Dear Milligan Community,
I want to start off by thanking all of you for the profound ways in which you have served our surrounding communities over these last few days. You have truly been the hands and feet of Christ in our world as you have found ways to volunteer and make a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors who are coping with unfathomable loss. As we prepare to resume classes tomorrow (10/3), we do so with the acknowledgement that recovery from the flooding we saw last week will require us to continue embracing opportunities to serve in the weeks and months to come. I have a few things for us to keep in mind as we come back together and resume classes.
- Classes resume tomorrow (10/3): We will resume classes tomorrow morning and operate on a regular schedule, but we do so fully aware that this is not a return to business as usual. We understand there will be members of the Milligan community who are unable to travel to campus or are lacking resources like power, water, or means of communication. With that in mind, we are resuming classes with grace and flexibility as we try to meet the material and emotional needs within our own community. The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff will take top priority.
- Attendance: As we resume classes and practices tomorrow, we ask that faculty, staff, and coaches be vigilant about taking attendance. In our current moment, we are asking you to do this not so we can uphold our normal attendance policies. In the coming days, taking attendance will be a means of care for our students. Please inform academic and athletic offices of students who are not present so we can reach out to provide care and support. This will help us learn of students who might not have been able to fill out the forms located on our response website: https://www.milligan.edu/hurricane-helene-emergency-response/.
- Chapel: We will gather together in chapel at 11 am tomorrow to pray, to grieve, to worship, and to share communion together. This week, especially, we invite the whole community to gather in the presence of God.
- Water: We remain under a boil water advisory. The Sutton lobby will be unlocked until 11 p.m. each evening to allow students access to drinking water beyond dining hall hours. We will also leave a few on the porch if anyone needs water even later.
- Service: As I mentioned earlier, it will be important for all members of the Milligan community to find ways to serve our surrounding communities in the weeks and months ahead. I encourage you all to be proactive and continue to find ways to help our region recover from this historic flooding event.
I look forward to the opportunity to gather with you tomorrow as we bear one another’s burdens and collectively lean on Christ our Savior to help us through this difficult time.
In Christ,
Stephen
