Update RE: Conference Carolinas Athletic Competition

Since my earlier email to you, I thought it was important for you to know that the NCAA has canceled all championship events through June of 2020. As a member of Conference Carolinas, and given the decision of the NCAA, I voted unanimously with the other presidents in the Conference to suspend all competition until further notice. I realize that this will be a great disappointment for many of you, especially for members of the Women’s Basketball team who were warming up on the court preparing for their first game in the NCAA tournament when they learned it had been canceled.

The situation remains very fluid and it is important that you frequently check this page for new developments affecting you and our entire community.

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A Message from Belmont Abbey College President Dr. Bill Thierfelder:

Based on the conversations of senior leadership around the evolving COVID-19 situation, here is the additional information regarding our campus community’s response to the situation. It is the fruit of extensive consultation. Our goal is to reduce risk and enhance safety for students, monks, faculty, staff, and their families while still fulfilling our commitment to our students for their education.

With Spring Break impending for traditional students and the second evening session starting for our CCPS students, it’s likely that everyone’s initial question is about the college’s plans for in-person classes. You will also have read about a number of larger institutions, as well as other institutions that have presumed and/or confirmed cases of COVID-19, suspending in-person classes and going to remote delivery of courses. At this time there are no presumed or confirmed cases of COVID-19 at Belmont Abbey College. Therefore, it is not our intention to move to remote delivery at this time but we are taking precautions to reduce risks and, where possible, increase social distancing for our on-campus classes. Unless otherwise notified, students should expect to return to normal operations and resume classes on March 23rd. Given the fluidity of the situation, we would encourage students to take essential academic materials or textbooks with them.

Each institution is unique and faces different concerns as they discern what is best for their own community. Small undergraduate colleges, such as Belmont Abbey College, differ in many ways from large university systems. As of today, the vast majority of undergraduate colleges in the nation and in North Carolina are continuing with their semesters as planned.

Our discernment is ongoing and we are constantly planning and preparing for different contingencies as we respond to this unprecedented situation. During Spring Break, a team of our outstanding faculty will be developing further training and resources for remote teaching that will be available to all faculty if it becomes necessary to go to remote delivery of courses across the curriculum. As part of our preparation, the college has arranged a new contract that will allow the use of Zoom video conferencing system by all members of the campus community and for Zoom integration with Google services and our LMS, Canvas. This will be available for use within the next few days.

We are also taking other steps meant to reduce risk for all members of our campus community. First, and most importantly, everyone should continue to follow the advice already given on this page and check it regularly for up-to-date information. Check your email and pay attention to our Crusader Alert for further updates.

Steps taken in other areas of campus include:

  • Maintenance and housekeeping are increasing the frequency of cleaning surfaces in residence halls and other high-trafficked areas on campus.
  • Dining services is wiping down all surfaces multiple times a day and preparing for alternative measures for meals. We are exploring other social distancing initiatives.
  • Many events and occasions for travel, including College-sponsored international travel, have been cancelled or restricted.
  • Students traveling for Spring Break have been advised to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and avoid international travel as well as any domestic hot spots.
  • Abbey Athletics is continuing to evaluate spring competition schedules, travel, and related matters in conversation with Conference Carolinas, the NCAA, and local officials.

Finally, we do well to remember that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and other authorities, the vast majority of people who contract COVID-19 will not need serious medical attention and experience mild symptoms followed by full recovery.

Our efforts at social distancing and reducing risk are meant to safeguard those people more likely to be seriously harmed if infected and ensure that the healthcare system is not overloaded.

Although a crisis of this nature may require great sacrifices, it also provides a wonderful opportunity to think more of others than of ourselves. We have for that the best of examples in Christ, St. Benedict, and a “great cloud of witnesses” (Heb. 12:1). And hopefully we will be inspired to do likewise.

Thanks again for all of your continuing support and good work.

God Bless,

Dr. William K. Thierfelder
President