• Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

  • FAQ

    The most recent updates to FAQs below were released April 6, sharing the "Coping with COVID" resource link; April 3, relating to room and board credit; April 1, relating to cap and gown refunds and receiving mail on campus; and March 31, relating to Commencement plans and the process of crediting individual accounts.

    What about Commencement plans?

    [Note: Updated March 31, 2020]
    From President Arnold's March 31 message to the Class of 2020:
    "Though it is the pinnacle of the academic year, we cannot hold Commencement 2020 on campus in May as scheduled. While many things are still uncertain and undecided, let me assure you that there will be an opportunity for you to return to campus and be recognized for your accomplishments as graduates of Hendrix College. We will celebrate what you have worked so hard to achieve these past four years. I look forward to sharing more information at a later date once we determine when that opportunity will be."

    Will Alumni Weekend 2020 be happening?

    No campus events for Alumni Weekend 2020 will take place on the scheduled dates of April 17-19. At this time, we do not have a decision on when alumni will next gather on campus. 

    For those of you who have registered and made arrangements to attend campus Alumni Weekend events, please know you will receive a full refund for your registration. (For credit and debit card registrations, please allow ten business days before contacting the Office of Alumni Engagement.) 

    Will students get refunds for caps and gowns?

    [Note: Updated April 1, 2020]
    Students who pre-ordered regalia by the deadline may cancel their orders directly with Herff Jones. Students who wish to keep their regalia may choose to have their regalia shipped directly to them at no additional charge for shipping.

    Herff Jones will be contacting students directly by email with information about how to cancel or have their orders shipped. Students can contact their Herff Jones sales representative at info@partnershipsalesllc.com.

    What should students do if they can’t move out by the deadline?

    [Note: The information related to this question was updated March 18, 9:55 a.m.] 
    The College has reviewed student requests to stay in campus housing beyond March 21 and issued responses. Most on-campus support services will not be available after March 21, and an extension to remain on campus is not a guarantee of housing for the remainder of the semester. As we continue to monitor the situation and update our response, we strongly suggest that students who are approved to stay beyond March 21 consider moving to a place with additional support. Students who are able to return home safely should do so. If you have questions, please contact the Dean of Students or Residence Life at  housing@hendrix.edu.

    Is there any help available for moving out?

    Some large items may not be able to be moved out now, but staff will be happy to schedule a time to help you retrieve them later. In addition, U-Haul is offering a free 30-day storage option for its storage units and U-Box containers. We recommend calling a location to confirm availability.

    What if a student has no internet access or a computer at home?

    [Note: The information related to this question was updated March 18, 9:05 a.m.] 
    Students with no internet access or data plans were asked to  complete this form to request a waiver to remain on campus for a longer time period. Responses are now being issued, and we continue working with individual students who have no Wi-Fi and no smartphone to find solutions that will allow them to return home with internet access.

    What about tech assistance?

    [Note: This question was added March 20, 4:50 p.m.] 
    The campus will be closed for Spring Break as scheduled, but the Tech Services team will still be on duty to make certain everything and everyone is ready for remote learning to begin Monday, March 30. If you have a tech-related question or problem, you can still email the HelpDesk.

    What about tests, papers, and other assignments that were due the week of March 16?

    [Note: The information related to this question was updated March 18, 8:50 a.m.]
    • Assignments originally due the week of March 16: Students will be given until at least the Monday after Spring Break (March 30) to submit any current assignments that may have been due this week.  
    • Exams originally scheduled the week of March 16: Faculty will not give any exams until after Spring Break.
    • Instructors will be mindful about the disruption to students due to our response plans. Each faculty member will work within the context of their class to address these matters.

    Is the Counseling Services staff still available?

    [Note: Updated April 6, 2020, with new "Coping with COVID" resource link]
    Yes, Counseling Services will remain available to students for the remainder of the semester. Call 450-1448 or email healthandcounseling@hendrix.edu with questions. You may also find helpful the resource page www.hendrix.edu/copingwithcovid, made available through the collaboration of the Hendrix Well-Being Initiative, the Office of Counseling and Health Services, and Technology Services.

    How do I connect with Career Services staff?

    The Office of Career Services is committed to continuing to provide access and resources during this time. The staff will work remotely beginning March 17, 2020 until further notice. They are absolutelystill available to provide services, resources, and advice. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, recruiters, and all others may schedule appointments with any staff member; they will be available by phone, video chat, and other platforms as indicated by constituents when they book their appointment.

