Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information
Updated: July 15, 2020
August Hybrid Courses
Coronavirus cases have continued to spike in Ohio in recent weeks, and Montgomery County, where the Seminary is located, is one of the few counties in Ohio under public emergency level 3 (out of 4). In order to ensure the safety of United’s community, the in-person portion of fall hybrid courses, scheduled to be offered on-campus August 10-14, will now be offered only virtually. Students currently registered in the Hybrid-Dayton section of one of these courses will receive more information via email from the Office of Student Success.
Many of our students were eager to meet together on campus in August. We are also eager to see students in person, but your health and safety remain our first priority.
Return to Campus (June 1, 2020)
Campus offices for United Theological Seminary are partially re-opened for staff, faculty and visitors, Monday-Wednesday, 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. The campus is closed Thursday-Friday, with United employees working remotely those days. If you are unable to visit campus for any reason or need to contact an employee while they are working remotely, you may contact employees by phone or email Monday-Friday.
To ensure the safety of those on campus, the following protocols are in place. Additionally, hand sanitizer, cleaning wipes and masks are available as needed.
Symptom Monitoring
Do a Symptom Self-Assessment
Those on campus are encouraged to conduct symptom monitoring before reporting to campus. At this time, COVID-19 symptoms include one or more of the following:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fever
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Runny nose or new sinus congestion
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
- New GI symptoms
- New loss of taste or smell
Face Coverings
Wear a Face Masks/Cloth Face Covering:
The Ohio Department of Health mandates face coverings in public in all counties that are designated an alert Level 3 Public Health Emergency, which currently includes Montgomery County. Disposable masks will be provided by United, if needed. Disposable masks may only be worn for one day and then must be placed in the trash. You may also wear a cloth face covering, which will help United reduce the need to purchase additional masks, which are in short supply. Cloth face coverings must only be worn for one day at a time, and must be properly laundered before use again.
Social Distancing
Practice Social Distancing
Social distancing is important for everyone, especially to help protect people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
- Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people at all times
- Do not gather in groups
- Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings
Hand Washing
Wash Your Hands
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, and wash your hands after touching your face.
What to do if you have/had symptoms:
- If you have been on campus after coming into contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 and/or are experiencing signs and symptoms, please notify Steve Swallow, Vice President for Finance and Administration (937.529.2391 or slswallow@united.edu), so that the Seminary can take appropriate steps.
- If you have not been on campus and are experiencing signs and symptoms, please follow the regular sick/absence policy in your class syllabus or employee handbook.
- This is an evolving situation; the CDC coronavirus website is the best source of updated information.
Summer and Fall 2020
Course of Study
June 12-13, 2020
The Course of Study classes offered June 12-13, 2020, will be conducted fully online with no on-campus component. These are the only seminary United Methodist Course of Study classes that the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry authorized to be offered online this spring.
Hybrid Courses
Spring 2020
The Spring hybrid courses scheduled to be offered on-campus Monday, June 22, through Friday, June 26, will now be offered only virtually. Virtual instruction will take place in real-time via video conferencing.
Fall 2020
The Fall hybrid courses scheduled to be offered on-campus Monday, August 10, through Friday, August 14, will now be offered only virtually. Virtual instruction will take place in real-time via video conferencing.
NOTE: This is a change from previous announcements regarding Fall hybrid courses. In order to ensure the safety of United’s community during continued spikes in coronavirus cases in Ohio, the Seminary has decided to move the on-campus portion of Fall hybrids to virtual.
Doctor of Ministry
Intensive Week: August 24-28, 2020
The Doctor of Ministry intensive week planned for Monday, August 24, through Friday, August 28, will meet virtually. Normally, about 200 DMin students, faculty, mentors and administrators attend the DMin intensive week comprised of plenaries, classes and cohort meetings. The feedback from DMin students and mentors was to conduct it all virtually. The theme for the August 2020 intensive is “Ministry in Times of Crisis.” Dr. Harold Hudson, Associate Dean for Doctoral Studies, will send out the schedule of plenary speakers and chapel leaders, along with information about how to conduct cohort meetings virtually.
Contextual Ministries
Fall Retreat
The Contextual Ministries retreat scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, through Friday, September 11, will only meet virtually. About 150 masters students and mentors normally attend this retreat, which was planned to take place on-campus this year, and it would be exceedingly difficult to practice social distancing for that many people on our campus. Dr. Madeline Henners, Director of Contextual Ministries, will send out additional information about this retreat to all participants.
Opening Convocation
September 9, 2020
Opening Convocation will be held completely online on Wednesday, September 9, 2020, at 1 p.m., with Bishop Michael Lowry as our Convocation preacher.
Fall Semester Courses
B Term
Fall classes will begin on Monday, September 14, with both on-campus and virtual attendance options.
Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF)
As part of the CARES act, United has been granted Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) to give relief to students who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and the closing of campus in the spring semester. Click here for details about eligibility and disbursement.
