Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
Welcome to our bi-weekly correspondence to keep you updated and informed of Carroll College’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mental Health Services
If students are struggling as a result of social distancing and/or anxiety related to our current circumstances, please reach out to the Wellness Center. Our counselors will continue to meet with both on-campus and off-campus students throughout the semester through Zoom so everyone will be able to access our counseling services, even from a distance. Call 406-447-5441 to set up an appointment.
Saints Success Center (SSC)
We continue to deliver all support services to students including academic advising, testing services, tutoring, accessibility services, health and counseling services, and career services. The Saints Success Center has temporarily relocated to St. Charles Hall, Rooms 014, 017, and 018 and staff will be on campus throughout the semester. Students can set up meetings with SSC staff (Wes Feist, Brandy Keely, Jake Samuelson, Shannon Ackeret, Annette Walstad) through Handshake and request the format of the meeting to be 1) in person (via appropriate distancing); 2) phone call; or 3) video call. For Accommodated Testing issues or concerns, please email Jake Samuelson jsamuelson@carroll.edu or testing@carroll.edu.
Continuity of Operations for College Top Leadership
Earlier this week, President Cech met with three members of his senior Cabinet staff to devise a plan for continuity of leadership throughout this pandemic and should a shelter-in-place order be put into effect. Should the President become incapacitated due to illness, the Acting President status goes to the Academic Vice President, then to the Vice President for Finance and Administration, and then to the Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing. In an effort to help ensure continuity of operations for the college, the President has established the following combination of on-campus/off-campus work obligations for the four positions mentioned:
President will work approximately 75% from home and 25% from the college
Vice President for Academic Affairs will work 100% from home
Vice President for Administration and Finance will work approximately 75% from campus and 25% from home
Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing will work approximately 75% from campus and 25% from home
Business Office Hours
The Business Office will continue to be open from 9:00 am–4:00 pm daily to serve students, their families, faculty, and staff. Beginning this week, the staff is working staggered office hours to reduce the number of staff members working in the office at one time. When working remotely, staff members are available by phone and email and are more than willing to set up Zoom and/or Google Hangouts meetings.
Celebrating Mass Virtually
Many thanks to Father Marc Lenneman and Dan Case for working through the necessary technology to continue Mass from All Saints Chapel on Sunday evenings at 8 pm. While Bishop Vetter has suspended all public Masses and religious gatherings, our students and broader Carroll community can still enjoy Mass from All Saints Chapel via live stream on Sundays at 8 pm via our YouTube channel.
Open Spaces are Safe Spaces
During this time of intense change and social distancing, it is more important than ever to take care of your mental and physical health. We are so fortunate to live in an area that provides us the opportunity to get fresh air and exercise daily without violating social distancing guidelines. Prickly Pear Land Trust ‘s latest newsletter highlights (with links to maps) the many opportunities available in the Helena area. In addition, CAMP’s Brad Maddock sent an email on 3/25/20 to students with many great options as well. Have other questions or need more ideas about places to hike, explore, fish, bike or climb? Email Brad at bmaddock@carroll.edu.
Hear a Rumor?
If you are hearing rumors about any of Carroll’s policies, operations, plans for the future, etc. and haven’t seen them addressed in our COVID-19 FAQs or in this update or others, please email covid19@carroll.edu and we will respond to your questions.
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 continue to be so impressed with your resiliency and understanding during this challenging time for our nation and world. Carroll College is a very special place with caring faculty, staff, and students. Stay healthy!
Thank you,
John E. Cech, Ph.D. President
Carroll College COVID-19 Incident Command Team