UPIKE Newsroom

UPIKE Family, 

As you all know, the flood has significantly impacted many people in our region. The impact of this event has been devastating. At this time, we know of several members of the UPIKE Family who have been impacted by the flood directly. Our hearts go out to each of them even as we look for more tangible ways to offer our support. 

Rob Musick and others are working on identifying ways in which we can directly help serve one another. Please watch for more communication from Rob in the coming days.

In the midst of flood recovery, our next challenge will be the forecast of snow and cold weather that are moving into the area. 

Tuesday should be a day of normal operation on campus. We realize that some students and employees will still have difficulty getting to campus; therefore, we urge faculty, staff, and supervisors to offer grace to those who cannot yet travel safely to campus. With that said, here are the updates for Tuesday, February 18. 

• Food Service:
  • All food service outlets (except for the Food Lab) will be in operation during usual business hours on Tuesday. Watch for more weather-related updates on Wednesday.
    
• Faculty & Staff
  • All personnel are expected to report to work on Tuesday. We realize that some people either cannot make it to work or have damage to homes or vehicles that may prevent them from reaching campus. If you have difficulty reporting, please contact your supervisor to let them know. 
  • While students are expected to be in class on Tuesday, faculty should prepare for potential disruptions (likely on Wednesday) and communicate any changes to students regarding coursework or assignments.
  • Please offer as much grace to our students as possible. Many have lost homes, property, and a few may have lost loved ones. Tragedy is trauma, and trauma makes learning difficult.
    
• Undergraduate & Graduate Students
  • Classes should return to normal operation on Tuesday; however, classes may be adjusted to remote learning on Wednesday depending on the snow/ice that is anticipated in the weather.
  • As always, students should monitor their UPIKE email and CANVAS for updates from faculty regarding coursework adjustments. 
• KYCO (Kentucky College of Optometry) Students
• KYCO rotation students: As of this writing, the Martin Clinic is closed indefinitely due to flood damage.
  • Students assigned to the Martin clinic for Tuesday 2/18 and Wednesday 2/19 should not report.   
  • Arrangements for your primary care rotations Tuesday and Wednesday are still under consideration. We will notify you as soon as they are finalized.    
  • All other campus rotations are operating on a normal schedule unless we hear differently from University officials.  
  • Please keep watching your emails for any changes to clinic schedules. We will continue to update students on clinic closures due to flooding or weather issues.  
• We are anticipating a snow event on Wednesday. Please watch your email for updates. 

• KYCOM (Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine) Students
  • Classes should return to normal operation on Tuesday, however classes may be adjusted to remote learning on Wednesday depending on the snow/ice that is anticipated in the weather.
  • We realize that some students may not be able to make it to campus yet. Please reach out to your instructor and let them know. 
• ESON (Elizabeth Akers Elliott School of Nursing) Students
• Classes should return to normal operation on Tuesday; however, some clinical placements may be affected by the flood. For example, we know that the Tug Valley clinical site has been impacted and will not be available tomorrow. Clinical faculty will reach out to students to let them know what to expect.  
• Classes may be adjusted to remote learning on Wednesday depending on the snow/ice that is anticipated in the weather.

As we slowly return to normal. Please know that we care for each of you deeply. There has been so much loss during the last few days as friends and family have endured the trauma of another flood. We can, and will, pull together and survive this– just as we have survived so many other things. Even more importantly, as a family, we have the ability to thrive. 

Striving to serve,

Burton Webb

President