Jan 27: Weekly Update from President Nowaczyk

Jan 27, 2021 4:30 PM

Good afternoon,

I hope you are settling in and getting back into the semester’s routine. I have a number of updates for you:

Federal Stimulus Money: Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Education issued its first set of regulations regarding the latest stimulus package passed in December. After consultation with SGA leadership, the first priority will be addressing housing costs as we did last semester. Awards of $375 will go to all students in the residence halls and Edgewood Commons, as well as those who rent apartments in the Frostburg area. As with last semester, the awards will be sent out after the Add/Drop date of Friday, Jan. 29.

If you received a housing assistance award for the fall semester, you will automatically receive the award for the spring semester;no application is needed. If you did not receive a housing award in the fall but believe you are eligible for one in the spring, you will need to complete the application form at this link. You must qualify for federal financial aid to be eligible.

We will announce further opportunities for financial assistance from the stimulus package as they are finalized in the coming weeks.

Weather: Now that we are into the semester and winter is still with us, please familiarize yourself with our weather policy and sign up for Burg Alerts, if you haven’t already.

Dining: The Dining Services website has details about all the dining facilities and accessing them. You can also download their app, which allows you reach out with questions or concerns by texting them. The number to text for Chesapeake is 301-215-3886; for Lane Center (Appalachian Station, Starbucks and Moe’s) – text 301-215-3747. Remember: Masks are required at all times except when eating.

Provost Search: Virtual interviews with the four candidates for the Provost position have been completed, and the screening committee will be compiling and reviewing the input from the campus community. Thank you to all who participated. In my conversations with the candidates after their campus discussions, they all commented on the importance of community that came through.

Strategic Plan Action Items: During last week’s virtual coffee hour with faculty and staff, I mentioned the need to review our action items given all that has transpired over the past year. While I don’t want to change our four goals in midstream – we are about 50% of the way through our five-year program – I think it is imperative to revisit the action items and adjust them, if appropriate. I’ll be discussing this with the governance units in the coming weeks to gauge interest and discuss process.

COVID Testing: Thank you to all who took the antigen test last week and to those who are scheduled to do so later this week. The scientific thinking on the use of antigen tests is that frequent testing is the best way to monitor the incidence of the virus on campus. We will constantly review the operation which has gone well so far and the availability of tests, with the potential of increasing this form of monitoring. We will keep you updated.

For now, if your last name begins with the letters A-K — and you are not exempt from testing — your testing period begins with a test tomorrow or Friday and includes two tests next week as well. Sign up here. L-Z names will receive information next week. Read more about our Testing Protocol

Vaccines: With the announcement by MHEC that universities are included in Phase IB of vaccine rollout, we are establishing a group to develop our campus process and priorities. If you are following the news, you are aware that supply is not meeting demand and that the rollout is uneven across and within states. The University System of Maryland and MHEC were our biggest champions for universities and colleges to be included in Phase 1B. I will ask the group tasked with recommending our process to keep the campus informed of its progress, and we will continue to work with the local health department to keep FSU on their radar screen. I don’t see us getting the vaccine anytime in the immediate future, but I want us to be prepared once we do get it.

Campus Safety: Please continue to wear your mask properly (cover your nose), stay socially distanced, wash your hands, and avoid large gatherings. Inevitably during every virtual coffee hour with students, I hear comments about members of the campus community not following these behaviors, most often not wearing a mask. I have asked Student Affairs to be very proactive in enforcing our expectations as outlined in our updated Social Compact. (You are required to read and acknowledge it again this semester.)

I worry about the new variants of the virus that are being reported. If you want to continue to have a campus experience, then you mut follow the behavioral expectations. Not doing so puts others in danger. Lastly, complete the daily check-in on your phone or computer. I have asked faculty to monitor check-ins to a greater degree this semester.

If you see areas of concern, email spring2021@frostburg.edu or report the incident. You can also email me at president@frostburg.edu.

We will have virtual coffee hours again next week. Watch for the links in your email.

I hope everyone continues to enjoy being back on campus. Make smart choices and dedicate yourself to having a strong semester.

Ronald Nowaczyk, PhD
President