Dear TU staff,
It’s a busy time in the semester, and we are quickly approaching spring break. While university-sponsored study-abroad programs have been canceled, some of you may have planned spring break vacations in areas affected by the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19). We ask all students and employees to weigh the necessity of travel and the potential risks involved. Please review the information provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For personal travel, please submit the brief form located on this page to let the university know immediately if you’re planning to stay in or pass through any country with a CDC travel advisory of level 2, 3 or 4 or if you have been in one of these countries during the past 14 days.
Students, faculty and staff returning from countries or cities with sustained community transmission should practice social distancing, stay home and monitor their health for development of any symptoms of acute illness during the 14 days from their last date in the area with COVID-19 community transmission. Social distancing means remaining out of public places where close contact with others may occur, including residence halls, schools and other classroom settings, cafeterias, shopping centers, movie theaters, stadiums, workplaces and local public conveyances (e.g., bus, subway, taxi, ride share) for the duration of the potential incubation period.
On Friday, Tulsa County reported its first confirmed case of COVID-19. In addition to fears surrounding the outbreak, a number of other significant events and stressors may be weighing heavily on students: midterm exams; outstanding balance payments; summer plans for employment, internships and course work; and other factors outside of our campus environment. As you engage with our students, remember that there are many resources in place to help support their needs.
Here are several recommendations and resources to keep in mind as we enter into this high-stress season:
- If students feel ill, ask them to call the Alexander Health Center at 918-631-2241. Ill employees should call Hurricane Health Clinic at 918-631-2974.
- Use our Dropguard system to report unusual behaviors related to a student’s academic performance, including missed classes, exams and deadlines.
- If any student exhibits distressing behavior or significant changes in their interactions (unexplained differences in eye contact, appearance, grooming, attire, etc.), please submit a CaneCares report. This will prompt an outreach response from TU’s counseling center staff.
- Counseling and Psychological Services now has drop-in hours every Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can refer students or call for a consultation to help students that you feel could use some support at this time.
- If at any time you feel a student is in an immediate crisis, call Campus Security 918-631-5555.
Thank you for doing your part to ensure the health and wellbeing of our campus community remains our priority.
Sincerely,
Sheri Burson, APRN-CNP
Laurie Paul, APRN-CNP
Alexander Health Center and Hurricane Health Clinic