Advisory: Marquette supporting students even as COVID-19 leaves campus nearly empty
April 28, 2020
MILWAUKEE — Despite safer-at-home policies and procedures in place due to the coronavirus pandemic, Marquette University has maintained its mission of cura personalis, or care for the whole person, to support students wherever there are.
The university has a number of services and programs in place to ensure students are having their needs met—even while away from campus.
- The Office of University Advancement established the Bridge to the Future Fund to provide financial aid assistance to students whose changing economic circumstances jeopardize their ability to continue their Marquette education. The Bridge to the Future Fund can be used for room and board, travel expenses, tuition and more. It’s an especially helpful fund when there are unforeseen situations, such as the current pandemic.
- In a 2018 study of Marquette students, one-in-five were identified as having experienced food insecurity during the past school year. The Backpack Program is a free and confidential service that provides groceries to any student who is having difficulty accessing affordable, nutritious food and other essential household items. The program continues during the pandemic, offering service windows twice a week.
- The university raised over $82,000 to support the Backpack Program through a fundraiser tied to the demolition of McCormick Hall in May.
- With the majority of students, faculty and staff scattered all over the world, the Office of Mission and Ministry has strived to keep the faith on campus and remain engaged with the community. Since the first days of the safer-at-home orders, the Mission and Ministry team and the Marquette Jesuit community have livestreamed Mass on a regular basis, and they have held special services for Easter, including stations of the cross, and Earth Day.
- Distance has also not deterred the Marquette Counseling Center. The Counseling Center is offering 24-hour telephone services, as well as resources for students such as managing stress, coping with social distance, and looking after themselves and others.
Media interested in covering any of these programs should contact Kevin Conway in the Office of Marketing and Communication at kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.
Note: Marquette will exercise best practices in social distancing for all media interviews to protect the health, safety and well-being of our university community and our partners in the media. Interviews will be done remotely via Skype or a similar mutually agreed upon technology; b-roll footage may be captured on a limited basis and in close coordination with the Office of Marketing and Communication.
About Kevin Conway
Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.
