COVID-19

Coronavirus

Updates & Resources

Gordon-Conwell is monitoring the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, and we will regularly update our community of changes that may impact our life together and our educational mission. You can find the Hamilton campus’ comprehensive reopening plan here, developed by our Pandemic Planning Committee.

Let us keep public health officials, healthcare providers, and those affected by the virus in our prayers as we seek the Lord for healing, help and guidance.

Current Changes on the Hamilton Campus

We have implemented the following for the health and safety of our community. 

February 9, 2022

The town of Hamilton just lifted the mask mandate that has been in place since December. Therefore, we will return to the protocol we had at the end of the fall semester:

  • Faculty are welcome to make the determination if they would like to make masks optional in their class. The back row in classrooms will remain a designated space for those who wish to social distance.
  • Masks are optional on the main floor of the chapel and are required in the balcony.
  • Masks are optional in the cafeteria.
  • Should you experience any COVID symptoms, please stay home and test. Refer to the CDC for information on COVID exposure and quarantine.

Earlier Updates

December 27, 2021

The town of Hamilton has reinstated a mask order for public indoor spaces effective today, December 27, until further notice.

November 8, 2021

        1. Because the Hamilton campus has a vaccination rate of at least 80.9%, masks are and chapel reservations are no longer required on campus. However, faculty are allowed to determine if masks will be required in their classes. The back row of each class will remain a designated space for those who wish to social distance, as will the balcony in chapel.

        May 21, 2021

          1. Beginning May 29, Governor Baker is lifting all COVID restrictions in MA. However, there are some exceptions: face coverings are mandatory on all public and private transportation systems, in health care facilities and a few other spaces. This update means that fully vaccinated people will not need to wear masks indoors including in apartment buildings, dorms, dining hall, offices, classrooms, etc. beginning May 29. Please see the MA updated guidance on mask requirements for more information.

          2. All unvaccinated individuals are advised to wear face coverings and social distance in indoor settings. Vaccinated individuals may be required to wear masks if the city, state, federal law or individual businesses require it.

          3. Gordon-Conwell will trust that people will follow the guidelines based on their own vaccination timeline. We will not require individuals to show proof of vaccination in order to remove their mask.

          4. Here is some info from the CDC on being fully vaccinated.

          5. As of today, MA has not issued updated sector specific guidance (e.g. for higher ed classrooms) so more updates may be forthcoming.  We will let you know if there will be requirements that Gordon-Conwell will need to abide by if/when the state provides those.

        March 24, 2021

            1. The MA COVID travel order has been replaced with a travel advisory, which no longer requires people entering the state to complete a travel form.  Under the advisory, anyone arriving in the state after being somewhere else for more than 24 hours will be advised to quarantine for 10 days upon their arrival (this is a change from “required.”) COVID tests are still required. If you travel, Gordon-Conwell will mirror the state and advise that you take appropriate precautions as well as consider the risk level of your travel plans.  Please do what you can to keep the community safe!
            2. Massachusetts has lots of information about who, how, and where to get vaccinated. We encourage you to learn more about the vaccine and to preregister for it.
            3. As a reminder, masks are required in the library and in the Great Hall.  Please also keep in mind the requirements: face coverings whenever in public for anyone over the age of 5.  Our town nurse asked us to remind families to monitor their kids closely for symptoms and to continue to be vigilant against the virus, even when outdoors, until the pandemic is over.

        February 22, 2021

          1. The Pandemic Planning Committee is lifting the Gordon-Conwell limit on events and services outside of courses.  We will continue to comply with the state guidelines for gathering.  For more information, check out these gathering safety standards and checklist for events.
          2. If you are looking to test, the recommendation is to use a “Stop the Spread” site. Any positive test results should be sent to Hope Rawding, our school nurse, at [email protected]
          3. If you are looking to test to be released from quarantine in on campus guest housing,  it should be a PCR test. If you use the Rapid Antigen swab, a PCR SWAB may be recommended on arrival. Please contact Hope Rawding for more information.
          4. We encourage you to take into account the MA travel guidelines when thinking through any potential travel over the break, keeping in mind that things may shift (such as which states are lower risk and would not necessitate you taking a COVID test upon return).

