Bellin Health will be the COVID-19 health care partner with Lawrence University during the coming academic year, part of the University’s comprehensive plan for reopening the campus for Fall Term.

Lawrence announced July 14 that its Appleton campus would open as planned for the Fall Term, which begins Sept. 14, with students, faculty, and staff having the option to be on campus or remain remote. Classes will be offered in a mix of in-person and distance learning, with physical distancing requirements in place on campus.

The partnership with Bellin will be a key piece of that strategy.

“Lawrence is fortunate to reside in a community with many talented health care organizations,” President Mark Burstein said. “The University has contracted with Bellin Health to be our health care partner as we adapt as a community to living with COVID-19. They will provide on-campus testing for all community members. Our long-term existing relationships with Ascension and ThedaCare health systems in the Fox Valley will also continue to supply essential local support.”

Planning for Fall 2020: See letter from President Burstein, details, FAQ here.

The partnership with Bellin Health includes COVID-19 testing of students, faculty, and staff when they arrive on campus. Any member of the Lawrence community living or working on campus will then need to complete a daily screening of temperature and symptoms and participate in frequent testing through the term.

student wearing mask on campus
Physical distancing and masks will be part of campus life when Fall Term opens.

“At Bellin Health, we understand that improving health means going beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics to serve our communities up close, working together to keep people safe and improve overall health and well-being,” said Randy Van Straten, Bellin’s vice president for business and community health. “We look forward to the opportunity to partner with Lawrence, helping this great local university coexist with COVID-19 and maintain a safe and healthy campus environment.”        

The university will continue to collaborate with the Appleton Health Department for contact tracing for anyone who tests positive for the virus.

The academic year at Lawrence will look different than any before. Physical distancing rules will be in place and all members of the community will be required to wear masks in all indoor public spaces, including classrooms, as well as outdoor spaces where physical distancing is not possible. All members of the Lawrence community who opt to be on campus will need to sign a community pledge agreeing to an understanding of what it means to be physically on campus.

“Ensuring the health and safety of the Lawrence University community and beyond only works when everyone does their part, together,” said Christyn Abaray, assistant to the president.

Lawrence’s pandemic planning team consulted with health experts, both within Wisconsin and around the country, and with various faculty, students, staff, and trustees through the shared governance process, Burstein said.

“Our goal was to ensure that every Lawrentian will have the opportunity to learn, teach, and work as fully and safely as possible,” he said.