Practice Safety Measures Both On And Off Campus

I am truly excited to welcome everyone back to campus for the Fall Semester.  I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to see campus once again brimming with people and activity. 

Yet, I also must share my sincere concern and request your help. 

Many colleges and universities around the country also recently welcomed people back to their campuses to start the new academic year, but some have already had to cease or drastically curtail on-campus classes and other activities because of COVID-19 outbreaks. 

The one thing that all of these institutions, including ours, have in common is the desire to protect the health and safety of their people and that of those who live in adjacent communities.  While much about the virus that causes COVID-19 is still unknown, much has been learned in the last few months.  Specifically, the respiratory virus is easily transmitted between people who are in close proximity.  Face masks, social distancing and basic sanitary measures, such as frequent hand washing, significantly reduce transmission of the virus. 

We have implemented these and other measures across campus to help ensure the health and safety of all our Southeastern family members; however, these measures are not going to have the desired and necessary effect if they are not implemented off-campus as well. 

I implore all Southeastern family members - faculty, staff and students – to please observe these basic safety measures at all times.  The simple act of following these basic practices will not only help ensure everyone’s personal health and safety, they will help ensure our students’ access to educational opportunities and the livelihood of our faculty and staff. 

Please employ these basic measures – all day, every day, everywhere – and I am confident we can have a great semester.

 

John L. Crain
President