Community Health

07/19/2021 8:15pm EST

Emmanuel College COVID-19 Update: Fall Semester COVID Response Plan

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty,

In just under three weeks, we will welcome back our students, staff, and faculty for the 2021 fall semester. We are grateful that the pandemic is subsiding as more and more individuals are vaccinated against this terrible virus. Our plans are to open the new school year with as much normalcy as possible. Attached is the revised Covid-19 Response Plan which will govern fall semester classes and other activities. Many of the protocols in place last year have been lifted; however, we must remain vigilant in social interactions and in taking precautions such as hand washing and self-monitoring for symptoms of Covid-19.

Please review the updated plan in its entirety to learn the details and so that you will know what is expected of you. Similar to last year, as revisions are made, you will be notified and the revised plan will be posted.  We will monitor regional and local conditions, and should conditions warrant a return to more stringent protocols, we will revise the plan appropriately and notify you via email and through the website.

The resiliency of our campus last year was amazing. I am sure that the coming year will be quite successful as we gather together for a new school year. I am looking forward to seeing all of you in a few weeks.

Ron White, Ed.D.

08/28/2020 11:15am EST

Emmanuel College COVID-19 Update: Reopening Plan Updates & Athletics

Dear Campus Community,

We are well on our way to a successful semester on campus. The Plan for Reopening is working well. Please note that a recent revision of the Plan has been posted. Each time a revision is made to the Plan, we will inform you so that you can review the changes and assess how they may affect you. Note that each revision is summarized with the date and the sections revised with the latest summary appearing above the Table of Contents.

Another added feature of our Community Health webpages is the EC Daily Dashboard Report. The Dashboard shows the number of employees and students who are in quarantine or isolation. Some have been confused over these terms, so a clear distinction needs to be made. People are quarantined if they have symptoms, fail a screening or have had direct exposure to someone who tested positive. Isolation, on the other hand, is for people who have tested positive or are presumptive positive. These and other terms are clearly defined in the Plan. Students may quarantine in their rooms or at home. Resident students may isolate at home or they must temporarily move to the isolation unit which is Hartsfield Hall.

We are grateful that few have been quarantined or isolated thus far. To keep these numbers low, we must be diligent to follow our COVID-19 protocols in the Plan:

• Wash hands frequently
• Use sanitizing products
• Stay physically distanced by 6 feet or more
• Wear face coverings where required by the Plan
• Avoid touching, shaking hands, and other physical contact.

Most of the campus community have been informed of the status of athletics this semester. Fall sports (men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball) have been postponed to spring semester. Certain low and medium risk sports as defined by the NCAA (golf, tennis, etc.) will play their fall semester segments. Some non-NCAA sports (clay target, bass fishing, archery, etc.) may compete in fall segments. All sports must follow protocols in our Plan for practice and competition in order to create a safe environment. A decision regarding winter sports is yet to be made. You can read more details about this on the Conference Carolinas website.

Thank you for your efforts to keep our campus safe. We deeply appreciate your cooperation.

Ron White, Ed.d
President

08/20/2020 02:15pm EST

Emmanuel College COVID-19 Update: COVID Dashboard

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty:

In an effort to keep everyone informed, we have created the Emmanuel College COVID-19 dashboard. We will use the dashboard primarily to keep our campus community aware of the number of active cases in quarantine or isolation. Because it resides on our public Community Health web pages, it is also available to parents and others in the general public who may have an interest. Please read the explanatory information above the dashboard to understand what data are being tracked. The dashboard is available from the left navigation and is updated in real-time.

Ron White, Ed.d
President

08/01/2020 03:30pm EST

Emmanuel College COVID-19 Update: Conference Carolinas

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty:

We are excited that the opening of the fall semester is only days away. All of us have endured so many challenges due to the pandemic, but we have endured and we will endure. Of course, there are many adjustments we are having to make to ensure a safe and healthy environment. Those changes are detailed in our plan for reopening campus, so make sure you have read through that plan prior to arriving on campus. We continue to update the plan as necessary, in fact there were updates over the weekend regarding screening processes and athletics.

