Embry-Riddle's Coronavirus Contingency Plan to Leverage Expertise in Online Education
As the novel 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Emergency Operations Team is proactively planning for a variety of contingencies to ensure that all operations continue without interruption.
Currently, normal operations for classes, flight training, athletics and other activities on both of Embry-Riddle’s residential campuses remain in place, but we have ramped up safety precautions. We are working with faculty and staff to leverage in-house expertise in online education, developed by Embry-Riddle’s award-winning Worldwide Campus. Key capabilities are being migrated online, so that students’ academic progress will not be compromised if illness strikes.
Our ongoing efforts have focused on these and other areas:
- We have been closely tracking all official health and travel advisories, and making appropriate adjustments to university-related travel plans and policies, including business trips, study abroad, and international exchange programs. New university and Summer Study Abroad travel restrictions were announced. Travel permission requests must be sent to inttravel@erau.edu.
- We are strengthening an array of internal resources and formulating plans so that faculty members can continue to guide students’ academic progress online. Our IT department has also been monitoring cybersecurity threats (i.e., “phishing” attempts) related to this coronavirus.
- A new website has been put into place so that we can provide wellness tips and comprehensive updates to our extended community, including parents. Going forward, we will provide you with daily updates.
For more information:
- Students with concerns, please contact the health/wellness unit on your campus:
- Daytona Beach Campus - dbhealth@erau.edu / (386) 226-7917
- Prescott Campus - prwellnesscenter@erau / (928) 777-6653
- Faculty members:
- Prepare now to deliver your classes online, if needed. (Look for additional instructions soon.)
- If you have concerns about any student or colleague showing signs of illness, isolate the individual and contact the Embry-Riddle Health Services or Campus Safety unit on your campus. For phone numbers, see Embry-Riddle’s special coronavirus website.
- University travel: Review the university’s recently announced travel restrictions.
- Review the message about Summer Study Abroad programs.
- Contact the International Safety Committee at intltravel@erau.edu.
- Important contact information and health reminders can be found on Embry-Riddle’s coronavirus website.
On March 7, the Florida Department of Health reported the first presumed case of the 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) in Volusia County. The patient, a 66-year-old woman who had recently traveled abroad, has no known affiliation with Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus and is currently quarantined. There continue to be no known cases in Yavapai County, Ariz., where our Prescott Campus is located.
As a final note, please do not give in to fear. Embry-Riddle proudly serves students from many walks of life and around the world. Be kind to each other, remembering that you’re all in the Embry-Riddle family.