Updates for Students from President Jack Connell

Hello Students,

I miss you. I miss cheering you on at games, attending your performances, seeing you in the dining commons, joining you in chapel, and joking around with you on campus. Adult and graduate students: I don’t typically see you quite as frequently, but your presence around our campus is missed as well. I hope and pray that all of you are healthy and safe during this turbulent time, and that your classes are going well.

Here are a few updates that I hope will be helpful to you:

Commencement rescheduled

In light of Massachusetts Governor Baker’s recent extension of the stay-at-home advisory until May 4, and in order to ensure the health and well-being of all members of the ENC community, our commencement festivities have been postponed from May 2, 2020 to August 22, 2020. While some colleges have made the decision to have an online commencement or to cancel commencement altogether, we believe it is important to come together as a community to celebrate the academic accomplishments of our graduating seniors and graduate students. I realize this date will not be workable for everyone, but I hope most of our graduates and their families will be able to return to campus in August. The faculty will still take action to formally approve all degree recipients on May 2, so all eligible students will still graduate on time; only the public celebration is being postponed. More details about graduation festivities will be provided in the near future, but for now please mark your calendar for August 22.

Room and board financial considerations

We have made the determination that we will be crediting back a portion of the spring semester’s room and meal charges for students who moved out of residence halls mid-semester. I am not able to provide a specific dollar amount at this time as there are a number of factors that must be considered, including forthcoming federal guidelines on credits and refunds provided to students through the recently enacted CARES emergency aid to colleges. We will be as helpful to students as we possibly can, while at the same time being appropriately responsive to the financial pressures this entire situation puts on the College. Eligible students can expect to receive details from the Office of Student Financial Services within the next couple weeks.

Opportunities for engagement

In spite of the limitations created by our need to practice physical distancing, we are eager to provide ways for you to remain connected to one another and the College. Please follow all of the Student Government Association, Veritas, and College social media accounts for daily events and opportunities to engage. In addition to the Thursday Campus Chronicle, we have added a new Tuesday Wellness Edition that will provide opportunities to facilitate your holistic growth. You can check the [enc.presence.io]ENC Events app to learn about upcoming fun virtual events. If you haven’t already, I encourage you to check out the new ENC Podcast. Many campus services remain available to students including Counseling Services, Career Services, the Library and the Center for Academic Success (CAS). And be watching your ENC email for information about a student town hall meeting scheduled for Monday, April 6th.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about these items, or anything else. I am here to serve you, and hope you are well.

Grace and peace to you all,

Jack Connell, Ed.D, D.Min.
President
Eastern Nazarene College
(617) 745-3702
https://enc.edu