3/11/20 – SAU Update on the Coronavirus

SAU Community,

Two cases of the coronavirus have been identified in Michigan, one case was a result of international travel and one case was a result of domestic travel. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency and outlined recommendations to maximize efforts to slow the spread of the virus. There are no confirmed cases of the Coronavirus at Spring Arbor University or in Jackson County at this time.

The Coronavirus Planning Team is actively monitoring this situation and is in communication with the Governor’s Office, the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Michigan Health Department and Michigan Independent Colleges and Universities (MICU). SAU is maintaining normal operations with some modifications. We will outline specific amendments to campus operations in subsequent messages. In addition to this, we will be implementing the recommendations from the Governor’s office that were communicated this evening at 5:00.

The most significant recommendation for our residential campus is to cancel or postpone large public gatherings within the next 30 days. All classroom instruction in all modalities will not experience any changes at this time.

If you have health concerns or questions please e-mail holtonhealth@arbor.edu and contact your Primary Care Physician. The CDC recommends not going to any health center, but e-mailing, calling and/or scheduling a virtual appointment with your health care provider. 

For all updates regarding this situation, please review www.arbor.edu/coronavirus as this is the most up-to-date space for communication. If you have any general questions about SAU’s plans and responses to the coronavirus outbreak, please email coronavirus@arbor.edu.