University Statement of March 20, 2020: Wellness Checks are Working, and More

Since launching a campaign to offer Drive-Through Wellness Checks to all campus visitors on March 15, Health Services workers at the Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses have completed a combined 8,500 wellness checks.

Wellness checks serve as a final safeguard to ensure that we don’t spread illness on campus, according to Health Services Director Pam Petrone — but other precautions must also be taken.

“We are emphasizing all students, faculty and staff continue to monitor their own health, stay home when they’re sick, clean and disinfect, and practice social distancing,” she said.

Wellness checks are offered throughout the university, including at the Flight Line, Henderson Welcome Center, John Mica Research and Innovation Complex (MicaPlex) and the Mori Hosseini Student Union. All dining- and cleaning-service staff receive wellness checks prior to beginning a shift, as does anyone entering campus.

Health Services will be available starting next week, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. When possible, please call the clinic prior to seeking services. Daytona Beach: 386-226-7917 / dbhealth@erau.edu; Prescott: 928-777-6653 / prwellnesscenter@erau.edu.

Mind Your Mental Health

The Counseling Center at the Daytona Beach Campus also quickly completed certification this week to begin offering telehealth services to the Embry-Riddle community throughout Florida.

To talk to a mental health professional, contact the Counseling Center. Daytona Beach: 386-226-6035 / Prescott: 928-777-3312 / prcounsel@erau.edu.

Taking Precautions

In an abundance of caution, one Embry-Riddle staff member who was suffering from a cough and fever has been sent for more comprehensive medical tests. The staffer had minimal contact with students, and all colleagues of the staff member have been put into self-quarantine until more details are learned. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.

While no further measures have yet to be taken by the government in the states of Florida or Arizona that impact operation of our campuses, the situation remains fluid, as we have seen examples from across the country where stricter quarantine orders have been mandated by states’ respective governors. In that event, Embry-Riddle would announce a mandatory evacuation of campus and suspend all Flight and Aviation Maintenance Science programs. Students unable to evacuate would need to contact Campus Safety, and accommodations would be provided for them.

The Food Pantry is Open

The Embry-Riddle Food Pantry on the Daytona Beach Campus will be open for students returning from spring break, and the university community is encouraged to make donations.

“Once students are back on campus, we expect that there will be a great need,” said Katelyn Barker, pantry committee member and administrative assistant/budget coordinator for International Programs. “As restaurants and stores reduce their hours, the food panty becomes all the more important. If students find themselves in need of assistance, we hope they will reach out.”

The pantry will continue to be open, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Tuesdays and Thursdays with no appointment necessary, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment.

Students who would like to use the pantry can submit their requests online. On days when an appointment is required, contact Barker at katelyn.barker@erau.edu.

For those wishing to donate, pasta, pasta sauce, rice, cereal, oatmeal, PopTarts or toaster pastries, canned meats and canned fruit, and manual can openers are requested.

The pantry is located in the JP Riddle Student Center Annex (adjacent to the pool), Second Floor, Room 263. Donations can be dropped off Mondays through Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. in Barker’s office, which is also located on the second floor of the Student Center Annex, Room A267. If the door is locked, call (386) 323-8133.

Eagles in the Community

Embry-Riddle’s Philanthropic Organizations Director Jenni Craig is currently assisting her husband, Jeremy, in making hand sanitizer for the community at their locally owned business, Copper Bottom Craft Distillery. Their story was featured in USA Today.

How are you helping the community during the crisis? Send your stories to News Manager Mike Cavaliere, at cavalim2@erau.edu, for a chance to be featured in future communications!

Going Virtual

Faculty — is this your first time teaching through an online platform? The transition can seem daunting. A fellow professor, Dr. Michael Bruening, history and political science instructor at Missouri University of Science and Technology, feels your pain. But, he wants you to know — through a recent musical serenade performed on YouTube — that you will survive!

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCe5PaeAeew&feature=youtu.be