Governor’s Temporary Stay at Home Order and Transition from Modified Operations to Essential Services

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:

Earlier this week, Governor Northam issued an executive order instituting a temporary stay at home mandate for all residents in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In a continued effort to limit the spread of COVID-19, this order will remain in effect through June 10, 2020.

Without question, this is a critical time in which we must all be fully aware of the realities of COVID-19 and, in turn, act responsibly under these challenging circumstances and serve as good community members. This can be a matter of life or death for your loved ones, close neighbors, and fellow citizens. This is not a time to be careless with your life or the lives of others.

STUDENT INFORMATION
In order to ensure that individuals follow social distancing guidelines, the previously announced move-out schedule was carefully crafted in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health. As such, students who are scheduled for move-out appointments can continue to visit campus to collect their personal belongings. Move-out began on March 26, 2020 and will continue through April 17, 2020. Individual refunds will not be processed until move-out has occurred. Please note that the deadline to make an appointment was yesterday.

Students who were provided approval to reside on-campus following Spring Break will continue to be permitted access to their respective residence hall. Access to the remainder of campus will be limited.

For students who returned to the local area and are residing in privately-owned properties, compliance with the Governor’s order is not optional. It is mandatory. Those who do not follow this order will be held responsible by law enforcement and issued citations where necessary and appropriate. Furthermore, students who are found in violation of this order and social distancing guidelines will be held accountable by the Radford University Office of Student Standards and Conduct through existing procedures as defined in the Student Handbook. As Highlanders, we expect and deserve better than the manner in which some individuals have been responding to this very serious situation.

EMPLOYEE INFORMATION
As Radford University transitions from modified operations to essential services, faculty and staff will continue to work remotely in order to support online course delivery and other campus programs and services. Effective April 2, 2020, only faculty and staff deemed essential personnel will be permitted to work from on-campus locations. All non-essential employees will be required to work remotely. When possible, essential employees are asked to limit their presence on campus, while maintaining their duties and responsibilities.

BUILDING INFORMATION
In response to the Governor’s order and in recognition of the University’s transition to essential services, the following buildings will be closed with restricted access granted to authorized individuals on a limited basis.

Buchanan House
Center for the Sciences
College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences Building
Cook Hall
Davis Hall
Covington Center
Kyle Hall
McConnell Library
McGuffey Hall
Peters Hall
Porterfield Hall (East and West)
Reed and Curie Halls
Russell Hall
Tyler Place
Waldron Hall
Whitt Hall
219 East Main Street (Printing Services)

Additionally, the following buildings will be shutdown with no access by any individuals.

Art Annex
Calhoun Hall
Dedmon Center and all athletic areas (including tennis courts)
Hurlburt Student Center (The Bonnie)
Selu Conservancy (including buildings and property)
Student Outdoor Recreation Complex
Student Recreation and Wellness Center
Young Hall
214 Tyler Avenue (Art Museum)
615 Fairfax Street (Office of Institutional Equity)

The University Post Office, located on the lower level of Dalton Hall, will be staffed Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM until 4:30 PM. However, the service windows will only be open for transactions from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. If you need assistance, while the windows are closed, please call 540-831-5148, and someone will assist you.

During this difficult and uncertain time, I implore all members of the Radford family to fully comply with the Governor’s order. Until the spread of COVID-19 begins to decline and ultimately stops, we will not be able to return to our regular operations and normal routines. More importantly, individuals will continue to be impacted, and lives will be lost.

Again, it will take each and every one of us working together to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Highlanders and citizens throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.


Sincerely,

Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.
President