Rockford University will be extending its spring break through Sunday, March 22. Please see the following letter to students from Dr. Randy Worden, Vice President for Student Life for additional details. 

Rockford University will be extending its spring break through Sunday, March 22. Please see the following letter to Students from Dr. Randy Worden, Vice President for Student Life for additional details. 

Dear Rockford University Students

Information surrounding COVID-19 and its spread within the United States is a rapidly evolving situation. As such, the University remains in regular contact with the Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD) to ensure we’re ready to respond appropriately if the coronavirus disease 2019 – COVID-19 – spreads to our area. We are also proactively working on contingency plans to ensure we are taking necessary steps to ensure the health and well-being of our campus community, as well as continuity for teaching and learning. We reiterate that at this time, there are no confirmed cases in the region, including in Winnebago County.

There are many factors to take into consideration and difficult decisions to make during this unprecedented event. Our decisions are based on current guidance and information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the State of Illinois, and WCHD. The University’s focus is on the health and safety of our students and employees through continued preparedness and prevention.

Rockford University will be putting the following decisions and protocols in place to help limit COVID-19 risk our students and our campus:

• Spring Break is extended through Sunday, March 22. It is our intent to resume in-person classes on Monday, March 23. We will continue to monitor the most recent information available and inform the campus of any changes.
• Extending Spring Break will allow faculty to prepare for online instruction should that become necessary.
• Campus will remain open during this time and offices will be open normal business hours.
• Classes and co-curricular events, such as athletic practices/competitions and theater rehearsals, will not be held during the extension. Classes, practices, competitions, and rehearsals will begin again Monday, March 23, unless new information changes these plans.
• Additional cleaning will be conducted in all public and common areas, including residence halls.
• If we have a student(s) exposed to COVID-19 outside of our region, we have a self-quarantine location designated and we are in regular contact with the county health department and prepared to follow recommendations and protocols they provide.
• The International Food Festival scheduled for April 4 is canceled.
• Residential students may return to campus at any time, but it is recommended/requested that students wait until Sunday, March 22.
• Nursing and Education students can expect to hear from their instructors regarding clinicals or observations.

Lang Wellness Center updated procedures:

• Lang Wellness Center is implementing telehealth through a Call First system as recommended by the Center for Disease Control. Rockford University students, faculty, and staff will need to call 815-226-4083 to set up appointments to speak with the nurse, counselor, disability support services coordinator, and office manager.
• We are unable to allow walk-in patients until further notice.
• If you suspect you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, we advise that you call your health care provider or contact the Illinois Coronavirus Hotline
  (1-800-889-3931 or SICK@ILLINOIS.GOV).
• If you are scheduled to come in to see the nurse and are ill, only use the blue door/entrance C. If you have scheduled a well visit with the nurse, only use the faculty side glass door/entrance A and check-in at the small gray desk that has been set up upon entering the Wellness Center side. When an appointment is being scheduled, Lang Wellness Center staff will remind you where to check-in.
• Please continue to be diligent with your handwashing, social distancing, and stay home if you are sick!

The public can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, like flu by:

• • WASHING YOUR HANDS OFTEN with soap and warm water.
  • COVERING YOUR COUGH, cough and sneeze into your upper sleeve or a tissue that you throw away.
  • CLEANING SURFACES OFTEN, increase cleaning of frequently touched surfaces.
  • STAYING HOME, if you are not feeling well, stay home to keep others from getting sick.

We realize that these changes will cause disruption—and that you will have additional questions based on the above information—but the risk of not acting outweighs the inconvenience of these temporary measures.  

I appreciate your patience and cooperation and I urge you to stay informed of the facts surrounding COVID-19 and take preventative measures to ensure your health and safety.

Sincerely,

Randy Worden. D.Min
VP for Student Life

rworden@rockford.edu
815-394-5298

Resources:

• Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD) – wchd.org
• Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) – http://www.dph.illinois.gov/
• If you have questions or concerns about COVID-19, call the Illinois Department of Public Health hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email SICK@Illinois.gov
• S. State Department – https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/novel-coronavirus-hubei-province–china.html
• Center for Disease Control (CDC) – https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html; https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.
• US Government response to COVID-19 – https://www.usa.gov/coronavirus
• Rockford University Lang Wellness Center – (815) 226-4083; healthcenter@rockford.edu

Letter to the Rockford University campus from President Eric Fulcomer – March 6, 2020

The following was sent to the entire Rockford University campus from President Eric Fulcomer – March 6, 2020

To commemorate the 173^rd anniversary of the signing of Rockford University’s charter, this year’s Charter Day Convocation will showcase a dramatic reading depicting the school’s role in saving World War II victims. This event will take place on Monday, March 2, at 4 p.m. in Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center.

