Minor edit at 3/16/2020 8:15EDT: The CDC has changed its guidance and now recommends avoiding groups of 10 or more people. (edit by President of the University of his own authority at time and date captioned message ID: 2020-4)
Webber International University (and its branch campus St. Andrews University) has been actively monitoring the COVID-19 virus for weeks. We have stayed informed of, and acted according to, the guidance of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
We – our students, our faculty, our staff, our administration – are resourceful, resilient people and we will get through this together. Yet, we still need to alter our day-to-day routines. We hope the following FAQ will answer most of your questions, but we encourage you to contact us if there’s something we missed. Above all else, know that we are here to help and if you have an issue, don’t hesitate to contact us.
FAQ’s For Everyone
Q: Are there any confirmed or suspected cases at either campus?
A: No (as of 3/16/2020 4:00pm)
Q: Are there any confirmed or reported cases in Polk County, Florida or Scotland County, North Carolina?
A: No (as of 3/16/2020 4:00pm)
Q: Is the University closing?
A: No. The University – including our dormitories and cafeterias – remains open.
Q: What about graduation?
A: Currently the CDC is recommending that, for the next 8 weeks, all public events with more than 50 people be postponed or cancelled. We are working on options and will post the plan as soon as we have it.
Q: What are you doing about cleanliness and sanitation
A: Following CDC guidelines.
Q: What should I do to avoid getting sick?
A: Follow CDC guidelines (biggies: maintain distance, wash hands, disinfect surfaces)
Q: How will updates be communicated?
A: We will contact students via their @webber.edu or @sa.edu emails, post updates on our websites (www.Webber.edu and www.SA.edu), and post updates at www.WebberEmergency.com.
Q: I want to tour the campus? Can I?
A: Yes, as long as you are not displaying any symptoms of any illness, and have neither left the country nor gone on a cruise of any duration to any destination in the last 14 days. For the safety of our campus much of your tour will be conducted outside and some areas will be off-limits. Please discuss this with your admissions counselor.
FAQ’s For Students and Their Parents at ALL Campuses
Q: Will I be able to complete the spring semester?
A: Yes. On our campus. At home. From the beach. One way or the other we’ll get it done.
Q: Are face to face classes being transitioned to on-line instruction?
A: Yes. We will, by Monday March 23rd, be transitioned to on-line classes with all instruction provided in on-line format.
Q: Why?
A: We understand that many people are worried (most of us are parents ourselves… we get it). And, we understand that many students and their families have made the decision to weather this crisis at home. We are absolutely committed to helping our students successfully finish this semester. Given the impossibility of our professors simultaneously conducting both in-seat and on-line instruction, we have implemented our plan to take all instruction on-line.
Q: How will I know what to do to succeed with on-line instruction?
A: Check your @webber.edu or @sa.edu email. If you don’t have instructions, contact your campus’ Academic Dean.
Q: I want to add classes / drop classes / register for summer. Not sure who to talk to.
A: Your campus’ Academic Dean can get you to the right person.
Q: Is the campus (including dorms, cafeteria, etc.) staying open?
A: Yes.
Q: Do I have to leave?
A: No. We are neither requiring nor suggesting that students leave. The current CDC guidance does not include asking students to leave campus.
Q: Have sports been suspended?
A: Yes. On March 16, 2020 the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics cancelled the spring 2020 season. For information about how this impacts eligibility, contact your campus’ faculty athletic representative (FAR).
Q: Will my athletic scholarship be impacted?
A: No.
Q: Will there be activities, security, meals, etc. provided on campus?
A: Yes.
Q: If I do decide to leave, what should I do?
A: Get the checklist from Student Life (they can email it if you ask them to) and be sure you have followed it. And triple confirm with the airline that your flight is a go, because once you’ve been to an airport – where infection is far more likely – you cannot come back to campus for 14 days.
Q: What if I get sick on campus?
A: Self isolate and contact Student Life. We will follow health department recommended protocols from there. Here’s a link to the CDC’s recommendations.
Q: Are on-ground summer classes going on-line?
A: Not at this time, but as you know, things change rapidly.
Q: What if for any reason I leave the country or go on a cruise of any duration to any destination?
A: You MUST self-quarantine for 14 days upon your return and will NOT be allowed on campus for any reason for 14 days after your return.
Q: I don’t know how to get in touch with my dean/coach/professor/academic advisor?
A: For the Florida campus non-athletic staff directory click here. For the Florida campus athletic staff directory click here. For the North Carolina campus non-athletic staff directory click here. For the North Carolina campus athletic staff directory click here.
For Our Employees at ALL Campuses
Q: Should I come to work?
A: Yes, unless or until your supervisor tells you differently.
Q: I’m sick.
Stay home. Seek medical care. Contact your supervisor. Click here for the CDC’s guidance.
Q: I’m immunocompromised or otherwise at risk.
A: Contact your supervisor. Click here for the CDC’s guidance.
Q: I have childcare issues.
A: Contact your supervisor.
Q: What about professional development?
A: All professional development involving air travel or groups of more than 50 people is suspended. Exceptions require the personal approval of the University’s president.
Q: What if for any reason I leave the country or go on a cruise of any duration to any destination?
A: You MUST self-quarantine for 14 days upon your return and will NOT be allowed on campus for any reason for 14 days after your return
For Our Faculty at All Campuses
Q: Do I have to have on-ground office hours?
A: Yes, unless excused for good cause by your campus’ Academic Dean.
Q: Can I change them from the traditional schedule?
A: Yes, but you must inform students and your campus’ Academic Dean.
For Our Students on the Florida Campus
Q: If I don’t want to come from spring break, what should I do?
A: Contact Student Life. You don’t have to get your stuff until May 1, but understand we don’t have the ability to pack it up, store it, and/or watch it for you.
Q: Has the MBA trip to Spain been cancelled?
A: Not at this time. Given how rapidly things are changing, if you do make arrangements we would strongly recommend travel insurance.
Q: What about bass fishing competitions?
A: All competitions and University organized practices have been cancelled for the rest of the semester. But fishing in the clean air and great outdoors – more than a few feet away from the closest other fisherperson of course – sounds like a great idea!
Q: What about the Business Advisor’s Luncheon?
A: Pursuant to CDC guidance that “for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States” this event is cancelled.
Q: What about the Academic Awards Dinner?
A: Pursuant to CDC guidance that “for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States” this event is cancelled.
For Our Students on the North Carolina Campus
Q: Has the Study in Brunnenburg program been impacted?
A: Not at this time. Given how rapidly things are changing, if you do make arrangements we would strongly recommend travel insurance.
Q: What about equestrian competitions?
A: All collegiate equestrian competitions (regular season and post season) have been cancelled by the Intercollegiate Horse Shows Association, the American National Riding Commission, and the Intercollegiate Dressage Association. St. Andrews had teams qualify for post-season competition in all three organizations.
Posted date, time, by, and authority of: March 16, 2020 4:30pm EST by the President of the University of his own authority.
Message ID: 2020-4
www.WebberEmergency.com 
If the CDC is recommending that everyone avoids groups of 10 or more, why is the school not adhering to this? The Commission of Independent Education is recommending that online classes be made available to students. Are you prepared to move to this format?
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As stated in the FAQ:
Q: Are face to face classes being transitioned to on-line instruction?
A: Yes. We will, by Monday March 23rd, be transitioned to on-line classes with all instruction provided in on-line format.
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