University Updates on the Coronavirus/COVID-19 Pandemic

The university administration is heavily monitoring the coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) pandemic and its impact on and the situation in our community. We commit to communicating with our entire learning community as frequently as possible about any new developments.

This page is offered as a resource to students, staff, faculty, and our surrounding community, and will be used for continuing updates on the situation.

LAST UPDATE: August 9, 2021.

FXUA’s CURRENT STATUS: The university is operating under extreme caution at this time. The current Emergency Level 2 (following our Emergency Preparedness Plan), indicating that a major emergency is ongoing that affects portions of campus, and could impact mission-critical functions or life safety. This status is updated regularly as conditions change.

FXUA’s COVID-19 PLAN: The university’s Emergency Preparedness Plan and its COVID-19 Pandemic Response Guidelines have been reviewed by the State Council of Higher Education and have been found to be compliant in containing the required components of the “Higher Education Reopening Guidance,” which was developed in consultation with the Virginia Department of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions: The university hosts a COVID-19 and our Learning Community page with resources and information for our entire learning community in the form of frequently asked questions.

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

08/09/2021 Updates for Fall 2021 On-Campus

As previously announced, FXUA will be hosting in-person instruction for the 2021-2022 academic year. Because of increased transmission within our area and/or because of possible variants in our community, the university has determined that proof of vaccination with a WHO-approved vaccine or a negative COVID-19 test must be provided by students. Any individual who cannot provide a valid proof of vaccination must submit to regular testing on the days that they come to campus. Proof must be provided prior to entering campus.

The university has hosted FAQs here, which provide more detail: https://www.fxua.edu/our-university/about-fxua/institutional-effectiveness/safety-planning/covid-19-and-our-learning-community/

Questions regarding the requirement can be directed to .

07/23/2021 Campus Re-Opening Plans for Fall 2021

FXUA will be hosting in-person classes, on campus, for Fall 2021. All students, staff, and faculty will be expected to attend classes in-person. No virtual instruction will occur for Fall 2021. FXUA strongly encourages individuals to get vaccinated for the safety and health of our learning community. Unvaccinated individuals should plan to wear a mask.

FXUA will continue to ensure preventative measures with increased cleaning on campus for the foreseeable future, and will continue to monitor the situation as the pandemic continues.

07/01/2021 Commonwealth of Virginia to Remove Emergency Restrictions

The Governor of the Commonwealth has lifted the State of Emergency that was declared in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. All Executive Orders requiring restrictions have expired or are terminated as of July 1. The university has evaluated its emergency preparedness plans and will begin a transition back to campus over the coming weeks in preparation for the Fall 2021 semester.

11/16/2020 Campus Operating Status for Spring 2021

Given the ongoing pandemic and current trajectories for increased infection rates in the winter months, FXUA has made the decision to continue its instructional continuity for the Spring 2021 semester in an online format consistent with practices until now. Please monitor this page for updates.

07/27/2020 Update for Fall 2020 Semester

Given the continuing pandemic, and its impact on our community, FXUA has made the decision to continue its Fall 2020 semester in a fully online format, consistent with our practices since Spring. Please stay posted to our COVID-19 updates page for more the most up-to-date information.

07/09/2020 SEVP Guidance for International Students and Fall 2020

For students who may be on an international student visa, the USCIS has issued new guidance (as of July 24^th), allowing students who are currently enrolled in their programs can continue to study in an online format. More information on COVID-19 and international students in the United States is available here: https://www.fxua.edu/covid-19-and-international-students-in-the-united-states/.

07/01/2020 COVID-19 Pandemic Response Guidelines

The university continues to monitor the situation around COVID-19. As Virginia enters new phases in its reopening, the university provides an update on its status here Emergency Preparedness Plan and its COVID-19 Pandemic Response Guidelines. These plans have been reviewed by the State Council of Higher Education and has been found to be compliant in containing the required components of the “Higher Education Reopening Guidance,” which was developed in consultation with the Virginia Department of Health.

