Coronavirus COVID-19

• Students will continue to receive effective instruction, high quality engagement opportunities, and access to assignments. Transitioning from on-ground or hybrid to virtual classes will be accomplished through the use of several available online-platforms including Canvas, Microsoft Teams and other online resources.   
• Academic faculty and administrators will be available by email, phone, and other virtual means for academic assistance, mentoring and advisement. 

Internships, Practicums & Other Fieldwork

Students should contact their advisor or Dean of their academic program for more information regarding protocols for required certification hours.  Many agencies are implementing revised requirements to accommodate students who are attempting to complete certification hours during this time. Though no on-campus classes will be held this summer, students may continue to complete internships and practicum classes off-campus. Undergraduate students will continue to receive the discounted tuition rate for internship courses (three credit hours of credit for the cost of one).

Students who would like assistance identifying internship opportunities or need assistance registering for an internship class this summer should contact the Center for Experiential Learning, (careerservices@lindenwood.edu), or their academic advisors.

Many students are completing internships, practicums and other field work for academic credit during the spring terms. Lindenwood faculty and career services staff  are working with these students to accommodate the impact of the Coronavirus. The outline below provides guidance for students completing internships/other fieldwork during Spring 2020 terms.

• If the internship site is open or the internship is allowing students to work virtually, students can continue with their internship hours. The internship does not have to be disrupted at this time.
• If the student is uncomfortable continuing in the internship at this time, faculty have been instructed to work with the student on alternate assignments or allow the student to make up internship hours at a later time.
• If the internship site is closed to students, opportunities to make up the hours or an alternative assignment will be given so that there is no negative impact on students.
• If needed at the end of the term, faculty will also work with students on an Incomplete so that they can finish hours at a later time.

Students completing student teaching, practicums, and field work that are required for certification, etc.

• Students should contact their advisor or Dean of their academic program for more information regarding protocols for required certification hours.  Many agencies are implementing revised requirements to accommodate students who are attempting to complete certification hours during this time.

In light of growing concerns regarding the COVID-19 virus, we recognize you are still actively trying to finalize your college search. With that in mind, we are here to answer any questions and help with next steps. Please contact Lindenwood Admissions by calling 636-949-4949.

• Admissions COVID-19 FAQs

June 1-14, 2020 UPDATE

All employees continue to work remotely, except Public Safety and limited Operations staff, unless otherwise notified by their supervisors, to provide continuity in university operations and student support services. Most administrative and academic offices will be available for business by telephone and email during normal business hours.

Employees unable to work as a result of Coronavirus exposure resulting in quarantine, COVID-19-related illness, family care (illness or daycare), or because the employee’s position can only be performed on campus may apply for paid COVID-19 emergency leave through Benefits Director Candace Terry (cterry@lindenwood.edu) between March 23 and June 14. Documentation may be required.

Employees who have received a positive diagnosis for coronavirus and were on campus at any time in the last 14 days should notify Candace Terry (cterry@lindenwood.edu). Employees exhibiting any symptoms should contact their doctor and follow all given instructions and precautions.

If you need administrative assistance, please email the staff member(s) with whom you need to speak to ensure that you receive the help you’re seeking. If you do not know the name of the person you need, please refer to the Q2 contact list for assistance (located in Workday – Useful Links). All of these emails will be answered in a timely manner.

All employees who are unable to report to work on campus or work remotely should speak with their supervisors AND contact Candace Terry at cterry@linenwood.edu to discuss their options.

COVID-19 Emergency Leave

Faculty and staff are eligible to receive up to 12 weeks of COVID-19 emergency leave under the following schedule and applicable reasons if unable to report to work on campus or work remotely. Any Covid-19-related leave taken March 23, 2020, or after is counted against the 12-week entitlement. Emergency leave is distinct from – and in addition to – any other type of leave and is specific to the COVID-19 pandemic. This benefit sunsets on 12/31/2020. Nothing in the COVID-19 emergency leave grant is intended to affect existing sick/PTO policies, including their accrual and carryover caps. In the event that federal, state, or local law should require similar paid leave in the future, Lindenwood will apply COVID-19 emergency leave against any such requirements to the extent such laws allow. In the unlikely event of a total shutdown of Lindenwood operations (on ground and online), no emergency leave would be paid during this total shutdown.

Faculty and staff who are UNABLE to work or work remotely because of one of the following reasons are eligible to receive COVID-19 emergency leave OR use accrued SICK OR VACATION leave, if applicable:

1. The employee is subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19;
2. The employee has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19;
3. The employee is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and seeking a medical diagnosis;
4. The employee is caring for an individual who (a) is subject to a federal, state, or local quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19 or (b) has been advised by a healthcare provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19; and/or

Faculty and staff who are UNABLE to work or work remotely because of the following reason are eligible to receive COVID-19 emergency leave or use accrued VACATION leave, if applicable:

• The employee is caring for his or her son or daughter because the school or place of care for the son or daughter has been closed or the child care provider of the son or daughter is unavailable due to COVID-19 precaution.

