Update Center

July 23, 2020

COVID-19 Alert System for Fall 2020 

Donnelly College plans to return to in-person instruction on campus beginning in the fall 2020 term. The term will start on August 31, 2020.

When students, staff, faculty and visitors enter campus buildings, there will be a posted level of alert at the entrance to inform of the precautions one must observe while on campus.

You can review the levels of alert here. 

June 4, 2020

In-Person Classes to Resume August 31 

Donnelly College plans to return to in-person instruction on campus beginning in the fall 2020 term. The term will start on August 31, 2020, two weeks later than previously planned. We are revising our courses to accommodate 50% capacity, implementing technology to allow for remote learning and considering new policies and practices which will minimize the amount of students on campus at any one time.

We will continue to follow all CDC recommendations for safety on campus including temperature checks, increased sanitizing stations, social distance markings and the required use of face coverings and other protective equipment. Switching to remote learning this spring was a necessary step and has had positive results. But like any action so drastic, it has interrupted and postponed the educational processes so many of our first-generation college students have relied on. In a student survey on distance learning administered in May 2020, 53% of Donnelly students prefer in-person learning.

COVID-19 will remain a fact of life with no vaccine in the near future. Donnelly College will take every safety measure it can to manage this health crisis to maximize the safety of all employees and students.

Welcome back Dragons! 

May 13, 2020 (Updated July 21, 2020) 

CARES Act Provides Grants for Students 

In the last few weeks, Donnelly received news from the US Department of Education that we would receive a portion of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act totaling $294,832. No less than half of these funds ($147,416) will be distributed directly to students for living expenses and general support. The funds have been received and distribution of checks started the week of May 11 and are ongoing. 206 students are eligible under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act and are allocated an initial $500 each. For those students not eligible under the CARES Act, Donnelly will use institutional funds to provide equivalent grants. We are working as fast as we can to make these funds available to those hit hardest by the crisis. 

As of July 21, 2020 the school has distributed $111,400 to 176 students.

Students -- Please check your Donnelly email address for more information. If you have not filled out your grant request form, please do so as soon as possible. The funds must be used to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus. including eligible expenses under a student’s cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care. These grant funds are not taxable, and you do not have to repay this money. Please contact your Adviser for more information regarding these funds or contact Dr. Mary Pflanz with questions. 

May 13, 2020

Fall 2020 On Campus - A Note From Lisa Stoothoff, Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs

As we complete the Spring 2020 semester, I want to congratulate all of you on persevering in this time of uncertainty.

While we are starting to hear news of the virus peaking in some areas, we must continue to listen to local authorities and medical professionals before we can return to our normal operating capacity. Our current target is to be fully open in the fall, with face-to-face classes being offered.  We have begun contingency planning and have options if a safe return to campus is not feasible for all.

I encourage you to keep in contact over the summer and we will reach out with updates as often as they are available.

Looking forward to your safe return to campus.

April 23, 2020

Virtual Information Session for Prospective Students 

Prospective students that are unable to visit campus for an in-person campus visit or information session can now view our Virtual Information Session at their convenience. 

April 20, 2020

Statement Concerning Construction Crew Cases of COVID-19

The Donnelly College community is saddened to hear that some crew members who have worked at the construction site of Donnelly’s new academic building have tested positive for COVID-19. The safety of all crew members on-site is of the upmost concern to both Donnelly College and Excel Constructors, lead contractor for the project. Excel Constructors has initiated a thorough 3-day cleaning and disinfecting period that ended on Monday, April 20, 2020 at 7:00am. In addition, Excel Constructors has implemented numerous safety measures for the site including:

1.     A sign in sheet to be posted for ALL personnel on site – Each person is screened for any COVID-19 symptoms (fever (greater than 100.4 F or 38.0 C) OR symptoms of lower respiratory illness such as cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing or sore throat) daily.

2.     All individuals on site will be required to wear PPE, including but not limited to a protective mask. Any individual without a mask will be asked to leave the jobsite.

3.     Social distancing of six (6) feet shall always be practiced where possible. Groups working in the same confined space shall be limited to six (6) or less.

4.     Excel Constructors personnel are disinfecting the hard surfaces on the jobsite at a minimum of 3 times a day.

Donnelly College and Excel Constructors are in regular communication with local and state health care officials and are following their advice and counsel regarding our building project. 

Donnelly College is currently in phase III of construction to complete campus master plan improvements which includes the construction of three-story, 72,000 sq. ft. academic building will include state-of-the-art learning environments, updated technology, centralized student support services, academic resource center and a 60-seat chapel. This new building is slated to be complete by August 2020, with the first class of students starting in the space that same month. Per order of the Governor, Donnelly College along with all other institutions of higher education are considered essential services.

Donnelly College is pleased to announce that we have had no known cases of COVID 19 infection among our faculty, staff, or Board.  Students were last on campus for classes on Friday, March 13 prior to Spring Break. Since that date, all classes have been moved to a distance learning mode of instruction, and only essential staff are onsite. All campus updates and operational changes due to COVID-19 are posted on this page. 

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April 15, 2020

RESOURCES 

The United Way of Wyandotte County has prepared a resource list for areas resources including health care, food pantries, employment services and agencies offering other assistance. 

Resources in English

Resources in Spanish 

You can always call 211 from any phone to reach United Way if you need additional information. Students, remember you can still make an appointment for a tele-health appointment with the Counseling Center via the Donnelly website.

