ASUCQ community will receive all notice via official A-State communications. Do not believe rumors or any statements about outbreaks or class cancellations that are not direct from:
• the A-State CQ main website, astate.mx
• the official university social media, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram
• by official email to your A-State account.
More information on COVID-19
• Center for Disease Control (CDC) website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• Travel Advisories: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/
• Official information from the Mexican Government, Ministry of Health: https://www.gob.mx/salud/documentos/nuevo-coronavirus-poblacion
• ASUJ https://www.astate.edu/safety/novel-coronavirus/index.dot
FAQ’s
Please note that we reserve the right to amend and/or change these announcements at any moment as we learn more about this virus and how it impacts our ASUCQ community. We appreciate your patience.
1. What is coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a virus identified by the World Health Organization as the source of a new respiratory illness first detected in China, but has since spread to locations around the globe. As a new or previously undetected virus, it was labeled the Novel (new) Coronavirus or COVID-19. Coronaviruses are part of a large family of respiratory virus illnesses. Previous outbreaks of coronavirus have included severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). On Jan. 30, 2020, the WHO declared the outbreak a “public health emergency of international concern,” and the following day, Jan. 31, 2020, U.S. Health and Human Services declared a public health emergency in the United State.
2. Are there any suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 at A-State CQ?
No.
3. How is the University planning for a potential outbreak of COVID-19?
The board of Arkansas State University Campus Querétaro has met to discuss and prepare a contingency plan. As a living learning community, we must take precautions to avoid the transmission of any virus, and in particular the COVID-19 as a preventive measure. We remind everyone that ASUCQ will NOT be closing. University operations will continue. Housing, dining and other services will continue to be provided. However, students can decide to return to their family residence. Those wanting to stay at the Residence Halls on campus are required to register as soon as possible at the following link: https://forms.gle/VMkjvSDrnCmEgRuJ7 (before March 21st).
4. What do I do if I feel sick on campus?
According to the CDC Department, anyone presenting one or more of the following symptoms: fever, coughing, sneezing, malaise, body aches, headaches, difficulty to breathe, need to follow up with a doctor. Do not self-medicate; isolate yourself in the room, do not go outside. Avoid contact with friends. Ask for the medical service to assess you in your room through the RA. DO NOT GO TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT OR TO ANY HOSPITALS. The medical service will determine if a test is needed and will contact the Ministry of Health if necessary.
5. How does it spread?
Coronavirus is spread in the same ways as other viruses like common influenza or colds. The precautions to limit exposure to all viruses are similar:
Person-to-person spread (contact with one another (within about 1 meter); through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Spread from contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
6. What can I do to prevent illness?
The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
• Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds. Hand sanitizers can be an effective alternative. For more on handwashing, go here https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/
• Clean and Disinfect “high touch” surfaces every day.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth – germs often spread when a person touches something contaminated and then your eyes, nose or mouth.
• Cover your mouth and nose with your elbow if you cough or sneeze.
• Avoid sharing personal household items
• Avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you feel sick, please stay in your room, avoid public areas, limit contacts with people and call the campus medical services.
7. Does the University have a quarantine protocol in place?
Yes. The University’s emergency plans include a pandemic protocol that covers, among other contingencies, the need for various modes of on-campus quarantine; we will also follow state guidance in order to prevent the spread on campus.
8. I feel anxious about coronavirus, what can I do on campus?
We understand the concern of community members. The novel coronavirus outbreak adds a layer of stress and worry. If students would like to talk to someone, support is available through campus support areas. Students Counseling Center (SU Building, ground floor) – Health & Medical services (SU Building, ground floor) – Faculty & Staff: HR office.
9. What is the impact on classes?
Arkansas State University Campus Queretaro suspends all face to face classes. Faculty meetings and preparation as well as online testing will be held on March 17 and March 18. Online instruction will begin on March 19. You will be receiving further instructions, so please check your email and be prepared. As a reminder, it is no easy task to convert a face-to-face class to an online class. Typically, this is a process that takes several months to accomplish, and we are asking our instructors and staff members to do this in a very short time period. During this transition to online instruction, we ask that everyone be patient and forgiving when things do not work perfectly right out of the gate.
10. What is the impact on room and board?
At this time, there is no reason to ask residential students to move out of their on-campus housing. We are continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation and Residence Life will provide further instructions as necessary. Residence halls are open as usual.
11. Are there visitor restrictions for those who remain on campus?
No. Visitors and family members are still permitted on campus until further notice based on the evolution of the spread of COVID-19 in Mexico. But we recommend our community to follow state instructions and reduce unnecessary travels.
12. Will conferences, reunions be held?
At this time, all events are postponed until further notice. We are continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation.
13. Are athletic events being canceled?
Please contact ASUCQ Sports manager for the latest information on potential impacts on upcoming athletic events.
14. How does this affect study-abroad and study-away programs?
All abroad summer programs 2020 are cancelled for the moment, We are currently advising students in these programs for fall 2020 to wait for further information as we monitor this quickly evolving situation.
15. Are there any changes to the application process to study abroad in fall 2020?
Not for the moment. All students who have already applied for Fall 2020 study-abroad programs must wait to be approved by the institution. If the study abroad program takes place in any alert-level 3 country, we will have to wait until further notice. Students will be contacted directly by email. You may also contact your study abroad office at studentaffairs@astate.edu.mx
16. Are all services available on campus for students?
For the moment all services remain available to all students on campus.
17. Should I leave campus?
This is your own decision. All services remain available to all students on campus
18. Will summer programs ON CAMPUS still go forward?
ASUCQ has not yet made a determination for summer programs on campus as there is no actual reasons to do cancel any course. We will keep you informed as soon as we have more information. Contact your academic advisor in order to register to these courses
19. Will spring break also be extended for ASUCQ students?
For the moment, there is no reason to extend spring break holidays as it happened in the US, ASUCQ students should adhere to their typical schedule, with classes resuming on Monday, April 13.
20. What happens with my scholarship service and/or my internship?
Students will comply with their scholarship service hours working remotely, if the type of work allows it. They must reach an understanding with the person they make their service with. For the case of the internships carried out inside ASUCQ, same instructions apply. For the case of internships carried out outside ASUCQ, interns must abide by the agreements that the company reaches or reach an agreement with the person with whom they do the internship.
21. Where should students and international students’ direct questions?
ASUCQ students and International students can email studentaffairs@astate.edu.mx or the Office of International Programs on campus.
22. Is the cafeteria open?
The Wolves’ Den cafeteria offers regular service to our community; we will inform the community inmediately if there is any adjustment of service hours during this period of time.
23. Sources of information:
• Center for Disease Control (CDC) website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• Travel Advisories: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/
• Official information from the Mexican Government, Ministry of Health: https://www.gob.mx/salud/documentos/nuevo-coronavirus-poblacion
• ASUJ https://www.astate.edu/safety/novel-coronavirus/index.dot