        October 19, 2020

          1. January term classes will be offered completely online.
          2. Spring classes will be offered in the same manner as Fall (with multiple modalities). More information will be released the week of October 26th. 
          3. We encourage you to take into account the MA travel guidelines when thinking through any potential travel over the break, keeping in mind that things may shift (such as which states are lower risk and would not necessitate you taking a COVID test upon return).

        September 18, 2020

          1. Weekly pre-registration for in-person chapel is required.  Please use this link to register: chapelreservation.gordonconwell.edu.  We warmly welcome you to join online if in person is not possible!
          2. Per the MA Department of Public Health, if you are taking a test to be released from quarantine, it should be a PCR test.  Results should be submitted to nurse Hope Rawding at [email protected].
          3. Governor Baker announced that a flu vaccine will be required for all full-time graduate students under 30 years of age by January 1st.  More information is available here.

        July 31, 2020

        Here is an overview of our campus’ reopening plans for the fall. For more information, please refer to our comprehensive reopening plan document. 

        Academics:

          1. In multiple modalities; all classes will be available in online format following Thanksgiving break.
          2. Classes have been scheduled in rooms where the maximum physical distance capacity is accounted for.  Rooms will be regularly disinfected
          3. The Library is open and will be regularly disinfected.

        Residential:

          1. Dining services will have no self-service options and limited seating. Masks are to be worn unless one is eating.
          2. For dorm students, alternative space is available for quarantining should one have covid symptoms.

        Other:

          1. Chapel will be available on facebook and in person.  No singing will be allowed through the month of September.  A maximum of 85 people can be present in the chapel.
          2. Forums will be both online and with no more than 56 people in Alumni Hall.
          3. We encourage online or phone meetings. If space is reserved for a meeting, the number of attendees must be given to ensure appropriate space is provided.
          4. Guest Housing will open sometime this fall for external guests when it is deemed safe.
          5. Admissions is open for regular visits with masks and physical distancing.  Drop ins are discouraged at this time.
          6. Other spaces such as the mailroom, Give and Take, and Women’s workout room may have alternative hours or safety requirements.  See signage or previous emails for more details.

        Travel:

          1. Currently the regulations for travel to MA note that all visitors and returning residents must fill out a “Massachusetts Traveler Form” unless they are coming from a state that has been designated a lower risk for COVID-19 or fall into an exemption category.  If you are coming from a higher risk state, MA instructs that you quarantine for 14 days unless you have a negative COVID-19 test from the 3 days prior to your arrival.

          May 29, 2020

                1.  We are planning on an in-person start to classes in September. However, we are also preparing to easily move to more restrictive scenarios if needed. We anticipate having another update at the beginning of July.
                2. Staff are able to work on campus starting on June 1. They will be working with their supervisors on specific arrangements.
                3. Per orders of Governor Baker and the Town of Hamilton, please continue to wear a mask in hallways and other public spaces outside of your room and individual office. Please also continue to practice social distancing.
                4. The playground is now open. The mailroom has extended its hours (9am-1pm) for the window to be open. The Give and Take will be open for drop offs only several days in the near future—hours will be posted on Facebook.

          April 23, 2020

                1. Summer II and III Classes will be online this year. Because of the uncertainty related to how and when the stay at home orders will be lifted, we believe it will serve students best to have these classes online.  Students are welcome to remain on campus over the summer, and we will continue to follow governmental guidance for safety.  

          April 17, 2020

                1. The Hamilton Board of Health approved an order effective at midnight that requires the wearing of face coverings anytime we are outside of our apartments or rooms (that includes any common spaces such as the Mailroom, Great Hall, or Dining hall). The order specifies that the Hamilton Police will enforce this with a warning but at the second offense, a $100 fine will be issued. Here are the CDC’s recommendations for using cloth face coverings.
                2. The Dining hall will be closed this summer from May 12th until Mid-August. Please be sure to use up your points by May 11th.  Dorm students, we recognize this significantly affects you—if you are living in the residence hall over the summer, Gordon-Conwell will be providing a couple of meals a week for you for free!
                3. Please continue in your diligence of maintaining strict social distancing and hygiene.
                4. The announcement about Summer II and III (whether online or in person) will be made next week.

