To Our Undergraduates:
The end of this semester’s classes is just nine days away.
Even though spring break feels as though it was months ago, it’s still hard to imagine how few classes you have left for each course—or how quickly final exams and project deadlines will arrive.
While nearly every aspect of the past five weeks has been unlike any other at Case Western Reserve, one element remains consistent: We want to help. Whether the support you want is academic, administrative, psychological, and/or physical, our community stands ready to help. Please do not hesitate to reach out—for yourself or a classmate. We care about the well-being of all of you.
Below are, reminders, updates—and an opportunity to help our health providers:
If You Are On or Off Campus and Being Tested for COVID-19: Please contact University Health Services during business hours (UHS) at 216.368.2450 or email us at healthservices@case.edu.
If You Are Off Campus and Feel Ill: Please contact your local health provider. Students who are continuing to reside in Cleveland, as well as those who are now at their permanent residences, can call UHS any time at 216.368.2450 to speak with a nurse on-call.
If You Are Living in University Housing and Feel Ill: Please call UHS at 216.368.2450, any time, day or night. A health provider will ask questions to assess your condition; depending on the findings, you may:
- remain in your residence and receive regular phone check-ins from UHS;
- be seen in person at UHS; or
- if seriously ill, be referred to a nearby hospital emergency room (the university can arrange transportation if needed, and UHS also will communicate with the providers there before you arrive).
Depending on the nature of your campus housing situation, students suspected of being exposed to or infected by COVID-19 may be relocated temporarily to a residence where they can self-isolate. Staff provide meals, linens and cleaning supplies, and University Health and Counseling Services (UHCS) checks in regularly.
In addition, UHS and/or the relevant health department communicates with the close contacts of individuals who test positive for or are likely to have COVID-19. If you have not been contacted, health officials have determined that you are not at increased risk of becoming ill from exposure to that individual.
UHS follows state and federal guidance regarding infection control, and also works closely with the School of Medicine and affiliated hospitals (Cleveland Clinic, MetroHealth Medical Center and University Hospitals).
If you are feeling anxious or overwhelmed: University Health and Counseling Services has pulled together tips, guidance and resources for coping during this unusual time. Counseling also is offering online events tomorrow and Thursday. Check the calendar for additional offerings.
Finally, you can reach a counselor at any time by calling 216.368.5872.
If you have questions relating to the university but outside health and counseling: Contact your navigator.
If you have questions relating to classes, majors or other academic matters: Contact your faculty advisor or Undergraduate Studies.
If you live on or near campus and would like to help providers in local hospitals: Volunteer to assemble face shields the county has received from the state. It’s a simple three-step process of connecting the shields to headbands; if interested, please complete this form.
If You Park on Campus: All student parkers—with the exception of those still living on campus—will receive a credit for the period from March 22 through the end of the academic year. Students who are graduating will receive a refund that first will be applied to outstanding balances in their accounts.
With best wishes for the rest of your week,
Lou Stark
Vice President for Student Affairs
Sara Lee, MD
Executive Director for Health and Counseling Services