Coronavirus (COVID-19)

July 2, 2020

Fall 2020 COVID-19 Operational Plan

Henderson State University has announced its intent to return to in-person instruction for Fall 2020. The COVID-19 Operational Plan provides guidance for students, parents, faculty, and staff as we prepare to transition back to on-campus instruction. This plan will continue to evolve based on local conditions related to COVID-19 and our response to federal and state guidelines and requirements. Flexibility in operational planning will be necessary in the coming months as the university follows guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Arkansas Department of Health.

Visit the COVID-19 Operational Plan website.

June 12, 2020

Fall 2020 Schedule

Henderson State University continues to plan for a return to in-person instruction for Fall 2020, knowing that flexibility will be important in the coming months. Our fall schedule has a few changes to allow us to maximize as much classroom time as possible in the early months of the semester.

We will begin classes as scheduled on August 17. Please refer to the schedule below for changes related to Labor Day, moving fall break to the week of Thanksgiving, and a transition to remote/online instruction in late November into December:

  • Apartments open August 8
  • Residence hall move-in is August 11-16
  • Classes begin August 17
  • Classes meet and offices are open September 7 (Labor Day) and October 8-9 (fall break will be moved to the week of Thanksgiving)
  • No classes the week of Thanksgiving, November 23-27
  • Switch to remote/online instruction, November 30-December 4
  • Remote/online finals, December 7-11
  • Virtual or in-person commencement TBD, December 11

Apartments, residence halls, and the dining hall will remain open during the fall semester. We will be ready to transition to remote/online instruction during the semester if needed. Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and the Arkansas Department of Health will be used to formulate all plans.

A decision about employees returning to campus this summer will be made based on the state’s reopening plan and conditions in our local area. We continue to urge everyone in our Henderson community to take appropriate precautions with social distancing.

A detailed campus reopening plan is in progress, and we will share more information in the coming days.

May 4, 2020

Henderson Announces Intent for In-Person Fall Classes

Henderson State University intends to return to in-person classes on campus this fall as part of the COVID-19 pandemic recovery. Henderson joins with the six current institutions in the Arkansas State University System in making this announcement today.

Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and the Arkansas Department of Health will be used to formulate all plans in the coming weeks with a focus on maximum health and safety measures for students, faculty, staff and campus visitors. The plans include opening residence halls at Henderson State University, Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, and Arkansas State University-Beebe.

“Our chancellors and their response teams have done a tremendous job guiding our employees and students through this difficult time,” ASU System President Chuck Welch said. “Students have made clear they are eager to return to campus and their traditional classes. We want to move in that direction carefully with a focus on keeping everyone as safe and healthy as possible.”

On the Henderson campus, a task force is already planning multiple scenarios for the fall semester. Because we can expect that federal and state guidelines will evolve over the next few months, flexible plans for our academic delivery, housing and dining operations will be important to best meet the needs of our campus. We will continue to refine these options and will share information with the campus community in the coming weeks.

May 1, 2020

Submit CARES Act Student Grant Applications by May 15 for Priority Review

Henderson State University has announced its application process to distribute $1.8 million in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds for Spring 2020 students. These grants are intended to help offset educational costs that students experienced because of the COVID-19 health emergency.

Applications received by May 15 will receive priority review for processing student checks and direct deposits. The last day to submit applications is June 30.

Students who are eligible
Students who have a valid 2019-2020 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the university and who attended in-person classes prior to March 13 are eligible for funding.

Students who are not eligible
Students whose classes were online for the entire semester, international students, concurrent enrollment students, and students not in a degree-seeking program are not eligible for funding. If you need assistance with your 2019-2020 FAFSA, please contact financialaid@hsu.edu as soon as possible.

Grants are based on student enrollment as of March 13 during the Spring 2020 semester. Grants will be paid directly to the student based on the following allotments:

Undergraduate students

$840: 12 hours or more

$630: 9-11 hours

$420: 6-8 hours

$210: 5 or fewer hours

Graduate students

$840: 6 hours or more

$420: 3 hours

Applications

Applications are available through the Financial Aid Portal on https://myhenderson.hsu.edu/ics. Passwords to access the Financial Aid Portal and the application are the same as your myHenderson password. See detailed instructions.

