Submissions from 2021
Coronavirus Update 6-18-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
Given the current state of the virus, and the widespread availability of the vaccine, state and federal public health officials continue to strongly recommend the vaccine but are not requiring it. As a result, the University will follow suit by strongly encouraging, but not mandating, the vaccine for all on campus in the fall.
Coronavirus Update 6-04-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
We are continuing our planning for a fully on-ground fall semester. Unfortunately, our student vaccination numbers for COVID-19 are much lower than we hoped. If this continues to be the case, we will need to have stricter policies than we envisioned.
Return to 100% Capacity/Mask Protocol, Robert Hardy
In an effort to get back to some sense of normalcy and to begin the important task of preparing for the upcoming fall semester, we have decided to require all faculty and staff to return to campus 100% on-ground by July 6.
Coronavirus Update 5-18-21, The Coronavirus Planning Team
As promised, we have re-evaluated our COVID protocols based on the recently released CDC and Connecticut state guidance effective tomorrow. Beginning tomorrow, masks will no longer need to be worn on campus when outside. However, we are asking that everyone remain masked at our commencement exercises happening through this weekend, except when they are at their seats.
Coronavirus Update 5/14/2021: Congratulations on a Great Year, The Coronavirus Planning Team
We want to take a moment to congratulate the entire SHU community for an outstanding year keeping us on-ground.
Coronavirus Update 5/11/2021: Raffle Winners Announced, The Coronavirus Planning Team
Yesterday, Dr. Petillo drew the names for the winners of our first vaccination raffle.
Coronavirus Update 5/7/2021: Additional Raffle Added, The Coronavirus Planning Team
Undergraduates who have had two shots of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine will need to load their vaccination cards to their student health portal over this weekend to be eligible.
Coronavirus Update 5-4-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
We want to remind you to upload your vaccination card once you have been fully vaccinated.
Coronavirus Update 4-30-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
New CDC guidelines say that fully vaccinated people do not need to wear masks outdoors unless they are in a large crowd of people.
Thinking of and Praying for the Population in India, John J. Petillo
Today I want to reach out to the Indian members of our community.
Coronavirus Update 4-27-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
Today, we just have a couple of reminders. We want to remind students and employees to please upload vaccination information to the student health portal or the through the HR questionnaire (for employees). This allows us to determine how close we are to herd immunity and will impact our decision-making regarding COVID protocols for the remainder of this semester and the fall.
Coronavirus Update 4-23-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
Today’s topic is vaccination. Our second SHU-dedicated vaccination clinic is Sunday and there are plenty of appointments available. The clinic is open to everyone in the SHU community.
Coronavirus Update 4-20-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
We are pleased to share that we are now opening our dedicated vaccine clinics on Thursday and Sunday to all students, including graduate students, and to faculty and staff. These Pfizer clinics give you the opportunity to conveniently be vaccinated where you attend classes or work.
Coronavirus Update 4-16-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
We heard you when you told us through our recent survey that you wanted to be vaccinated on campus. We have worked with the state to receive a supply of the vaccines dedicated to undergraduate students.
To Our Frontline Workers, Michael Whitney Brown, Sacred Heart University Gospel Choir, and John J. Petillo
A vocal tribute to frontline workers, written by SHU Gospel Choir Director Michael Brown and sung by the gospel choir. Introduced by SHU President John Petillo.
YouTube Video (7:35)
Coronavirus Update 4-13-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
We have some good news for you. Since our COVID numbers have continued to be stable following the long Easter weekend, we are going to loosen some of our campus restrictions over these final weeks of the semester.
Coronavirus Update 4-9-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
We are preparing to assist students with getting vaccinated before the end of the semester --JP's Temporarily Closed --Weekend Fun --SHU Football Watch Party is Cancelled --Active Cases.
Coronavirus Update 4-9-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
As we prepare to assist students with getting vaccinated before the end of the semester, we once again have a brief survey for you to fill out --JP's temporarily closed --Weekend fun --Active cases.
