COVID19 UPDATE #22

DATE: November 6, 2020 at 11:30 am
TO: Faculty and Staff

FROM: Dr. Richard Nelson, President
COVID19 UPDATE #22

As we prepare and look forward to the start of Spring Term 2021, I want to let you know that the safety and well-being of every student and all employees continues to be our highest priority at Nicolet College.

COVID-19 has created challenging times for everyone. Our daily routines are out the window. Friends and neighbors have lost their jobs. Parents are playing an even bigger role in their children’s education. We’re tired of staying home. We miss the hugs and handshakes with family and friends. And yes, there’s still supper to put on the table every day.

In spite of it all, I have full confidence that we have what it takes to get through this. Better days are ahead, and we’ll get there together. We’re in the same boat. By looking out for one another, extending care and compassion at every opportunity, and staying informed and committed to following the best science, we will defeat this virus.

Looking ahead inspires a welcome sense of optimism, but it doesn’t make today easier. If you are hurting now, if you could use some assistance today, whether financial, emotional, academic or anything else – I ask you to reach out to someone you trust – an advisor, a supervisor, or any member of the Nicolet College Executive Leadership Team. We can’t promise to have all the answers, but we are here for you. We can help. We care.

As always, Nicolet welcomes your input on all aspects of our operations. If you see something that can be improved, please let us know. We value your opinion, and are always looking for new ways to advance our mission and make Nicolet College a great place to work and learn. If you have an idea and are willing to invest some of energy in it, please tell us about it and let’s see if we can get the ball rolling.

We’ve gained considerable knowledge about COVID-19 since it began to spread late last winter. We’ve established guidelines and practices across campus that have allowed us to continue delivering superior post-secondary education safely. Our Spring 2021 academics will be stronger than ever, and they’ll be accessible in highly flexible formats because – like it or not – the pandemic will continue to impact our day-to-day lives for some time yet.

About 80 percent of instruction will be delivered online and enriched by the individual attention and personalized support that makes Nicolet different … and better.  When there face-to-face instruction is required, we will continue to structure labs and learning environments to minimize the number of people inside a room at any one time.

We are monitoring the COVID-19 situation daily and as always, decision-making will be informed by good science and the sound advice from local, state and federal health experts. For the foreseeable future, that will include the three most important ways to minimize transmission: wear face coverings when indoors, maintain at least six feet between yourself and others, and wash your hands frequently and well.

While a small number of students and staff have tested positive for COVID-19 (see our new dashboard here: https://www.nicoletcollege.edu/about/covid-19-updates/covid19-cases-campus), none of the cases were traceable to transmission on the Nicolet Campus. Most importantly, I’m thankful that all of the people involved have either recovered or are on their way to recovery.

Moving forward, we will keep in regular communication with you on the status of college operations, and more information is always available by following the link at the top of the College web pages.

So, that’s it for now. Stay safe and remember, we’re in this together, we’ll get through this together, and then we’ll celebrate together!

Dr. Richard Nelson

President