This year’s Charter Day brings to life the stories of five people whose lives had been broken by World War II and who found at then Rockford College, now Rockford University, a welcoming community that provided them opportunities and an educational environment that war had taken away from them. The presentation will be an adaptation of a chapter entitled “Rescue Stories” from the book “We Are a College at War: Women Working for Victory in World War II,” written by Rockford University professors, Christine Bruun, Catherine Forslund, and Mary Weaks-Baxter. The book weaves together the individual World War II experiences of students and faculty at the then all-female Rockford College to draw a broader picture of the role American women and college students played during this defining period in United States history.

The presentation will feature seven performers who will describe how the president of Rockford College, Mary Ashby Cheek (1937-1954), rescued refugees fleeing from the horrors of the war by welcoming them into the College community. The seven performers include Professor Emerita Christine Bruun, Ph.D. and her husband David Bruun; Professor Emeritus Rufus Cadigan, Ph.D.; Professor Catherine Forslund, Ph.D.; Professor Mary Weaks-Baxter, Ph.D.; and Performing Arts students Connor Burek, Elizabeth Dutch, and Rebekah Smith. This event also includes an academic procession of faculty in traditional robes depicting their rank, with stoles representing their respective alma maters and degrees.

There is no charge to attend, but tickets are required. This event will take place in Maddox Theatre, in the Clark Arts Center, located at 5050 East State Street, Rockford. Clark Arts is accessible. Tickets can be obtained by contacting the Box Office at 815-226-4100 or boxoffice@rockford.edu.

This event is also part of the University’s spring Forum Series. View the full list of Forum Series events at www.Rockford.edu/artslectures/forum.

Rockford University’s Performing Arts Department presents Triumph of Love, a musical adapted from the book The Triumph of Love by James Magruder, with lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, and music by Jeffrey Stock. This performance is directed by Professor of Performing Arts, Jeff Hendry. The show runs Thursday, February 27- Saturday, February 29, 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 1, 2 p.m. in Maddox Theatre, located in the Clark Arts Center, 5050 East State Street, Rockford. The Clark Arts Center is accessible. 

First performed on Broadway in 1997, this chamber musical adaption of the classic French comedy of the same name, is described as being full of delicious deception, gender confusion and comic buffoonery. As multiple romantic storylines collided, the beautiful Princess Leonide, (played by Cecelia Boynton a theatre major from Greenmount, Maryland) and the handsome Agis (played by Bryce Panzella a musical theatre major from Caledonia, Illinois) must decide which the more powerful force is; the mind or the heart. More than 30 students are involved in this production.

Tickets are required, and seating is limited. Single ticket admission for adults $12, seniors age 55 and up, and students is $9 unless otherwise noted. To reserve tickets, contact the Box Office at boxoffice@rockford.edu. The complete list of this season’s productions is available on the University’s website at www.rockford.edu/artslectures/performingarts/. 

Rockford University’s Puri School of Business is hosting two free events in March. The first is an information session about the bachelor’s degree completion programs for working adults on Wednesday, March 4. On Thursday, March 5 is the second in a series of three breakfast briefings where University faculty present topics that emphasize practical application of skills that can be applied immediately.

Both events are held in the Puri School of Business, located on the Rockford University campus, 5050 East State Street, Rockford.

Business Management Degree Information Session
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.

Anyone interested in learning more about earning Rockford University’s Business Management Bachelor’s Completion is encouraged to attend the Business Management Information Session. This program provides a flexible option for individuals who may already have an A.A.S, A.A., or A.S. degree. Attendees will be provided an in-depth look at how the program helps advance career opportunities, including details on the program and admission requirements. Guests will also be able to speak one-on-one with advisors and faculty.

This event will conclude at approximately 7 p.m. There is no cost to attend but registration is requested. For more information on this event and to register call 815-226-4040 or visit www.rockford.edu/bsmsinfo.

Breakfast Briefing
Thursday, March 5, 2020
7:30 – 8:45 a.m.

Assistant Professor Jeff Karlberg, Ph.D. will provide insight for skills that can be applied on the job in his talk titled “No Tears, No Fears: Removing Emotion from Negotiation”. He will discuss how negotiations employ crafty critical thinking and making counteroffers that can cement relationships. This event also features a free hot breakfast.  This event will conclude at approximately 8:45 a.m. Registration is free but required. To register for this event visit www.rockford.edu/briefing.

Rockford University will host a Future Regent Visit Day is on Saturday, February 22, beginning at 10 a.m. Future Regent Visit Days provide interested students and their families an in-depth look at the University, including visits with admission representatives, financial aid staff, faculty, and current students. Guests are invited to explore campus, meet with faculty, interact with current students, and test drive the University’s academic offerings.

The February 22 Visit Day also includes a complimentary lunch. Check-in begins at 10 a.m. on Rockford University’s campus, located at 5050 East State Street, Rockford. The Visit Day will conclude at approximately 2:30 p.m. To learn more about Future Regent Visit Day and to register, call 815-226-4050 or visit www.rockford.edu/visit/ to reserve a spot today.