03/27/2020 Campus to shift to Synchronous Instruction on March 30

Due to the current situation surrounding COVID-19, all FXUA courses will shift to an online, synchronous method starting Monday, March 30th, 2020. Classes will be held online during their regularly scheduled day and time.

03/23/2020 Virginia Governor Declares State of Emergency

On March 23^rd, the Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, issued a state of emergency because of the COVID-19 pandemic. (For more information on Virginia response, please visit their page here:https://www.virginia.gov/coronavirus-updates/). In the order, beginning March 24^th at 11:59pm, no gatherings can take place of more than 10 individuals. This Executive Order, 53 (https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-virginia/pdf/Frequently-Asked-Questions-Regarding-EO-53.pdf), applied until April 23^rd at 11:59pm.

03/20/2020 10:00 AM CONTINUED MONITORING

FXUA has been monitoring the national COVID-19 situation and out of an abundance of caution FXUA has decided to close the campus starting Monday, March 16 and will reopen on Monday, March 30, 2020. These measures were made to ensure the safety of our entire campus community. The university is continuing to monitor the situation and will be communicating with all students, staff, and faculty regularly about next steps. No classes will take place during the closure period (i.e., until the university re-opens).

Most of the university’s staff and faculty are available via email only, as the campus closure includes everyone within our learning community. Therefore, please be patient when needing a response from individuals.

Following the University President’s message, we encourage you to deploy preventative measures in the face of this virus.

We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

03/12/2020 CAMPUS CLOSURE UPDATE

The following is a message from the University President:

Since the beginning of the year, FXUA has been monitoring the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and actively providing updates based on guidance from public health experts.

Our primary goals are to ensure the safety and health of students, faculty and staff; maintain university operations and standards; and take part in the national effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. As such, leadership has decided to implement a two-week Spring Break beginning Monday, March 16, 2020 to Friday March 27, 2020. The university will re-open Monday, March 30, 2020. In conjunction with this, please note the following:

Essential personnel may be required to come in during this time. Your supervisor will notify you if you are in this category.
University travel and events will be suspended.

The Global Bistro will be closed.

To be clear, FXUA is not aware of any cases or immediate issues at this time.

Leadership will continue to meet daily to evaluate the circumstances and keep you updated as new information becomes available.

As our learning community and learning communities around the world go through this difficult time, let’s remain vigilant, understanding, and supportive.

PREVENTATIVE PERSONAL MEASURES

Good hygiene and common sense practices will help us to keep our entire community safe. The following are some suggestions for all of us to help keep safe and healthy:

Wash your hands frequently (http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/13/2020/03/Hand-Washing-VDH.pdf).
If you are not able to wash your hands, use a hand sanitizer.
Clean common spaces regularly.
Maintain space between others (even in class!). Maintain at least six (6) feet between you and others.
If you wish to wear a mask for preventative measures, we encourage you to let your classmates and teachers know that you are not sick, but are being cautious.
If you are sick, please stay home. Be sure to communicate with your teachers /supervisor as soon as you feel sick. (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html)
Consider alternate forms of greetings (instead of a handshake or kiss on the cheek). Although many of our cultures have customs like shaking hands or kissing each other on the cheek, please do not engage in these practices for now. We respect everyone’s customs and practices as we are a multi-cultural learning community, so please understand that this is not to discriminate against anyone. This is just precautionary.
Do not attend events that have large crowds.

Keeping our community safe starts with each of us!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Some useful information:

The U.S. Center for Disease Control provides information on the virus here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
The Virginia Department of Health has information about the virus in our area, and steps that the Commonwealth is doing to keep everyone safe: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/surveillance-and-investigation/novel-coronavirus/
The World Health Organization also includes information on the virus: https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus
Sometimes, people take advantage of others when they are vulnerable or afraid. There are some scams (people trying to steal from you or take your information), so please be careful about anyone trying to sell you something or take your information: https://news.un.org/en/story/2020/02/1058381. Unless they are a federal official, law enforcement officer, or health professional, be careful.