Saturday Admissions Information Session/Tour Canceled

Due to impending weather, the 1 p.m. information session and tour scheduled for Saturday, February 21, has been canceled.  Please see the admissions visit calendar to register for another scheduled session.

Closing Announcement

Notice:
Longwood University will be closed all day today, Wednesday, Feb. 18, as crews continue to work to clear campus parking lots and walkways.
There are amended hours for several facilities on campus:

Health & Fitness Center: Open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., all scheduled programs are canceled or postponed
Dorrill Dining Hall: Opening from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Athletics: Women's Lacrosse game at ODU postponed.
Student Union: Opening 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Greenwood Library: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Farmville Area Bus: Routes begin at 11 a.m.

Delayed Opening Announcement

Notice: Longwood University will open at 10 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday, Feb. 18.

Amended hours during this delayed opening are:

Greenwood Library: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Dorrill Dining Hall: 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
Student Union: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Health and Fitness Center: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
Athletics: All athletic events will proceed as scheduled
Farmville Area Bus: Routes begin at 9 a.m.

Please note that the forecast for the next few days calls for extremely cold temperatures. Take precautions to keep yourself safe. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management urges everyone to:

• Bring pets inside
• Be prepared to take care of yourself in the case of widespread power outages
• Have a battery powered or hand-crank radio and extra batteries on hand.
• Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow, working or recreating outside, no matter your age or physical condition.
• Always wear proper cold-weather apparel: gloves/mittens, hats, scarves and snow boots. Dress in several layers of loose-fitting clothing and cover your face and mouth if possible.
• Be aware of the wind chill factor
• Stay dry. If you become wet, head indoors and change wet clothing immediately.
• Limit your and/or children's time outdoors.
• Do not ignore shivering. It's an important first sign that the body is losing heat. Persistent shivering means it's time to go back inside.
• Check on others who may not be able to care for themselves

Closing Notice

Notice: Due to inclement weather, Longwood University is closed tomorrow, Tuesday, Feb. 17. All evening classes today, Monday, Feb. 16, will be canceled starting at 5:30 p.m. Faculty and staff, pursuant to the liberal leave policy please exercise your best judgment this afternoon to make it home safely.

A Q&A on the weather policy is available here: http://alerts.longwood.edu/weather-policy-qa/

There are amended hours for several facilities on campus for Tuesday, Feb. 16:

• Health & Fitness Center: Open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m., all scheduled programs are canceled or postponed
• Dorrill Dining Hall: Opening from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Athletics: Women's Basketball vs Liberty moved to 5 p.m.; All other athletic events will proceed as scheduled.
• Student Union: Opening 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Greenwood Library: 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Farmville Area Bus: Closed
  

Update on Norovirus cases

Over the weekend, there were about seven reported cases of norovirus-like illness on campus. According to the Virginia Department of Health, this is well within the expected and usual range for this region of Virginia at this time of year. Cleaning staff are continuing to respond to reports with stepped-up efforts.

Please continue to practice good hygiene, including washing your hands thoroughly and often, and using hand sanitizer. There are other viruses circulating around the region, as is common this time of year. Longwood officials continue to monitor the situation, and will communicate updates as necessary.

Friday update on norovirus cases

Norovirus remains on  campus, though reports of possible new cases have decreased. As of 11 a.m. today we had reports of five new cases of norovirus-like illness over the past 24 hours—a slower rate than the past few days.

Please continue to be vigilant and practice good hygiene to protect yourself even if you are traveling off campus over the weekend. Longwood staff is continuing with stepped-up cleaning efforts across campus and tracking all reports of possible cases.

If you require cleanup over the weekend, please call campus dispatch at 395-2091.

Update on Norovirus cases

Norovirus continues to be present on campus though at the moment its transmission appears to be fairly stable. As of 11 a.m. today we had reports of about 16 new cases of norovirus-like illness over the past 24 hours – about the same rate as the past few days. As the symptoms tend to last 24-48 hours, students are also getting well, so the overall prevalence on campus is fairly stable at the moment.

