Community Care Covenant
Updated for 2021-22
As Jesus calls us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39), and Paul reminds us to look to the interests of others above our own (Philippians 2:3-4), the faculty, staff, and students of Spring Arbor University commit to practices protecting our personal health as a means of loving others well and caring for our community. We will evaluate our personal actions in light of their impact on others and sacrifice individual preferences and personal freedoms to act in the best interest of the community.
As mandates subside and institutional and personal choices increase, we commit to showing respect for one another and acting in ways that reflect our unity in Christ and our interest in fulfilling the shared mission to which Christ has called us.
The following is a list of practices that will guide our actions in these areas:
Loving Others
- Stay home if we feel ill or after exposure to someone who is ill or has tested positive for COVID-19.
- Be positive, attentive, and helpful to anyone around who may be in need of support.
- Extend grace, kindness, and patient encouragement to those who may have differing opinions or act differently than we would hope.
Caring for My Community
- Be mindful of the extended Spring Arbor community when traveling, leaving campus, or participating in activities with elevated risk.
- Be honest and forthcoming in contact tracing efforts, as well as honoring all quarantine and isolation periods.
- Abide by evolving state, local, and campus guidelines for re-engagement (e.g., size and location of gatherings, masks, and regulated activities).
- Pray for the health and wellbeing of our community, our city, our nation, and our world.
Engaging in Our Mission
- Employees: Actively support the learning and living experience of our students however it is delivered (in-person or online).
- Students: Actively engage in my learning however it is delivered (in-person or online).