Coronavirus Update 4-6-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
SHU students can get vaccinated in Connecticut even if they live in another state --Please Answer the Phone if the Area Code is 720 or 949 --SHU Football Watch Party! --Today’s dashboard shows 30 active cases.
Coronavirus Update 3-30-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
Even with our shortened Holy Week, we are still requiring testing for all undergraduate students. Similarly, we want to encourage all students to sign up to get a vaccine once you become eligible on April 1.
Coronavirus Update 3-26-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
Remember to Upload Your Vaccination Information --Waiting List for SHU Mega Site for Employees --Weekend Fun --SHU Shares --Active Cases.
Coronavirus Update 3-23-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
We need to remind students, faculty and staff yet again that you must stay home or in your dorm room if you have ANY symptoms that are listed on the CampusClear app.
Coronavirus Update 3-19-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
Student Vaccination Poll --Weekend Fun --Enjoy the Event Tent in the Chapel Quad.
Coronavirus Update 3-16-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
We have good news to share for those of you who have been asking to have your parents attend your sporting events.
Coronavirus Update 3-12-21, The Coronavirus Planning Team
We continue to have good news to share, starting with SHU football!
Coronavirus Update 3-9-21--Parent Attendance at Sporting Events, The Coronavirus Planning Team
Desire to allow parents to attend sporting events --SHU’s vaccination site.
Coronavirus Update 3-8-21: SHU's Vaccination Site Is Open for Appointments, The Coronavirus Planning Team
Hartford Healthcare has revised its plans to use the SHU mass vaccination site at West Campus as a targeted site. Instead it is a general site that is open to everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated.
Coronavirus Update 3-05-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
A lot of good news to share, including some fun social activities for students over the weekend.
CORRECTION to Today's Coronavirus Update (03-05-2021), The Coronavirus Planning Team
The good news is that there is a great deal of interest in volunteering for the MRC and working at vaccination sites. The bad news is that we inadvertently left in a subhead that indicated volunteers would be administering vaccinations. This is NOT the case.
Coronavirus Update 2-26-21, The Coronavirus Planning Team
Pioneer Event Tent and Pioneer Pavilion Coming Soon! --Commencement 2021 --Commencement 2020.
Coronavirus Update 2-23-21, The Coronavirus Planning Team
Students can expect to have a full SHU experience in the fall—both inside and outside the classroom. It is important to note that all our plans will continue to follow guidelines from state and national leaders and health officials and the CDC, but the current projections from all these sources indicate that we will be able to have on ground classes in the fall. We will continue to update you on this as plans progress.
Coronavirus Update 2-19-21, The Coronavirus Planning Team
There is plenty of fun to be had this weekend—and lots of sunshine expected before our next snowstorm on Monday.
Coronavirus Update 2-16-21, The Coronavirus Planning Team
Today’s dashboard shows 73 active cases. There are 33 students with current active cases isolating on campus.
Covid-19 Memorial, Sacred Heart University
Duration: 5:16:40.
COVID-19 memorial service streams live on Monday February 15, 2021 from the Chapel at Sacred Heart University. The service begins at 9 a.m. with remarks, prayers and music and is followed by the reading of the names of all who have died from COVID-19 in the state of Connecticut. Names of family submitted by members of the SHU community are also read. The service includes lighting of candles and hourly tolling of bells. The live stream was shown on monitors throughout campus. We believe it is important to put names to the lives lost, each of whom left loved ones behind.
Memorial Service Thank You, John J. Petillo
Today was both a moving and heartbreaking day at Sacred Heart as we honored those in the state who have been lost to COVID-19, along with those connected to members of our community, by reading their names. One of the University’s core values is to recognize the worth and dignity of every human being, and that is what we did today by putting names—and in some cases, faces—to the more than 7,000 people in this state who have already succumbed to this deadly disease.
