

We will continue to hold in-person classes, but we’ve established a COVID-19 Planning & Response Team and are developing contingency academic plans should we be forced to stop doing so.

I fully realize these decisions are difficult to accept for those who’ve spent so much time in planning them, but our obligation at this moment is to do all we can as an institution to help curb any potential spread of COVID-19.

We will continue to provide updates to the campus community in this rapidly changing situation.

Peace and all good,
Dr. Dennis R. DePerro
University President

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UPDATE: Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Community discouraged from attending A-10 tourney

Although I can’t prevent anyone from attending, I’m strongly recommending that members of the Bonaventure community — other than those deemed essential personnel — not attend the Atlantic 10 Tournament in Brooklyn, which opens for the Bonnies Thursday afternoon.

Conference officials decided this morning to continue with the tournament and allow fans to attend, but the situation related to the coronavirus crisis is extremely fluid and could change at any minute if government officials issue a mandate to cap large gatherings.

For students, a reminder that attending the event is not considered an excused absence except for members of the band, cheerleading and basketball teams. The Department of Athletics issued a special statement Tuesday about increased safety measures in place at the event.

Those people who make the personal decision to attend, and those who need to be there, are urged to abide by the CDC’s health guidelines.

Updates and further information will be communicated via the Notice Board and can always be found at www.sbu.edu/coronavirus.

Peace and all good,
Dr. Dennis R. DePerro
University President
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UPDATE: Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Planning efforts for coronavirus crisis

We are continuing to monitor the COVID-19 and being guided by recommendations from the Cattaraugus County Health Department, New York State Health Department and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The university remains committed to ensuring the health and safety of its students, staff and faculty.

In an effort to keep our community informed, the following updates are provided:

COVID-19 Planning and Response Committee

At this time, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 on campus or in the immediate surrounding community. A comprehensive Planning & Response Team continues to meet to review and revise the COVID-19 Emergency Plan based on current information and directives from state and local officials.

Should a positive case be confirmed on campus or in the local community, our Emergency Management Team will convene to begin implementing appropriate measures outlined in the COVID-19 Plan.  Our decisions will be guided by the plan, with input from local and state health department officials.

Classes are still being held on campus, but the Planning & Response Team is developing contingency plans in case we have no choice but to stop conducting face-to-face classes.

Ongoing Precautions

The health and safety of St. Bonaventure’s students, faculty and staff are of paramount importance. Everyone in our campus community should continue to practice the following precautions:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

• Practice social distancing.

Peace and all good,
Dr. Dennis R. DePerro
University President

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UPDATE: Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Coronavirus impact on A-10 Tournament

St. Bonaventure University’s Athletics Department is following the lead of the Atlantic 10 Conference in regard to the status of the upcoming tournament. The Bonnies open play Thursday at 2:30 p.m. The Atlantic 10 is having daily conversations with the Barclays Center staff who have been in contact with the Kings County Health Department as they monitor the safety of the Brooklyn area.

• The Athletics Department staff are in regular communication with the Atlantic 10 staff, receiving real-time updates. It has been recommended to proceed with the tournament as normal with games being played and with band and cheer team attending. However, this is a fluid situation and the Conference is prepared to change course as needed.
  

• The Barclays Center has taken additional steps to add hand sanitizer stations throughout the arena. All seats in the lower bowl (the only seats that are open for the tournament) will be cleaned following each session of games, and a more potent cleaning solution is now being used throughout the arena.
  

• St. Bonaventure has also been in contact with our hotels and they have assured us that they are also taking additional preventive cleaning steps. Their staff is required to wear gloves at all times. The hotel staff have been specifically assigned to public spaces (lobby and other areas) to ensure that they are being cleaned routinely. Individual guest rooms are receiving an additional cleaning step each day.
  

• St. Bonaventure University Athletics Service Manager will travel with our team as he is certified to use a Clorox 360 cleaning machine. He will be in Brooklyn and arrangements are being made to allow him access to the locker rooms and lodging facilities in order to provide another additional precautionary sanitization to them prior to the arrival of the St. Bonaventure basketball team, coaching staff, band and cheer team members.
  

• Our band and cheer team members have been informed that participation in the Atlantic 10 Tournament is purely voluntary and if anyone is not comfortable attending, they do not have to.
  

• St. Bonaventure University encourages everyone to practice healthy preventative personal behavior and to visit www.cdc.gov for additional information.

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UPDATE: Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Campus community asked to log international travel

St. Bonaventure University administrators are closely monitoring developments in the outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus, known as COVID-19. Our commitment is to the health and safety of all members of the campus community.

Effective March 11, 2020, and until further notice, we are asking all students, staff and faculty to declare any upcoming international travel, as well as international travel since Feb. 1, 2020, even if the nation being visited isn’t currently labeled a high-risk zone.