If you have not yet read the announcement from Conference Carolinas, I am very pleased to confirm that we will be moving forward with playing our fall season sports. The start date for competition has been moved back to September 18. The colleges that comprise Conference Carolinas are committed to creating a safe environment that allows our athletes to continue to compete. In the coming days additional details will be made available from the conference regarding the adoption and/or adaptation of the NCAA best practices guidelines for resuming sports on college campuses. EC will update our own reopening plan as new information on athletic competition becomes available.

We look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks. Continue to wash your hands, practice physical distancing and come back to campus healthy!

Ron White, Ed.d
President

07/16/2020 08:09pm EST

Emmanuel College COVID-19 Update: NCAA Announcement

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty:

The NCAA made a public announcement today regarding fall semester sports entitled Resocialization of Collegiate Sport: Developing Standards for Practice and Competition. We are working through the document now to understand the impact of its guidance. Emmanuel College will post a more detailed response as soon as we are able, but please keep in mind that we may have to consult experts who will help us understand implications of the guidance and an appropriate response. Also, discussions are needed among Conference Carolinas member institutions which will happen over the next several days. It is our hope that we will be able to answer your questions and concerns about fall sports at some point next week. Thank you for your patience.

Ron White, Ed.d
President

06/26/2020 04:45pm EST

Emmanuel College COVID-19 Update: College Reopening Plan

Dear Students, Staff, and Faculty:

We hope that you and your family are safe and healthy. As you know, we are planning to reopen campus for fall semester. To guide us in this process, an EC task force has developed a comprehensive plan that is designed to provide a safe environment. I’m pleased to announce that the plan is now ready and has been posted to the COVID-19 College Reopening page of our website. Please review the document so that you understand our expectations and your responsibilities under the plan. Please review the document so that you understand our expectations and your responsibilities under the plan. As a community, if we will follow these guidelines, we will have a safe and successful semester.

Please keep in mind that the plan will flex and adjust to current conditions. We are constantly monitoring the CDC, the President’s Task Force, Governor Kemp’s executive orders, and guidelines from the NCAA and Conference Carolinas. As further guidance is received from these and other groups and organizations, we will make adjustments to our plan. Each time the plan is revised, you will be notified and the new plan will be posted with a new effective date. Of course, we hope that as time passes, many of the requirements of the plan will be gradually removed so that we eventually return to normal and customary operations. In the meantime, let’s work together to implement the plan so that our curricular and co-curricular processes can move forward for the fall semester while at the same time keeping everyone safe. We are looking to everyone being back on campus in just a few weeks.

Ron White, Ed.d
President

06/5/2020 09:15am EST

Emmanuel College COVID-19 Update: Graduation Announcement

Emmanuel College is pleased to announce a virtual graduation event on August 22, 2020. Not having an in-person commencement is a huge disappointment. Graduates and their families and friends feel this more acutely, having finished their studies at Emmanuel College but having missed the sense of completion that the graduation ceremony provides. Although a virtual event is not the same as in-person, it does provide the opportunity to recognize and honor the graduates who have worked so hard to complete their studies.

We have contracted with a national provider to create a professional and memorable virtual commencement. Graduates will have the opportunity to submit a message or video for the virtual graduation. This feature permits graduates to personalize the experience. Graduates will receive emails explaining the process to submit materials.

The initial streaming of the event will occur at 10:30 a.m. on August 22. Thereafter, it can be viewed-on-demand which allows maximum flexibility for viewing. Either way, graduates and their families may use the virtual graduation ceremony as an opportunity to celebrate this significant achievement.

Congratulations to the class of 2020!

