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COVID-19 Updates

Updated August 11, 2022

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Coronavirus Policies and Procedures

Graceland University puts the health and safety of its community as its highest priority. We continue to monitor the ongoing coronavirus variants and are encouraged as we see the development of new treatments, improvements to vaccines that are effectively preventing major illness, and weakening symptoms. With these factors in mind, masks will no longer be mandated anywhere on the Lamoni campus, including classrooms.

 

What This Means

  • Students, faculty, and staff should continue to follow the CDC’s and Iowa Public Health guidelines. For more information on CDC guidelines, visit their site.
  • We are no longer doing baseline testing. Home tests are available for free from the Postal Service. Graceland’s remaining test kits are reserved for symptomatic individuals who reach out to the Covid Coordinator, Erin Lundy at covid@graceland.edu.
  • Those who feel more comfortable in a mask should continue wearing them in any setting. Many students and staff will continue to wear masks, and we fully support that choice!
  • Faculty are no longer expected to Zoom in students. Students should send a picture of a positive test to the Covid Coordinator and will be given an excused absence.
  • Limited isolation space is still available, and Sodexo will continue to deliver meals to students in isolation.

 

A Note About Monkeypox

The administration is continuously monitoring the outbreak of monkeypox across the United States. Currently, we suggest that faculty and staff simply educate themselves on the virus. We are working closely with the Decatur County Health Department and will provide more information as necessary.

 

  • How has Graceland used federal funds received under the CARES Act?

    Graceland staff applied for and received Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds from the Department of Education.

    Graceland signed and returned the U.S. Department of Education Certification and Agreement in 2020 and confirms that Graceland will use no less than 50% of the funds received under section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide emergency financial aid grants to students.

    1. The total amount of CARES funds received from the U.S. Department of Education for distribution to students is $3,023,695.
    2. The total amount of grants distributed to students from 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act as of June 30, 2022, is $3,023,695.
    3. Graceland preliminary reports reflect estimates 1,379 unique students received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant.
      • As encouraged by The Secretary of Education, Graceland prioritized students with a demonstrated financial need in setting award amounts.
    4. 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 childcare).

    To be considered for funding, students needed to apply. An online application form was posted on the internal website and advertised via emails to eligible students. Students were asked to identify the COVID related impact and identify if Graceland was authorized to apply any amount of grant dollars directly to their student account. Grants were made available via direct deposit or check.

    Graceland staff continue to develop processes by which the remaining funds will be awarded. These numbers have been updated on July 8, 2020; Aug. 22, 2020; Oct. 29, 2020; Jan. 27, 2021; April 9, 2021; July 10, 2021; October 7, 2021; April 15, 2022; July 10, 2022.

 

Questions?

Contact the COVID Coordinator for your campus.

Independence Campus
Jane Garrow
garrow@graceland.edu

Lamoni Campus
Erin Lundy
elundy@graceland.edu

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Update from the President

Graceland University has strived to ensure that the academic experience on our campuses maintains its high quality for our students. We also have placed a priority on the community aspect of what makes Graceland special and unique, so we have been thrilled to meet in person for the vast majority of the pandemic. Local, state, and federal recommendations have guided us throughout the process and our students have been engaged in-person in all academic, athletic, and student life experiences, resulting in a more positive experience for all.

As we look to the future, we will continue to be guided by those local, state, and federal guidelines and ask that all students, faculty, staff, and visitors continue to do the same. The health and safety of our community is our highest priority and I thank you for all you have done during the past two years. We will continue to update our community on the latest guidelines as needed. Until then, please be mindful of guidance from the CDC and the state public health authorities.

President Patricia H. Draves, PhD
Updated June 1, 2022

Additional Resources
Centers For Disease Control Guidelines Iowa Department Of Public Health Missouri Department Of Public Health