We want to thank all those who have sent in anonymous questions? Below you will find each question and answer. Continue to post your questions, and we will do our best to provide answers moving forward.
Q: If school were to close down completely during a lockdown, do we still have to pay the monthly balance we owe?
A: If the university campus were required to entirely lockdown - classes would still be conducted through distance learning, and monthly payments would still be due. Please reach out to Student Accounts for additional support and clarification.
Q: Why are staff not allowed to work from home for their safety?
A: Approval can be considered in the form of approved telework; use of personal and/or vacation time and/or unpaid leave: Our WAU HR is continuing to finalize these approval guidelines and performance expectations, which will then be distributed March 23rd, 2020.
Q: How will our financial aid be affected during this time? Is there any additional financial assistance available through the university for students that might be affected? Some of us are not able to work, which affects paying our balance and following our payment arrangements.
A: Given that classes are still being conducted, Financial Aid awards remain intact. Students may also apply for an emergency loan of $500 or less for qualifying needs.
Q: Do you think it is safe to keep the campus open, knowing that offices might have more than ten workers, and the cafeteria will have a large amount of students/employees at one time? This increases the risk of spreading COVID-19.
A: An "open" WAU Campus aligns with the Maryland Governor Hogan's directives. Dining services are currently offered "to go." Also, our WAU Safety officers are present to ensure compliance with the ten or less gathering guidelines.
Q: Our lab is 16 students and 2 lab instructors making us 18...and we have five students who were exposed to the virus last Monday at a clinical site out of campus. Please can we have online simulation and video skills to compensate for the lab on campus?
A: Evidence that supports this question should be provided to your administrator immediately. Also, please note that nursing students have received emails specific to their lab, clinical, and course requirements. Please check your WAU emails for these updates, which consistently comply with the CDC, program approval, and the Governor of Maryland mandates.
Q: If we decided to leave campus for the rest of the semester and go back home with our family, would there be some kind of refund for those students? That would include both dorm and food.
A: Residence hall students who decide to go home before the end of the semester, and who have a zero balance will receive a prorated refund. Students who choose to go home and who have a financial balance will have the residence hall room and board rate credited to their account.
Q: Are precautions going to be taken on disinfecting the school?
A: The university has implemented and will continue to enforce increased cleaning and sanitation services as needed to disinfect its facilities and labs.
Q: What will happen for the Student Convention?
A: Faculty are exploring options for a virtual "Student Convention" - updates will be forthcoming through your WAU email and the WAU App
Q: Does this now affect nursing as well? Clinicals are still being held with more than ten people in the building.
A: Following the Governor's guidelines, as well as agency directives, clinicals are now placed on hold and will be rescheduled as soon as the clinical agencies approve for students to return. WAU is adhering to the Governor's request that groups be limited to 10 or less.
Q: Will office staff have the option to work remotely?
A: Approval can be considered in the form of approved telework; use of personal and/or vacation time and/or unpaid leave: Our WAU HR is continuing to finalize these approval guidelines and performance expectations, which will then be distributed March 23rd, 2020.
Q: Who responds to these anonymous questions?
A: The appropriate WAU university designee.
Q: What day that we'll return to class?
A: All classes will be taught through distance learning for the duration of our Spring 2020 semester.
Please continue to post your questions with the link below. We'll be answering them, as appropriate, as soon as possible.
