Preparation and Plans for The Coronavirus (COVID-19) at FSU

First diagnosed in Wuhan, China, the respiratory illness coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to over a hundred thousand confirmed cases as of March 2020, and almost 3,500 deaths. In Maryland alone, there have been three confirmed cases of the coronavirus, which has prompted Governor Larry Hogan to declare a state of emergency.

With the disease tracking 7,556 miles into Montgomery County, Maryland, a mere 90-mile distance from Frostburg, conversations about current and future plans for prevention and preparation of the coronavirus have taken place during the last month. President Ronald H. Nowaczyk has announced past and future meetings with the University System of Maryland, faculty, staff, and students to discuss campus preparedness.

• February 20th: The University System of Maryland hosted a briefing for university presidents and other staff
• March 4th: Continued discussion of action with the University System of Maryland
• March 4th: Briefing of Faculty and Staff Senates at regular meetings
• March 9th: Open Q&A for faculty and staff in the Armah
• March 10th: Open Q&A for students in Compton 226

During the March 4th faculty briefing, the President shared his updates and recommendations from the University System of Maryland regarding the coronavirus and answered questions from faculty. Dr. John Lombardi, a mass communication faculty member, brought up his potential concerns with attendance to the President, “there becomes a point someone has lost so much time, that it’s not feasible to finish class. Is there any recommendations or policies to define that line?” Other questions like school closing and waiving fees at the Brady Health Center were also brought up and discussed.

Regarding the attendance policies and fees at the Brady Health Center, Nowaczyk referred to the Division of Student Affairs current efforts in developing plans related to these issues. As of March 4th, 2020, there are no plans for canceling any events in April as the University System of Maryland is employing a “we will wait and see,” approach. The submission of contingency plans for each course is due by March 13th for all faculty. No foreign travel to countries listed on the Center for Disease and Control (CDC) will be permitted.

Nowacyzk and the Interim Dean of Student Affairs, Carl Crowe, shared the same sentiment in the severity of the coronavirus at FSU with more concern being for older staff and when students return from spring break. When asked if a new case of coronavirus was confirmed today at FSU, how prepared did he feel that FSU would handle the situation, Mr. Crowe said, “I think we got a good plan. I think we got a good pandemic preparedness plan in place. That is including all our stakeholders from our maintenance people to our dining staff, to Residence Life staff, to academics. God forbid, someone was sick, you know certainly, we want to support that student, but I think we’re well-positioned to make sure FSU is in a good place.”

Mr. Crowe shared there are currently twelve beds, each paired with a bathroom reserved in FSU’s resident hall systems. However, if a student were to test positive for the coronavirus, ideally that student would isolate at home. Mr. Crowe also acknowledges that there is a possibility that Frostburg State University may have to close, but “so far there has been no discussion here about just full out closing.” He assures that the Division of Student Affairs is focused on working with academic colleagues if a need for campus closure occurs and how the university can move course content online.

With spring break nearing, plans have been put in place to distribute information on the coronavirus to the FSU campus through print, web, BURG Alerts, social media, and question and answer sessions.

The Division of Student Affairs is also discussing ways to waive $15 co-pays at Brady Health center for students that are sick. At the top of the FSU homepage, students, faculty, and staff can find an external link to updates and information on the coronavirus supported through the Brady Health Center. Kaitlyn Morral, the Interim Director of Brady Health Center, recommends “anyone with concerns to stay up to date on the latest information provided by the CDC and WHO, as well as contact the health center with any questions.”