          April 3, 2020

                1. Hamilton’s Board of Health has asked that people wear masks (or scarfs and bandanas if you don’t have a mask) when going out.
                2. Hamilton has closed town playgrounds, and we have closed ours as well.

          March 19, 2020

                1. Classes will continue to meet online through the end of the semester, and we invite you to join us online for chapel.
                2. Graduation activities have been canceled for May. An alternative plan will be announced soon.
                3. Goddard Library will be closing today at 5 pm. Beginning Friday, March 20 at 5 pm, the library will not be open for students to study or check out books, until further notice. For more information, please see the Detailed Library Information section below.
                4. For people returning from traveling over reading week, we ask that you spend 2 weeks in self-isolation if  you were in a high risk country (see this CDC guidance) or if you were in contact with someone with the virus. If you were in a US city that is heavily impacted by the virus, or if you have traveled by airplane or public transportation, please self-isolate for 1 week. Please note this guidance from the CDC on the difficulty of travel presently and use extra precaution.

          March 16, 2020

                1. Per Governor Baker’s directive, the dining hall will only be able to provide take-out beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17th. Here is additional information from the Mass government.
                2. The Give and Take will be closed for the foreseeable future, as will the women’s workout room on the first floor of Kerr.

          March 13, 2020

                1. The President has asked that all employees (student, PT and FT) for whom it is not essential that they be physically on campus work from home through April 3rd.  Please check with your supervisor regarding what is necessary for your position, and HR will also be sending more information by email.
                2. Student Life anticipates being open, and the library and dining hall will remain open.

           

          March 12, 2020

                  • Letter from President Sunquist.
                  • We will hold all Hamilton campus classes online beginning tomorrow, Friday March 13th through Friday, April 3rd.  We anticipate classes resuming as usual on Monday, April 6th; however we will be closely monitoring the situation.

          Here are more details relevant to community life:

                  • On campus residents may stay in their rooms or apartments.  Should illness occur, please contact the housing director via email and we may be able to help with self-isolation if needed.
                  • The dining hall and library will remain open. We will be eliminating self-service food options for the meantime.
                  • We anticipate that chapel services will resume after reading week.
                  • Staff will generally still be working as usual.

           

           

          March 11, 2020

                • All on-campus recruitment events and gatherings have been canceled until further notice.
                • We will not be sending students on OMP trips over the summer.
                • The Encyclopedia of Global Christianity Conference (held at the Hamilton campus) has been postponed until the fall.
                • The Grant Wacker lectures have been cancelled.

Detailed Library Information

Gordon-Conwell is regularly monitoring the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.  We will update our community regularly on changes that may impact our life together and our educational mission.

Let us keep public health officials, healthcare providers, and those affected by the virus in our prayers as we seek the Lord for healing, help and guidance.

View D.Min. and LGM Updates

 

Current Changes on the Boston Campus

We have implemented the following for the health and safety of our community. For more information, please read: Boston’s comprehensive Reopening Plan.

December 7, 2022

Due to the recent spike in COVID cases in the Boston area we are requesting that everyone to wear a mask when in public spaces at CUME. This requires wearing a mask when in classrooms, hallways, the student lounge, and the library.

We will continue to monitor the COVID infection rates for this area and reports from the Boston Public Health Commission. If rates drop to a certain level, we believe the mask mandate can be removed at CUME, and we will immediately notify everyone.

Please note: if you are not feeling well, please stay home, get tested, and if you test positive, follow the recommendations of your doctor and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention on how to quarantine.

We have plenty of masks available for everyone who desires them. Please speak with anyone from the maintenance/operations team. If you have any questions regarding these policies, please contact [email protected].