Password or technical questions?
helpdesk@hsu.edu

Other questions?
hsuinfo@hsu.edu

April 9, 2020

Waiver of Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Henderson State University will match Arkansas Department of Higher Education (ADHE) policies to waive requirements for university and state-based scholarship programs. ADHE is suspending some eligibility rules for the spring semester due to the COVID-19 health emergency.

Students who had to drop below the required number of hours after March 20 will remain eligible for university and state-based scholarship programs. Students who were not enrolled in the required number of hours before March 20 can make up hours in the summer session to regain eligibility.

Henderson State University Foundation scholarships will be awarded based on application information submitted for the current cycle. Students will not be penalized for hardships experienced during the spring semester. Notifications of Foundation scholarship awards will occur in April, and applicants should monitor official Reddie email for updates.

In addition to university scholarships, the waiver includes state-based scholarship funds such as the Arkansas Academic Challenge Scholarship, Arkansas Governor’s Scholars Program, Arkansas Future Grant, Children of Law Enforcement Officers Scholarship, Military Dependents Scholarship, and Teacher Opportunity Program.

For details about state-based scholarships, please visit: https://static.ark.org/eeuploads/adhe/DHE_Suspended_Provisions_03302020.pdf

Spring Course Withdrawal Date and Final Exams

The deadline to withdraw from spring semester classes has been extended to April 24. This will apply to withdrawals to some or ALL of your courses. Forms and instructions for submission are available online at https://www.hsu.edu/pages/academics/registrar/forms. Final exams are scheduled for May 4-7.

Summer Classes and Housing

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 health emergency, summer classes will be offered via remote instruction. Students can search available classes online at hsu.edu/classes or through myHenderson. Please note that building and room location listings on the registration schedule will change to online in the coming days. Due to remote instruction for summer classes, out-of-state tuition fees are waived for Summer 2020.

Registration is available via Campus Connect. Depending on credit hours completed, some students may need to schedule an appointment with your advisor to register. Visit hsu.edu/advising for information. Summer registration and drop dates are listed at hsu.edu/academiccalendar.

Limited summer housing will be available for emergency needs. Please contact housing@hsu.edu for information.

Events and Summer Camps

Campus events continue to be cancelled until further notice. HSU Band Camps have been cancelled. A decision about other summer camps will be communicated in early May.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact hsuinfo@hsu.edu.

March 31, 2020

Professors will work directly with students to determine spring semester grades based on the following options or combinations of options:

  • Assign letter grades, A-F, as per normal.
  • Assign credit or no credit.
  • Assign letter grades, A-D, and no credit for F.
  • Assign letter grades for some students and credit or no credit for students who demonstrate extenuating circumstances or personal circumstances or concerns.

This range of options will allow professors to work flexibly with students to determine grades based on individual needs and situations. We know some students will need a flexible credit or no credit approach while others—especially those pursuing licensure and certification or admission to graduate or professional schools—may be better served by receiving letter grades. Professors will be in direct contact with students about how best to award grades for spring semester.

Students who are unable to complete the semester due to a lack of access to remote instruction and/or illness from COVID-19 should contact professors about grade options based on work already completed or to receive an incomplete. Aviation students should continue to check Canvas for specific instructions related to flight time. We encourage students to stay in close contact with professors and to communicate with them about any questions or concerns you may have regarding your courses as soon as possible.

All transcripts for Spring 2020 will carry the notation that credit or no credit grades may have been assigned in response to COVID-19 circumstances. This notation will accommodate professional and graduate schools which have indicated a willingness to accept credit grades in lieu of letter grades for admission requirements.

March 30, 2020

Last week, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives worked together to pass the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This legislation will provide economic assistance for a wide variety of government services, including public higher education institutions like Henderson.

The university is in the process of confirming our CARES funding allocation. However, please know that Henderson intends to use CARES funding to provide aid for students enrolled this spring semester. These grants of aid are intended to help students offset hardships that have occurred due to the COVID-19 situation. The university will communicate the process, including amounts of aid and timing, when our federal allocation is confirmed.

We respectfully ask for your patience as we work through this process in the coming weeks. Know that we will act quickly once we receive the necessary information from the federal government. Please continue to monitor your official Reddie email and university social media channels for updates.