Ron White, Ed.d
President

06/2/2020 03:45pm EST

Emmanuel College COVID-19 Update: Overview of Reopening

Unprecedented is perhaps the most frequently used word during the pandemic. Indeed, we have been dealing with a global challenge that has reached into our individual lives and local communities on an unprecedented scale. Like so many others, Emmanuel College took decisive action to protect its students and employees during the spring 2020 semester. Our faculty performed admirably in converting all face-to-face courses to fully online courses. Our employees began working from home so that the enterprise never faltered but continued operations continuously. Our students adapted and persisted, completing the semester online and on time. We are grateful for the dedication and commitment of all who made our response to the pandemic an exemplary one.

Now, we must face the future and get back to the business of opening our campus for the fall 2020 semester. A comprehensive plan will be released in mid-June. Our purpose in writing the plan is to create a safe and sound approach to reopen campus with as much normalcy as possible, while at the same time, providing a variety of contingencies. We will effectively utilize campus and community resources, public health services, CDC recommendations, and state and local orders. The plan will flex to adhere to ongoing guidance from the CDC and the Georgia governor’s office, and additional courses of action may be taken as appropriate. Two models will be articulated in the plan: (1) a model that assumes the state of Georgia will be in Phase 2 of the phases described by the President’s Task Force, and (2) a model that assumes we will be in Phase 3. We will implement the appropriate model based on conditions at the time the fall semester opens.

Medical authorities are anticipating that restrictions and limitations in activities will be in place for the next 12–18 months. Reopening campus will be a factor of local public health conditions as well as guidance from governmental authorities. Students and employees can expect a safe environment created by our willingness to restrict our personal liberties temporarily for the good of the entire campus. The plan pertains to the reopening of campus for fall 2020 and can be easily adapted to subsequent semesters as needed. What follows is an overview of the Phase 2 model of what we can reasonably expect:

• The Emmanuel family is noted for its warmth, friendliness and social integration which makes social distancing a difficult practice. In fact, we prefer the term physical distancing. Students and employees will be asked to practice limited physical distancing in classrooms, residence halls, dining facilities, chapel services, athletic events, and other gatherings.
• Students, employees, and guests will be asked to adhere to public health practices including frequent hand washing, use of hand sanitizing products, proper cough/sneeze etiquette, and periodic symptom screening and assessment.
• Face coverings are not required at this time by the CDC, the President’s Task Force, or the state of Georgia. In some circumstances, face coverings may be required.
• Some academic programming will be offered fully online to on-campus students which will serve to reduce interactions and social contact within the learning environment.
• Most academic programming will be offered face-to-face; however, all courses will feature extensive online components that will enhance learning and reduce interactions and social contact within the learning environment.
• Facilities and equipment will be frequently disinfected, especially in high traffic areas.
• Residence halls will resume normal operations with the exception that common areas such as lobbies and kitchens may be closed. Housing staff will periodically disinfect and sanitize bathrooms, common areas, doorknobs, handrails, and hallways; however, residents will be encouraged to personally disinfect bathroom fixtures and handles with soap and water or sanitizing agents prior to use.
• Roommates and suite mates will be considered “families” that cohabitate in the same environment. Students may request single room occupancy per normal residence hall policy and requests will be granted as space is available. No visitors will be permitted in the residence halls.
• Dining services will offer multiple locations and various carryout options. Patrons who choose eat-in dining will practice limited physical distancing.
• Athletic teams will follow guidelines derived from recommendations from the NCAA and Conference Carolinas regarding practice, training, travel, and competition. Likewise, academic and co-curricular teams and organizations will follow similar guidelines regarding travel and gatherings.
• Students will be encouraged to reduce their normal movements outside of campus as one of the most effective ways to reduce exposure. When traveling, students will be encouraged to use limited physical distancing and to wash their hands frequently.
• Students, employees, and guests who are in high-risk groups and/or have an increased risk of severe disease may be provided additional safeguards.
• Students who exhibit symptoms will be quarantined and tested. While in quarantine, students will transition to online and will continue their studies via the Canvas online learning portal. Students who test positive will be given appropriate medical care.
• Emmanuel College is partnering with St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in the healthcare and treatment of our students beginning with the fall semester. The hospital is also prepared to treat any persons who test positive who may need their services.
• Students will be provided a full range of mental and emotional health care options including full-time counseling staff for mental health concerns, life-skills assistance with our Student Development Advocate, spiritual life counseling, and 24/7 online counseling access for emergency or scheduled online counseling needs.
• Communication to students, employees, and guests will be frequent and thorough so that as a community we engage in safe and healthy practices. Changes in policy will be communicated with as much advance notice as possible.