Earlier Updates

September 10, 2021

Due to the ongoing strains of COVID-19 and the impact of the Delta variant we remain vigil, responsible, and seek to practice social distancing and mask wearing when gathering at the Boston Campus (CUME) building. More information about our safety policies with relation to COVID will be shared at Orientation/Convocation/Formation (OCF) day.

  1. In accordance with the City of Boston, masks are required for indoor public gatherings on the Gordon-Conwell campus regardless of your vaccination status. Exceptions to the mask mandate are: 1) medical condition or disability, 2) when actively eating or drinking, 3) when needing to communicate with someone who is hearing impaired in such a way that the mouth needs to be visible, 4) giving speeches/sermons or teaching to an audience where social distancing is possible and the speaker is vaccinated.
  2. While Gordon-Conwell is not requiring vaccinations, we strongly recommend members of our community to get the vaccine. For more information about the vaccine check mass.gov.
  3. If someone in a class is COVID-positive, we will notify the class via email. If you have tested COVID-positive please contact [email protected] so that we can best support you and help curb the spread through notifying the CUME community. We ask for transparency only in the interest of aiding the health and wellness of our community. If you have been exposed to someone with COVID, please follow all the guidelines and take the necessary precautions to prevent further spread of the virus.
  4. All registered students should sign a COVID Community Commitment letter that was sent out from the President’s Office.
  5. The Boston Campus will continue to provide classes where in-person students can physically distance, and digital options remain available for students who are more comfortable working remotely.
  6. Communal areas may have staggered and restricted usage to ensure everyone can remain six (6) feet apart.
  7. We will continue to have sanitizer available on-site.
  8. The Bruce Jackson Memorial Library (Boston Campus) is open for limited on-site use. Library users are encouraged to use the seminary’s electronic holdings available through the Digital Theological Library. Information on individual e-books are available in the seminary’s On-Line Public Access Catalog. The Fall 2021 Library Policies are: i) Two-hour shifts reserved in advance, ii) Books can be requested ahead of time, iii) Students should return books on bookshelf in CUME lobby.

If you have any questions regarding these policies, please contact [email protected].

 

 

October 1, 2020

The following measures have been implemented for the health and safety of our community.

Academics:

  1.  The Boston Campus is closed for all in-person assistance. All Fall 2020 classes will be available in an online format. Students should contact the Registration Office ([email protected]) for more information regarding the Academic Calendar and Course Schedule & Syllabi.
  2. The Bruce Jackson Memorial Library (Boston Campus) will also remain closed for on-site use. Library users are encouraged to use the seminary’s electronic holdings available through the Digital Theological Library. Information on individual e-books are available in the seminary’s On-Line Public Access Catalog. If you wish to checkout or return a book(s), please be sure to contact the Library Director, Mark Thomas, at [email protected]. The Goddard Library at the Hamilton campus remains open for Gordon-Conwell students. For more information on the Goddard library and its hours of operation, click here.

Other:

  1. Governor Baker announced that a flu vaccine will be required for all full-time graduate students under 30 years of age by January 1st. More information is available here.
  2. The Admissions Office and Registration Office discourage drop-ins at this time. Representatives from each office are remotely available during normal operative hours (Admissions: Monday – Friday, 8am – 4pm EST; Registration: Monday – Friday, 10am – 6pm EST). Students should email their academic advisor to set up virtual advising appointments, if necessary.

Travel:

  1. Currently the regulations for travel to MA note that all visitors and returning residents must fill out a “Massachusetts Traveler Form” unless they are coming from a state that has been designated a lower risk for COVID-19 or fall into an exemption category. If you are coming from a higher risk state, MA instructs that you quarantine for 14 days unless you have a negative COVID-19 test from the 3 days prior to your arrival.

Please continue wearing a mask when accessing public spaces, wash your hands often, and practice social distancing.

 

 

April 29, 2020

In accordance with the State of Massachusetts COVID-19 stay-at-home advisory guidelines, the Boston Campus will re-open on May 18, 2020.  Our phone lines and email are still operative during normal hours (10 am – 6 pm EST). Call the Campus (617-427-7293) or email your inquiries (Registration: [email protected]; Admissions: [email protected]), and our staff will attend to your inquiries.

