Seattle University Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

(courtesy King County Public Health)

Social distancing, or putting distance between yourself and others, helps reduce the spread of disease. Prohibiting events and large gatherings reduces the amount of close contact between people and reduces the chances of spreading disease. Many people who do get sick with COVID-19 will experience mild illness, but some people – particularly people over age 60 and those with underlying health conditions – may experience severe illness and require hospitalization. Taking these actions now will prevent overburdening the healthcare system so that people who need medical care can get it. We can make a significant difference in slowing the spread of the disease and its impact on health and mortality.

If you have symptoms such as a cough, fever or other respiratory problems, contact your regular healthcare provider in advance. Do not show up at a clinic, urgent care or other health facility without calling first, as providers need to take special measures to protect other patients. Telemedicine may also be available, enabling you to consult a provider from home. Do not go to an emergency room, as emergency room staff need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs. Please also notify Seattle U Public Safety at 206-296-5990 if you are being tested for COVID-19 or have been asked to self-quarantine.

Students, faculty and staff are asked to please notify Seattle University Public Safety as soon as possible at 206-296-5990 in the following situations:

• You have been diagnosed, tested or suspected to have COVID-19;
• You have been asked to self-quarantine; or
• You have been directed to self-isolate but are unable to appropriately separate yourself from your roommates.

Read more at Washington State Department of Health:

What to do if you have confirmed or suspected coronavirus disease (COVID-19)

What to do if you were potentially exposed to someone with confirmed COVID-19

What to do if you have symptoms of coronavirus disease and have not been around anyone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19

Updated March 24

We are aware of one community member testing positive as communicated in this campus message.

Not necessarily. We are currently in the midst of cold and flu season. If someone who has a fever and cough, it is more likely they are sick with a virus we normally see during this time of the year. With the presence of COVID-19 in our county there is some risk that it could be coronavirus although this is less likely at this time. The testing for COVID-19 is limited right now and if there is no known risk of exposure and symptoms are not severe, an individual will not be tested. For these individuals we recommended “social distancing” until they have been fever free for 24 hours without medication and with coughing relatively controlled, meaning you can keep your cough to yourself.

“Social distancing” means reducing your interactions with others by avoiding congregate settings (such as class), avoiding local transportation and maintaining a distance of approximately 6 feet from others. For students who have family in the area and can get home without using public transportation, a good option would be to stay with family until meeting the above criteria.

Only a healthcare provider can request a test for the virus that causes COVID-19. These requests are made in alignment with the guidelines provided by our county and state public health offices. Approvals are based on symptoms and risk factors such as travel history or exposure to individuals known to have the disease.

If you are experiencing respiratory symptoms, please do not go to a health care provider before calling first.

Yes, the following are the latest updates from the university on travel restrictions:

Update on Travel Restrictions and New Requirements for Returning from Travel (April 2)
Restrictions on all Non-Essential University-Related Travel (March 10)

For additional information, please refer to CDC Travel Health Notices.

The most up-to-date information concerning Seattle University’s monitoring of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) can be found at seattleu.edu/coronavirus/. Seattle University will also continue to post updates via Facebook and Twitter.

Updated March 19

As announced March 13, Seattle University will extend remote instruction through the Spring Quarter. Students have been asked to move out of their residence halls. Students approved to continue living on campus due to extenuating circumstances will be able to stay in their residence halls for Spring Quarter. Effective March 20, all faculty and staff are directed to work remotely unless they have an essential or critical need for being on campus.

Updated April 2

The following messages have been sent to students:

Updates to Policies and Procedures for Residential Students (March 31) 
Important Information on Closing of Residence Halls for Spring Quarter (March 19)
Message to Students About Residence Hall Closure (March 13)

Please visit Housing and Residence Life for the most current information on policies and procedures.

Please visit seattleu.edu/hr/.

Yes, the Supplemental Parking card for our employee ORCA holders has been extended through March 31 at no cost. Once you have used all of your Winter Quarter ORCA Flex days, a new permit titled “Employee ORCA Flex Parking 15-Day Winter Quarter March Supplemental” will become available for you to “purchase” at no cost and may be used through the end of March.

Yes. If you have specific questions about finals and remaining assignments for your courses, please contact your faculty members.

