March 26, 2020
Dear Friends of Concordia University,
You and your families and loved ones are in our hearts as we continue to adjust to the new normal of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Monday, we welcomed our Concordia students back to the start of classes following spring break. And we did so virtually, for the first time ever. It’s an incredible endeavor to move 1,594 classes across six academic schools and two residential campuses online, and to transition more than 1,705 residential students out of their dorms and back to their homes in less than a week and a half. I am incredibly proud of the Concordia team for doing their very best to serve our students so well under these incredible circumstances.
I appreciate, too, how our students are adjusting to scenarios they never imagined—missing their friends and professors, dealing with many disappointments, as well as cancelled trips, choral tours, study abroad experiences, and athletic contests. And they will miss out on the memories they anticipated making, especially those who are in their senior semesters. I am so grateful for our faculty and staff, who are carrying forward with the essential work of our campuses and putting the needs of our more than 7,000 students first to ensure they receive the very best, Christ-centered excellent higher education possible.
Most of all, I am inspired by the courage of all of our Concordians to live uncommon in these remarkably uncommon times. Our students, faculty, staff, donors, and friends live the essence of Concordia, hearts together in every circumstance. Thank you
.
And our hearts are with those in our Concordia family who even now are facing personal financial challenges. It is no surprise that in the wake of this pandemic that the University also is facing significant challenges. Our financial footing, thankfully, has long been exceedingly strong thanks to our conservative approach to managing our operations and stewarding well the gifts entrusted to our care. However, the closure of our residential campuses coupled with a highly uncertain market, will certainly test us.
We have made the decision to compensate students who, because of the need to leave campus housing, have paid for services that we cannot provide. This decision, which is absolutely the right thing to do for our students and their families, is creating a negative financial impact of well over $2 million. Even for Concordia, this is a significant loss.
Our friends and alumni have asked, "How can we help?" If your personal circumstances allow, I would humbly ask for your support to help us bridge the gap.
