MyLU Insider

Megan Scott

Author: Megan Scott

United Way Campaign Deadline December 1

Dear Staff and Faculty,

I am following up to Linda Peeters’ message from two weeks ago about the United Way campaign. We greatly appreciate any support you may be able to give, but also understand if you are not in a position to do so this year. 

If you can, I invite you to join Linda and me in supporting United Way. If you didn’t give last year and give $26 this year ($1/per paycheck) you will be entered into a drawing for a Chevy Trailblazer! Donors who gave last year need to increase their total gift by $1 to qualify. Gifts of all sizes are welcome! 

Please email me with the amount you would like to donate per payroll by Dec. 1. New pledges will begin Dec. 11 and run for 26 payrolls. You may also campus mail a check made out to United Way to me in Wilson House. 

Thank you for considering this opportunity as a way to support our community; and thank you to those who have already pledged!

Stacy Mara
Wilson House

For more information see https://www.unitedwayfoxcities.org/

FREE Flu Shots for On-Campus Students, Faculty and Staff

Wellness Services continues  to offer influenza vaccines only to  community members residing or working on campus. We do encourage all others to obtain the influenza vaccine through their healthcare provider or local pharmacy. Most insurance policies will cover 100% of the cost. 

Flu Clinics

Location: Warch Campus Center – Meade Witter RoomDates/Times: 

  • Wednesday, October 14, 11:00 a.m. –  2:00 p.m.
  • Thursday, October 15, 11:00 a.m. –  2:00 p.m.

Additional Flu Clinics will be added if needed.

Flu shots will not be available for Faculty and Staff in Wellness Services – Health.

Please remember to take the elevators down one floor, or use the NW corner staircase for descending. The main staircase is used for “up” traffic only. 

Additional Student Parking Available

We have identified and set aside additional areas (approximately 50 spots) for 24-hour student parking this year. On-campus students, as well as those living in close proximity to the main campus or commuting students, are eligible to use these lots. These lots are available at a “first come, first served” basis.  The additional areas for student parking are:

  • 3rd bay of Music Drama (Washington/Union) 
  • Small lot behind Plantz 

Your vehicle must be registered on Voyager in order to apply for a parking sticker. There will be a $75 per term fee for students who secure a spot, and the fee will be charged to your student account. The parking sticker will be sent to your campus mailbox for on campus students and available for pick up in Raymond House for non-residential students. Different lottery stickers will be issued each term. Stickers are to be placed on the inside back (rear). Transfer of registration stickers is prohibited.

If you wish to obtain one of these spots, please contact the Dean of Students Office by September 30, 2020: deanofstudents@lawrence.edu.

Voter Registration Information

 The 2020 General Election will be held on November 3, 2020. All Lawrence faculty and staff who are eligible to vote are strongly encouraged to participate in this important form of civic and community engagement. 

The first step for all voters is registration. You can easily register to vote online or by mail by going to myvote.wi.gov/RegisterToVote. Remember, if you have moved since the last time you voted, you’ll need to re-register to vote.The deadline for online voter registration is October 14. 

If you choose to register by mail, your envelope must be postmarked by October 14. You can find more information about voter registration, request an absentee ballot, and see what is on your ballot at myvote.wi.gov. 

Thank you to all participating in this process!

Students: Don’t Forget Your C19 Tests & Flu Shots

All students who were tested for COVID-19 from September 8-12 must participate in a second round of testing next week, September 23-25.

Testing times are as follows:

Last names beginning with A through HA will be tested on September 23 

  • A-B, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. 
  • C-D, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
  • E-HA, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 
  • Alternative time for any who cannot make their assigned time: 3 to 5 p.m 

Last names beginning with HE through O will be tested on September 24 

  • HE-J, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. 
  • K-MA 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
  • MC- O, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 
  • Alternative time for any who cannot make their assigned time: 3 to 5 p.m. 

Last names beginning with P through Z will be tested on September 25 

  • P-SA, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. 
  • SC-T10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 
  • U-Z, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 
  • Alternative time for any who cannot make their assigned time: 3 to 5 p.m. 

Following the COVID test, free flu shots will be given in the same area.

Students are required to get a flu shot this season, but are able to waive the immunization if can show documentation that have already received the vaccine or by completing the Immunization Waiver form (PDF) for medical contradiction, religious beliefs, or personal conviction.

Additional information for those students who still need to receive a flu shot will be shared soon. Stay tuned to your email or an upcoming edition of the LU Insider.

Questions about COVID-19 tests or flu shots can be sent to coronainfo@lawrence.edu.

Don’t Forget the Flu Vaccine!

