9 minute read
A COVID Journal
President Michael Schneider has chronicled the rapid changes caused by COVID-19 in a journal. The entries describe actions taken to manage the college through the pandemic as well as insights from President Schneider.
Here are some highlights from the past several months.
Wednesday, March 11, 2020 Sent first email to the Board of Trustees just four days after their on-campus spring meetings. We are monitoring the coronavirus situation to ensure campus safety, and regular communication is in place and outbreak protocol is coordinated with McPherson Hospital and the county health department. The Department of Education provided flexible guidelines for institutions affected by the virus so the college can complete the year online without accreditation issues. Kansas Association of Independent Colleges (KICA) and National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) held their first conference calls about the situation. And my cabinet met to process next steps to keep the campus safe.
MY TAKEAWAY: We need to stay ahead of this and start preparing for the worst case—shutting down the campus.
Thursday, March 12, 2020 First email sent to MC campus community regarding COVID-19 and met with faculty to make preparations for finishing the fall semester remotely using online resources. We announced early dismissal for Spring Break with likelihood classes would resume remotely after break on March 30.
MY TAKEAWAY: Day ended with the most donations ever received on MC’s 2020 Power Day; yet, looming crisis and major decisions impacting our campus community forthcoming. It has a name, COVID-19, and it is like a train coming down the tracks. And it isn’t going to stop.
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 I met with all employees today in groups of 10-15. Mingenback was filled with one person sitting at eight-person round tables. I spoke honestly and directly about our plans. People looked worried but appreciated the time together. I hope we are “right” by moving the campus remote and requiring people to work at home.
Monday, March 30, 2020 This is the first day of completely online courses in 133-year history of MC. Campus-wide digital communication plan takes effect this week. Communication with all constituents is critical in this new virtual world. Evaluation of student needs and hardships is complete. Every student who requested a digital device (laptop or tablet) has received one and all students have access to free WIFI through their cellular devices.
MY TAKEAWAY: Message to campus community—“It isn’t what we planned, but you are ready. Have a great first day of class!”
Friday, April 3, 2020 I met with student leaders on Microsoft Teams this week and they are adapting better than expected as they continue work leading Student Government and various clubs online. Communication is our most important operational tool, and everyone is on social media — I look for the new virtual campus community to evolve on Facebook @McPhersonCollege; Twitter @McPherson_College and Instagram @mcphersoncollege to get a feel for the energy on campus. We continue to reach out to perspective students, over 3,000 contacts made during the week to current and prospective students, alumni and supporters.
MY TAKEAWAY: Students miss campus, and it appears recruits can’t wait to get here next year—we can’t miss this opportunity. How do we end up on the right side of this outbreak?
Friday, April 10, 2020 The first-ever Virtual Presidential Scholarship Day was the largest in our history with over 100 participants. Campus visits (although virtual) are also up—a good sign.
MY TAKEAWAY: A parent of a prospective student said it best in a note to me after a virtual visit day—“Your team did a great job adapting to the current situation. I work with Fortune 500 companies and government organizations and they’ve been struggling to get up to speed. It is almost as if you were prepared to deal with this based on how seamlessly you moved to this new online format.”
Tuesday, April 14, 2020 We held our first campus huddle since the pandemic with over 150 participants in a Zoom room. Adapting to a remote environment is going well. But we need to improve as it is likely we will be operating this way for longer than expected. The campus is learning a lot—systems are good but we can’t forget about individuals who might be isolated given the remote operation; students want to be on campus; uncertainty is our enemy so creating certainty and taking advantage of opportunities to be decisive is important; communication (particularly in the virtual world on social media) is our most important tool; reallocation of work is critical. I am in regular conversations with the KICA, NAICU, KCAC as well as contact with colleagues at places like Whittier, Grinnell, Drexel and University of Pennsylvania have been beneficial in decision making.
MY TAKEAWAY: The virus is the boss and our job is to be ready for different scenarios. The last time we went through a recession starting in 2008 we were able to grow enrollment by 10% over 3 years—we can do it again. We will be ready for August 17—the first day of class.
Friday, May 1, 2020 Kansas Governor Laura Kelly eases restrictions but encourages those that can work from home until May 18 to do so. We saw our largest deposit week of the year - enrollment is looking good. Students are reminded of our commitment to career services as we reallocated our human resources department to support them finding internships, jobs and graduate school placement.
MY TAKEAWAY: Uncertainty about the fall semester is weighing heavy. However, spending time in the “balcony” is critical. We have the luxury to sit tight and see what happens with the opening of the state. We will continue to operate remotely and proceed with caution—we don’t need to take any unnecessary risks. A risk that leads to a positive COVID-19 test sets us too far back and prevents a clean recovery from this situation. Kerri Kobbeman has been a rock as our board chair. She has been a great listener and wise advisor sorting through the complexities of the situation.
