Whether you are a proud Eagle alum or new to campus, we know you have worked hard to help your student get here and we are honored to welcome you to the BenU family!
With the COVID-19 pandemic and the challenging times that we are in, a new academic year may seem overwhelming for both students and parents. Be assured that our entire BenU community is working toward the shared goal of our student’s success. Benedictine University is committed to supporting and encouraging students as they embark on new experiences and the resources at Benedictine University are designed to support you both along the way.
Upcoming Events
Parent ProgrammingSeptember 16 | 12:00 p.m.
You and your son/daughter are adjusting to a new normal. You may be feeling a range of emotions during this time of change, especially during a global pandemic. Join us for an informative session on how to adjust and cope during the first 30 days after college drop off. Get ideas and resources for how both you and your son/daughter can make it through this transition growing and thriving.
Presented by Liz Sodaro, MS, LPC from the Benedictine University Counseling Center (If you can’t attend, the session will be recorded.)
Join the presentation via Zoom Meeting Link
Meeting Number: 832 9081 4731 Password: mJ2h1k
Email yknox@ben.edu if you have any questions.
Helpful Tips for Students Learning Online
Family Fun/Outlets
Parent & Family Resources
Important Information
A message to the Benedictine University community from President Gregory
August 13, 2020
Dear BenU Community,
We have lived under the threat of a global pandemic for most of 2020, and we continue to face the blunt reality of COVID-19’s unpredictable turns and outcomes. At this moment, even knowledge, science and education cannot predict or control the spread of this virus. Each disruption, cancellation and loss erode our sense of security. This is the “Year of Community” and as such, we have a moral and ethical obligation to protect all in our community.
As we plan for the opening of the fall semester, I am reminded on a daily basis that we cannot ignore the fact that most public health experts and scientific models are predicting a significant resurgence in the spread of the COVID-19 virus this fall. Based on the information from our health experts, Benedictine University must consider the health and safety of our community as we explore our decision to reopen campus. For this reason, we have decided to protect our community from future disruption to learning by shifting now to a safer, more controllable educational environment. BenU classes will be delivered in a virtual format this fall, with the exception of some of our labs and experiential classes that will be held in person. However, with our campus and facilities adapted for safe social distancing and the BenUFlex model already in place, we have an opportunity to elevate our engagement and learning opportunities to ensure the same rich BenU educational experience. We intend to minimize fear and uncertainty and restore a sense of security to safely learn and grow.
Our campus will continue to serve as a Learning Center to safely support all residential and commuter students by providing individual learning spaces with access to the internet and computer labs, as well as in-person experiential instruction in labs, music and art studios. A variety of classrooms and campus spaces will be available through a booking system to reserve blocks of time to engage with online learning experiences.
We will safely welcome and support our residential students in University housing as planned, provide our Federal Work-Study students with employment, co-curricular programming will be offered virtually and our Athletic Department will be supporting student-athletes this fall. On-campus dining options will also be available. More details on our BenU Engagement, Learning Center and class scheduling will be covered in our upcoming virtual Town Hall meeting, for students and parents, on Thursday, August 20 at 6:30 p.m. Be on the lookout for the Zoom link which will be sent via ben.edu email and posted to ben.edu/coronavirus early next week.
As always, the safety and well-being of our community is our top priority. We cannot eliminate all risk of exposure to COVID-19, however with your allegiance to the Healthy Hallmarks, we can safely and effectively deliver a transformative Benedictine University experience this fall. As Benedictines, we know the value and meaning of “community” and we must lean into this value and each other, knowing “if all are committed, there is strength in numbers.”
All my best; my hope and prayers are with you and your loved ones to remain safe and well.
Charles W. Gregory
President
Benedictine University
For questions, please contact:
Lisle Campus
Academics – Colleen Hanna (channa@ben.edu | 630-829-6240)
Athletics – Paul Nelson (pnelson@ben.edu | 630-829-6144)
Housing – Liz Velez (evelez@ben.edu | 630-829-6496)
Return to Work – Kimberly Viehmann (kviehmann@ben.edu | 630-829-6004)
Student Affairs – Marco Masini (mmasini@ben.edu | 630-829-6006)
Mesa Campus
Kevin Broeckling (kbroeckling@ben.edu | 602-888-5507)
Jessica Jelinek (jjelinek@ben.edu | 602-888-5532)
Yvette Knox
Director of Parent and Family Engagement
Lownik Enrollment Services Center, Room 202
630-829-1317
yknox@ben.edu
