Dear Immaculata University Community,

I hope this finds all of you and your families safe and healthy. Lately, the news about COVID-19 seems more hopeful. The data seems to be trending in the right direction and we are hearing that more governors are opening back up their states, slowly but surely. While we are certainly not over this pandemic, we anticipate that we may start our Fall semester at the regularly scheduled time. We still must work within the guidelines issued by the federal, state and local authorities, and we are planning for a number of alternate scenarios in the event we are required to delay.

The following outlines a few updates I want to share with you. First, residence halls will be open from May 11-21 for students to return to get your belongings from your rooms. Residence halls will be open for this purpose only and by appointment only. The Office of Residence Life and Housing will be sending an email within the next few days with details. You will receive specific instructions, and I ask for your full compliance, as the intent is to keep you and our staff safe. This has always been our number one priority.

The second update has to do with what you may be hearing about colleges and universities receiving funding from the Federal Government to support students impacted by COVID-19. It is important to note that the CARES Act became public a couple of weeks ago, and Immaculata applied for the funds. The University is approved; however, the Federal government provided limited initial guidance on how we must use the funds. We are anxiously awaiting additional guidance so that we can equitably allocate the available funding among the many students who may be eligible. We will keep you informed as soon as we know more.

I am happy to report that we are on schedule for the return of approximately half of the spring room and board costs. Students with refunds due should begin to see the funds in your accounts on or about May 22 if you have direct deposit. For others, on May 22 we will mail a check to the address we have on record.

Next week we will be providing an update regarding Commencement for all our graduates. We have not forgotten!

Students, faculty, and staff­­­­­­­­­­, ­­you are all missed, and we are doing everything we can to get you back on campus as soon as it is safe to do so. Your resilience and determination to get through this makes me proud. Recently a professor made me aware of a concept called the power of the ordinary and how it relates to resilience. Resilience does not come from rare and special qualities, but from the everyday magic of the ordinary resources in the minds of human beings. This is exactly what I have witnessed over the past many weeks.

We ask for your patience as we wade through all the complexities that come with these unprecedented times. We are doing our very best to respond to the needs of our students and families in a way that is true to our IHM mission and values. As always, I appreciate your support.

During the time that this pandemic has wreaked its havoc, you have probably heard the phrase “we are all in this together.” We are Immaculata, and we will get through this and come out even better and stronger than before.

Please stay safe and well.