Published March 6, 2020
Welcome Back!
I hope you had a safe and productive time away from your studies and routine. As you know there has been a lot of activity around the world in the last week and we are happy that you are back safely and ready to complete the spring semester.
The “spring break” has been totally focused on monitoring the coronavirus and communicating with the federal, state, and local officials on this potential crisis. If you traveled outside of the USA for your break, please share that privately with my Office. Having an idea of how we can help students, faculty, and staff will help us get an accurate picture of what services might be necessary to keep us all healthy.
Students, if you feel you might have contracted the respiratory diseases, please contact your personal physician or Inspired Health Group (who sees Hilbert students – 3671 Southwestern Blvd Suites 101, 213, Orchard Park, NY 14127, 716-662-7008). Listed below is an information sheet from the Center for Disease Control (CSC), titled “Stop the Spread of Germs”. www.cdc.gov/covid19
Questions and Answers about Hilbert:
Question of the day is: Did our students and faculty go to Italy over the break?
Answer: No, after critical analysis of the situation and communication with individuals on the ground in Italy the faculty sponsors and administration jointly agreed to error on the safe side and cancel the trip to Italy. The intent will be to reschedule the educational experience for another time. The goal is to provide as much safety for our faculty and students as the challenges can occur with a greater degree of safety. If students traveled out of the country as a tourist, please let us know.
Question 2: Do we have students in other places around the world?
Answer: As of this semester, we have one student on a semester abroad experience to Ireland studying with students from Arcadia University. I’ve been in direct communication with our student and there are no cases at this time in Ireland and the situation is being watched daily.
Question 3: Are there accommodations to quarantine a student, should a student on campus test positive?
Answer: The Residence Life team has already prepared a suite on campus (with private bath) just in case we have a quarantine request. The Center for Disease Control recommends that if a student test positive, that the student isolate themselves at home where all their needs can be addressed in quarantine.
Question 4: Is the campus taking any precautions with extra cleaning in high use areas of the campus?
Answer: Our Campus Maintenance team has been cleaning with a special mixture to ready the campus community for your safe return. When you see any of the maintenance staff, thank all of them for their attention to cleaning details.
Please follow the prescribed precautions throughout the day (Wash your hands)!!!
As more details about the virus becomes available, watch the Hilbert Website and the television screens around the campus. Again, welcome “back”.
Gregory Roberts
Vice President and Dean of Students
Fran Hall Room 107
716-926-8935