The following was shared by Thomas College President Laurie Lachance on March 15: 

Dear Thomas College Community,

My deepest appreciation goes out to everyone in the College community for their patience and understanding while we finalize policy and implementation for the next phase in our College’s response to COVID-19 situation to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our community.

My deepest gratitude goes out to the parents, families, and students who have expressed to us your thoughts, ideas, and concerns.  We are all listening and will continue to act with the health and safety of our entire community as our most important criteria for decision making.

It is difficult to not feel sadness and perhaps frustration at the circumstances that compelled us to upend, what will be for our graduates, the last weeks of their college journey.  As we all process these emotions, we must pledge to do our part to protect and care for ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities.

Reflecting on the seismic changes to our lives that have unfolded in the last few weeks, I feel a comfort that tempers my sadness when I recall our mission:

Thomas College prepares students for success in their personal and professional lives and for leadership and service in their communities.

Only a few times in our College’s history has our entire community been called upon so swiftly and clearly to serve as leaders for a cause bigger than any one of us.

I know that every member of the Thomas College family will do their absolute best to uphold the principles of our mission with the pride and tenacity the world expects of a Thomas Terrier.

The policies below are now effective immediately:

• • ACADEMIC PROGRAMS – Effective Immediately:
    • All in-person instruction is suspended
    • Remote instruction for day students (undergraduate and graduate) will be scheduled to begin Monday, March 30, 2020
      • The date to drop spring courses with a grade of W will be extended to Monday, March 30, 2020
    • Current evening graduate and undergraduate courses in the spring 2020 term will transition immediately to remote instruction
    • All professional development offerings both on campus and off campus are postponed until further notice.

• • CAMPUS RESIDENCY – Effective immediately:
    • Thomas College will close all campus student housing Wednesday, March 18, 2020 by noon.   Housing will remain closed for the remainder of the semester
    • Student residents who are able to immediately and safely depart should pack and depart campus immediately
    • All resident students must move out of their residence room no later than Wednesday, March 18, 2020 by noon
    • Specific information on the check-out process and storage program will be sent to resident students via email by the Dean of Students’ Office
    • Campus Residency – Exceptions
      • Resident students with travel, academic, or extenuating circumstances please use the Campus Residency Exception Form to request an exception from this policy. Forms are due no later than Monday, March 16, 2020 by 5 pm EDT.  There will be no exceptions to this deadline
      • A campus team will review and evaluate exceptions on a case-by-case basis.  The status of all requests will be determined and delivered via email by Tuesday, March 17, 2020 by noon, with the subject: RE:  ATTENTION:  CAMPUS RESIDENCY EXCEPTION REQUEST
      • Those residents granted exceptions are subject to any future policy and procedural changes issued by the Office of the President.
      • Those residents granted exceptions will be subject to additional campus housing COVID-19 safety policies.  These mandatory policies will be detailed as part of the exception process and must be agreed to and followed to accept and retain exception status.

• • FACULTY AND STAFF – Effective Immediately:
    • While the Thomas College campus remains open and students depart:
      • Beginning Monday morning, President’s Council members will communicate with their staff to begin the transition to remote working as appropriate and necessary for the safety of our entire Thomas College community
      • Staff with questions or concerns are encouraged to immediately contact their President’s Council Member to whom they report

• • OPERATIONS – Effective Immediately:
    • Specific College services and buildings may have modified hours and accessibility.  These will be posted on the respective web pages and the COVID-19 web page when they become available.
    • The College is finalizing the terms and policies that will guide financial implications for students and their families.  These will be made available as soon as they are complete.

• • FACILITY RENTALS AND COLLEGE-SPONSORED EVENTS – Effective Immediately:
    • Thomas College is postponing all facility rentals and all College-sponsored events through Tuesday, March 31, 2020.
    • Events scheduled after this date, including our spring Commencement Ceremony, have not been postponed as of this date.  We will regularly review and update this policy as circumstances change.

The above directives will be regularly reviewed and will remain in effect until further notice.

My thanks go out to the families and students for your calmness, patience, and partnership as we continue to work for the health and safety of everyone in our Thomas College community and beyond.

For the most current news and updates, please continue to visit our COVID-19 web page at thomas.edu/coronavirus.  If you have questions, please email us at covid19@thomas.edu.

With deep respect,
Laurie G. Lachance
President