Dear students,
We hope your first full week of classes have gone well.
Surely, we are all still navigating these new processes and protocols in place to mitigate the risk of COVID-19, but our hope is that if we all do our part, together we can Be the Difference by protecting one another.
In fact, we want to applaud you all for your diligent efforts to do your part! When we are on campus, every student we see is wearing a mask, and our “Make the Difference” student ambassadors have been actively distributing cleaning wipes and sanitizer to fellow students across campus.
We hope you know how much we appreciate your dedication to keeping a clean campus environment, wearing your masks and following social distancing protocols.
That being said, while we have done a great job in some areas, our work doesn’t stop there! We must continue to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19 on campus. We want to call your attention to three key things you can do to help:
- Get a free COVID test at the Medical Clinic
If you are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus or if you received a red “stay home” screen from COVID Cheq, please contact the Marquette University Medical Clinic as soon as possible at (414) 288-7184 to schedule a free COVID-19 test.Marquette has established an on-campus testing center in Coughlin Hall and is providing tests to students free of charge. Testing of symptomatic students and their close contacts is very important, as it helps with contact tracing and will provide a better overall understanding of the prevalence of cases on campus – which ultimately helps us mitigate the spread of the virus. Learn more on Marquette Today. - Avoid travel this Labor Day weekend
Per guidance from the CDC and the Wisconsin Health Department, all nonessential travel should be avoided.Wide-based community spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, continues throughout the United States and many other countries. Travel anywhere outside one’s own current community, domestically or internationally, increases risk of contracting the virus. In order to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus, the university is requesting students stay on campus and do not travel or go home over Labor Day weekend.View more information about travel guidance on Marquette’s COVID website. - Make sure you are completing COVID Cheq daily
Please continue to make a habit of completing COVID Cheq each morning before coming to campus. It’s important that students complete a daily symptom check, seven days a week – this includes taking your temperature and completing the COVID Cheq screening questions each day. While it may seem like an inconvenience, we greatly appreciate your cooperation. There are only a few questions and it should only take a few moments to answer them. And by doing the daily screening, you are helping the university with early detection and contact tracing – which ultimately helps reduce the spread of the virus on campus. When we complete the daily symptom check, we are not only protecting ourselves but the entire campus community. If you have questions about using COVID Cheq, please email COVIDCheq_Info@marquette.edu. Please also visit the COVID Cheq webpage for more information and FAQs.
We also wanted to highlight a few events/programs that are happening this weekend. Some are virtual and others will be outside to adhere to social distancing guidelines:
- Friday, Sept. 4, 7:30 p.m. | Looking for something fun to do tonight? If so, please join the Residence Hall Association for Virtual Trivia at 7:30 p.m. There will be prizes! Put together a team of five students and register here by 4 p.m. today
- Saturday, Sept. 5, 9 p.m. | Outdoor Movie: Jumanji | West Town Mall
- Sunday, Sept. 6, 9 p.m. | Outdoor Movie: Get on Up (honoring Chadwick Boseman) | Central Mall
In order to comply with event capacities, all students must sign-up ahead of time (registration links are available on MARQUEE).
Last but certainly not least, we expect all students to uphold our Community Pledge. All our actions matter. We all desire a similar outcome — to have a full semester where we can teach, live, learn and study as a Marquette community. But if we as a community don’t follow these simple expectations, we may not be able to stay on campus. It’s as simple as that. Students should not be gathering in large groups and are advised to avoid crowded places. Be sure to stay at least six feet apart and wear a mask (or cloth facial covering) when around other people or in public.
If you witness a member of the university community failing to uphold the standards laid out in the community pledge, there is an online reporting mechanism, and students and student organizations found in violation will be referred to the Student Conduct process.
WE make the difference. Together.
Dr. Xavier A. Cole
Vice President for Student Affairs
Chair, Marquette COVID-19 Response Team
Dr. Stephanie Quade
Dean of Students