Updated March 30

Yes. The Lemieux Library and McGoldrick Learning Commons have several laptop computers that can be checked out for the quarter. Systems, technology and media questions can also be emailed to library@seattleu.edu. Visit the Library and Learning Commons Services Update - COVID-19 for information about operations and services.

Per the Restrictions on all Non-Essential University-Related Travel, the university will not provide reimbursement for flight change costs and other travel-related expenses incurred. Students are encouraged to call their airline, housing and other travel vendors. Most vendors are allowing cancellations without penalty and providing full refunds as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If a student has contacted a vendor and is unable to get a refund, they can request an exception by contacting their dean.

For study abroad program fees, the university uses those fees to contract for housing, classroom facilities, ground transportation, activities and other services for the entire study abroad group. The university is contacting vendors and requesting refunds. Any program fees the university recoups will get refunded to students in those programs.

For more information about cancelled study abroad programs, contact the Education Abroad Office at (206) 296-2226 or educationabroad@seattleu.edu. 

Yes, the Office of the Provost emailed guidance to all faculty on March 6 and follow up guidance on March 11.

Faculty members are encouraged to first call their airline and hotel vendors.  Most vendors are allowing cancellations without penalty and providing full refunds as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  If a faculty member is unable to get a refund, they should contact their budget manager. 

The Center for Digital Learning & Innovation (CDLI) has created an Instructional Continuity website to help faculty quickly convert face-to-face course to virtual delivery by using two dependable and fairly easy-to-use applications, Zoom web conferencing and Canvas.  The website includes the following resources:

• An Instructional Continuity Template based upon Zoom web conferencing and Canvas. The template allows faculty to hold class online, record online meetings and lectures, communicate with students, conduct discussions, deliver course materials, and create and grade assignments.
• A link to sign up for one of CDLI's frequent and Zoom-delivered Instructional Continuity Workshops.
• Links to Canvas and Zoom guides and support.

CDLI will continue to update the website with additional faculty resources. 

Yes, we are still accepting applications to most of our undergraduate programs (Nursing excluded). We recommend connecting with your Admissions Counselor prior to starting your application. Learn more about applying to Seattle U here.

Starting March 21, campus tours will be suspended through the end of April. While you may not be able to physically tour Seattle University, we encourage you to explore SU’s beautiful campus by taking our Virtual Tour today!

For more information for admitted students, visit Stay Connected to Seattle U, or contact Admissions at admissions@seattleu.edu.

Quarter and per credit hour tuition rates remain unchanged during the temporary transition to remote instruction. Our faculty and staff are working hard to make sure you continue to receive the high-quality and distinctive Jesuit education that Seattle University delivers. This includes providing high-quality teaching and learning as well as enriching co-curricular experiences and critical student support services throughout the quarter.

Message on Spring Quarter Classes, Tuition and Fees

Room and board will be charged for students provided an exemption who continue to live in residential halls on campus. Students leaving university owned and managed housing for the Spring Quarter will not be charged.

Fees that are not applicable during the temporary change to remote learning will not be charged. There will be no charges for the university’s recreation fee, the graduate student activity fee and most course fees. The technology fee will continue to be charged. 

Student Financial Services is always available to discuss changing circumstances and needs of students. Please contact our staff in this office if you have any significant changes in your family or individual financial situation. Student Financial Services can be reached via email at financialservices@seattleu.edu or by phone at 206-220-8020.

Seattle University is an inclusive community with Redhawks living, working and studying all across the world and we deeply value the diversity of our community. We are committed to fostering a community that not only values diversity, but also models the principles of inclusive excellence throughout the university. To that end, it is critical that we equip ourselves with facts and each take on the responsibility of dismantling the myths and stigmas that have resulted in rampant ignorance and discrimination. And while we’ve not received any reports of harassment or discrimination on campus related to COVID-19, it is essential that we continue to share accurate information during this time of heightened concern. We must stay committed to our Jesuit values of inclusion, respect and care for the whole person. Important facts to know:

• COVID-19 does not recognize race, nationality or ethnicity.
• Wearing a mask does not mean a person is ill.
• You can interrupt stigma by sharing accurate information.
• Speak up if you hear, see or read misinformation or witness or experience harassment or discrimination.
• As always, you may report concerns of discrimination to the Office of Institutional Equity (206-296-2824; oie@seattleu.edu).

Updated March 20, 2020

Please visit the Center for Community Engagement's page for ways to support our community members.