The information provided will be sent to Health Services and will allow the University to provide appropriate and requested information to authorities as we work with the local health department to address the COVID-19 emergency. To register, please click here.

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UPDATE: Monday, March 9, 2020

New guidelines for visiting SBU’s Health Services

Effective today, March 9, 2020, SBU’s Health Services will temporarily not be accepting any walk-in appointments. 

Because of the current national and international COVID-19 emergency, all St. Bonaventure University Health Services patients are required to complete a questionnaire PRIOR to being seen at the Wellness Center. Patients can submit the answers to the questionnaire via the Patient Portal at https://sbu.medicatconnect.com .

By answering a few questions, staff will be able to assess a patient’s risk situation and take appropriate action. In some cases, staff may ask to “see” a patient through a secure HIPAA connection (through a “Zoom” link) and/or communicate with a patient through our secure Patient Portal. 

Depending on patient volume, it may take a few hours, sometimes up to a day, for one of our staff to get back to you. If you are feeling acutely worse, call MERT through Campus Safety and Security at 716.375.2525.

We want to provide the best possible healthcare to patients, keep patients and others safe, and follow CDC guidelines to avoid any unnecessary exposures to potentially contagious illnesses.

IF YOU FEEL YOU ARE AT HIGH RISK FOR COVID-19  due to travel, potential community exposure AND have a fever, cough, sore throat and/or shortness of breath, please contact us IMMEDIATELY by phone, email and/or secure message through the Patient Portal. Do not go to the local ER, Urgent Care or call an ambulance without expressly telling the healthcare personnel about your perceived “high risk” so that appropriate infection control measures can be instituted.

Patients who are not at high risk for COVID-19 may be redirected to other local health service providers.

Students with counseling appointments should go directly to Doyle 120, which will serve as a temporary waiting area.

Please do not hesitate to contact our office at 716.375.2310 with additional questions.

Sincerely,
Marlene J. Wust-Smith, M.D.
Medical Director, Center for Student Wellness

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UPDATE: Friday, March 6, 2020

To the St. Bonaventure Community:

Students, faculty and staff who traveled over spring break to countries impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) — but only those nations that have reached CDC-level 2 or level 3 status — should not return to campus until they have self-quarantined at home for 14 days, beginning with the day they returned home.

The same holds true for anyone who might have been in contact with someone who’s contracted COVID-19.

As this global health crisis continues to evolve, university administrators have participated in webinars and conversations with other higher education colleagues. While we don’t believe this will impact more than a handful of people from the Bonaventure community, we do believe that exercising an abundance of caution is the appropriate step to take right now.

In the case of students, this measure will not exempt them from completing their required spring semester course work. Students unable to return to campus when classes begin again Monday (March 9) need to discuss course continuation with individual faculty, who will work closely with those students impacted.

Students who need to stay home in self-quarantine must contact the university’s Wellness Center on March 9 (716-375-2310). Faculty and staff who need to self-quarantine must contact Human Resources (716-375-2115).

Thank you for your attention to this important issue. We will continue to update the campus community (as needed) as this crisis evolves.

Peace and all good,
Dr. Dennis R. DePerro
University President

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UPDATE: Wednesday, March 4, 2020

To the Bonaventure community:

St. Bonaventure University administrators are closely monitoring developments in the outbreak of a new strain of coronavirus, known as COVID-19.

The respiratory illness caused by COVID-19 was first detected in Wuhan City in China and continues to spread to other countries. As of March 4, more than 100 cases had been confirmed in the United States, including two in New York state.

Only one St. Bonaventure student studying abroad this semester was in a high-risk zone, but that student has returned to the United States and will be completing her program online at home.

The university has already made the decision to cancel its summer study abroad program in China. We are communicating regularly with program directors for other summer study abroad programs and will make a decision on the fate of those programs within the next few weeks.

In the meantime, we are encouraging students to hold off on booking flights for summer programs unless they purchase travel insurance or buy a transferable ticket in case the programs are canceled. For students who may have already purchased non-transferable tickets, you might still be able to get a refund — should we decide to cancel the summer programs — if flights to your destinations wind up being canceled. In those situations, airlines have to grant refunds.

We’re also asking students who traveled abroad over spring break to either a CDC-designated high-risk country or a region in the U.S. where “community spread” of the virus has been determined, and who experience flu-like symptoms upon return from their travels, to see a doctor and not return to campus until they feel better. Students can also access their SBU patient portal through Medicat and Dr. Wust-Smith, our resident physician, can answer any questions students might have.

As this global health crisis evolves, we are taking precautionary steps on campus to prepare, including the possibility of providing support for international students who might not be able to get home this summer. We’re also developing a plan in case the spread of COVID-19 ends up impacting the academic schedule.

