March 4, 2020
Dear Post Community,
The novel coronavirus has been on all of our minds, especially the past several days. As spring break for University students approaches, we are writing to provide an update and share additional guidance on international travel.
First and most importantly, our community is currently healthy. While we have certainly seen a number of flu cases —as we do every winter—none of the members of the Post family are known to have been exposed to the coronavirus.
When it comes to seasonal colds and flu, we are reinforcing these specific rules with our students, faculty and staff:
- If you are sick, stay home. Individuals who have a fever of 100.4 degrees or more should stay home and may return to campus only after being fever-free for 24 hours. Please adhere to this rule; it is vitally important for your health as well as that of our community.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and the hottest water tolerable, for at least 20 seconds per wash.
- Cover your mouth fully when you cough or sneeze, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Our facilities staff continues to perform disinfectant-level cleanings of classrooms and common areas on campuses.
Travel Advisory
At this time, Post has prohibited university-sponsored or related international travel to China, South Korea, Iran and Italy due to COVID-19.
Consistent with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations, Post University is requiring a 14-day self-quarantine period for all students entering the US from any CDC Level 3 country before they return to the campus. We urge students, faculty and staff to stay informed and abide by the guidance of this government organization.
Advice for 14-day home quarantine:
- Remain at home for 14 days after your return from Italy or South Korea or any Level 3 area.
- Monitor your health for symptoms including fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
- If you develop symptoms, call ahead before seeking medical care, and do not use drop-in urgent care sites or other locations.
- Practice “social distancing” by avoiding public places where close contact with others may occur.
- Practice good hand hygiene with frequent hand washing.
- Cover your mouth and nose when you sneeze or cough and practice good cough etiquette (cough into your sleeve or elbow, not your hands).
- Do not share personal items.
- Decline requests from visitors during the quarantine period.
- You can return to normal activities after the 14-day period is complete; there is no clearance process.
- There are no recommended restrictions for other members of your household during the 14-day period as long as you continue to have no symptoms of fever, cough or shortness of breath.
- All on campus courses at Post are e-supported, and have an associated Blackboard course shell. On campus students should contact their instructors and/or advisor to inform them that they are under self-quarantine, and receive instruction on how to keep up with course work through their Blackboard course.
Our students and associates are the most important part of Post University, and their health and safety is our highest priority. Any student or associate who must take part in self-quarantine will be fully supported by the University.
As a reminder, the University will provide updates to the community as new information or changing situations warrant; all updates will be posted at the top of our University website.
Sincerely,
John L. Hopkins
CEO & President, Post University