March 27, 2020

INFO FOR CURRENT AND PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

As the COVID-19 virus continues to impact society, the following changes have been implemented at Donnelly College for current and prospective students:

CURRENT Students

•    Spring 2020 semester coursework resumes March 30, 2020. All coursework will be completed online. Classes will not meet on campus for the remainder of the semester. Students – check for Donnelly College email often for communications from your faculty members. 

•    If you are having trouble accessing a computer or the internet you may use the computer lab on the third floor M-F from 11am-2pm starting March 30. Social distancing practices will be enforced. 

•    Commencement and Pinning Ceremony for Spring 2020 graduates has been postponed. A new date is in the process of being selected and will be communicated to students as soon as possible. 

•    Summer and Fall enrollment registration is now open online. You can contact your advisor by email to set up a virtual appointment. 

•    We are working on new hours for the Campus Cupboard and will provide curbside service to comply with social distancing rules. New service/hours will be posted on the main webpage and social media when available.

•    We will continue to offer peer tutoring by phone, email or possibly video conferencing.  Email Yvonne Telep,ytelep@donnelly.edu for more information or to schedule a session.

•    Remote library references are available on JSTOR (OneLogin) on our website. Email Tyler Johnson, Academic Librarian,tjohnson@donnelly.edu for more information

•    We are working on remote counseling sessions in the form of video conference  and phone calls.  Please email Susan Lechliter, Counselor slechliter@donnelly.edu for more information.

•    Payment Plans – All current payment plans will be extended. Check your DC student email for details. If you have questions about your account, please feel free to contact Alejandra Valles at avalles@donnelly.edu or (913)-621-8768.

•    Student Activities – Stay tuned for information on planned students activities including Student Senate elections, a virtual Career Fair, Dime and more. 

•    Prayer services and religious resources will also be available to you. Archbishop Naumann is live-streaming Mass every day at 8:30am on his Facebook page at the following: https://m.facebook.com/archbishopnaumann/. You may also email Fr. John Melnick, VP of Campus Ministry jmelnick@donnelly.edu for more information.

NEW Students for Summer or Fall 

•    We are excited you are considering Donnelly College and that you are not allowing this outbreak to postpone your plans for a higher education. Our admissions office and other student services are not available for in-person visits, but they are available for phone, email and video appointments. 

•    Admissions applications are free and available online here - https://www.donnelly.edu/admissions/apply  An Admissions Counselor will reach out to you after you submit your application, so make sure you provide us with a phone number and email address that is best for you to be reached at. If you are not ready to apply, and instead have some questions, email admissions@donnelly.edu and a Counselor will reach out to you. 

•    Financial Aid is also still up and running. Check out our scholarship opportunities here - https://www.donnelly.edu/admissions/aid/scholarships. 

•    Testing, Transcripts, Advising, Orientations are also still all currently operating. After being accepted, your Admissions Counselor will walk you through the process so no need to worry. 
 

March 15, 2020

Spring Break Extension and Courses Online 

The safety, health and total well-being of our students, faculty and staff are of vital concern for us at Donnelly College.

• Spring Break for all students has been extended until March 29, 2020 (unless notified differently by your instructors).
• Starting March 30, 2020, all classes (unless notified differently by your instructors) will be delivered remotely by online instruction at least until April 13, 2020.
• Faculty and staff will take the week of March 23rd to fully prepare for this shift in instruction modality.

All students will be receiving further details and instructions in the coming days through their Donnelly-issued email address. Please be attentive to these announcements.

Please be assured of my prayers for you and everyone associated with Donnelly College and I ask for your prayers in return.

Monsignor Swetland 

March 12, 2020

COVID-19 Response Update

Donnelly College is closely monitoring the government response to coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) and we are prepared to respond to this situation with safety, prevention and remote options. While the current risk in our immediate area is low, the situation is changing rapidly and we will make decisions in a timely manner as the health and safety of our Donnelly College family and the greater Kansas City community are of foremost concern. 

We are consulting with the Kansas Independent College Association and monitoring actions taken by other institutions of higher education. Faculty are preparing their courses in distance-learning formats so there is no disruption in the learning process should remote options need to be employed. We have also added research databases to our OneLogin system so research may still be conducted from remote locations.

Thank you to our custodial crew and maintenance staff for incorporating extra efforts to clean our buildings. To help ensure the greatest level of protection keep the following in mind:
•    Cover your coughs and sneezes - Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. 
•    Clean your hands often - Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60 to 95% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together until they feel dry. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
•    Avoid sharing personal household items - You should not share dishes, drinking glasses, cups, or eating utensils with other people. 
•    Clean all “high-touch” surfaces everyday - High touch surfaces include counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables. We currently do this at all of our buildings and have increased our efforts to keep our buildings clean. Adhering to these measures at home will reduce the possibility of spreading the flu.
•    If you or a family member is sick (fever, vomiting, etc.), please stay at home and monitor symptoms - seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening (e.g., difficulty breathing).

Students -- Donnelly College will keep you updated on possible changes to your spring 2020 semester classes. We are on spring break from March 16-20 so there are no immediate changes, however, we will send out communication (email, text blast and website announcements) on Friday, March 20, to update you on the situation.

Enjoy your spring break and stay safe!