While it’s not possible to say with certainty what will happen in the fall and winter, the CDC believes it’s likely that flu viruses and the virus that causes COVID-19 will both be spreading.

While getting a flu vaccine will not protect against COVID, there are many important benefits. In this context, getting a flu vaccine will be more important than ever. CDC recommends that all people 6 months and older get a yearly flu vaccine.  Influenza vaccinations can lessen the impact of COVID-19 by helping health professionals identify unvaccinated respiratory illness sooner.

As part of the Lawrence Campus Community Pledge, influenza vaccinations are strongly recommended for faculty and staff. Vaccines may now be available through your local health provider or pharmacies.

Guest Policy & Registration Form

As we prepare for the launch of Fall Term, the LPPT has refined our guest policy to ensure the health and safety of our campus community. 

We will continue to prioritize virtual gathering.  Where this is not possible guests – anyone who is not currently enrolled, employed by, or contractually affiliated with Lawrence University or the Lawrence Community Music School – may be invited to campus.  All parties seeking to invite guests to campus will be required to complete the Guest Registration Form. 

All guests and gatherings (both indoor and outdoor) must comply with health and safety protocols established by the university.

Introducing the Lawrence Pandemic Planning Team

Dear Colleagues,

As the academic year comes to a close, we have shifted our institutional focus from COVID-19 crisis response to the challenges COVID-19 brings to our community, academic program, and daily work. In May, President Burstein established a team of faculty, staff, and students to research and recommend how to approach our learning and living, and working environment for the academic year 2020-21 and beyond: the Lawrence Pandemic Planning Team (LPPT).   

The LPPT is preparing three possible living and learning modes:  

  • Full Mode (high on-campus student residency, courses taught in-person and via distance learning) 
  • Flex Mode (moderate on-campus density, with a mix of students residing on- and off-campus; a mix of distance and in-person courses) 
  • Distance Mode (like spring 2020: low on-campus student residency, courses taught remotely)  

The LPPT comprises five working groups, each addressing different facets related to Full, Flex, and Distance modes. Working groups consist of Lawrentians who bring expertise or important perspectives to the various planning areas. The five groups are:  

  • Health  
  • Curricular  
  • Co-Curricular  
  • Outside In  
  • Employees & Legal Aspects

A description of each group’s focus, a full list of the group chairs and members, and information on work to date is available on the COVID-19 News blog.

Each group has been meeting separately to review current research from expert sources and apply its developing knowledge to its focus area. The heads of each working group have been meeting periodically, as well, to share progress, questions, and possible solutions. By the end of June, each of the groups will have completed its work and will share their findings to President Burstein and the Cabinet, who will consult with faculty representatives and the Board of Trustees to deliver their final plan in the month of July. Our goal is to move as quickly as possible so faculty and staff can begin working immediately toward starting the academic year. 

Preparing for the fall will be a full community effort, engaging both individual departments and offices and the existing committees within our governance structure, and we’d like to thank everyone in advance for their efforts to successfully launch an academic year in this challenging environment. Information about the SARS-CoV-2 changes every week. It is likely LPPT will need to continue to meet periodically as our understanding of the virus unfolds and campus and Fox Cities conditions change. If a policy change is needed after fall term begins, the LPPT would discuss options with appropriate shared governance.

We will share important information before that final plan is announced. For example, we can share with you today that the start of the 2020-21 academic year has been finalized. Upon the recommendation of the LPPT and following consultation with the Faculty Governance Committee and the Curriculum Committee, the Cabinet has decided to start the 2020-21 academic year at its original date: classes will start on September 14. In addition, December Term 2020 will not take place. 

If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback, please refer them to your supervisor or a member of the LPPT. Thank you for your ongoing patience, cooperation, and work as we all learn to adapt and live with COVID-19.   

On behalf of the Lawrence Pandemic Planning Team,  
Christyn Abaray  
Assistant to the President  
LPPT Project Manager

Update on Summer Student Housing

As was shared with the campus earlier in May, students who are currently residing on campus had the opportunity to request to stay on campus if extenuating circumstances did not allow them to return to off-campus homes or residences. Students who are currently residing off-campus during spring term also had the opportunity to petition to return to campus early if they face extenuating circumstances. 

As of today (Thursday, May 28), 110 students will reside on campus over the summer, including 9 students who are returning to campus. We will continue to follow physical distancing guidelines in student residences over the summer, and we are closely working with students who are returning to campus on a safe transition back to Lawrence. Following safety protocols and guidelines, students coming back to campus will be required to quarantine for 14 days before they can move into residence halls. 

Any questions regarding summer housing should be sent to deanofstudents@lawrence.edu.