The University of Indianapolis will be suspending all campus events until it is deemed safe as the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic continues, University President Robert Manuel announced in an email to students, faculty and staff on March 13.
There are not any confirmed cases of COVID-19 affecting UIndy community members currently, according to Manuel. However, the university felt that it still needed to do its best to help prevent community spread of the disease by suspending events.
The university made the decision based on the advice of experts, along with guidance and advice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Indiana State Department of Health, the World Health Organization, the NCAA and the GLVC, Manuel said. The suspended events include athletics events, L/P events, registered student organization events, intramurals and more.
List of suspended campus events
- Intercollegiate athletic events, practices, and competitions
- L/P events
- RSO events
- Intramurals
- Arts and culture events, along with music performances
- Campus activities
- Speakers series, including the University Series, Diversity Lecture Series and the Kellogg’s Writers Series
- Prospective student events
- Celebrations/parties
- University staff and faculty meetings with more than 50 people
- Church and worship services
- Seminars
- Camps and conferences
- Any other events that UIndy is hosting on the behalf of another organization
GLVC suspends athletic events
Before Manuel announced UIndy’s decision to suspend campus events, including athletics, the GLVC announced it would be suspending all intercollegiate athletic events and canceling the remaining 2020 GLVC Championships due to concerns about the global COVID-19 pandemic. The GLVC’s decision follows the NCAA’s decision on March 12 to cancel all of its winter and spring championships due to concerns about the virus. The GLVC’s decision was the result of a unanimous vote by their Council of Presidents, according to a press release from the GLVC.
“The health and safety of our student-athletes, coaches, administrators, and fans is our top priority, as is our responsibility to take these unprecedented actions to address this public-health crisis,” Jeff Smith, GLVC associate commissioner, said in the GLVC’s press release.
The suspension, which went into effect immediately, includes all countable, athletically-related activities, including competitions and practices, across all 24 GLVC sports, according to the GLVC press release. The suspension’s status will be reviewed by GLVC on April 6.
Residence halls to open March 14
Residence halls on campus will be opening at 12 p.m. on March 14 instead of March 15 as previously planned, Vice President for Student and Campus Affairs and Dean of Students Kory Vitangeli announced in an email to students on March 13.
The front desks of residence halls and apartments on-campus will be closed and programming will be suspended at this time due to social distancing practices, Vitangeli said. No overnight guests will be allowed and UIndy recommends that students who choose to remain in the residence halls and apartments practice social distancing.
Ruth Lilly Fitness Center and ARC Weight Room to be closed indefinitely
Vitangeli also announced in the email that the Ruth Lilly Fitness Center and the Athletic Recreation Center (ARC) Weight Room will be closed until it is determined that it is safe for them to reopen. This is due to health and safety recommendations UIndy received from its partners at Community Health Network, she said.
L/P credit waivers being considered
UIndy understands that students may need L/P credits in order to graduate, so the university has referred a question to the Faculty Senate about whether or not there are emergency waivers or other forms of relief that can be made for the remainder of the semester, Manuel said.
Commencement ceremonies will go on as planned
Commencement is the only exception to the suspension and as of right now, UIndy will not be making a decision on whether or not the ceremonies that are scheduled for May 2 will be canceled, according to Manuel. He said that because they are one of the most sacred traditions in higher education and due to the events being more than 6 weeks away, UIndy thought that it is too early to make a decision about a possible cancellation.
As UIndy continues to weigh the decision to cancel commencement, they will keep in mind the travel that students’ families and friends have to make for graduation. Manuel said he expects to have a decision on the ceremonies possible cancellation by April 15 and will let students and their families know if it will be postponed.
For our latest coverage of the COVID-19 coronavirus’ impact on the University of Indianapolis, go to http://reflector.uindy.edu/tag/covid-19/.
