Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
Welcome to our weekly correspondence to keep you updated and informed of Carroll College’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Emergency Relief Grants
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides nearly $14 billion to colleges and universities for emergency funding due to the COVID-19 outbreak. The CARES Act requires each institution to use no less than 50% of the funds received to provide emergency financial aid grants to students for expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. Carroll College received a total allocation of $941,622 in emergency relief providing for at least $470,811 for distribution to students.
During the week of April 27, Carroll College will begin sending an initial distribution of Emergency Relief Grants to select students, either through direct deposit or check, to assist with the disruption to their housing and food expenses during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. According to guidance in the CARES Act, students who filed a FAFSA are eligible to receive Emergency Relief Grants. The amounts of these grants are based on an analysis of each student’s Spring 2020 out-of-pocket commitment. Data analyzed includes tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and dining expenses, along with gift aid including grants and scholarships.
After the initial round of funding is complete, Carroll College will be opening up applications to a COVID-19 Relief Fund. Students may apply for these additional grants using a form that will be provided early next week. These grants are specifically for expenses incurred due to COVID-19 including emergency travel, housing, food, course materials, technology, healthcare, and childcare. The review of these applications will begin on Wednesday, May 6, and fund distribution will be determined by members of a Student Emergency Fund Oversight Committee. Requests will continue to be reviewed by the Oversight Committee on a rolling basis until the CARES Act funding has been exhausted.
Each student receiving the initial distribution of emergency grants will receive notice early next week with the amount and how the grant will be distributed. All students will receive notice of the COVID-19 Relief Fund application process on Wednesday, April 29.
The Business Office will not be able to give specific amounts until next week. Questions can be directed to the Business Office at buor@carroll.edu or 406-447-5419.
New Grading Policy for Spring 2020
Carroll will be implementing an interim grading policy for the Spring 2020 semester only. The interim policy is optional for all students. Students will have the option to choose a Pass/Fail option for any/or all of their courses. The interim policy will give students the ability to receive credit for course completion without impacting their grade point average (GPA). For details, view the email from Vice President of Academic Affairs Cathy Day on 4/20/20.
Virtual Yearbook for Seniors
We are building a virtual yearbook to celebrate the Class of 2020. Seniors, please send us a portrait with your name, major and minor, hometown, and what your plans are following graduation. We'd also love it if you could send any other great photos you've captured of your time at Carroll, both on-campus and off. Please email adeterman@carroll.edu to submit your photos and yearbook entry.
Faculty Zoom Lecture
Please join Assistant Professor of Theology, Dr. Eric Meyer for his lecture Fur, Fins, Feathers, and the Love of God: Introducing Ecological Theology on Thursday, April 23, at 7 pm. Dr. Meyer will explore some of the big questions that arise when we begin to reflect on the mystery of God's love for all creatures. Use this link to join via Zoom.
Please remember updates and additional information continue to be posted to our COVID-19 website and any questions you have can be directed to the covid19@carroll.edu account.
Thank you again for continued care and compassion for one another during this time – please remain safe and healthy!
Thank you,
John E. Cech, Ph.D., President
Carroll College COVID-19 Incident Command Team