    How will students get adequate credit for classes with labs? PACT courses? Art classes? Odyssey Program credit? What should seniors do about Odyssey credits that are still needed?

    [Note: The information related to this question was updated March 20, 10:10 a.m.]
    On March 16, the Odyssey Program released temporary completion measures. On March 19, the Office of Academic Affairs released an update addressing remaining coursework for the semester, internet access concerns, and spring registration. Later that same day, the Registrar's Office released an update. More specific information on other areas of instruction will be shared as decisions are made.

    What do I need to do to receive my mail?

    [Note: Updated April 1, 2020]
    If you receive mail/letters (not packages) and would like to have your mail forwarded to your current address, please complete this form. This will only be for first-class mail. If you do not fill out the form, your mail will stay in your box until you return this fall. Please put a return date on the form. If you are unsure, just put an estimate at this time. If you are a senior, this same form is on your senior checklist in CampusWeb. If we do not receive a forwarding form, your mail will be returned to sender. If you have already filled out this form, you do not need to fill it out again unless your address has changed since the last form. If you have questions regarding mail or packages, email Lynette Long: long@hendrix.edu. If you have a package waiting on campus, you may authorize someone else to claim it for you by emailing package information and the person's name to postoffice@hendrix.edu. 

    How and when will the College credit individual student accounts?

    [Note: Updated April 3, 2020]
    The College will apply pro-rated credits to your student account to reflect the portion of the semester that dining services and student housing were officially closed. Other arrangements are in process for students who were approved to stay in student housing. For students whose scholarship packages include partial or full coverage of room and board, refunds are only based on the portion paid by the student. Graduating seniors and graduates of the master’s program with no unpaid balances will receive refund checks. Checks will be mailed by Friday, April 24. All other students will have credits applied to your accounts no later than Friday, April 17. For students returning for the 2020-2021 academic year, we will automatically credit your account to reduce your cost for the fall 2020 semester. However, students can request the room and board balance be refunded to them directly if their account is current. We will share specific instructions (including whom to contact) about the refund request process when the credit is posted to your account.

    Will the Wellness and Athletics Center (WAC) hours be affected?

    UPDATED March 17, 12 p.m.: Beginning Wednesday, March 18, the WAC will be closed until further notice.


  • Transition Timeline

    • Friday, March 13: In-person classes will be canceled as of 5 p.m. for the remainder of the semester.
    • Monday, March 16: College-owned housing will close at 5 p.m. for the remainder of the semester. Students should plan to remove all belongings by this time. Students with a compelling need may request to remain on campus past this deadline by completing  this form. We recognize some items may not be able to be removed on this timeline, and we will work with you over the coming weeks to schedule the removal of any personal items or property. Students should take all items necessary for academic work with them when they leave. Students who have concerns about travel plans should contact the following offices for assistance: Chaplain’s, Dean of Students, Diversity and Inclusion, Residence Life, and Student Outreach Services.
    • Monday, March 16 through Friday, March 20: In-person classes will be canceled, and faculty training will be held for the transition to remote learning. The College will utilize Office 365 Teams for Education for synchronous remote learning. Students will receive instructions and guidance for adjusting to this new platform no later than Friday, March 20. Dining Services will remain open throughout the week.
    • Monday, March 23 through Friday, March 27: The College’s Spring Break will continue as planned.
    • Monday, March 30: Remote courses will begin, along with academic advising and registration for the 2020-2021 academic year.  

  • What to Know

    Prospective Students

    College-sponsored travel and public events

    • College-sponsored travel and public events will be canceled until further notice beginning Monday, March 16.  
    • No campus events for Alumni Weekend 2020 will take place on the scheduled dates of April 17-19. At this time, we do not have a decision on when alumni will next gather on campus. For those of you who have registered and made arrangements to attend campus Alumni Weekend events, please know you will receive a full refund for your registration. (For credit and debit card registrations, please allow ten business days before contacting the Office of Alumni Engagement.)
    • Additional information about Commencement (May 16) will be provided as soon as decisions are made.

    Athletics

    • Hendrix athletics will conclude all spring sports on Sunday, March 15. 
    • The Southern Athletic Association (SAA) will suspend SAA conference play as of Friday, March 20 for the rest of the season. 

