March 11: Campus task force; update on Quad Cities

Dear students,

I reach out today to personally assure you that the college is working hard with your best interest in mind as concerns about COVID-19 spread. 

While rumors may be circulating today, there are currently no plans to cancel or suspend classes.

Please know there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Quad Cities or on our campus. We are watching this fluid situation carefully, having established a COVID-19 task force and every-other-day meetings of my cabinet. 

We continue to rely heavily on the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Illinois Department of Health and the Rock Island County Health Department for guidance. 

The CDC recommends the following simple actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases such as COVID-19 and the flu.
 
• Frequently wash your hands with soap and water
• Stay home when sick.
• Avoid contact with others who are sick
• Cover your coughs and sneezes
• Clean frequently touched surfaces

We will continue to send regular and timely updates to campus. As outlined in our guiding principles, we are striving to communicate promptly and as fully as possible.  

Through many stages of history and through national challenges of many kinds, Augustana has remained a place of great hope and optimism. And it is my hope that we can rely on facts to guide our decisions and support of one another to provide comfort during this time.

Sincerely,

President Steve Bahls