This message is being emailed to parents of Stanford students.
Dear parents and families,
I am writing today to provide an update on Stanford’s response to COVID-19. I know many if not all of you are deeply worried at this point. We all want to learn as much as we can about how this public health emergency might impact us and our loved ones, and we all want to prepare to the greatest extent possible. Thank you for the support you are providing your student.
In response to rapidly evolving events worldwide, in our nation, and our region, Stanford has activated an emergency operations organization focused on coordinating the university’s response. We are aiming to balance two imperatives: We are seeking to continue our work of education and research to the greatest extent possible, while also keeping our community safe and protecting the health of communities beyond our campus, as well.
I would like to extend my gratitude to all who have individually reached out to the university. As parents and family members, you lend a valuable perspective to how we can best prepare as a campus community. We welcome your partnership and appreciate your deep thought and suggestions on this very difficult situation. Please know each message is read and shared with the university’s emergency operations organization for incorporation into our overall planning efforts. We have some of the best minds in the university working on this, including Stanford experts in infectious disease.
The university is committed to on-going updates to the campus community, and we have centralized much of our communications about COVID-19 on this website. There are no reported confirmed cases of COVID-19 among students, faculty and staff at this time. Here are updates especially relevant to students and parents:
We are carefully considering the impact of COVID-19 on all student communities. We have heard from colleagues and students across the country regarding a rise in xenophobia, and specifically anti-Asian racism fueled in part by fear of coronavirus. On February 11, Dean of Students Mona Hicks emailed all students urging solidarity with one another, so that fears and lack of understanding do not turn into bias or hate. Our campus values of integrity, diversity, respect and trust must be upheld in a climate of support for our international community members.
In closing, I would like to acknowledge that difficult news like this can take a toll on our whole health. Through our network of student and professional staff members, we do our very best to be present for every student. We remind students often of our campus resources, and help them connect with medical and psychological services. If you have a student in need, please do not hesitate to reach out to us via our parent helpline at mykidis@stanford.edu or 650-725-0649.
Sincerely,
Susie Brubaker-Cole
Vice Provost for Student Affairs