 

 

April 8, 2020

  • Curfew hours in Boston, Massachusetts: 9pm to 6pm for non-essential workers.
  • Wear masks (or scarfs and bandanas if you don’t have a mask) when going out; however limit your outside activity, if possible.
  • Digital Office Hours: Effective 4/13/2020 : Monday – Thursday: 10am to 6pm; Friday: CLOSED

 

 

March 27, 2020

With new State guidelines in place concerning COVID-19, the physical building of the Boston Campus is now closed until May 4, 2020. Our phone lines and email are still operative during normal hours (10am – 6pm EST) and there is no interruption in instruction. Call the Campus (617-427-7293) or email your inquiries (Registration: [email protected]; Admissions: [email protected]), and our staff will attend to your inquiries.

Other updates:

  • If any member of the CUME community is impacted by COVID-19, please let us know by informing our Registration and Data Assistant, Marie East, at [email protected]
  • Summer Registration officially began March 19th, and the courses are scheduled to start on May 18th. Visit our Registration page for more information.
  • All the courses of the Seminary in the Summer and Fall of 2020 will be taught online. We encourage students to familiarize themselves with necessary digital tools to continue their studies by reviewing tutorials in Canvas. Contact the Digital Education Team at [email protected] with questions.
  • Gordon-Conwell invites you to join us online for chapel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11:10AM on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pg/GordonConwell/live_videos/).

 

 

March 23, 2020
The Boston Campus remains closed, but life of CUME as a learning community continues, as we are able to embrace ‘social distancing ’along with ‘digital connectivity’. Our digital office hours are 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.

Other updates:

Academics:

  • Digital Theological Library continues to be available for faculty and student access through Gordon-Conwell’s Library portal (https://library.gordonconwell.edu/home). For library questions and consultation please click here.
  •  All students will be given an extension to the submission deadlines for written work. New deadlines: May 1 for non-graduates and May 11 for graduates.
  • Seniors will graduate on May 9, but Commencement will be rescheduled. More information to come.
  • Summer courses are still scheduled to start on May 18.

Worship and Prayer:

  • Students are encouraged to join Gordon-Conwell Chapel on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 11:10AM for the rest of Spring Semester on Facebook.

 

 

March 20, 2020

Because of the changing nature of the coronavirus threat and its potential danger to the GCTS community, the Goddard Library (Hamilton Campus) will be closing today, Friday March 20 at 5 pm. Students will not be able to study or check out books until further notice. For more information, please see the Detailed Library Information section below. Library staff will continue to facilitate your academic work and the library will continue to provide remote support to GCTS students and faculty. Boston Campus students should contact [email protected] with research questions or library needs.

Other updates:

  • Classes will continue to meet online and through other alternative modes of learning until it is safe to return to campus. Please check your GCTS email for updates.
  • Commencement activities will not be held this May at any campus. An alternative plan will soon be announced.

 

 

March 17, 2020

The Boston Campus has closed the building until it is safe to return to campus. We hope to reopen its doors on Monday, April 6, 2020. Until then, no classes will be held in the building. We are closely monitoring the situation. Please check your GCTS email for all updates.

Here are some additional updates regarding how the Boston Campus will function over the next few weeks:

  • Over the course of Reading Week,  (March 16th to 20th, 2020);  faculty will work on redesigning the remainder of their respective courses so that students will be able to complete their learning by the end of the term. As person-to-person instruction will no longer be possible during this time, faculty will explore alternative modes of learning and directly communicate to the students about the adjustments needed. Live-streaming may be the way for some courses, while for others it could be assigning independent study projects. Each faculty will think through the possible options and inform the students.
  • Due to the current COVID-Virus 19 pandemic, the Bruce Jackson Memorial Library at the Boston campus will be closed. (Note: If the building is closed, then the library is closed).   Students can still access online library resources (see Detailed Library Information). If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to email [email protected]

Please continue to take necessary precautions for the safety of yourself and your family.
We will continue to update you as the situation progresses.