The COVID-19 benefits include the following for employees with qualifying circumstances as outlined in 1-5 above:

• Qualifying employees will receive full pay for the first two weeks or 80 hours of the leave.
• Qualifying employees are eligible to receive 1/2 pay or short-term disability benefits, if applicable, for the remaining 10 weeks or 400 hours, whichever amount of pay is greater. 
• Qualifying employees enrolled in short-term disability benefits will be required to utilize their short-term disability benefit during the remaining 10 weeks unless the max cap payout of $1,000/week applies.
• Documentation may be required.

Faculty and staff who qualify for this benefit as defined by these categories may apply for COVID-19 emergency leave through Benefits Director Candace Terry (cterry@lindenwood.edu). Documentation may be required.

Due to COVID-19, the posting of student employee positions will be postponed until decisions regarding the reopening of campus have been announced by the administration. Please consult the Student Employee Program for updates throughout the summer.

Lindenwood University created the Lions’ Relief Fund to assist students who are struggling with challenges posed by a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Designed to ensure the safety and success of our students, the Lions’ Relief Fund will address students’ needs in these dire situations. Those needs may include but are not limited to: Access to technology to facilitate remote learning; access to necessary health services; help with everyday necessities such as food and hygiene products.

Thanks to the generosity of donors to the Lions’ Relief Fund, Lindenwood is prepared to respond quickly to the needs of our Lion family.

Contribute to the Lions’ Relief Fund.

• All internal and external facility rental requests are reviewed by Lindenwood's Pandemic Preparedness Task Force. For more information, contact publicrelations@lindenwood.edu.

All members of the Lindenwood community should consider carefully any upcoming travel plans in the U.S. or abroad, including personal, non-university travel. All members of the community should take reasonable precautions against transmitting illness, including washing hands thoroughly and often, covering coughs and sneezes, and not attending class or work when feeling unwell.

For additional information regarding COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization websites.

Communications & Technology

• Charter Spectrum Broadband / Wi-Fi
  • Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to households with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any service level up to 100 Mbps. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.
  • Charter will open its Wi-Fi hotspots across our footprint for public use
• Tech Needs
  • https://deals.epcusa.com/
  • If you need a laptop or PC EPC offers low cost options.

Storage

• Many local storage facilities offer storage units in all sizes.
  • https://www.uhaul.com
  • https://www.publicstorage.com
  • https://www.lifestorage.com

In consultation with our study abroad providers, Lindenwood University is allowing both long and short-term study abroad in accordance with regional travel regulations. The availability of travel to certain regions and countries is also dependent on the offering of our travel abroad partners.

Instances of the COVID-19 are also on the rise in the United States. Students and employees returning from an area of the United States where there has been a reported case of the Coronavirus should monitor themselves for symptoms, including fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Individuals with these symptoms should contact their health provider immediately, avoid campus, and follow instructions to be evaluated. 

• All university-sponsored domestic travel suspended until further notice.
• University-sponsored domestic travel deemed critical to support university business will be approved on a case-by-case basis by a university committee. Travel will be deemed critical and approved if it is necessary for the future operations of the university.  All university-sponsored travel via commercial airline is prohibited until further notice.    

• International Office
  internationalServices@lindenwood.edu
  (636) 627-4626
  
• Study Abroad
  esnell@lindenwood.edu
  (636) 949-4308
• Academic Services
  academicservices@lindenwood.edu
  (636) 949-4954
• Provost and Academic Affairs Office
  academicAffairs@lindenwood.edu
  (636) 949-4909
• Public Safety and Security (Staffed 24/7)
  (636) 949-4911
• Residential Life
  reslife@lindenwood.edu
  (636) 949-4848
• Student Health Center
  lustudenthealth@bjc.org
  (636) 949-4525
• St. Charles Health Department
  pubhealth@sccmo.org
  (636) 949-7400
• Veterans Affairs
  Nia Spencer
  nspencer@lindenwood.edu
  (636) 627-2922
• University Admissions
  Admissions@lindenwood.edu
  (636) 949-4949

Local

• Lindenwood Student Health Center
• St. Charles County - Coronavirus Disease 2019
• St. Charles County - Department of Public Health

National

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
• Department of State - Travel Advisories
• World Health Organization (WHO)

The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs is aware and willing to work with students who are receiving veteran benefits.  Below is an overview of guidance issued by the VA pertaining Lindenwood students utilizing VA benefits: 

• If the school remains open (virtually, rather than physically), and students are transitioned to pursuit solely through online classes, then benefit payments (including the Monthly Housing Allowance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill®) will remain unchanged for the remainder of that term.

Lindenwood has moved to virtual classes for all courses in the spring term, including Spring Semester, Spring Quarter, and Spring Trimester.  Under VA guidance provided above, there will be no change in the students benefit payments during this time.  For more information please consult the VA website.