General Information
The college’s Emergency Infectious Disease Response Committee, which is comprised of leadership representing every aspect of the campus community, has been meeting regularly since early January 2020 to assess and plan for the possible outbreak of COVID-19 on campus. The committee has outlined three key objectives:
· Monitor for illness on campus
· Implement infection response strategies early to mitigate transmission
· Keep the campus educated and updated as new information becomes available
All recommendations made by this committee are consistent with the most current information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the Erie County Health Department (ECHD). We are also conferring with peer institutions and other governing bodies, including the NCAA, MAAC, and Middle States Commission on Higher Education, for guidance.
The decision has been made to activate an Academic Continuance Plan began on Monday, March 23. As of this date, all in-person classes are suspended and replaced by remote instruction offered in an online format. Students are asked not to report to campus. Under the Academic Continuance Plan, administrative offices will remain staffed—locally and remotely—including Public Safety, Residential Life, Student Health, Facilities and many others. Other than face-to-face instruction, most College operations are continuing on their normal schedules, though in some case with reduced staffing. Please contact the Human Resources Department with any questions.
How are decisions being made related to Canisius’ response to COVID-19?
The college’s Emergency Infectious Disease Response Committee, which is comprised of leadership representing every aspect of the campus community, has been meeting regularly since early January 2020 to assess and plan for the possible outbreak of COVID-19 on campus. The committee has outlined three key objectives:
• Monitor for illness on campus
• Implement infection control strategies early to reduce transmission
• Keep the campus educated and updated as new information becomes available
All recommendations made by this committee and subgroups of this committee are consistent with the most current information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the Erie County Health Department (ECHD).
What are the most recent proactive measures Canisius College has taken to ensure the safety, health and well-being of students, faculty and staff?
On March 23, 2020 the college moved to its Academic Continuance Plan to teach classes remotely until the end of the semester. Commencement has been postponed until October 10th. Resident halls closed as of Thursday, March 19, at 5 p.m. with swipe access deactivated.
How is Canisius keeping the campus community informed?
Canisius is using multiple communications channels to share the latest news and information about coronavirus to students, parents, faculty and staff including:
• Creation of a website, www.canisius.edu/covid19
• The college’s employee newsletter, The Dome
• Griff Center’s parent newsletter
• Contacting individuals who may have recently traveled in areas affected by COVID-19
• Posting information on the MyCanisius portal (my.canisius.edu)
• Emailing the campus community at large
Is Canisius coordinating with health agencies?
The college is in constant contact with the New York State Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Erie County Health Department.
How does the initiation of the Academic Continuance Plan impact administrative personnel and faculty?
The New York State Governor’s Office issued a new mandate on March 20 requiring that 100% of an organization’s workforce work remotely except for essential operating personnel. All Canisius administrative personnel and faculty are working remotely beginning Monday, March 23 with the exception of essential operating personnel.