The Phase 3 model may relax some of the restrictions and provisions listed above. Confident in the plan’s safeguards and provisions, we will work together to maintain our educational and living environments at optimum levels. We look forward to another successful semester together.

Ron White, Ed.d
President

04/27/2020 11:51am EST

Emmanuel College Response to COVID-19: Graduation

Congratulations to our students who will be completing their studies this week. We know that you have had many disappointments this semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Despite the disruption, you are to be commended for your persistence in completing your course of study. Diplomas and commemorative tassels will be shipped to graduates in the next few weeks.

As of now, the Commencement Service is still postponed until further notice. We are monitoring the decisions being made regarding the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. According to the President’s Task Force, large gatherings are not permitted until a state or region reaches Phase III, and even then, there are likely to be some social distancing restrictions. That said, the authority for re-opening the economy lies with each state so there may be adjustments to the criteria state by state.  

Our initial thought was to hold commencement this summer, but at this point, that is looking more and more unlikely. Having commencement in the fall is a possibility, but there are many challenges that must be resolved in order to make that happen.  We are working through the various scenarios so that we can decide by early summer. Thank you for your patience.

04/23/2020 4:41pm EST

Emmanuel College Response to COVID-19: Student Emergency Relief Funds

We hope that you and your family are healthy and safe. We continue to pray for an end to the pandemic and for economic recovery.  If you have been following current events, you are aware that the congressional stimulus package, the CARES Act, included dollars intended to provide emergency aid to students enrolled in college. College administrators have been charged with distributing these funds to the students on our campuses that exhibit the highest need. The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has calculated Emmanuel College’s portion to be $435,725 dollars.

Following DOE guidance, these funds will be distributed to students with high need as reflected on the FAFSA filed for the 19-20 year. Pell-eligible students are the students with highest need and have the fewest financial resources available at home to navigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those students, appropriately, will be granted the first round of CARES Act funds. You do not need to take any action to receive these funds. All Pell Grant recipients will receive some assistance ranging from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $1750. The exact amount of the award will depend on the level of need as defined by individual FAFSA results. Direct deposits or checks will be issued as soon as the funds are made available.

We also recognize that this pandemic has likely resulted in changes to income levels in families that were not originally Pell eligible. Accordingly, we are reserving a portion of the grant funds to assist our students who may need additional help due to unemployment and reduced family income.

If you did not receive a Pell Grant this academic year, but your family has been impacted by a change in household income, you may reach out to the Financial Aid Office at Emmanuel to request to be included in the CARES Act funding distribution. Unfortunately only students that were eligible to file a FAFSA are eligible to receive funds. Eligible students should take the following steps:

1. Send an e-mail with the subject line “CARES Act emergency funding appeal” to nstinson@ec.edu.
2. Your email should include a summary of the financial changes to the household income. For example: parent was furloughed, laid off, is on unemployment, has incurred an unexpected, significant expense.
3. Please attach to your email any supporting documentation you can provide. Examples of supporting documentation may include letters of separation, a letter of unemployment, or pay stubs reflecting a pay cut.

Once your appeal has been received, financial aid staff may reach out to you for additional information. Please be patient as they process the appeal. Unfortunately, the pool of funds is limited, and these appeals will be first-come, first-serve.

We miss all of you and are praying for you daily. Regardless of the challenges we have faced and may still face in the days ahead, we know that God is with us.

04/14/2021 4:15pm EST

Emmanuel College COVID-19 Update: Fall Semester & Vaccinations

Press release:

Based on information available at this time, Emmanuel College expects to return to normal operations for fall semester 2021.  The College will continue to prioritize the safety of our students, employees, and visitors by following any COVID-19 protocols or safety measures that may be appropriate at that time.