    Students studying abroad

    • The Office of International Programs is working directly with students affected by changes in travel policies and program cancellations.

    Faculty and Staff

    • Technology Services is providing training sessions to help faculty learn the features and functions of Office 365 Teams for Education. 
    • All other campus operations will continue, and offices will remain open. 
    • While we are committed to continuity of employment for staff, we encourage anyone who is feeling sick to stay home. 

    Dining Services

    • Dining Services will remain open March 16 through March 20. More information will be shared as soon as it is available.

    Other

  • What about Travel?

    [Please note: The following paragraph was issued March 11, before the decision was made to move classes online. With campus closing, you must complete the waiver form to remain in your residence hall or apartment beyond Monday, March 16.]

    Minimizing travel: With Spring Break approaching, remember that if you do not wish to travel far from campus, you may remain in your residence hall or apartment. [waiver form required]

    • The College will not close any housing for Spring Break. [Please note: This information is superseded by the March 13 message above.]
    • If there is significant demand for a dining option, Dining Services will develop a plan to help accommodate students who stay. [Please note: This information is superseded by the March 13 message above.]  

    Monitoring international travel and programs: Education-related travel plans are being canceled as warranted, and Hendrix students have been brought home from countries with a Level 3 travel warning from the U.S. Department of State. The Office of International Programs is monitoring changing conditions and travel alerts that may affect other plans relating to International and Study Abroad students, and will work with students to make alternate arrangements for earning any course credit students expected to earn during travel.

    Odyssey-related travel: Newly granted Odyssey Program funding awards for travel outside the U.S. will not be transferred to the student until after Spring Break. The College will re-assess travel funding at that time.

  • Health and Safety Reminders

    [Note: This section was last updated April 7, 2020.]

    Current Coronavirus Prevention Guidelines include:

    • If you are someone you live with feel sick or have tested positive for the coronavirus: stay home.
    • If you have a serious underlying health condition (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, respiratory disease): stay home.
    • Avoid social gatherings of groups of 10 or more.
    • Avoid discretionary travel.
    • If you work in a critical infrastructure industry: follow CDC guidelines for face covering, social distancing, and handwashing.
    • DO – Wash your hands well (20 seconds) and often, especially after touching frequently used items or surfaces. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
    • Avoid touching your face.
    • DO – sneeze or cough into a tissue (and immediately discard) or your elbow.
    • DO – disinfect frequently used items and surfaces as much as possible. (www.coronavirus.gov).

    The CDC has recently revised facemask guidelines. It is now recommended to wear cloth face coverings when going out in the public. (Cloth face coverings are not surgical or N-95 masks, which should be reserved for healthcare workers and first responders.) Remember:

    • You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
    • Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public — for example, to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
    • Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
    • The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
    • Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
    • Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

    The CDC website has a page dedicated to cloth face coverings, including information on how to make no-sew face coverings from t-shirts and bandannas. 

    COVID-19 Testing Sites:

    UAMS – Little Rock

    UAMS (Little Rock) is offering free online screenings for all Arkansans who have questions about whether they may have theCOVID-19. The screening tool is available free of charge 24 hours a day; go to https://uamshealth.com/healthnow and click on the screening tool. UAMS is also providing a drive-thru triage screening area at the corner of Shuffield & Jack Stephens Drive (across from the VA Hospital) open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is designed to quickly and safely screen people with cough, fever, shortness of breath, flu, or COVID-19. There is also a 24/7 hotline available at 800-632-4502.

    Conway Regional Health System – Conway

    If you have a local health care provider affiliated with Conway Regional Health System, you can call their clinic for instructions for COVID-19 testing. The drive-thru testing is located at Conway Regional. A laboratory order from a health provider is required. 


    Hendrix College continues to monitor developments surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The health and safety of the entire Hendrix community remains our top priority as we consider critical issues related to the possible spread of COVID-19 within Arkansas. Here are some reliable sources of information the College administration and staff are following:

  • Earlier Messages

    Update from March 31, 2020:

    To: Hendrix College Class of 2020 (seniors and M.A. Accounting students)
    From: President Arnold
    Subject: Hendrix College Spring 2020 Commencement

    Dear Spring 2020 graduates, 

    Spring at Hendrix usually means azaleas blooming on campus and busy days full of year-end performances, preparations for final exams, and plenty of good times and fond farewells with friends and mentors. Unfortunately, most of these milestones have been postponed indefinitely or canceled entirely. I cannot express how heartbroken I am that your final semester at Hendrix has been upended in such an extraordinary way. 

