Coronavirus Update – July 22, 2020
Franklin College > Novel Coronavirus Update for the College Community > Coronavirus Update – July 22, 2020

Dear Colleagues,

As July slowly and warmly winds down and the start of the fall semester approaches, I want to update you on the timetable for completion and distribution of our Return to Campus Plan, “Fortify Franklin.”  As you know, a large group of colleagues from throughout the campus community has been working diligently for the safe opening of campus as scheduled.  The draft document is being completed this week and will be reviewed, finalized and communicated to our constituencies on the following schedule.

  • Wednesday, July 22: Return to Campus draft plan submitted to medical professionals at Johnson County Department of Health and Johnson Memorial Health for review and revision
  • Wednesday, July 22: Return to Campus draft plan submitted to general counsel for review and revision
  • Monday, July 27: Return to Campus plan (fully vetted by health care and legal professionals) distributed to Board of Trustees for review; questions and comments invited to me by Wednesday, July 29
  • Thursday, July 30: Final draft of Return to Campus Plan prepared
  • Friday, July 31: Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees vote by email approving the Return to Campus Plan
  • Monday, August 3: Communication strategy for Return to Campus Plan begins (email to constituencies with video link to President’s message; Plan posted on website; press release to media; social media posts)
  • Communication strategy will continue, much of it focused on our students, with regular social media reminders of our mitigation requirements.  We have some very creative approaches developed to ensure that the entire campus community works together to “Fortify Franklin.” 

We will follow up with Zoom meetings for students, faculty and staff in separate opportunities to answer questions about implementation of policies and procedures contained in the Plan.  Watch for calendar invitations from IT.

I could not be more proud of the time, effort, research and thoughtful consideration that have been invested to prepare for the return of students and colleagues to the campus.  I know you will share my pride and confidence when you review the strategy developed.  With guidance from our health care partners, collaboration with colleagues throughout Indiana and excellent creative ideas from within our own community, we have developed a plan that will enable us to deliver the Franklin College experience, albeit in modified form, to the greatest extent possible while ensuring the safety of our community. 

I look forward to sharing the “Fortify Franklin” plan with you soon, and I will be excited to welcome you back to campus next month. 

 

Best wishes,
Kerry Prather

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Kerry N. Prather │ President

 

Franklin College
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