Dear Cobeen Hall residents,
Thank you for your grace and patience this weekend. I know the quarantine news came as a surprise to many of you, and I apologize that we had to act so quickly in the interest of everyone’s safety. I want to reiterate that this was a proactive step taken jointly by Marquette and the Milwaukee Health Department to address the cluster of cases in Cobeen Hall. The decision was made to be as timely and proactive as possible after seeing rising numbers of cases in Cobeen.
Marquette’s position is that it is better to quickly isolate students who test positive and quarantine those who have been potentially exposed to contain the cluster and decrease further spread on campus, which could jeopardize our ability to continue to provide an in-person experience for you this fall.
Some Cobeen Hall residents have chosen to leave campus and quarantine at their permanent places of residence. For those of you still on campus, public health experts urge that you stay at your campus residence in Cobeen Hall rather than traveling to your permanent places of residence or anywhere else. Staying where you are is the safest course of action. Students must follow quarantine guidelines.
If you choose to leave campus to complete your 14-day quarantine, it must be only at your permanent address and you need to stay off-campus for all 14 days of the quarantine. You must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test from a test date of Oct. 4 or later prior to returning from the 14-day quarantine. You must also notify your hall director. You can reach her at torchia.rogers@marquette.edu. Further, if you choose to leave campus, you must do so in a private vehicle — you should not take public transportation, including planes, trains, buses, taxis, Ubers, etc.
We know that quarantining is difficult and overwhelming, so we are committed to ensuring you receive the comprehensive physical, emotional and spiritual care you need during quarantine. The university is coordinating pastoral care, as well as academic, technology and mental health resources for Cobeen Hall residents in quarantine. Please see below for specifics and take advantage of these offerings.
- Pastoral care: Marquette University Campus Ministry and Affiliated Ministries are here for students of all faiths and backgrounds and to support Cobeen Hall Minister Monica Keenan who is available for pastoral care. All Campus Ministers are available for support virtually and programs have been adjusted for virtual attendance. Also remember that Mass is available via live stream. See the full virtual Mass schedule online. For more, students can subscribe to the Campus Ministry newsletter or write to Campus Ministry.
- Technology assistance: If you need a computer or hotspot while in quarantine, please complete this tech assistance survey and Information Technology Services will contact you.
- Academic support services: Virtual free tutoring is available. Students can sign up for tutoring by following the instructions on the Tutoring website. Any questions should be directed to tutoring@marquette.edu. In addition, Cobeen students can email academicsupport@marquette.edu for academic coaching. Peer educators (current Marquette students who are trained to assist other students in study skills) are also available to Cobeen Hall students, email academicsupport@marquette.edu to learn more.
- Peer writing support: The Ott Memorial Writing Center’s staff of peer writing tutors can provide individualized feedback and brainstorming assistance; all appointments are virtual. Schedule a 30- or 60-minute appointment at marquette.edu/writingcenter.
- Counseling Center mental health services: Counseling Center staff recognize this is a tough time to manage the anxieties and stress associated with this pandemic, while also balancing the roles of being a student, a partner, an employee and a family member. For those in quarantine and isolation, there are likely added stressors. The following Counseling Center services are being provided virtually. Please contact the Counseling Center at (414) 288-7172 to access any of these services:
- Telebehavioral health appointments over phone or video: Every new client starts with a phone screening to collaboratively determine a student’s needs and connect the student to the best resources.
- Urgent requests for counselor contact (same day) can be accessed by calling the front desk between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- After hours mental health emergency support (nights and weekends) can be accessed by calling MUPD at (414) 288-6800 and requesting to speak with the on-call Counseling Center counselor.
- Group workshops are being offered several times a week to address coping strategies and self care; students can sign up for them by talking with their counselor or calling the front desk at (414) 288-7172.
- Small group processing virtual spaces for students in quarantine or isolation to get support from other students and a Counseling Center staff member.
Additional updates and reminders:
Testing for all Cobeen residents begins the week of Sept. 28. All Cobeen Hall residents quarantining on campus (who have not been tested for COVID-19 this week) will be required to be tested the week of 9/28.
COVID-19 tests will be conducted by the Marquette University Medical Clinic the week of Sept. 28 at a date and time to be determined. Testing will take place at Cobeen Hall.
- Residents will be notified of their testing time by Residence Life staff.
- Testing will be conducted by floor.
- Residents who have had a positive test in the past 90 days will not be re-tested. Proof of prior positive test is required.
- Residents who test positive will be directed to isolate in a university-identified isolation space.
- Violation of isolation or quarantine directives will result in university sanctions via the student conduct process and / or placed under an order by the Milwaukee Health Department.
Outdoor activity: During quarantine, the Milwaukee Health Department has approved that residents can participate in supervised outdoor time each day. Physical distancing and mask wearing will be enforced. We are working out details, and resident assistants will provide additional information regarding what time of day this option will be available.
Complete COVID Cheq daily: While you are in quarantine at Cobeen Hall, you are still expected to complete COVID Cheq each day. If you develop symptoms during quarantine, you should call the Medical Clinic at (414) 288-7184. Students in quarantine will be able to utilize the Cobeen Hall dining facility for grab-and-go meals three times per day.
Contact instructors regarding alternative assignments: Each of you should reach out to your instructors to discuss alternative assignments. All college offices have been informed of students who are quarantined in Cobeen Hall and should be reaching out to departments and instructors.
Additional answers to Frequently Asked Questions can be found on the university’s COVID-19 website.
Your hall director and RAs are here to support you during this time. Please know that the entire university is praying for you and appreciates the sacrifice you are making to keep all of us safe.
Sincerely,
Dr. Xavier Cole
Vice President of Student Affairs
Marquette University
