Dear Students:

We are halfway through the first week back from spring break, and the environment is completely different from when you embarked on break. Just a few weeks ago, none of us could have imagined how COVID-19 would impact our campus. We know you are facing dramatic changes in your daily lives while continuing your educational journey through online instruction.

This week, with the latest Ohio and Kentucky orders for social distancing, we have moved up the date to begin NKU’s virtual campus operations to March 26, 2020. In this rapidly changing situation, we are all learning to be flexible. I want to thank you for having such patience and resilience while adapting with us, and please know your success remains at the forefront of what we do each day—even when we are supporting you virtually.

NKU’s faculty and staff are committed to providing the same level of services in our virtual operations. We created a Student Resources webpage designed to answer many of your questions and connect you with resources, like our Student Emergency Fund. To follow the orders for social distancing, we will transition to a fully virtual campus (effective tomorrow), but there are many student services maintaining a limited but regular presence for you.

• Health Services will remain open on the fourth floor of the University Center for face-to-face visits by appointment only. Starting on March 26, the clinic will have limited hours with appointments available from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Mondays and Thursdays. If you need to be seen, please call 859-572-5650 to schedule an appointment. University Center will be locked, and walk-in patients will NOT be accepted. Please also call the clinic to talk to a nurse about symptoms, refill a prescription or ask any other questions.
• Counseling Services will be available by phone. In the event of a crisis/urgent matter, a clinician will be available by phone between 8:15 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at 859-572-5650.  For after hour psychological emergencies, please contact 859-572-7777. 
• Norse Commons will provide to-go meals for those living in University Housing during virtual campus operations. These meals are available to anyone living in University Housing, regardless if they have a meal plan or not. To-go meals will be available every day in the lobby for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Please note, the Norse Commons Dining Room will not be open.
• FUEL NKU will continue to support all students during virtual campus operations. Bags packed with food and personal supplies are available for students in the FUEL lobby of Albright Health Center on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am-2pm. The FUEL NKU team can also connect students with available resources in the community. Please contact them at fuel@nku.edu.
• University Police will continue their work of maintaining safety and security on campus.

Many of you have emailed asking about refunds and credits due to our campus transitions.

• Parking, dining and housings fees already paid will be pro-rated and refunded to students. Refunds will be applied to outstanding balances first. We will share more details on when students will receive their refunds. 
• Campus Recreation fees are mandatory based on a 2011 Student Government Association resolution, so they cannot be refunded. However if we are given the clearance to open in the summer, students will have access to the Rec Center this in the summer, as a credit for their spring fees.
• With May Commencement canceled, the NKU Bookstore will refund cap and gown orders. Please contact them for instructions.
• Until further notice, student past due accounts will not be sent to collections and will not have account maintenance fees charged on outstanding balances.
• We are honoring student workers employed directly by the University, and students will be paid based on their previously established work schedule— regardless of whether they are able to work or not.

Another topic that has sparked a number of emails is moving to pass/fail for this semester. We appreciate your input, and a work group is discussing this topic. We should have an update for you soon. Even in our virtual environment, academic advisers are available to support you via phone, through email and online. A few other things to keep in mind:

• The deadline to drop and receive a “W” grade in a spring 2020 full-semester course has been moved to Monday, April 6. 
• All May intersession courses and all summer courses are moved to online instruction.
• The summer and fall 2020 Priority Registration Schedule will be released as planned tomorrow. The Priority Registration Schedule can be viewed by clicking here.

As NKU adjusts to being a virtual campus, please note most buildings will be locked starting tomorrow morning. However, the mail room, the Dorothy Westerman Herrmann Natural Science Center and the Health Innovation Center/Founders Hall, including the Vivarium, will provide limited access to faculty and staff. Only visit campus if it is absolutely necessary, and if you must, do so as quickly as possible and leave to prevent the need for custodial services.

Once again, thank you for your patience as we all abide by the recommendations to stay healthy at home and ensure social distancing. I admire your courage and commitment to reaching your goals through it all. We are in this together, and NKU will continue to support you in every way we can. I wish you success in your classes and good health for you and your loved ones.

Sincerely,

President Vaidya