In an effort to educate people about the virus, I strongly recommend visiting the Centers for Disease Control website. The CDC is also working hard to eradicate social stigmas tied to the outbreak of the virus.

The health and safety of St. Bonaventure’s students, faculty, and staff are of paramount importance. Everyone in our campus community should take the following precautions:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

• Stay home when you are sick.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

• Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.

• CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.

• Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.

Because COVID-19 displays many of the same symptoms of influenza, anyone on campus who is experiencing flu-like symptoms should contact their healthcare provider to minimize the potential spread of disease. Students should contact our Wellness Center (2310) or, after hours and on weekends, go to Olean General Hospital or WellNow Urgent Care, 921 Wayne St., Olean.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue.

Peace and all good,
Dr. Dennis R. DePerro
University President
______________________________________________________________________

UPDATE: Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020

Health information for recent travelers to China

Dear members of the Bonaventure community:

Recently, a new coronavirus — 2019 Novel (New) Coronavirus — was detected in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, that has not been previously found in humans. This coronavirus can lead to fever, cough and shortness of breath. There are hundreds of confirmed cases in China, including cases outside of Wuhan and additional cases being identified in a growing number of countries internationally, including the United States. 

Important Health Information For Those Who Have Recently Traveled to China:

If you recently traveled to China and feel sick with fever, cough or have trouble breathing, you should:

• Seek medical care right away. Call ahead and tell them about your travel and symptoms.

• Avoid contact with others.

• Stay home if you’re ill and isolate yourself from roommates, except for seeking medical care.

• Avoid further travel until the illness resolves.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.

• Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Symptoms

Human coronaviruses commonly cause mild-to-moderate illness in people. Symptoms can include:

• Runny nose

• Headache

• Cough

• Sore throat

• Fever

How Does 2019 Novel (New) Coronavirus Spread?

Since this virus is very new, health authorities continue to carefully watch how this virus spreads. It is known to spread from animals to humans, and it also may be spread from person to person. It’s not clear yet how easily Novel (New) Coronavirus spreads from person to person. It’s important to know this in order to better understand the risk associated with this virus.

Prevention

There are currently no vaccines available to protect against human coronavirus infection. To reduce your risk of infection:

• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Treatment

There is no specific treatment available for any coronavirus. People infected with coronavirus should receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms

Our staff at the Center for Student Wellness is communicating regularly with the County Health Department and the New York State Department of Health as we continue to monitor and assess this rapidly evolving situation. Last week, I participated in a briefing with New York State Department of Health officials. The NYSDOH reported that the following steps are being taken to prevent the spread of the virus, including:

1. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is closely monitoring this situation and is working with the World Health Organization (WHO).

2. The U.S. State Department has issued its highest travel advisory — a Level 4 — advising U.S. citizens not to travel to the Chinese province of Hubei, home to Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak.

3. The CDC is performing enhanced health screenings at several U.S. airports where flights arrive directly from Wuhan, China, including San Francisco, New York’s JFK Airport, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Chicago.

4. You will be asked a detailed travel history whenever you seek care (at our Wellness Center, at the local Urgent Care, or local Emergency Rooms). If you have traveled to China, or any countries that have reported cases, you should be diligent about hand hygiene and monitoring for symptoms of illness. Do not panic if you start feeling ill, as it would be MUCH MORE LIKELY that you have a common cold or the flu, and not the new coronavirus. HOWEVER, it would be prudent to call our office to discuss what next steps you should take. We will be in contact with our local Health Department and will jointly determine if any testing is required.

5. Do not be alarmed if you encounter medical personnel wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), (masks, eye protection and gloves, “hazmat” outfits).The current recommendation is for healthcare workers to don PPE to guard against any potential exposure until more is known about this relatively new virus.

Who should I contact if I think I may have come into contact with someone with the virus or have symptoms?

If you have been to Wuhan, China, recently (WITHIN THE PAST 14 days) or have had close contact with someone who contracted the virus and you exhibit any of the symptoms, please contact our office by calling 716 375-2210 during daytime hours (if after hours contact Security or MERT).  We urge you to first call the Center for Student Wellness and wear a mask (which will be placed at entrances) before entering the facility.  If our facility is closed or unable to accommodate you for a visit, arrangements will be made to have you seen at an alternate location, but it is important for us to communicate travel/exposure history to the Department of Health. 

To learn more about the coronavirus, visit www.cdc.gov. To review additional prevention methods, visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/about/prevention.html. Finally, to read more about travel guidance, visit travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/china-travel-advisory.html.

We will continue to keep our community up to date on any new developments. Please do not hesitate to contact our office at 716.375.2310 with additional questions.

Sincerely,
Marlene J. Wust-Smith, M.D.
Medical Director, Center for Student Wellness