October is finally here, which means we’ve been dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic for close to seven months. For some of you, coronavirus fatigue is beginning to set in, and your vigilance in following our guidelines is waning. Montgomery County recently ended its emergency mask mandate, and we’ve heard several reports of people in campus buildings – particularly the Woodward Library basement – not wearing masks. Remember, our COVID-19 guidelines remain in effect, which means masks must be worn in all campus buildings and outside if you are within six feet of someone else. These have been long, frustrating months, but we need you to follow these guidelines to help keep our entire campus community safe and healthy.

Our numbers remain manageable, with only 14 students, three staff and no faculty testing positive for COVID-19, but we need your diligence in following our guidelines to keep these case numbers low. Those guidelines include filling out the COVID-19 Self Reporting Form if you have been exposed, have symptoms or test positive for the novel coronavirus. We’ve heard some people don’t want to fill out this form because they don’t want the hassle of being in quarantine, and that is absolutely unacceptable. I know being in quarantine is a pain, but such a cavalier attitude could seriously harm other members of our campus community, particularly the at-risk populations among our students, faculty and staff. If you have symptoms or test positive, you must fill out this form.

If you want to keep track of our numbers, visit the University’s COVID-19 dashboard, which is updated every morning. The dashboard also provides an updated inventory of our supplies. Faculty and staff, if you’re running out of something, such as hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes, contact the physical plant. They’re ready and willing to provide you with these items. Students, reach out to your professors, advisors or resident assistants in the dorms if you need masks or disinfectant spray.

We also are in the process of planning the spring semester. Within the next week or two, we should have an announcement of what Spring 2021 will look like at Austin Peay.  I discussed this briefly yesterday during my weekly social media town hall. If you missed it, you can watch it below.

September 30, 2020 Town Hall with Interim President Dannelle Whiteside

Thank you again for your hard work and commitment during these stressful times. Your actions in the days ahead will help us keep the Austin Peay community safe.

Dannelle Whiteside

Interim President