“Cases of norovirus are very common for this area this time of year,” said David Martin, an official with the Piedmont District of the Virginia Department of Health. “We have seen cases across the region, and the numbers we have tracked at Longwood are not unusual. The best thing to do to protect yourself from the virus is continue washing hands often and practice good hygiene. The Virginia Department of Health and Longwood are working closely together to coordinate response and information.”

If you have symptoms of norovirus, please do not attend classes or report for work. If you are student, as always, work with faculty members to coordinate making up work. There is no reason for well students to stay home. Those who believe they have had norovirus should stay home for two full days after their symptoms disappear.

Longwood staff is continuing with stepped-up cleaning efforts across campus.

Update on Norovirus cases

As of Wednesday morning, there were about ten new reports of possible norovirus cases, and because some affected students are beginning to get well, the overall count remains about 40 on campus. We of course recognize there are likely some other cases on and around campus that haven’t been reported, but we have a detailed reporting system in place and are confident we are tracking this effectively. Of course, as is always the case on campus in February, we continue to have students stick with flu-like and other illnesses. Not everyone who is sick has norovirus.

It is important that we remain extremely vigilant – the norovirus isn’t just present here at Longwood but throughout the region. Continue to wash your hands vigorously and often, and practice good hygiene. We will continue with stepped up cleaning efforts, and are meeting daily to coordinate efforts.

The illness typically lasts for 24 to 48 hours; however it still may be possible spread the virus after symptoms have disappeared, so it is imperative if you have had norovirus (intensive vomiting and diarrhea) that you continue to wash hands aggressively afterward. Those who believe they have had norovirus  should stay home for two full days after their symptoms disappear.

We’ve been in contact with Academic Affairs regarding class attendance policy. There is no reason for well students to stay home. If you become sick, as always you should contact your professor and make arrangements for making up work. If there are issues or concerns with that, contact your Assistant/Associate Dean of your College.

Update regarding Norovirus cases

Update: As of 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, there are roughly three dozen confirmed student cases of Norovirus. With a student body of nearly 5,000, we naturally expect illnesses at this time of year and remain vigilant in our prevention and cleanup efforts.

Q&A on Norovirus cases

Have there been many cases on Longwood’s campus?

As of Tuesday morning, there are a total of just five confirmed cases of norovirus on Longwood’s campus since last week, but we are remaining vigilant. Part of that is collecting the most information we can, which is why we are gathering reports from Resident Assistants, faculty and staff, Centra Southside Hospital, and reports received in Facilities and campus dispatch.

What about cases you can’t confirm?

We have received other reports of students and staff who are sick, as is common this time of year, but we don’t know for certain if they are norovirus–however we are taking every report seriously. There are fewer than ten of these cases.

What is the university doing to protect students and staff?

Since last week, when the virus hit nearby Hampden-Sydney College, we have ramped up cleaning efforts, focusing on common, high-usage areas and using stronger chemicals. Cleaning crews are on call and prepared to disinfect any area that may be affected. In addition, clorox wipes have been available at the front desks of all residence halls since Friday, Jan. 30.

How is the university coordinating its response?

The university is certainly taking the situation seriously and has taken several steps to prevent the spread of the virus on campus. A group of officials has been meeting daily to monitor both the number of incidents and our response. Our first goal is ensuring and maintaining the safety of the campus community.

What should students or staff do if they have symptoms?

Contact your RA and let them know you are sick, so that cleaning crews can respond. Try to rest and push fluids to prevent dehydration. If you are significantly dehydrated, seek medical attention.

What should students or staff do who don’t have symptoms?

The most important piece in stopping the spread of this virus is personal prevention: washing your hands vigorously and often is paramount. However, if you know of someone who is sick, please contact your RA or call the student health center.