Coronavirus Update

April 3, 2020

COVID-19 Update

Maintaining Community

While we continue in our remote learning and work environments, it is important that we strive to maintain the sense of community that is a hallmark of Bowie State University. One way that we will work to help achieve this is to host periodic virtual university town hall sessions to enable faculty, staff and students to come together for updates, to ask questions just be together in the same virtual space.

Please plan to join President Breaux and other campus leaders for a virtual session on Wednesday, April 15, at 4 p.m. Login information will be provided closer to the event date.

Spread of COVID-19

The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Maryland has surpassed 2,700 as of 4/3.20.

We have received reports that three members of the BSU community have tested positive for the disease as of this week – two students and one faculty member. This includes the case first reported last week. All are recovering at home. We extend our best wishes for a speedy recovery and well-being to each of them and their families. 

None of the individuals have been to the campus since before spring break. We are following our process of working with the Prince George’s County Health Department, which will identify any persons who have been in contact with the individuals, and provide the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Residence Hall Move Out

As a reminder, the plan for students to begin returning to the camps to move out of the residence halls has been suspended in response to the stay-at-home order by Governor Hogan. Any belongings remaining in students rooms will be secure. Students who have extenuating circumstances may request for an exception if they need to retrieve their belongings from the residence halls prior to the stay-at-home order being lifted.

Move Out Suspension Exception Form

Auxiliary Services

We received a number of questions related to various auxiliary services frequently used by students including the Student Center, Bulldog Card Office, BSU Bookstore and Dining Services. The responses to these questions have been included in the FAQ found on the Coronavirus Update page in the Have Questions? Box.

Thank You to Emergency Response Team

The University’s Emergency Response Team has been working to help ensure the safety, health and well-being of our campus community during this pandemic. This team, composed of various campus members, has been meeting regularly to discuss the ongoing situation, impact on the campus and different challenges the changing environment is creating for the campus community. The team helps address concerns and provide overall feedback and guidance on how to move the university forward during these challenging times.  Please join me in thanking all the members, listed below, for their commitment to BSU.

Emergency Response Team Members:

April L. Johnson, Michael Atkins, Arlene Creek , Michael Hughes, Sheila Hobson, Jacquelyn Wonsey, Guy-Alain Amoussou, Marivic Weiss, Rita Wutoh, Wade Henley, Damita Chambers, Jacqueline Jackson-Palmer, Tonya Swanson, James Booker, Edna Palmer, Wayne Felder, Ernest Waiters, Steve Jost and Sharon Glaster.

In addition to the team, Dr. April Johnson and Dr. Rita Wutoh have been working tirelessly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our community, especially the students. I would like to personally thank them for their unwavering dedication and guidance.

Please remember to visit the Coronavirus Update page daily for the latest updates on campus operations and resources to help you manage the stresses of these uncertain time. Many of the questions you have are answered in the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) link.

If you have additional questions, please email covid19@bowiestate.edu. Academic related questions should be emailed to covid19academics@bowiestate.edu.