UPDATED August 2021
Rhodes College aspires to graduate students with a life-long passion for learning, a compassion for others, and the ability to translate academic study and personal concern into effective leadership and action in their communities and the world.
At Rhodes College, we pride ourselves on our commitment to our vision. We believe strongly in our students and their ability to make choices that support not only their own health and wellbeing, but the health and wellbeing of the entire community. Rhodes students are characterized by their commitment to honor, compassion, and effective leadership and action in our communities. At this time and amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it is these characteristics that the world needs most.
At Rhodes College, we recognize that both community and compassion are words of action: taking care of ourselves, caring for each other, and contributing to the wellbeing of our campus and the City of Memphis. This recognition requires the full attention and daily dedication of everyone. The College is following guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and our partnership with Baptist Memorial Health Care, and the Tennessee Department of Health. This cooperation is essential for a successful remote fall semester, a return to campus in the spring, and the overall health of our entire community.
Rhodes College is asking students, faculty and staff to choose to take steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 wherever they are. When we all engage these health and safety guidelines, we are working to ensure that Rhodes can return to a safe an in-person experience. as soon as possible.
We believe, that if all of us, at all times, and wherever we may be practice with strict adherence the health and safety protocols recommended, then the whole campus community and our local community can remain well. In turn, we will all be able to fulfill our most ardent wish: to live and learn together on campus and in Memphis.
Our whole community will be asked to adhere to the Lynx Promise, an agreement to the College’s health and safety protocols and policies.
About the Policy
The COVID-19 Compliance Policy contains the necessary health and safety policy protocols to support a healthy and safe Rhodes College. The policy is a supplement to the Standards of Conduct for the Rhodes Community. This policy applies to students while on campus or in College facilities and provides guidance and recommendations for remote and off-campus activities.
These interim policies are covered under the Standards of Student for the Rhodes Community, under Disciplinary, Failure to comply with directions of a College official, including campus safety officers, in performance of their duties. These interim policies apply to conduct that occurs on or off campus, as stated in Disciplinary Violations section of the Standards.
The policy is updated as the College monitors the evolving COVID-19 health environment and adjustments to federal, state, and local regulations, public health guidance, and input from the Rhodes College community. Changes to the policy will be communicated via Rhodes email, and students are expected to check their email regularly.
The College will continue to assess the situation both on campus and in our community at-large. If localized outbreaks emerge and/or the protocols in this policy are not adhered to, tighter restrictions and more aggressive mitigation measures may be implemented.