Vaccination for COVID-19 is encouraged for those who can be vaccinated safely. Based on current information, students and employees will not be required to be vaccinated. Some current safety measures may continue to apply on campus to individuals who have not been vaccinated. Please check our website at www.ec.edu for updates to this information.

04/03/2020 2:01pm EST

Emmanuel College Response to COVID-19: General Update

This communication provides further detail regarding several issues of importance.

Graduation

Graduation activities will NOT be held on May 2. We have postponed commencement until further notice. The President’s Task Force has extended the limited travel and gatherings order until April 30. We will continue to monitor the situation, and if travel and gathering restrictions are lifted sufficiently, it may be possible to hold graduation later in the summer. That said, it is not likely that we will have more than a 30-day notice of such an event.

Residence Hall Move-out

In addition to the restrictions mandated by the President’s Task Force, the State of Georgia has declared a Shelter-at-Home order from April 3-30. Therefore, students may NOT come to campus to retrieve belongings at this time. We will continue to monitor the situation, and when restrictions are lifted sufficiently, we will notify resident students of the process we will use for moving out.

Student Services

Due to the restrictions mentioned in the paragraphs above, most of our employees are not working on campus. Many are working from home. This may result in slower response times to student needs. Please be assured we will do everything we can within the limits of the law to provide you with adequate student services.

Pre-registration for Fall Semester

We began pre-registration on March 24 and will continue registering students by class standing through April 30. When your advisor reaches out to you, please respond and work with them by phone or teleconference to register for your summer and fall classes. This may be a bit more awkward than face-to-face advising, but we should be able to complete the process successfully.

Financial Aid for Fall Semester

Despite the disruption we are experiencing in our lives, please remember to file your FAFSA. As usual, we cannot complete your financial aid award for fall 2020 until you submit the FAFSA. The sooner you get this task done, the sooner we can send you your award. EC school code for FAFSA: 001563.

Daily Announcements

Please check the daily announcements sent to your EC email each day. We are posting an abundance of information there about resources, tutoring, housing, online learning tips, RA applications and more. Use this valuable resource to get answers to your questions and to gather information that you otherwise might not find out about.  

Ron White, Ed.D.

President

04/02/2020 11:59am EST

Emmanuel College Response to COVID-19

Notice to Emmanuel College Resident Students Regarding Refunds of Residence Charges

We hope you are healthy, safe, and adjusting well to the online teaching environment.  The faculty, staff and administration are committed to helping you complete the Spring semester successfully. 

The purpose of this communication is to share the decision on refunding residence charges as a result of not completing the semester on campus. Beginning April 2, we will be issuing refunds to most resident students in the form of credits to individual student accounts. Based on guidance from the U.S. Department of Education, these credits will not reduce the federal, state, or institutional financial aid you received for this semester, with the exception of unearned work study payments. Any credit balance created on your account will be refunded to you within 14 days of the date the credit is posted. If you owe a balance on your account that is larger than the credit issued, your account balance will be reduced by the amount of the credit, and you will not be eligible to receive a refund payment. If you owe a balance on your account that is less than the credit issued, your account balance will be reduced to zero by the credit, and you will be eligible to receive a refund payment for the difference.

Although federal guidance does not require colleges and universities to provide refunds, the administration believes this is the right thing to do.  Residence charge refunds vary based on each student’s residence charges for the semester and on the source of the payments for those charges.  However, the method for calculating the refund amounts is the same for all students. 

The refund calculation is based on the percentage of the semester you couldn’t live in your residence hall and on the portion of your residence charges remaining after being reduced for certain fixed costs, such as debt service, insurance, and other contractual obligations that are paid by the college even when the dining center and residence halls are not being used.  Less than 19% of the total costs are considered fixed.  Finally, the calculated amount is compared to the amount of funds you or your parents provided through loans, payments on your account, or payment plans. The portion of the refundable charges you paid is the amount being credited.  If your residence charges were paid by federal, state, or institutional aid, which you have not been required to return, then a refund is not appropriate. Please check your student account in CRIS (myec.ec.edu) on or after April 2 to view the amount of your refund. Email your concerns or questions to studentaccounts@ec.edu.

