Note: This message was sent via email to all students through the "Official Communications" channel on September 8, 2020.

Dear Redhawks:

It is my pleasure to welcome you to Seattle University for the 2020-21 academic year, whether you are here on our Seattle campus or taking classes from afar. As we begin the new academic year, I write to remind you about your responsibilities related to the Redhawk Commitment and Code of Student Conduct, which is available as a PDF on the Office of the Dean of Students website. The Redhawk Commitment and Code of Student Conduct contain standards that have been established to assist in building an inclusive learning community where we prioritize safety, respect, consideration, dignity, and care for one another. In addition to important policies to which all students are accountable, the Code also outlines the Integrity Formation process, which is the University’s process for resolving alleged violations of the Code. 

Please carefully review the information in the Code of Student Conduct, as it is your responsibility to be familiar with all of the University’s standards of conduct and the Integrity Formation process. 

COVID-19 Disease Prevention Policies

It is important that we all take seriously the ongoing risk and threat of COVID-19. We must do our part as a university community to help effectively manage and contain its spread by closely adhering to public health guidelines, especially physical distancing, the wearing of face coverings, and staying home if sick or symptomatic. Caring for one another, attending to the unique needs and risks of individual members of our campus community, and reducing the disparate impacts the virus has on underserved and historically marginalized communities is a shared responsibility that goes to the heart of Seattle University’s values. We have created, adopted, and communicated policies, based on public health guidance, for the Seattle University community.  Some of the key policies that we implore you to model for one another this year include:

• Face Covering Policy: Seattle University requires all persons to wear a face covering that covers the mouth and nose anywhere on SU property or leased facilities. This includes classrooms, restrooms, open office and common spaces, hallways, elevators, meeting rooms, libraries, and other indoor spaces. Face coverings are also required when outdoors on the SU campus because it is difficult to maintain distance from others even while outdoors on a busy university campus. Wearing face coverings outdoors on campus will help slow the spread of the virus. Read the entire policy here: https://www.seattleu.edu/media/coronavirus/COVID-19-Face-Covering-Policy.pdf.
   
• Safe Start Health Check: All Seattle University community members (students, faculty, staff and visitors) who will be physically present on campus are required to complete the Safe Start Health Check prior to arrival each day they plan to be on campus.
   
• COVID-19 PCR Testing: A COVID-19 test is required for any student who will be physically on campus in Fall Quarter. Read the entire policy here: https://www.seattleu.edu/coronavirus/testing-guidance/.
   
• Physical Distancing:Stay at least six feet away from others at all times, and follow all campus directional signage to promote physical distancing.
   
• No Guests/Visitors in Housing:Residents living in university housing, the Douglas, and Vi Hilbert, are not permitted to have guests or visitors in their rooms at any time. In addition to applying to guests who do not live in the residence halls, this includes visitation between residents of the same building who are living in separate rooms.

As a community, it is each individual’s responsibility to ensure our community is safe and well. We ask that you role model compliance with these policies and gently remind one another about these expectations as we all acclimate to a different way of being in community. Community members can also refer concerns about compliance by submitting an incident report online. To learn more about Seattle University’s expectations and policies related to COVID-19, please visit https://www.seattleu.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-faqs/. 

Additional University Policies

In addition to the policies found in the Code of Student Conduct, the Office of the Dean of Students website lists several additional policies that apply to all Seattle University students. These policies include the Sexual Misconduct Policy, Sexual Harassment Policy, and other university policies that are important for you to know about. Please take a moment to visit the Office of the Dean of Students website to review these important policies.

Resident Handbook

Residential students should also read the Resident Handbook, as it contains additional policies, information, and resources specific to living in University-sponsored housing. The Resident Handbook for 2020-21 also includes an addendum outlining specific policies and expectations related to COVID-19.

Updates to the Code of Student Conduct for 2020-21

The Code of Student Conduct is updated from time-to-time to ensure its alignment with best practices as well as legal and regulatory requirements. Minimal updates were made to the Code of Student Conduct for the 2020-2021 academic year. This year’s review resulted in a few minor edits, which were published on August 1, 2020 and can be found on the Office of the Dean of Students website on the Recent Code Updates page.

Thank you for your commitment to upholding and role modeling these expectations. If you have any questions about this information, please visit our website at seattleu.edu/deanofstudents, call (206) 296-6060, or email deanofstudents@seattleu.edu.

We look forward to supporting your journey at Seattle University.

Sincerely,

James Willette, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President & Dean of Students