Office of the President

Salem Academy and College

601 South Church Street

Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27101

 

Dear Salem Community,

I hope you are safe and well. Although we are all continuing to experience challenging times, I hope you are finding moments of joy and fun this summer.

As I shared with you in June, our Fall 2020 Task Force, in collaboration with senior leadership and student leaders, faculty, and staff across campus, local public health officials, and medical consultants, has been working diligently to develop a plan, which we have named Salem Ready, Salem Strong, for the 2020–2021 academic year. The plan focuses on how we would return to campus given favorable conditions while providing for our safety and wellbeing. I am proud of the hard work and grateful for the resiliency and flexibility of our entire community.

We have created a new Salem Ready, Salem Strong (salem.edu/readystrong) section of our website that is a central resource for information about our fall 2020 plans. In this section of our website, you will find information on calendar changes and procedures for returning to campus; health and safety standards, protocols, and resources; course delivery and classroom changes; housing; dining services; wellness; student life and activities; campus events; athletics; travel; and policies for guests and visitors to campus.

It is important that you review the contents of this plan very carefully to ensure that you understand and are prepared to participate in our protocols for a safe return to campus during the COVID-19 pandemic. I also ask that you check the site often. Why? Because the COVID-19 pandemic is an evolving situation, and adjustments are likely to be made frequently, throughout the summer and fall based on guidance from public health officials and changing conditions. Of course, should anything major change we will let you know as soon as we are able.

As is the case in all areas of life during this pandemic, Salem’s response depends on every member of the Salem Academy and College community committing to follow the Salem Ready, Salem Strong guidelines. We must continue to work together to address the challenges posed by COVID-19. As part of this commitment, students, faculty, and staff will be required to follow our “We are Salem – Academy and College Community Campus Compact,” which describes the new health and safety measures that we must undertake to protect one another on campus and in our community. Please carefully review and acknowledge your commitment to abide by the “We Are Salem: 2020–2021 Academy and College Community Campus Compact” now.

We are committed to creating the best possible experience that we can for Salem campus members during this difficult time. And, we look forward to the 2020–2021 academic year together.

We are, indeed, #SalemStrong!

Cordially,

Susan Henking
Interim President