Recording of the Covid-19 Memorial Service: https://youtu.be/_u6UdISOyw0
Coronavirus Update 2-12-21, The Coronavirus Planning Team
Sacred Heart will recognize the victims of COVID-19 in a memorial service on Monday.
Join Us Virtually This Spring, Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts
Welcome to our Spring 2021 season. As we all do our part to reduce the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Edgerton Center, in conjunction with the Performing Arts, will not produce performances for attendance by the general public at this time. We are excited to share some beautiful and safely produced content made available to you via livestream or broadcast.
Coronavirus Update 2-9-21, The Coronavirus Planning Team
Student Activities has lined up a number of fun and informational activities for you this week --Updated Frequently Asked Questions --Campus Clear --Contact Tracing Update --Importance of Avoiding Gatherings --Vaccines for Those 65 and Older --Spring Sports.
Coronavirus Update 1-29-21, The Coronavirus Planning Team
Today’s dashboard, which was updated yesterday, shows 11 active cases. We will go back to updating the dashboard Monday-Friday next week.
Coronavirus Update 1-26-2021, The Coronavirus Planning Team
Many of you moved back to campus yesterday and today, and the rest will be coming soon. Welcome! We are so happy to have you back, and we are looking forward to a great spring semester.
Coronavirus Update 1-22-21, Sacred Heart University
Coronavirus Update 1-19-21, The Coronavirus Planning Team
We are continuing to gear up for Phase 1B of the vaccine, which will impact on-ground faculty and staff who have regular contact with students.
Coronavirus Update 1-15-21, The Coronavirus Planning Team
The Importance of Masks and Social Distancing: SHU Professor Sofia Pendley is quoted in an article on diverseeducation.com about how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on college campuses. The article discusses a study on COVID prevention that found that extensive distancing and mandatory mask wearing alone can prevent 87% of campus COVID-19 infections. In the article, Professor Pendley shares SHU’s success in preventing spread in the classroom using these protocols.
Coronavirus Update 1-12-21, The Coronavirus Planning Team
We wanted to share the link for submitting questions for the virtual town hall meeting for students and parents planned for Tuesday, January 19, at 6 p.m. where representatives from the coronavirus task forces will answer questions about testing, SHU-Flex, health and safety and more regarding the spring semester.
Coronavirus Update 1-8-21, The Coronavirus Planning Team
It has been a long haul since March, but we now know how critical it is not to socialize in groups—big or small—especially without masks and social distancing. The Pioneer Promise will continue to be a critical tool—one we hope you have been using while at home. That said, we can now look down the road and see a light as more and more people receive the vaccine. Now is not the time to let down our guard. The vaccine is here, but the virus also is more prevalent everywhere than at any other time.
Coronavirus Update 1-5-21, The Coronavirus Planning Team
The country is currently experiencing increases in COVID-19 cases in most states, including a new strain that seems to spread even more easily than the previous one. Because of that, we have strengthened our protocols regarding quarantining and testing for the beginning of the semester. We are doing that to maximize our chances of starting the semester healthy until the arrival of warmer weather and the increased availability of the vaccine.
Submissions from 2020
Coronavirus Update 12-22-20, The Coronavirus Planning Team
We are excited to share that Sacred Heart has been contacted by the state of Connecticut about submitting names for the first phase of vaccination.
Coronavirus Update 12-18-2020, The Coronavirus Planning Team
As we conclude the semester, the dashboard shows us with 63 active cases. During the break, we will be updating the dashboard weekly on Thursdays. We will go back to daily updates once we are back on campus for spring.
Coronavirus Update 12-15-20, The Coronavirus Planning Team
We want to share our plan for our return for the spring semester. This plan builds on our successes from the fall semester and incorporates lessons learned.
Spring Update: Dear Faculty, Rupendra Paliwal
A message is forthcoming from the Coronavirus Planning Team regarding the plans for our return for the spring semester. We are planning a phased-in move-in process that will heavily emphasize mandatory testing.
