Dear Students,

As I was walking across the campus on my way to celebrate Sunday Mass in Alumni Memorial Chapel, I saw one of our faculty members walking with his wife. We paused briefly to chat, and he shared with me how well his classes are going. I am gratified to hear a great deal of positive feedback from students, families, and faculty about this semester’s online instruction. 

Even as we focus on the learning that is happening in our virtual spaces this semester, I want to assure you that our planning to bring students back for a residential learning experience in January continues.

Live Reopening Update
Putting a plan for testing in place continues to be an important focus, as well as our plans around case management, including quarantine and isolation. We are finalizing the contract with our health care partner, which will be key to that planning. With all the work and planning that is underway at Loyola, we are eager to connect with you to offer a brief update.

Terrence Sawyer, J.D., senior vice president, who is leading the coordination of our reopening efforts with Joan Flynn, associate vice president for external affairs, will offer a live reopening update for students and parents on Tuesday, Oct. 13, at 5 p.m. We will send a link to the recording afterward if you are not able to attend.

Leadership Update
We are delighted to welcome Julie Sanz, MSN, ANP-BC, as our new director of Student Health and Education Services. Ms. Sanz started in the role earlier this month.

A board-certified adult nurse practitioner, Ms. Sanz received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Catholic University of America and her Master of Science in Nursing from the Johns Hopkins University. Ms. Sanz has worked for nine years in college health—most recently at Stevenson University—as well as in the neurosciences department at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she was both a staff nurse and nurse practitioner.

Please join me in welcoming Ms. Sanz to our community.

Health and Safety on Campus
I would like to remind members of our community who visit any of Loyola's campuses that physical distancing is required at all times, and face coverings must be worn both inside and outside while on campus. On my walks across campus recently, I have been pleased to encounter students who are visiting—but not at all pleased when I see they are not wearing face coverings or engaging in physical distancing.

If you are living in the area this semester and visit campus, you must comply with the health and safety guidelines which include mandatory student training, symptom-checker app enrollment, and signing the pledge to become a Healthy Hound. Student Health Services will explain these items in more detail, as well as all safety guidelines, in an email that undergraduate students will receive later this afternoon.

Flu Vaccinations
Flu shots will be mandatory for undergraduate and graduate students who are returning to Loyola’s campuses in January. Undergraduate and graduate students who will be on campus will need to show proof of having received an Influenza vaccination before the start of the spring semester. More information will be forthcoming later this month from Student Health Services.

Faculty, staff, administrators who are working on campus this semester, and graduate students who are taking in-person classes this semester are strongly encouraged to get a flu vaccination as soon as possible.

Conclusion
The fall semester is in full swing, and I hope you are finding time to take advantage of the numerous co-curricular and extracurricular activities and events that are available, including the “Disability Justice in Action” panel on Oct. 6 and the Hanway Lecture on Global Studies featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen, Ph.D., on Oct. 7. I also encourage you to make sure you are registered to vote and learn more about how to be civically engaged during this presidential election year on our LoyolaVotes site.

As proud as I am of the work we are all doing during this time, I very much look forward to the day when we can all be together again. Until then, please know how grateful I am that you are a part of the Loyola family and that you are in my prayers.

Sincerely,

Rev. Brian F. Linnane, S.J.
President