Today, I’m excited to remind you that we have less than a week until Thanksgiving and the end of on-ground instruction at Austin Peay’s Clarksville campus. In August, we changed the Academic Calendar with this goal in mind, and though we faced several challenges over the last few months, I’m proud of all of you for working hard to keep our COVID-19 numbers manageable. We are continuing to see the number of positive cases go up, just like the rest of the nation, with 31 students and three staff members testing positive as of today. Even though we’ve done a good job, everyone still needs to follow our COVID-19 guidelines, including wearing a mask, washing your hands and practicing social distancing.

We’ve also recently updated our guidelines regarding potential exposures to COVID-19. Any employee displaying any COVID-19 symptoms or who believes an exposure has occurred must leave campus immediately and seek medical care, be tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible, quarantine for at least 14 days and fill out a COVID-19 Self Reporting form. Any student displaying symptoms of COVID-19 needs to self-quarantine immediately, in an off-campus residence if possible, call Boyd Health Services or seek other medical care and fill out a COVID-19 Self Reporting form. We all need to remain diligent in these last few days to help keep our campus community healthy and safe.

Because you’ve worked so hard this semester, I’ll spend next Monday and Tuesday delivering small tokens of appreciation to faculty and staff offices. On Monday, we also will host a safe, end-of-the-semester celebration for students in the MUC Lobby and Foy Fitness Center from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. During this season of thanks, I want you to know how much I appreciate the work you’ve done this semester.

After the Thanksgiving holiday, Monday, Nov. 30, is now a study day, and exams will take place from Dec. 1-10. If you have questions about your exam time, please reach out to your professor. This schedule is specifically for the Clarksville campus. Austin Peay’s Fort Campbell campus will operate under its normal calendar.

Students living in residence halls can stay in their rooms over winter break. If someone living in the residence hall tests positive for COVID-19 during the break, we will still have someone deliver meals to them. If you’re a student living in a residence hall and you plan to leave for the winter break, please unplug all appliances, close the blinds and turn down the thermostat. We’re asking faculty and staff to do the same thing in their offices and work areas once they leave campus for winter break. By powering down when you leave, you can help this University save up to $1,000 a day on energy costs.

During my weekly social media town hall on Wednesday, I discussed several other important topics, including Austin Peay’s virtual Holiday Dinner celebration, our United Way campaign, the Help an Elf Holiday Gift Program and the need for more tnAchieves mentors. If you missed my town hall, you can watch it below.

November 18, 2020 Social Media Town Hall with Interim President Whiteside

Thank you again for helping us successfully complete one of the most challenging semesters in Austin Peay history. I appreciate every one of you, and I wish you a safe, happy and healthy Thanksgiving.

Dannelle Whiteside

Interim President