March 15, 2020
Dear Post Community,
Across the country, we are seeing an unprecedented movement to online education in response to COVID-19. Fortunately, as a leader in online education, Post University is uniquely equipped in both online technology and competency to take on this venture with our students.
For those students who have always been on-line learners, there is no change to the way you engage in your courses or access Blackboard…it’s business as usual. On Monday, March 16, all of our campus classes will begin meeting virtually through Blackboard Collaborate, a web conferencing tool integrated into all of our Blackboard course shells. Main campus students will receive an email today (Sunday, March 15) from the Office of the Provost with details on how to join your classes virtually through Blackboard Collaborate and how to access all your academic support services remotely. As a reminder, your classes will continue to meet at their regularly scheduled time (Eastern Standard Time).
In addition to transitioning our campus courses to online, Post University is also following the CDC guidelines to practice social distancing with our faculty and associates. We have asked some of our associates who work in more crowded areas of our campuses to work remotely. Due to our recent improvement in phone and system technology intended to support remote employment, we do not expect this decision to lead to any disruption in the services provided to our students
We will continue to operate the University in this fashion through March 30, 2020, at which time we will reassess the situation. Our overarching promise to you our students – whether you are completing your education with us on campus or online — is to meet your educational needs and support you in achieving academic success in each course through to graduation. I am pleased to state that our incredible faculty and associates are working a well-design action plan that will allow us to keep that promise to you, even in these challenging times.
Just as Post University has been forced to make difficult decisions and modify our expected path forward, each of you is experiencing the consequences of the COVID-19 Action Plans put in place in your communities. I will make the same request you read as is in the Provost’s recent letter… please keep in touch with us on any issues you encounter. This is especially true if you find yourself disconnecting from your course due to unexpected access issues or competing priorities. We care deeply for each and every one of you; please reach out and let us support you during these trying times.
I am extremely grateful for the support and cooperation I have received from all members of the Post community. I wish you all the best as you continue your Spring semester and Term 5 courses.
Sincerely,
John L. Hopkins
CEO & President