Additionally, please review the following important information:

  • Rented textbooks are not due back to the Reddie Bookstore until the conclusion of classes in May. The Reddie Bookstore is working on a plan to establish a dropbox for local students to return books and a shipping label system for students to return books by mail. Stay tuned for details in the coming weeks about these options.
  • The Reddie Bookstore and Post Office is open 9 a.m.-2 p.m. on weekdays. All incoming mail, packages, and departmental mail is available at the Post Office in the back corner of the Bookstore. Please enter through the doors across from Womack Hall as the Garrison Center remains closed.
  • Huie Library continues to offer research assistance and will not assess fees for overdue books. Please visit https://www.hsu.edu/pages/academics/huie-library/huie-library-covid-19/ for information.
  • The Student Health and Counseling Center continues to provide assistance. Please call (501) 844-0433 to schedule a phone appointment or consultation.
  • The Reddies Online: Virtual Visit Series features 30-minute webinars intended for incoming freshmen and their parents. You can register for upcoming sessions or rewatch previous sessions at https://hsu.edu/pages/future-students/visit-campus/.

March 20, 2020

Henderson State University will extend remote instruction through the end of the spring semester. We also will postpone May commencement. We will consider alternatives including possible summer dates for commencement in consultation with students and considering projected conditions at that time. Please know these decisions were not made lightly. We believe these are the best decisions to protect the health of our students, faculty, and staff. Making these decisions now also allows everyone to plan appropriately for the coming weeks.

Additionally, please review the following important information:

  • Residence halls, apartments, and the dining hall remain open. We have decided to keep the residence halls and dining hall open during spring break, as well, at no additional charge. We are mindful that we are a safety net for many students and want to discourage any discretionary travel at this time.
  • Students can remain in the residence halls through the end of the spring semester, and residents of apartments can remain through May 31. You can return to retrieve belongings anytime. Official checkout for spring semester will begin the week of April 6 and continue through the end of the spring semester. Watch your Henderson email for details of online registration for checkout.
  • Declining cash balance can continue to be utilized in the dining hall during the current spring semester. In addition, declining cash balance will be rolled over to the fall semester for use by September 30 for students who have a meal plan.
  • Because classes and campus services are continuing, no refunds will be issued for the spring semester.
  • Summer classes will continue, and a decision will be announced regarding if these will involve remote or face-to-face instruction.
  • Additional information about employee work schedules will be shared next week. Please continue to communicate directly with your supervisor to determine your responsibilities for remote work.

March 19, 2020

  • Henderson State University will extend remote instruction through at least April 17. This aligns with the date for the extended closure of Arkansas public schools that was announced today by Governor Asa Hutchinson.
  • We will continue to monitor the situation and will make decisions about whether to resume face-to-face instruction for the spring semester and about important events such as commencement in the coming days.
  • Henderson employees who were previously designated as on-campus essential should check with supervisors to determine if additional changes to responsibilities should occur to align with today's directive by the governor for state employees.
  • Employee access to buildings will be further restricted after Friday, March 20, so please gather any needed supplies or personal items from your offices by the end of Friday.
  • All other employees should continue to work remotely as previously directed.

March 18, 2020

Students

Faculty and Staff

March 13, 2020

  • Watch our Facebook Live Q&A.
  • Work study checks are available for pick up from 9 a.m.-noon on Friday, March 13 at the Cashier's Office.
  • Reddie Writing Center is offering tutoring services through Online Writing Lab (OWL). Schedule an appointment from the link at hsu.edu/writingcenter.
  • Students, faculty, and staff can pick up mail at the Reddie Bookstore. Use the street entrance because Garrison Center is closed. We will continue to evaluate this service based on conditions.
  • Information about graduation applications, course withdraws, and transcript requests is now available at hsu.edu/registrar.
  • Anyone scheduled for exams at the Testing Center should use the contact information on your confirmation to reschedule for a later date.
  • At this time, the university plans to pay all employees according to regular payroll schedules. This includes work study students, graduate assistants, and part-time extra help. We are anticipating guidance from the federal and/or state government on this issue and will communicate any changes as soon as possible.
  • FInancial aid staff continues to serve students via email, Google Hangout, and phone. Contact financialaid@hsu.edu, and a financial aid specialist wil contact you.
  • The Great American Conference cancelled all winter and spring sports championships effective March 13. On and off-campus recruiting is suspended until April 15.