    Though it is the pinnacle of the academic year, we cannot hold Commencement 2020 on campus in May as scheduled. While many things are still uncertain and undecided, let me assure you that there will be an opportunity for you to return to campus and be recognized for your accomplishments as graduates of Hendrix College. We will celebrate what you have worked so hard to achieve these past four years. I look forward to sharing more information at a later date once we determine when that opportunity will be. 

    In the meantime, we know how important your Hendrix diploma is to you. Please make sure your address is up to date in CampusWeb no later than May 1 so that we can mail it to you at the end of the academic year. 

    During your time at Hendrix, each of you has contributed to the character and spirit of this institution. I look forward to the opportunity to celebrate with you, to personally congratulate you, and to thank you for all you mean to the College. 

    Sincerely,

    W. Ellis Arnold III ’79

    President

    ________

    An update with information about remote learning was sent to students March 19, 2020: Information About Remote Classes

    Additional updates were released March 16, 2020: Informational Updates and Available Resources for the Hendrix Community

    ________

    Update from March 13, 2020: 

    Dear Hendrix community, 

    I am grateful to everyone who has shared their concerns and offers of support as our Senior Leadership Team has monitored the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)-related developments in recent days.  

    While there are no cases of COVID-19 currently at Hendrix, our responsibility is the well-being of our students and employees. In a highly residential living and learning environment such as Hendrix, we are concerned that we cannot adequately ensure the health and safety of our students in the event of an outbreak. 

    After careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to suspend in-person classes at the conclusion of classes today, and we will transition to synchronous remote learning after Spring Break for the remainder of this semester. All other campus operations will continue, and offices will remain open. A timeline of important dates is listed below. 

    We understand there are unresolved issues and will continue working to identify solutions to questions not addressed in this message. Please know that we are absolutely committed to upholding the quality of teaching and learning.  

    We will continue to update our resource and response page at  www.hendrix.edu/coronavirus. There will be an FAQ section added to this page to address other issues, which will be updated as decisions are made. If you have questions about the information presented here, please email  aboutcovid19@hendrix.edu. 

    I am grateful for the hard work of staff, faculty, and students who have assisted in planning and decision-making. This decision was not made lightly, and we understand its profound impact on everyone. Thank you for your patience, support, and understanding.  

    In the coming days and weeks, the resilience of our community will be tested, but I am confident this unprecedented situation will ultimately reaffirm the character and spirit of Hendrix. 

    Sincerely, 

    W. Ellis Arnold III ’79 

    President 

    ________

    Update from March 11, 2020:

    Currently:

    • There are no cases of COVID-19 on the Hendrix campus, nor are there any suspected cases.
    • On March 2, the College sent a message to students, faculty, and staff concerning plans to address health and safety issues, travel study modifications, and academic continuity.

    In addition, here are some measures the College is currently taking:

    Addressing academic continuity concerns: As part of the College planning of our response to COVID-19, we will be setting up Office 365 Teams for Education as the on-line platform for holding classes remotely. Please note that we have NOT yet made any definite decisions about whether we will need to hold classes virtually, but we need to have the system deployed in case we decide to move in this direction. Academic Affairs and Technology Services are developing instructions and training for faculty and instructions for students. As the situation continues to develop, we will keep the Hendrix community informed about any updates or next steps.

    Response planning: The College’s Emergency Response Team has begun meeting to determine likely needs in the event COVID-19 reaches the Hendrix campus. These considerations include:

    • alternate housing for temporary containment/quarantine
    • alternate distribution of meals that would minimize the need for a large group to congregate in the same space
    • how best the College can follow updated recommendations distributed by the above sources
    • addressing sick leave policies per the recommendation of the City of Conway and local health professionals.

    Additional sanitizing: Facilities staff are paying particular attention to sanitizing high-traffic areas around campus. Thank you for your patience as this change in focus affects some of the normal campus maintenance schedules.

    Coordinating with community leaders: Assistant Dean Mike LeBlanc and Nurse Necie Reed attended a March 4 meeting called by the City of Conway to discuss COVID-19 concerns. Mayor Bart Castleberry brought together leaders from area hospitals, State and City Health Departments, larger businesses, schools, and institutions of higher education. Topics included the City’s disease readiness plan and a review of preparation by various organizations.