Our plan will generate total credits to students of just under $600,000 which is a significant loss of revenue in very uncertain times.  We know that God will take care of us, and we hope these refunds will help take care of you and your families as you cope with the Coronavirus pandemic and the disruption that has resulted.  We miss you on campus and look forward to your return in the fall.  During the interim between now and then, please know that we are praying for you and your family.

Ron White, Ed.D.

President

03/30/2020 11:12am EST

Emmanuel College Response to COVID-19, Shaw Athletic Center

Based on the most recent guidance from the CDC, as well as local, state, and federal requirements, the Shaw Athletic Center will remain closed until further notice. The Shaw Athletic Center will likely be closed through the month of April. As the situation changes, and social distancing guidelines are changed and local and state authorities authorize the opening of such venues, we will provide notice of the re-opening date.

Once the Shaw Athletic Center is re-opened for use by members and guests, memberships will be extended by at least the amount of time the facility is closed. We hope and ask that members maintain their current memberships and elect to receive the automatic extension to membership, but refunds may be requested by calling the Athletic Center at 706-245-2917, by email to jbrown@ec.edu, or by mail to Emmanuel College, ATTN; Shaw Athletic Center, PO Box 129, Franklin Springs GA 30639.

We apologize for this inconvenience but believe closing the athletic center is in the best interest of our campus and community. Please pray for those impacted by the virus and for a decrease in the number of infected areas and new cases being reported.

03/27/2020 8:16pm EST

Emmanuel College Response to COVID-19, Student Refunds

A decision has been made with regard to student refunds. Details are being finalized now. Watch this space for an update early next week.

03/20/2020 2:16pm EST

Emmanuel College Response to COVID-19, Student Academics

On Monday, March 23, students will be able to access their spring semester courses online using the Canvas platform. Our faculty have been working around the clock to convert their on-ground courses to online. We are almost there.

Although we expect a relatively smooth transition, there are bound to be a few glitches here and there. Please be patient. Professors are the first resource so students should maintain contact with them through Canvas or by email.

In the event of technology issues, we have created an IT Help Desk. You may access help with technology by completing a form that allows you to specify your issue and request help. Several individuals are standing by to respond to your requests beginning on March 23. The form will be available no later than Sunday evening, March 22.

To complete the form, follow the instructions below:

• Login to the CRIS system, click on EAS/Work Request in the menu at the top of the screen, click on New Request, then click on the Student Remote IT Support form. Complete the form and click submit. Someone will respond promptly.

We continue to take the necessary precautions to protect our campus community and reduce exposure. Many of our employees are working from home so please be patient when reaching out for help.

Your Canvas platform will be continually updated with information and resources. Stay alert to changes and additions as they come available. Also, the Frequently Asked Questions page on the EC website will be updated with new questions and answers. Please continue to check your emails daily.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

03/20/2020 10:54am EST

Emmanuel College Update:  Response to COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent national emergency, Emmanuel College has taken extraordinary actions that will cause significant disruption to our normal operations; however, we feel compelled to take these steps because of recent global, national, and regional developments.

We are taking the necessary precautions to protect our campus community and reduce exposure. Currently, there are no known cases of COVID-19 among our students and employees. We have transitioned all instruction to an online format. Students will not be returning to campus this semester. Instead, they will complete the semester fully online. In addition, all campus events have been canceled until further notice.

Our employees have responded with great determination and energy to meet this crisis head on. I am deeply grateful for those who are serving with me to ensure the well-being of the Emmanuel College community. They have exhibited great skill and patience in canceling events, vacating residence halls, practicing social distancing, and limiting the size of gatherings. These decisions allow instruction to continue online while reducing exposure on the physical campus.

We are a praying community that depends on God’s provision. Please continue to pray for us and for the national and global emergency. With God’s grace and guidance, we will succeed in managing every issue and solving each challenge.