 

 

March 12, 2020

Physical access to the Bruce Jackson Memorial Library at the Boston campus may be severely limited. If the building is closed, then the library is closed. For more information on accessing library services during this time, please see the Detailed Library Information below.

 

 

March 11, 2020

With the rising level of concerns around coronavirus, Gordon-Conwell—Boston is making major effort toward building capacity to learn online and work from home so that our learning can stay uninterrupted in this changing environment.

Please be aware of these timelines:

  • March 12:  On this day campus doors will open at 2 PM for regular services and classes; you may continue to contact staff and faculty via email through the day.
  • March 16-21: Some of our current classes will be designated to test the online-learning experience over the Reading Week (March 16-21); please stay current with your GCTS email for updates.
  • March 23: We ask all students and faculty acquire skills to use Canvas and Zoom well by March 23.

Detailed Library Information

  • Check the Gordon-Conwell Library System website https://library.gordonconwell.edu/home regularly for updates regarding services and hours of operation.
  • The library’s home page including access to OPAC (On-line Public Access Catalog) is available at https://library.gordonconwell.edu/home
  • Thousands of eBooks and millions of journal articles are available through the Digital Theological Library (http://digitaltheologicallibrary.org) and the seminary’s other online resources (http://library.gordonconwell.edu/online).
  • Interlibrary loan requests can still be fulfilled if items are available electronically (request items in the library catalog as normal http://library.gordonconwell.edu/interlibraryloan).
  • Request electronic scans of reference materials to be delivered via email (http://library.gordonconwell.edu/requests).
  • Access to your library account (renewing of books) is available through the library’s website under the Account tab. Supply your user name and password and the system will pull a list of your checked-out materials. Renew the items and make sure that you sign out of the system.
  • If you have a reference questions while the library is closed, please send your question to [email protected] (Monday Noon-5 PM) or [email protected]. The Library Director will be monitoring this e-mail address during normal regular library hours (Tuesday-Thursday: 2-9 PM and Saturday (9 AM-4 PM).
  • No proctoring of exams will be possible.

Gordon-Conwell is regularly monitoring the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.  We will update our community regularly on changes that may impact our life together and our educational mission.

Let us keep public health officials, healthcare providers, and those affected by the virus in our prayers as we seek the Lord for healing, help and guidance.

View D.Min. and LGM Updates

Current Changes on the Charlotte Campus

November 2, 2021

The Mecklenburg County mask mandate is still in effect. Whether you are fully vaccinated or unvaccinated, masks are required in indoor public spaces.

Unlike previous mandates, the revised public health rule is not triggered to end by a specific date. It would end when the county reaches a specific level of viral spread, as measured by certain metrics.

Questions about the mandate? Please refer to the revised public health rule.

September 3, 2021

We will continue to follow CDC Guidance, City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and North Carolina Guidance for our COVID policies on the Charlotte campus. Please review the following health and safety measures in effect for our campus.

A mask mandate is in effect for the City of Charlotte.

Whether you are fully vaccinated or unvaccinated:

  • Masks are required in indoor public spaces.
  • Get tested if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
  • If you came into close contact with someone with COVID-19, get tested 3-5 days after the date of your exposure. Isolate until a negative test result or up to 14 days after exposure.
  • Isolate if you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the prior 10 days or are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

Questions about the mandate? Refer to the city’s FAQs at the bottom of this announcement.

Use your ID badge each time you enter the building.

  • In the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case on campus, our staff will use building access data to notify individuals of a potential exposure.
    • If you enter the building without your ID badge, please inform our front desk ([email protected]) so we may notify you in the event of a potential COVID-19 exposure on campus.
    • If you need an ID badge, please fill out this form.
  • We will continue to provide classrooms where in-person students can physically distance, and digital options remain available for the majority of classes for students who are more comfortable working remotely.
  • Communal areas (such as the library, study rooms, and classrooms) may have staggered and restricted use at one time to ensure everyone can stay at least 6 feet apart. Please review signage in these areas for specific guidance.
  • Student support services, such as Soul Care spiritual formation groups, library, digital study groups, IT support services, and phone/internet-based advisement and student success services, continue to be digitally available.
  • We continue to have masks and hand sanitizer available on-site. Please go to the reception desk for assistance.

