[March 20, 2020] Update from President’s Office

March 20, 2020

Challenges due to Coronavirus 2019 continue to change on a daily and even hourly basis with many factors beyond our control. We do not know how long this situation may continue.

The college continues to keep the health and safety of the students as our first priority. We are doing this by:

• Working with parents to find safe ways to get as many students as possible back to their home islands. Current travel comes with great risk. Students undertake travel understanding these risks – both to personal health and the risk of heightening transmission to at-risk populations. Upon departure, they waive the right to return to Residence Halls until further notice.

Unfortunately, United Airlines ceased all flights but one from Guam on Saturday night/early Sunday morning and back to Guam. There are no flights to Kosrae.

• Any student remaining on National campus will be well taken care of:
  • Students will remain in a restricted community on campus beginning Friday, March 20, 2020 at 5:00pm. This area includes the residence halls, dinning hall, counseling office, bookstore, and gym. Select college employees will remain on campus with the students until further notice and staff this area. Select employees include a nurse, director of student life, dinning hall staff, and security officers among others. The college has secured sufficient food, medicine, and other items to keep the students safe for at least 3 months.
  • We will check the students’ and employees’ health status regularly. Any one showing symptoms or getting sick will be moved to an isolation room in the gym and transported to the hospital if necessary. College employees have been trained by health professionals on how to administer proper care to anyone showing symptoms.
  • We will support students to make informed decisions about the developing situation and the options and risks present.
  • No one is allowed into the restricted community. If anyone chooses to leave the restricted community, that person will not be allowed back in.
  • The same support and precautions have been arranged for the cadets at FSM-FMI. The entire campus at FMI is the restricted area.

IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT ANYONE IN THE RESTRICTED AREAS PLEASE CALL:

• Most college offices will be closed until further notice after 5:00 pm Friday, March 20, 2020. The Business Office will ensure necessary business operations take place with the contact on campus being the PPMO office. This office will contact vendors regarding payment.

• National Campus Mailroom Services shall stay operational during regular college business hours with restrictions as follows:
  • Walk-ins are prohibited and the employees will only access their campus mailbox upon Email Notification from the PPMO, or the Campus Dean for pick up.  Employees without home Internet must contact PPMO.
  • The student’s mail will be handled/delivered through VPEMSS Office within the lockdown protocols.
  • The designated mailman shall have a limited schedule to a single run per day on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:00am.
  • The Campus Mailroom Services Schedule may change depending on the flights and cargo shipping schedules/logistics.   

Any concern or question, please call 320-2480 ext. 138/139. (Check with your Campus office for mail and other services)

The community should continue to check for regular updates on the website and other college social media pages. Employees should also check email accounts regularly.