03/18/2020 09:46am EST

Emmanuel College to Temporarily Close Shaw Athletic Center

Emmanuel College is continuously monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak around the world. We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees, students, and visitors. We view this as an extremely fluid situation that requires flexibility in adapting appropriate responses in the context of changing conditions and evolving data.

We are closely monitoring the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control regarding the spread of the virus. Our focus is to make wise decisions that keep our employees, students, visitors and communities safe.

Effective Tuesday, March 17, The Shaw Athletic Center will be closed until March 31. This closure is in response to the most recent CDC guidelines and recommendations to reduce the spread of the virus as much as possible. Adjustments to this closing schedule will be made as needed, based on updates to CDC guidance and other health directives received as the pandemic situation evolves.

Once the Shaw Athletic Center is re-opened for use by members and guests, memberships will be extended by at least the amount of time the facility is closed. We hope and ask that members maintain their current memberships and elect to receive the automatic extension to membership, but refunds may be requested by calling the Athletic Center at 706-245-2917, by email to jbrown@ec.edu, or by mail to Emmanuel College, ATTN; Shaw Athletic Center, PO Box 129, Franklin Springs GA 30639.

We apologize for this inconvenience but believe closing the athletic center is in the best interest of our campus and community. Please pray for those impacted by the virus and for a decrease in the number of infected areas and new cases being reported.

Ron White, Ed.D.

President

03/17/2020 12:31pm EST

Emmanuel College updated Response to COVID-19 Outbreak, Message from President White

This communication is another update regarding the Emmanuel College response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Decisions are being made daily; therefore, it is imperative that students and employees continue to be alert for additional emails and communications as we move forward.

Due to a recent recommendation from the CDC to limit the size of gatherings and restrict discretionary travel, we DO NOT want students to return to campus this week to retrieve their belongings. We will issue instructions sometime after March 31 regarding the process for moving out of the residence halls. We are monitoring developments daily and will be making decisions using the latest guidelines available.

Resident students who may need academic materials left in their rooms should follow the instructions below to access a form where you can make your request. We will then work out shipping or other arrangements on a case-by-case basis. Also, a few students may need to remain on campus due to complications of returning home due to the outbreak. Those students should follow the same instructions to locate an additional form where you can make your request to remain on campus.

To complete either of these forms, follow the instructions below:

• Login to the CRIS system, click on EAS/Work Request in the menu at the top of the screen, click on New Request, then click on the appropriate form. Complete the form and click submit. Someone will respond promptly.

We continue to take the necessary precautions to protect our campus community and reduce exposure. Currently, there are no known cases of COVID-19 among our students and employees, but we must be diligent to keep it that way.

Our faculty are working hard at transitioning their courses online by March 23.  Please visit your Canvas online classrooms each day to look for announcements and messages that may be placed there by your professors.

Several departments will be sending you special announcements in the coming days regarding setting up an online help desk, advising and preregistration, online access to the Academic Resource Center (ARC), and housing sign-ups for fall 2020.  Also, we will be posting a Frequently Asked Questions page on the EC website within 24 hours. It will be updated daily with new questions and answers. Please continue to check your emails frequently.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

03/13/2020 11:26am EST

Emmanuel College updated Response to COVID-19 Outbreak, Message from President White

This communication is another update regarding the Emmanuel College response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Decisions are being made daily; therefore, it is imperative that students and employees continue to be alert for additional emails and communications as we move forward.

Due to a recent recommendation from the CDC to limit the size of gatherings and restrict discretionary travel, we DO NOT want students to return to campus this week to retrieve their belongings. We will issue instructions sometime after March 31 regarding the process for moving out of the residence halls. We are monitoring developments daily and will be making decisions using the latest guidelines available.

Resident students who may need academic materials left in their rooms should follow the instructions below to access a form where you can make your request. We will then work out shipping or other arrangements on a case-by-case basis. Also, a few students may need to remain on campus due to complications of returning home due to the outbreak. Those students should follow the same instructions to locate an additional form where you can make your request to remain on campus.