Friday, May 15, 2020 Campus reopening is underway with Phase 1.5 and our stay -at-home orders lifted—limited staff to campus with social distancing and no groups bigger than 10 people. Students can retrieve items from dorms and we will be allowing limited campus visitors. The Faculty Executive Committee’s Pandemic Working Group completed guidelines with focus on scenarios and being prepared to deliver hybrid courses in the fall. Other Task Force work included health and safety plans coming together as well as plans for housing and athletics. Deposits are still ahead of our record-setting pace from last year.
MY TAKEAWAY: We continue to learn to be patient and focus our work. The entire campus is pitching in to help.
Sunday, May 24, 2020 Another first in MC history - virtual Zoom President’s Brunch and 132nd Commencement. There was a great turnout to the brunch, and students had fun with their families. Dr. Clary and I (with great support from communications) presided over the graduation ceremony with all but three students participating. Typically it is the president’s role to give the graduation speech in their first and last years of office. This year was an exception. My message to graduates was a reiteration of my regular advice on student success: Show up and ask for help. I shared the story of my 4’11’’ grandmother, Gertie who delivered meals-on-wheels to old people when she was in her 70s and took her friends to the Kansas City Royals game in her 80s. She taught me these things and how to build a fire, cook, read, apologize, talk to girls as well as how to “will” something done by doing your best.
Although the McPherson College 132nd Commencement Ceremony took place on campus in an empty Brown Auditorium, it will likely be one of the mostmemorable commencements in the history of the college. The ceremony was streamed live on the college’s website and included a pre-recorded messages from family, faculty and staff. Alumni DirectorMonica Rice provided a welcome and seniors Lillian Oeding and Kento Aizawa performed an instrumental duet of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Here, Dr. Bruce Clary presents the individual graduates from the class of 2020.
MY TAKEAWAY: To the Class of 2020: “Know that today and especially those days in your future when life’s struggles have you down, your best is good enough for me.”
Friday, May 29, 2020 McPherson County lifts all restrictions with health and safety guidelines. MC classes are scheduled to begin on August 17 and we plan to meet in-person. The fall semester has been condensed and finals will be finished by Thanksgiving break. Faculty will be ready to deliver courses in hybrid formats for students who need to complete coursework off-campus. In addition, because of our small size we are prepared to social distance in our classrooms, labs, studios and shops. We continue to work with the county health department and our campus health clinic to ensure the campus remains safe. We are starting the year with fewer students in dorms and limitations on common spaces as well as practicing important social distancing and personal hygiene behavior. The NAIA in coordination with the National Athletic Trainers Association is providing guidance for keeping athletes safe. The KCAC is developing contingency plans in case there is a disruption in seasons. We will be prepared to limit facility capacity as well as sanitize equipment and spaces as needed.
MY TAKEAWAY: I am more optimistic than I am worried today. Monday,
June 1, 2020 We stand with our Black faculty, staff and students in the wake of the crisis across our country. Our work with the Kansas Leadership Center is helping us to ensure a more inclusive culture through meaningful dialogue, training and new initiatives. We continue to support diversity and inclusion training for all student leaders as well as any interested student through the Student Government Association. Our participation in the University of Southern California Race and Equity Center’s National Assessment of Collegiate Campus Climates helps us to better understand and act on student perspectives on campus climate and diversity. I learned a few weeks ago that McPherson College was the first college to sign up for next year’s assessment.
MY TAKEAWAY: Our work to fight racism and ensure an inclusive campus does not stop for a pandemic. I was challenged by two students who said we needed to do more. They are right. I’ve been too passive with our efforts. I invited those two students to help and they created a working group. Once the moment has passed we need to make sure we are more committed than ever.
Thursday, June 18, 2020 Held our first Zoom Campus Forum with new and returning students/families. I hosted the forum with student Nicole Abunaja. She encouraged me to be more open to sharing than initially planned. She was right that students will not be shaken when we talk about masks, tests and quarantine. The forum assured students and families that we have a plan to move forward. It also made clear that we recognize there is a lot going on in the world and we stand firmly against racism—our students of color will return to a campus that values their contributions and is committed to keeping them safe.
MY TAKEAWAY: I was nervous about sharing so much with students and families. However, when done well, transparent, authentic conversations will make a bond stronger.
Friday, June 19, 2020 Updated information on a safe and successful return to campus was shared with campus, students, and families today. We will continue to communicate through the website, www.mcpherson.edu/covid, with updates on our most comprehensive plans yet for the 2020-21 academic year.
MY TAKEAWAY: Everyone is accepting the reality of the situation in different ways and at different paces. We need to be patient and kind to each other. Leadership will be ready for the fall semester. And I hope everyone else is ready to take care of each other.
Read more journal entries at:
