WITT: We're In This Together

COVID-19 Campus Communications (2020)

All information and links presented on this page are dated 2020. If you have questions or concerns, contact Wittenberg University at ucomm@wittenberg.edu or click here to access current information.

Message Regarding Fall Return

May 11, 2020: President Frandsen announced Wittenberg's intention to re-open in the fall. 

Full Message Regarding Fall Return

CARES Act

May 8, 2020: As part of the CARES Act, the US Department of Education (ED) authorized more than $7 billion of emergency funding to colleges and universities across the United States. Wittenberg University has been allocated $1,728,770 in funding and 50% of that funding was earmarked for immediate student distribution.

Cares Act Funding Disclosure

Wittenberg COVID-19 Crisis Fund

April 1, 2020: With a mission steeped in service and in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Wittenberg University has launched the COVID-19 Crisis Fund to provide support for emergency student needs, unforeseen expenses resulting from remote teaching and learning, and virtual meetings with key constituents, including prospective students and their families.

Wittenberg COVID-19 Crisis Fund News Release

Frequently Asked Questions

Campus Information and Resources

  • Temporary Travel Restrictions
  • Thomas Library: The library is currently closed. Librarians are working remotely and can be reached at librarians@wittenberg.edu. There are also a host of resources available online: Remote Access to Thomas Library
  • Wittenberg Health Center: The center is closed. Students on campus in need of seeing a doctor should call 937-323-1187- option 1, for an appointment. They will be seen at Mercy Crest Family Medical, 30 W. McCreight Ave., Suite 208, enter through entrance B, and go up the stairs and turn right.
  • Spring Textbook Rental Returns: Click here for instructions

Campus Communications

Community Messages (2020)

  • 12-18-20: Click here to read a message from the COVID-19 Response Team about Expectations During Break.
  • 11-23-20: Click here to read a special message from Dr. Alan Stewart '69, a member of Wittenberg's COVID Response Team.
  • 11-18-20: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued a statement that announced a statewide curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily for 21 days, starting Nov. 19. Read message here.
  • 11-11-20: Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine issued a statement that offered new guidelines for enforcement of existing state-wide mask mandates. Emails the following day from Wittenberg's COVID Response Team and the Chamber of Greater Springfield reinforced the governor's message. Read messages here.
  • 11-4-20: The Office of Student Development has announced that as of November 1, 2020, the Mercy Red Clinic will no longer conduct asymptomatic testing of students. If students desire an asymptomatic test, please contact the health clinic on campus at 937-327-7811. The clinic MAY be able to accommodate the request. The Mercy Red Clinic and Walk-In Care Clinic will continue testing of symptomatic individuals. For more information click here.
  • On Oct. 29, President Michael Frandsen sent a message to campus with an update about Clark County's status in Ohio's color coding COVID system. Read message here.
  • 10-27-20: University President Michael Frandsen provided details about the developing pandemic situation and response in Clark County. Read message here.
  • 10-16-20: Provost Michelle Mattson announced plans for spring semester, beginning on Tuesday, January 19, 2021, and including both a commemoration of Martin Luther King Jr. the evening of January 18 and four break days in light of Spring Break's cancellation this year. Read message here.
  • 10-16-20: Wittenberg updated its local off-campus travel policy. Read message here.
  • 10-16-20: The North Coast Athletic Conference President’s Council announced the decision to cancel conference play, including championships, for the winter season. Read message here.
  • 10-15-20: Due to the increase in COVID cases in the United States and abroad, Wittenberg has canceled the spring 2021 Witt in Witt and Witt in Costa Rica study abroad programs. Plans are underway for either summer or fall programs in both locations. Individual study abroad plans, or non-Wittenberg-run programs, are dependent on destination. Please contact the Office of International Education for further information via email at jbennett@wittenberg.edu.
  • 10-9-20: Wittenberg announced guidelines for University events occurring in entertainment venues, in accordance with the Ohio Department of Health Director’s Order on Entertainment Venues. Read guidelines here.
  • 10-5-20: Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students Casey Gill sent a message to students with information about new policies for visitors in campus residences and residence halls. Read message here.
  • 10-1-20: Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students Casey Gill sent a message to students outlining Student Guest and Travel Expectations. Read message here.
  • 9-24-20: The COVID Response Team reported on the final results of the mass testing event held on campus on Sept. 9. To see the overview, click here.
  • 9-21-20: President Michael Frandsen reminds campus in a special video that We're In This Together (WITT), as well as the importance of following our established health and safety measures. Watch video.
  • 9-18-20: COVID Response Team Co-Chair and Vice President for Student Development Casey Gill sent a message to students about following established mitigation protocols and policies. Read message.
  • 9-16-20: President Frandsen announced that Wittenberg would return to in-person classes on Monday, Sept. 21, as previously planned. Read update here.
  • 9-15-20: President Frandsen has announced that the University will resume in-person learning on Monday, Sept. 21, following two weeks of remote instruction.
  • 9-10-20: President Michael Frandsen participated in Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's weekly press conference to discuss Wittenberg's COVID response. Watch video.
  • 9-7-20: Wittenberg was approved to host a mass-testing event for all students, faculty, and staff on Sept. 9. The event will be managed by the Ohio National Guard.
  • 9-6-20: Wittenberg announced a temporary move to remote learning beginning tomorrow, Sept. 7, with in-person learning scheduled to resume Sept. 21. To read full communication from COVID Response Team, click here.
  • 9-2-20: The COVID Response Team announced two policy changes related to visitors in residence halls and in off-campus travel, and reiterated the importance of maintaining all health and safety protocols. Read update here.
  • 8-26-20: The COVID Response Team reiterated following health protocols and announced the new COVID Dashboard, COVID Assistance Team (CAT), and methods for reporting concerns. Read update here.
  • 8-24-20: Wittenberg has launched a new COVID-19 Campus Dashboard to assist in tracking the status of cases at Wittenberg. The dashboard can be accessed here.
  • 8-13-20: The COVID Response Team distributed a message to campus titled Update On Face Coverings.
  • 7-24-20: University President Michael Frandsen distributed a message to campus that outlined the process and procedures designed to ensure a successful return to campus operations and in-person course delivery.
  • 7-24-20: Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced a travel advisory for all individuals coming into Ohio from states reporting positive COVID-19 testing rates of 15 percent or higher. Ohioans traveling from a list of states that is updated each week should self-quarantine for 14 days. Learn More
  • 7-22-20: Recognizing that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to present evolving challenges to our campuses and communities, Wittenberg University, in conjunction with the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Presidents’ Council, has suspended all intercollegiate competition through December 31, 2020. Read more here.
  • 7-22-20: Governor DeWine announced that beginning on Thursday, July 23, a statewide mask mandate will go into effect for citizens living in all 88 Ohio counties. All individuals in Ohio must wear facial coverings in public at all times when: at an indoor location that is not a residence; outdoors, but unable to maintain six-foot social distance from people who are not household members; waiting for, riding, driving, or operating public transportation, such as a taxi, a car service, or a private car used for ride-sharing.
  • 7-16-20: A letter was sent to students from the Office of Provost regarding expectations related to course delivery during the fall semester 2020. View letter here.
  • COVID-19: Campus Update (April 15, 2020)
  • COVID-19: Campus Update (April 3, 2020)
  • COVID-19: Student Account Update (April 3, 2020)
  • COVID-19: Commencement Decision (March 26, 2020)
  • COVID-19: Campus Update & Moving Forward (March 18, 2020)
  • COVID-19: Campus Update (March 16, 2020)
  • COVID-19: Remote Work Update For Employees (March 16, 2020)
  • COVID-19: Student Communication (March 16, 2020)
  • COVID-19: Update (March 12, 2020)
  • COVID-19: Critical Information and Update (March 10, 2020)
  • Coronavirus Communication to Employees (March 6, 2020)
  • Campus Update On Coronavirus (Feb. 29, 2020)
  • Important Health and Safety Message (Jan. 28, 2020)

Student Digests (2020)

Sent to students weekly, these Office of Student Development-sponsored communications provide key information and updates to students.

Employee Digests

Faculty and staff at the University received e-communications for health and safety updates and information related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wittenberg Athletics Updates

Wittenberg University, along with the members of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), worked diligently to devise a safe and responsible return to campus and more specifically a return to sport plan during the 2020-21 school year.

  • Wittenberg Announces Return To Competition Plan (10-16-20): Read More
  • Intercollegiate Competition Suspended (7-20-20): Read More
  • Wittenberg Athletics COVID-19 Resocialization Plan (7-9-20): Read More
  • On Feb. 12, Wittenberg University's Department of Athletics began providing limited spectator access at home games for indoor sports in Pam Evans Smith Arena and the 1929 ​Fieldhouse, a policy that was later extended to outdoor sports as well. Read More

Pandemic Archives

Since March 2020, Wittenberg has kept its community informed about actions taken to sustain health and safety at the University. Prior communications, CDC guidance, and decisions made can be accessed here.

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