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 Grant Distribution
This week Carroll College began the 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 the 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.
Through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, Carroll College was given $470,811 in emergency relief funding to provide to students.
Earlier today, President Cech sent an email to all students with a link to the application process for the COVID-19 Relief Fund. The fund application form can be found here. 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.
Questions can be directed to the Business Office at buor@carroll.edu or 406-447-5419.
What Governor Bullock’s Phase One Directive Means to Carroll College
In response to Governor Bullock’s announcement of Phase I of the reopening of Montana, Carroll College’s first priority continues to be to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our students and employees.
For Phase I of Governor Bullock’s Directive, Carroll College will continue our current practices of working remotely when possible, online and remote instruction, limiting building access, travel restrictions, food service modifications, cancellation of events and conferences, physical distancing requirements, and other practices until Monday, May 11, the beginning of Carroll’s summer session.
In preparation for May 11, department heads have begun making plans to gradually resume on-campus staffing and operations by fall 2020 in a way that protects the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors. These plans will include the continuation of remote work, physical distancing measures, limiting the number of employees in common areas, and keeping sick employees home. Additionally, employees will be urged to use non-medical face masks when physical distancing is not feasible.
Carroll will continue to closely monitor all of the Governor’s directives and CDC guidance and will be diligent in following the developments as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.
Celebrating Our Seniors
As a reminder, seniors please send us a portrait with your name, major and minor, hometown, and what your plans are following graduation for our virtual yearbook to celebrate the Class of 2020. We'd also like you to submit 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.
On Saturday, May 9, we will be holding a virtual conferral ceremony for our class of 2020. Prior to the ceremony, Bishop Vetter will be hosting a livestream Mass in All Saints Chapel. The Mass will be concelebrated with Carroll’s Chair of the Board of Trustees, Monsignor Kevin O’Neill, and Chaplain, Father Marc Lenneman. Immediately following the Mass, there will be a virtual conferral ceremony (more details to follow next week).
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.
We are in the homestretch – best of luck as you finish up your classes this week and prepare for finals. As always, please remain safe and healthy!
Thank you,
John E. Cech, Ph.D., President
Carroll College COVID-19 Incident Command Team