Campus update for March 19, 2020

March 19, 2020

Dear students,

No matter what, there are some things you can count on: Such as the axis of the Earth tilting closer to the sun, and the first day of spring today!

And you can count on us. We know you have a lot of questions after yesterday's announcement about distance learning.

Here is what we know now:

• Information about credits and refunds for housing and meal plans will be available before the end of the day tomorrow.

• If you are in campus housing and preparing to move out, you should be receiving this information from Residential Life about moving out, checking out, storage and other details.

• Celebration of Learning has been canceled. "For those who were planning on presenting at this year's event, you have engaged in some amazing work and you should be darn proud of what you have accomplished," says Dr. Mariano Magalhães. "It is with a heavy heart that we have made this decision."

• For those on campus, Campus Cupboard will be open again from 12:30-2 p.m. Monday. Contact Farrah Roberts if you need a different time.

• Counseling Services has suspended face-to-face therapy but will offer telebehavioral services. Email Cheri Mizaur for an appointment and information. Inquiries must be sent from your Augustana email address. (Due to state law, only students living in Illinois and Iowa are eligible.) Any student may schedule a time to consult with Farrah Roberts, our director of student well-being and resiliency. Again, contact Cheri Mizaur. And don't forget The Shrink Space, our online referral for therapy in the community.

Stay in touch, a message from Chaplain Richard Priggie

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Reinhold Niebuhr, one of the 20th century's foremost spiritual guides, wrote this prayer in 1934. It has been widely adopted by Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs. It strikes me that it is right on target in this time when events seem to be out of our control.

We cannot change the outbreak of the virus. God, help us accept this as a challenge in which we can pull together as a world community.

In this situation that we didn't choose, help us find moment-to-moment ways that we can change our usual perspective to be kinder to ourselves and others.

And God, help us learn the difference between doing what we can do and just flat-out trusting you, knowing that you are always at work in our midst to create community and to bring healing.

Pastor Richard W. Priggie
309-794-7478

Please send comments, questions or suggestions to covid19info@augustana.edu. For something lighthearted, see Augustana Memes for Sleep Deprived Teens.