To complete either of these forms, follow the instructions below:

• Login to the CRIS system, click on EAS/Work Request in the menu at the top of the screen, click on New Request, then click on the appropriate form. Complete the form and click submit. Someone will respond promptly.

We continue to take the necessary precautions to protect our campus community and reduce exposure. Currently, there are no known cases of COVID-19 among our students and employees, but we must be diligent to keep it that way.

Our faculty are working hard at transitioning their courses online by March 23.  Please visit your Canvas online classrooms each day to look for announcements and messages that may be placed there by your professors.

Several departments will be sending you special announcements in the coming days regarding setting up an online help desk, advising and preregistration, online access to the Academic Resource Center (ARC), and housing sign-ups for fall 2020.  Also, we will be posting a Frequently Asked Questions page on the EC website within 24 hours. It will be updated daily with new questions and answers. Please continue to check your emails frequently.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation.

03/12/2020 04:03pm EST

Emmanuel College updated Response to COVID-19 Outbreak

Emmanuel College is continuously monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak around the world. We are committed to the health and well-being of our students and employees. We view this as an extremely fluid situation which requires flexibility in adapting appropriate responses in the context of changing conditions and evolving data. 

We are closely monitoring the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control regarding the spread of the virus.  Our focus is to make wise decisions that keep our students, employees, and communities safe. Some colleges and universities are modifying the spring semester by extending spring break, transitioning to online delivery, canceling campus events, suspending athletic seasons, limiting the size of gatherings, and so forth.  

Today, Emmanuel College is extending spring break through March 22 in order to have time to evaluate our options, to allow faculty to prepare for the transition to online delivery of classes should that become necessary, and to develop a plan for addressing the needs of our international students. A final decision regarding these issues will be made in the next few days.  

Effective immediately, all campus events, including athletic events and practices, are canceled until further notice.. In addition, all College-sponsored group travel has been canceled including trips for academics, athletics, ministry, and missions . Although we are taking these precautions, there are no known cases of COVID-19 among our students and employees.

We want to stress that we are making day-to-day assessments of the situation. Currently, the threat from COVID-19 is low in our state and region. Should that threat level increase, Emmanuel College will take immediate and appropriate actions and will quickly inform students and employees of any changes in policies and plans.

In the meantime, we urge everyone to use the highest standard of personal hygiene as follows:

• Wash hands frequently and for at least 20 seconds.
• When washing hands is not possible, use hand sanitizer, especially after handling public interior touch points such as doors, handles, TV remotes, chairs, bathroom fixtures and the like.
• Avoid touching your face.
• Avoid physical contact with others. Do not shake hands and give hugs.
• If you feel ill, consult your healthcare provider immediately and refrain from being around others. Follow the advice of your healthcare provider regarding treatment and activities.

Please pray for those impacted by the virus and for a decrease in the number of infected areas and new cases being reported.

Emmanuel College Response to COVID-19- Message from EC President, Dr. Ron White

Emmanuel College is monitoring news of the COVID-19 virus and reviewing travel recommendations from a variety of sources including the US State Department, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and their counterparts around the world.  We remain encouraged as these official sources continue to state that the general public in the United States is at low risk of contracting the virus. 

We are reminding all students, staff and faculty to use good hygiene practices like washing hands frequently and using hand sanitizer which is always recommended during the flu season. The spread of COVID-19 has heightened our awareness of preventative measures we can take to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.

Regarding official travel and mission trips of Emmanuel College, travel will be cancelled if the location meets one or more of the following criteria at the time of travel due to COVID-19:

1. Has a CDC Level 3 Warning;
2. Has a State Department Level 4 Travel Advisory;
3. Is an area of active transmission
4. Is in a country that is restricting or banning travel.

As the situation continues to evolve, we may recommend different or additional criteria. In the coming days, the College will continuously review all official travel plans and will evaluate them in light of current conditions.

Please pray for those impacted by the virus and for a decrease in the number of infected areas and new cases being reported.