NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University is observing spring break this week, but the university has implemented modified working operations in which most employees will work from home.

Classes, which will resume March 30, have transitioned to online and alternative delivery through the end of the semester.

Health services, housing, food services, the counseling office and University Police will remain open to serve students that remain on campus.  Financial aid and admissions staff will shift in and out. Health Services will have one nurse in daily and counseling will have one counselor in daily with interns twice per week.

Rebecca Boone, director of NSU’s Counseling Center, said her office will have limited face to face counseling and a 24-hour crisis call line.  Beginning next week, online counseling services will be available via WebEx and Face Time.

The NSU Food Pantry is also continuing operations to serve the students that remain on campus. Hours are 10 a.m.-noon through March 27 and 10 a.m.-noon March 30-April 3.

“The Food Pantry is essential to those that rely on it,” said Van Erikson, director of First Year Experience and Leadership Development.  “Please practice social distancing when entering. If someone is inside, let them finish shopping before entering.”

Donations to the Food Pantry are welcome.  Current needs include hand sanitizer, canned fruit, breakfast items such as cereal, breakfast bars, oatmeal and grits, dried beans, rice, bottled water, tuna, peanut butter, chili, pasta meals and toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, deodorants, disposable razors, toothbrushes and toilet paper.

For information on Food Pantry donations, contact Erikson at eriksonv@nsula.edu.

The NSU Testing Center is observing abbreviated hours until further notice. Hours are as follows:

March 26:  1-3 p.m.

March 30:   1-3 p.m.

March 31:  7 a.m.-noon

April 8:  11 a.m.-4:30 -p.m.

April 15: 9 a.m.-noon

April 16:  10 a.m.-1 p.m.

April 21: 7 a.m.-noon

April 22: 7 a.m.-noon

Jennifer Kelly, assistant to the provost for academic support and auxiliary services, will reply to emails at the Testing Center.  Students who need to make an appointment during the listed times should contact Kelly at andersonje@nsula.edu or submit a request online at  https://commerce.cashnet.com/TESTINGWEB.

The NSU Post Office will be open from 8-9:30 a.m. to process incoming and outgoing mail. The Post Office will not be delivering mail to departments, but personnel are welcome to visit the Post Office to pick up or drop off outgoing mail.

Student mail will be placed in the student’s mailbox as usual. Post Office employees will contact any student that has an item too large to fit into a mailbox by email to notify them they have a package available for pickup. If the student has already moved home, personnel will forward the item if it qualifies for forwarding after the student responds to an email.

“We strongly encourage students to update their Amazon and other accounts to reflect their current address,” said Bruce Dyjack, Post Office coordinator.  “Please also be aware that we cannot forward either UPS or FedEx packages. If you are expecting a UPS or FedEx package and have left campus please contact them at 1-800-pickups or 1-800-gofedex respectively to have the item redirected to your current address.”

For more information on mail services at NSU, contact the post office at postoffice@nsula.edu or follow NSU Postal Services on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NSULAPostalServices/

Updates on campus operations will be posted on the university’s website at www.nsula.edu.