While most of our campus services are available digitally, we recognize the possibility of having a COVID-19 case on-site. Should this occur, the following policies will be enacted:

  • We will close off known affected areas used by the patient for 24 hours.
  • Our staff will clean and disinfect all areas (e.g., offices, bathrooms, and common areas) used by the COVID-19 patient, focusing especially on frequently touched surfaces.
  • Before returning to campus, faculty, staff, and students who have been sick with COVID-19 symptoms, tested positive for COVID-19, or have been potentially exposed to someone with COVID-19 are encouraged to follow CDC guidance to self-isolate or stay home.
  • Students are asked to work with their professors to ensure they can continue to complete their coursework while following proper social distancing guidelines.
  • Students who have tested positive are asked to notify the Southeast Dean of Students, Deana Nail ([email protected]).

If you have any questions regarding these policies, please contact [email protected]. We appreciate your continued efforts to keep our campus safe.

Earlier Updates

August 31, 2020

Please review the following guidance and health and safety measures in effect for our campus beginning this fall semester (September 8, 2020).

Gordon-Conwell — Charlotte Campus Hours*

Tues – Fri, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm

Harold Lindsell Library Hours*

Tues – Wed, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Thurs – Fri, 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sat, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

*The building will be open during the hours posted and during class times.

Please use your ID badge each time you enter the building. In the event of a confirmed COVID-19 case on campus, staff may use building access data to notify individuals of a potential exposure. If you enter the building without your ID badge, please sign in at the reception desk so our staff may notify you in the event of a potential COVID-19 exposure on campus.

Masks are required when entering the building. We have implemented increased, routine cleaning and disinfection of frequently touched surfaces (e.g., door handles, sink handles, drinking fountains, hand railings, and bathroom stalls). Hand sanitizer is available in public areas such as the reception desk and library.

Personal items (e.g., cell phones, other electronics) should be regularly cleaned and sanitized. Items that are difficult to clean or disinfect, such as electronic devices, books, pens, and other learning aids, should not be shared when possible.

Our classroom layouts have been modified to space seating at least 6 feet apart by placing smaller classes in larger rooms. We will continue to offer Digital Live/distance learning to help reduce the number of in-person attendees. Please contact your professor if you have questions about Digital Live or on-campus attendance options for your class.

Communal areas (such as the library, study rooms, and classrooms) will have staggered and restricted use at one time to ensure everyone can stay at least 6 feet apart.

Student support services, such as Soul Care spiritual formation groups, library, digital study groups, IT support services, and phone/internet-based advisement and student success services, continue to be digitally available.

While most of our campus services are available digitally, we recognize the possibility of having a COVID-19 case on campus. Should this occur, the following policies will be enacted:

    • We will close off known affected areas used by the patient for 24 hours.
    • Our staff will clean and disinfect all areas (e.g., offices, bathrooms, and common areas) used by the COVID-19 patient, focusing especially on frequently touched surfaces.
    • Before returning to campus, students who have been sick with COVID-19 symptoms, tested positive for COVID-19, or have been potentially exposed to someone with COVID-19 are encouraged to follow CDC guidance to self-isolate or stay home.
    • Students are asked to work with their professors to ensure they can continue to complete their coursework while following proper social distancing guidelines.
    • Students who have tested positive are asked to notify the Charlotte Dean of Students, Deana Nail ([email protected]).

If you have any questions regarding these policies, please contact our front desk at [email protected]. You can also obtain updated campus information by monitoring your GCTS e-mail or logging into your Canvas account and accessing the Charlotte Registration hub.

We appreciate your continued efforts to keep our campus safe, and we look forward to another great year here at Gordon-Conwell.

June 23, 2020
The Harold Lindsell library on the Gordon-Conwell—Charlotte campus will reopen for limited hours beginning this Wednesday, June 24 at 10:00 am. During the summer, we plan to have the library open four days each week, Wednesday through Saturday between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm.

