Global Learning canceled for second time this year

Global Learning canceled for second time this year

Earlier this semester, an email went out to all students planning to study abroad next semester as part of Lipscomb’s Global Learning program. Although disappointing, the announcement it contained may not have come as a surprise to all. The email stated that global learning will be canceled for next spring, given a couple of different reasons. In the statement Provost, W. Craig Bledsoe said, “all of our semester-long study abroad host countries are limiting or restricting entrance from residents of other nations and have Level 3 US Department of State travel advisory status.” Costa Rica, London, Vienna, and Florence are the locations available for semester-long study abroad, which are the locations referred to. The next ground for calling off Global Learning was the other risk factors that have arisen out of the global pandemic and the numbers not yet dropping. “I know this is disappointing to you as it is to all of us at Lipscomb,” said Bledsoe. This may have been the second time that some students have gotten this news, considering that Global Learning was already canceled for the fall of this year. For the students who are worried about what the next semester will look like now, Bledsoe states, “we have a dedicated team to work with you to help you register for spring classes and to reserve appropriate dorm space, if needed.” As for the students who were the recipients of this news, they will be able to remain in their current housing location and keep their meal plan, as well as priority for the next group of global learners. Bledsoe added, “We have some...
Coronvirus sends Global Learning students home early

Coronvirus sends Global Learning students home early

As the novel COVID -19 continues to spread across the globe, more and more people continue to feel the effects of it, including Lipscomb’s global learning students. Students studying in Florence were moved to Vienna back on February 28th as a precautionary measure since Italy was one of the places under high watch by the CDC. “None of us suspected it to take this huge of a turn for the worst,” said Lipscomb Sophomore Nina Santiago who was studying abroad in Florence. On Friday, students who were studying abroad in Vienna flew back home to the states, their trip being cut nearly in half. President Randy Lowry sent an email to the students abroad and their families that said the following. “This has been a very eventful semester and we are so proud of all of our students for their resiliency and grace in handling all of the changes and uncertainty we have faced over the last few weeks due to the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19). As you know, the Lipscomb leadership team has been monitoring the COVID-19 situation in Europe on a daily basis. Whether our students are studying on our campus or in locations thousands of miles away from Nashville, our goal of keeping our students safe and secure remains a primary focus.” The students. were taken back by the message but not too surprised. “When we all got the message, we all gasped and started to get really emotional. It’s definitely devastating, but I’m not surprised. I figured it’d probably be coming soon with everything going on, I just didn’t expect it now,” says Rachel...
Lipscomb takes precautions to keep students and faculty safe from the coronavirus

Lipscomb takes precautions to keep students and faculty safe from the coronavirus

Just two days after Lipscomb canceled all spring break mission trips due to concerns over the coronavirus, the COVID-19 virus made its first appearance in Tennessee just south of Lipscomb’s campus. Despite this announcement from Gov. Bill Lee Thursday morning, as well as Williamson County’s immediate precautions to cancel all school for Friday and Monday to deep-clean all facilities, President Randy Lowry informed faculty in an email that there were no cases of the virus nor were there any significant risks reported on Lipscomb’s campus. Even though there is no direct threat to Lipscomb right now, Lowry did announce the precautions Lipscomb has already taken, which include the relocation of the Florence study abroad students and the aforementioned cancellation of all spring break international mission trips, as well as new restrictions and recommendations that the school is implementing. Of these restrictions, the most notable is the travel ban that is being enforced on students and faculty. The terms as presented in the email are listed below: “In terms of employee business-related travel and other school-sponsored travel, such is fully restricted until further notice to any country or area that meets any of the following criteria: Has a rating by the CDC at a Level 2 or higher, or  Has a rating by the U.S. Department of State at a Level 3 or higher, or  Is restricting or banning travel. Any employee or student who independently visits a location that meets any of these criteria is restricted from campus for a 14-day isolation period. If this situation applies to you, employees should inform your supervisor and students should inform Dr....
Coronavirus (COVID-19) begins to affect Lipscomb study-abroad students

Coronavirus (COVID-19) begins to affect Lipscomb study-abroad students

Lipscomb students studying abroad are feeling the effects of the coronavirus (COVID-19) as it approaches pandemic levels. After the virus reached areas of Northern Italy, which is reporting 400 confirmed cases, with only three of those cases coming as a result of travels to China, Lipscomb elected to evacuate the study abroad group staying in Florence. These students were moved to the Vienna campus for at least the next month, and then the situation will be reevaluated.  President Randy Lowry said in an email to the Lipscomb community that the university has been monitoring the situation for weeks, and one option would have been to return the students to the U.S. and have them continue their spring classes in an online format. “Unfortunately, this option would also likely be the end of their study abroad experience,” Lowry said in the email. So the university decided upon Vienna. “This option is only possible because, fortunately, none of the Florence students have visited an area or region impacted by the COVID-19 virus,” Lowry said. “Because our students’ safety and well-being are of utmost importance, we would not make this decision if it put our Vienna students at risk by introducing another student population that could be impacted by the virus.” Students affected by this situation expressed gratitude that they are not being sent home, but the abrupt move is causing stress and disrupted plans that had been in place for months. As of right now the Vienna campus, as well as the country of Austria, remains safe with only two cases reported in the entire nation. However, Lipscomb will continue to...

Ebola in West Africa causing Lipscomb to take international travel precautions

Due to rising concerns about the Ebola virus, Lipscomb students, parents and faculty are making some difficult decisions about international travel. With Commitment Week  just around the corner for Lipscomb Missions, as well as Spring Semester Study Abroad trips coming up in only a couple of months, students and parents are faced with making decisions regarding international travel through Lipscomb-run programs. Concerns are certainly elevated in regards to travel, and especially travel going to West African countries, such as Ghana. “It’s definitely something that’s been on my mind and something I’ve been praying about,” Lipscomb junior Trisha Stocker said. “It’s definitely a concern and it’s something that’s scary, but at the same time, if God wants me to go and He opens the doors, how can I say no?” Stocker has been planning on participating in Lipscomb’s mission efforts in Ghana for two years now; however, due to the unforeseen epidemic, her parents are now understandably cautious about sending her. “I am being respectful of my parents since I am still dependent on them to a certain degree, so it is hard to feel called to go and then have some doors possibly be closing, but if God wants it, it’ll happen,” Stocker said. Missions coordinator and Ghana Missions team leader Paul Stevens says he wants parents and students alike to understand the high level of security and safety Ghana has developed as a country over the years. “The thing about Ghana that makes me feel a little bit more comfortable with it is just knowing that it is the most stable, most advanced country not just in West...