Announcement from President Shannon (2/28/20)

Dear CBU Community:

In light of the recent spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, Christian Brothers University has been consulting with local health authorities, closely monitoring the reports from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and is working with our partner institutions in the Tennessee Independent Colleges & Universities Association (TICUA) on efforts to coordinate prevention, communications and outreach, and response planning with the goal of keeping everyone healthy and safe.

At this moment, the most important step that can be taken by the CBU community is to remain focused on precaution and prevention. There are indications that person-to-person spread is occurring, most likely between close contacts, but it is not clear yet how easily COVID-19 spreads from person-to-person. Currently there are no additional precautions recommended for the general public to take. However, as a reminder, CDC recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Get a flu vaccine.
  • We would also note that CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a face mask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including the coronavirus.
  • The most important of these is simple best practice and worth repeating: If you’re sick, please stay home and do what is needed to get yourself back to feeling 100%.

With the beginning of Spring Break, it is doubly important to keep these preventative measures in mind while traveling. For additional travel advice from CDC, I would encourage you to visit this link: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers.

For those of you who plan to travel internationally in the near future, faculty and staff should inform their dean or supervisor, and students should inform their academic advisor. Part of our collaboration with TICUA also involves a continuing examination of the potential impacts that the coronavirus may have on international study programs. We will keep the community informed on these matters as the situation evolves.

In closing, I would repeat that our most important actions should be focused on precaution and prevention and that we will be sure to keep you informed as we continue to monitor the situation and work to ensure the health and safety of our campus and community.

Be well,

Jack Shannon
President of the University