Please note the following rules:

        • Face-masks will be required for entering the campus and the library. Disposable masks will be available for those without one.
        • Social distancing, remaining at least six feet apart from others will be required.
        • Minimal library staff will be on duty (no more than two staff at any one time).
        • Upstairs access will be restricted to no more than three people at any one time.
        • The library will be limited to no more than 20 percent of capacity at any one time.
        • Very limited seating space will be available.
        • Computer access will be limited as well.
        • Hand sanitizer will be available, and the library will be cleaned after closing each day.
        • If you need staff support, we ask that you email the staff member on duty to request help.

The staff wishes that we did not have to place these limitations on library use at this time. However, we are concerned for your safety and our safety. Pray with us that the Lord will give wisdom to all of those working on treatments and vaccines.

May 5, 2020
While the campus remains closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, the campus bookstore will be closed as well. As a result, products like summer course textbooks and diploma frames will not be available for sale. We look forward to reopening the store as soon as it is safe to do so.

March 23, 2020
Dr. Sunquist and the leadership of the seminary have made the difficult decision that we will not be holding commencement this May on any of the campuses. They are considering ways to honor and celebrate the accomplishments of the students. This includes the option for celebrations on the campuses at a later date. Degrees will still be conferred in May for those graduating.

All spring residencies will all meet digitally. Students should check Canvas for instruction and updates from their professors.

March 18, 2020
The Harold Lindsell Library will close at 5:00 pm today, March 18, 2020 until further notice. Please reach out to [email protected] if you have research questions or library needs.

March 16, 2020

New library hours in Charlotte: Effective, immediately, library hours for in-person use of the library will be reduced to the following:

Monday-Friday: noon – 5 PM
Saturday (including tomorrow): closed

The library staff will be working their regular hours and will be able to assist you electronically ([email protected]) or by phone (704-527-9909, ext. 5820).

March 12, 2020

      • Alumni Forum in Charlotte scheduled for April 23 has been postponed.
      • GCTS (Hamilton) is cancelling (overseas) OMP over the summer. This is a Hamilton based course that may affect some of our students.

Gordon-Conwell is regularly monitoring the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak.  We will update our community regularly on changes that may impact our life together and our educational mission.

Let us keep public health officials, healthcare providers, and those affected by the virus in our prayers as we seek the Lord for healing, help and guidance.

View D.Min. and LGM Updates

CURRENT CHANGES ON THE JACKSONVILLE CAMPUS

We have implemented the following below for the health and safety of our community.

September 10, 2021

We will continue to follow CDC Guidance, as well as the City of Jacksonville, for our COVID policies. Please review the following health and safety measures in effect for our campus.

  • The GCTS Jacksonville Library is open to all guests during business hours (Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm). Extended-hours access is available to students only at this time.

 

  • We request everyone wear a mask while inside the GCTS Jacksonville Library as well as when inside the Salem Centre building.

 

  • For live events, including classes, we ask students to observe social distancing guidelines.

Health Precautions

We continue to exhort each member of the community to do their part in caring for the whole community. Please refer to the CDC for information on COVID exposure and quarantine.

Helpful ways to care for our community include:

  • Washing your hands with soap and water often (use hand sanitizer if not possible).
  • Covering coughs and sneezes.
  • Wearing a face mask if you are sick.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched services daily.
  • Calling your doctor if you begin to experience symptoms. Please self-isolate at home if you are ill—this applies to staff, faculty and students.
  • Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.

 

Travel Precautions

Other Resources

We encourage you to regularly seek updates from the CDC, World Health Organization, as well as your state’s department of health: Mass Gov; North Carolina DHHS; and Florida Dept. of Health.

The CDC has a helpful resource on how to keep spaces safe.

Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Reporting

HEERF I (CARES) HEERF II (CRRSAA) HEERF III (ARP)

Quarterly Reports

CARES Act Funding Report – July 2021

CARES Act Funding Report – March 2021

CARES Act Funding Report – December 2020

CARES Act Funding Report – September 2020

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009747_HEERF_Q22022_070822

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A Christian Response to Pandemics

Read the Blog Post by President Sunquist