Update May 12, 2020
Work-from-home policy continues while state and county guidance evolves— face coverings are required within six feet of others
Dear GST Community,
During the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, the University of Redlands Graduate School of Theology is committed to acting with the health and safety of our community members as our highest priority, in step with guidance from California and local county authorities. Today, we write to report several new developments, while reiterating our continued work-from-home policy and asking employees to use face coverings when within six feet of others.
With the current stay-at-home order still in place, the State of California began a gradual move into stage 2 of its pandemic Resilience Roadmap last Friday, May 8, allowing lower-risk workplaces to reopen, such as curbside pickup for bookstores. In general, offices remain closed in favor of telecommuting.
For University operations, we continue to ask that only personnel designated as essential report to work; all other faculty, staff, and administrators should continue to work from home until further notice.
On the Marin County level, officials strongly urge everyone to continue wearing face coverings in public to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and businesses may still require face coverings for customers and employees.
As we continue to examine university-wide policies for return to work based on the available research, the University will require all faculty, staff, and administrators to wear face coverings when within six feet of others.
For more information on recent guidance, please see the Marin County website, as well as information from the State of California. See also the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for recommendations on how to protect yourself and others.
We plan to announce decisions about a possible return to campus for students and employees by mid-June. When we do reopen our campus, we aim to do so in a flexible way to help accommodate the needs of community members.
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Update May 1, 2020
Our campus remains closed, but our hearts remain open. Marin County and six surrounding Bay Area Counties have extended the “Shelter at Home” order through May 31. However, some restrictions are being eased while measures for virus containment are being phased in. The social distance is working, but please remain close in spirit.
Please see the resource links below for more information. Take care!
Update April 2, 2020
Dear GST/SFTS Community,
As we find ourselves facing new mandates to curb the spread of COVID-19, we want you to know you are in our hearts and prayers for health, safety, and wellness. The University of Redlands-Marin campus is closed, and we have moved to online instruction. Here are some recent updates to keep you informed:
‘Stay at Home’ Order in effect for Marin County
A “Shelter at Home” order is in place for Marin County and other Bay Area counties now through May 3. This legal order limits activity, travel, and business functions to only the most essential needs. Read More from the County of Marin.
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Update March 16, 2020
We have received word that seven counties in Northern California, including Marin County where the GST is located, have a mandatory shelter-in-place order in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. This mandate runs for three weeks, through April 7, 2020. Please know that we are making every effort to care for our students, and continue to operate at a distance during this time of uncertainty. The Marin campus is pulling together, and we are finding hope in the strength of our community.
The University is monitoring and responding to the rapidly evolving coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other agencies. While as of today the University of Redlands has no confirmed cases at any of its campuses, we would like to keep you up-to-date on our latest policies and prevention measures with this University-wide FAQ.
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns at 415-451-2800. Links to other resources remain in the message below. We wish you all good health and grace!
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Dear GST Community,
In an effort to limit the Coronavirus (COVID-19) risk to campus, the University of California at Berkeley announced today that they will move all classes online. Given our curricular interdependence with Cal, starting Tuesday March 10th, the GTU and SFTS/GST will also be moving classes online. Students will be able to access course information and materials in Moodle. Going forward classes will be offered remotely through a variety of digital formats including Zoom, WebEx and other video conferencing platforms.
Just a reminder: There are no confirmed COVID-19 cases at SFTS, University of California Berkeley, or any of the GTU schools. This is strictly a precautionary measure being taken out of an abundance of caution. We will be reassessing the situation as it unfolds and update the community regularly. Please do watch for our emails and let us know as questions arise.
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Thank you in advance for all that you are doing and will do to protect and support this community. The University is already supplying us with many resources and the kind of technological support needed to make this move – support and resources we would not have had just a year ago. We are thankful indeed for that. As we make the adjustments this change will require from us, may we also bear in the mind those who suffer keenly from this disease and hold in our hearts those who have lost friends and family members.
In the Bible on my bedside table someone with a red pen has corrected the King James text of James 5 to read, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous woman availeth much.” It strikes me that I may have to find another pen now and change the gendered single noun to “community” or “the faithful”.
You are both – and I am grateful for the patience and care you show each other day in and day out.
Praying for us all,
Jana Childers, PhD
Dean of the Graduate School of Theology