March 12, 2020

The Henderson State University campus will shift to remote instruction beginning Friday, March 13, which will allow students to continue classes from home if preferred. While the Henderson campus has no suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 at this time, we were notified that seven Henderson nursing students and one faculty member participated in clinicals at Arkansas Children’s Hospital where an employee tested presumptive positive for the virus. We are acting out of an abundance of caution to limit the possibility of transmission and best protect the safety of our students, faculty, and staff.

  • Students must utilize your university email for instructions from your professors. This is not a cancellation of classes but allows for flexible delivery of instruction beginning March 13.
  • Face-to-face classes will not resume before April 13.
  • Residence halls will remain open for students who cannot travel home. We will continue to provide assistance for students who need to remain in the residence halls.
  • Students who intend to remain in the residence halls must complete the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQguWpaAu1mjkQZDmeLEE4YLTi2mrtjhgWGbRFMIjC39mDYw/viewform?usp=sf_link
  • Building access will be limited to your specific residence hall and the dining hall.
  • Other buildings on campus will be closed.
  • Students leaving campus should take all supplies, books, and computers needed for coursework and any personal items that you will need in the coming weeks.
  • Employees whose duties are considered essential for operations will receive instructions from your supervisor regarding work schedules.
  • Out of practical concerns for the continuing business needs of the university, other employees are encouraged to work from home as possible.
  • Student activities and campus events are cancelled until further notice.

Please plan to join our Facebook Live Q&A on Thursday, March 12 at 4 p.m. for additional updates. You can access the event at https://www.facebook.com/HendersonStateU/

The campus community should continue to monitor email, Rave alerts, and university social media channels for additional updates.

Campus Resources

Health Services: (501) 844-0433

Residence Hall Director: (870) 403-3890

Campus Safety: (870) 230-5098

March 11, 2020

As of March 11, Henderson State University remains open and on-campus classes continue as scheduled. We are carefully monitoring the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation with support from the Arkansas Department of Health. We also are following Center for Disease Control recommendations.

The Henderson campus has no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at this time. Should anything change, we will work to immediately communicate action steps via our Rave alert system and university social media channels.

If our situation changes, some possible actions could include a shift to remote instruction. This would not be a cancellation of classes but would allow for more flexible delivery of instruction. Professors would communicate directly with students about these arrangements, which would allow students to continue classes from home if preferred. Residence halls would remain open for students who could not return home. If the university shifts to remote instruction, residence halls also would remain open during spring break to accommodate students.

Please plan to join our Facebook Live Q&A on Thursday, March 12 at 4 p.m. for additional updates. You can access the event at https://www.facebook.com/HendersonStateU/

This is a highly unusual situation that is changing quickly. We continue to carefully monitor developments and will stay in communication regarding any next steps.

Symptoms of coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Methods to reduce the risk of contracting the coronavirus are the same precautions taken to limit the flu:

  • Wash your hands frequently with soap

  • Use hand sanitizer

  • Wipe down common surfaces (phones, tables, keyboards, desks) with disinfecting cloths

  • But most of all – stay home if you are sick

Students experiencing symptoms are encouraged to call the Student Health Center at (870) 230-5102 for assistance. If students who live in residence halls feel unwell, they should call on their residential staff members who are ready to assist them and connect them with the care they need. Students should communicate with professors to advise of illness and to make up missed assignments.

Employees should also err on the side of caution and stay home and seek guidance from their medical care providers if they or someone in their households experience any of the symptoms listed above.

Henderson has already suspended official university travel for students to international destinations for spring break. Decisions about summer trips are in progress. Members of the campus community are encouraged to be aware of CDC travel health advisories and to take appropriate precautions.

Information regarding implementation of a campus response plan would be communicated via university social media channels. The campus community also can register for Rave alerts at https://www.getrave.com/login/hsu.

More information about the coronavirus can be found at:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/summary.html

https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/novel-coronavirus

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices