COVID-19 Campus Mitigation Plan

Message from Provost Liesl Folks, March 11, 2020:

Dear Arizona Students,

I am writing to follow up on President Robbins’ email with more details on how we plan to address the transition to online instruction for most classes and other changes.

Our top priority is your health and safety. We are working to balance that with the need to support your academic goals, and, to the best extent possible, continue to deliver life-changing educational experiences.

As you know, the start of classes has been delayed until Wednesday, March 18, to allow our campus time to move away from in-person instruction. All available campus resources will be directed to this effort.

As you return to campus, here is what you can expect:

  • All classes will resume.
  • Residence halls, food services, recreation facilities and Campus Health are fully operational, with additional precautions in place.
  • Almost all classes will migrate to remote learning modes, beginning immediately.
  • Classes will continue in online mode until Monday, April 6, at which time the University will assess its operational status.
  • Changes in the delivery of your classes will be communicated to you directly by your faculty / instructors.
  • Class attendance protocols have been adjusted to align with CDC guidance. We do want you to stay home if you feel unwell.
  • Cleaning and disinfectant protocols have been greatly increased across campus.
  • Student employees should expect their employment and wages to continue.
  • Classmates and community members will be using social distancing and enhanced personal hygiene to protect themselves and others, and we ask you to be respectful of their choices. Keep in mind that those at most risk are the elderly and those with underlying illnesses. Please limit non-essential contact with these populations.

As a reminder, faculty / instructors are prepared to offer reasonable accommodations to students who are concerned about their own health and safety or who have self-quarantined.

Stay well informed and healthy

Please remember that we are all collectively responsible for our community’s well-being.  Be sure that you are taking care of yourself according to CDC guidance, online here, and looking out for your colleagues, friends, and other campus community members.  Monitor your health closely, and be prepared to self-quarantine, if required, especially if you have travelled extensively over the break.

If you have concerns, please contact the Dean of Students’ Office (Tel: 520-621-7057).

If your family has concerns, please have them contact Parent & Family Programs (Tel: 520-621-0884).

The University’s Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) is closely monitoring the changing circumstances of COVID-19 and the impact to our community, and together we are making decisions to ensure the health and safety of all students, faculty, and staff. 

I appreciate your understanding and support at this challenging time. My hope is that at the end of this we all will be proud that we kept teaching and you kept learning.

 

Regards,

Liesl Folks, PhD, MBA
Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

 

Congratulations! Fall 2025 Rombach and Bretall Scholarship Award Winners

Dec. 17, 2025
2025 Awardees

The Department of Religious Studies & Classics is happy to announce the winners of the Fall 2025 Lionel Rombach and Ora Bretall Scholarship Awards.

Ora Bretall Scholarship Awardees:  Mykelti Nuamah and Stephanie Warnes

Lionel Rombach Scholarship Awardee: Edith Craig

Read (in their words) how majoring in Religious Studies has enriched their lives and studies:

Religious Studies has given me a way to understand people beyond labels and assumptions. I chose this major because I have always been interested in how belief, culture, and identity shape the way we see the world and care for one another. Through my classes, I have learned to look closely at stories, histories, and lived experiences, and it has changed how I think about community, ethics, and empathy. I have enjoyed being part of a field that asks big questions and gives space for many perspectives. Studying religion has helped me grow not only as a student, but as a future healthcare provider who wants to approach others with curiosity, respect, and compassion. It has reminded me that understanding people’s backgrounds and beliefs is an essential part of understanding their humanity. 

-Mykelti Nuamah, Religious Studies for Health Professionals (RSHP) Major

Religious Studies has become one of the most meaningful parts of my education because it has allowed me to understand how people make sense of their lives, cultures, and experiences through stories, symbols, and beliefs. I have always been curious about theology and the human experience, and studying religion has given me the tools to think more thoughtfully about why people believe what they do and how those beliefs influence culture, behavior, and identity. I chose Religious Studies after realizing how much joy I found in engaging with material that examines meaning, morality, tradition, and the ways humans have expressed these ideas across time. I’ve come to appreciate how essential the academic study of religion is for understanding the whole person. What I have enjoyed most about the major is the way it encourages open-minded discussion and invites students to consider multiple perspectives with empathy and curiosity. I believe the academic study of religion is important because it helps us better understand both the differences and the shared experiences that connect people, allowing us to engage with the world and with one another with greater compassion and insight.

-Stephanie Warnes, Religious Studies Major

Religion has always been fascinating to me. I grew up surrounded by people with wildly different relationships to religion and was always interested in how impactful they could be! I came into college unsure of what I wanted to study, but determined to at least take some Religious Studies classes in the meantime. Of course that quickly spiraled into Majoring in it! The energy each teacher I had brought to their subject was infectious and I found my longtime fascination with Religion developing into a real desire to study it and learn everything I could! We are so lucky to have a staff full of professors who are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about their fields. The study of religion is important for countless reasons, from the societal impact they have to the deep personal meanings they can carry. However, for me, the academic study of religion is important because it shows us how people learn to be, how stories and care have shaped societies, conflicts, and knowledge. Religions are the root of how we come to understand the unexplainable and contextualize living, and studying that is a never ending exploration of how people fall in love with life.

-Edith Craig, Religious Studies Major

Take a Break Pizza Party!

Connect with Religious Studies!

When
3 – 4:30 p.m., Dec. 11, 2025
Where
LSB Courtyard

Religious Studies at the University of Arizona is excited to host an End-of-Semester break for all majors and minors in the Learning Services Building courtyard! All Religious Studies students are welcome to participate. Join us for some beverages and pizza! 

Thursday, December 11th, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM 

Location: Learning Services Building Courtyard, 1512 E. 1st St 

Poster

Study Abroad Funding Available!

March 3, 2026
Orvieto at sunset

In Summer 2026, Dr. Philip Waddell will be offering Classics and Religious Studies courses through the Arizona in Orvieto, Italy study abroad program, and the Department of Religious Studies and Classics is offering scholarships for students enrolling in these courses.  

The program dates in Italy are mid May through late June, 2026, and the Study Abroad application deadline is February 25, 2026. The beautiful, historic town of Orvieto is only one hour from Rome. The program will include field trips to Rome and other locations in Italy. 

Courses

Dr. Waddell will be offering the following courses for the summer 2026 Arizona in Orvieto, Italy study abroad program:

  • CLAS/RELI 305: Greek and Roman Religion (Gen Ed: Building Connections / Tier 2 Individuals & Societies). Description: This course covers the many facets of Greek and Roman religion(s), beginning in Homeric Greece and continuing to their receptions in Christianity.
  • CLAS 335: The Roman Empire: Rulers and Ruled (Gen Ed Exploring Perspectives, Humanist / Tier 2 Humanities). Description: This course explores the Roman empire from the perspectives both of the ruling Romans, and of the non-Roman peoples they ruled in Italy and beyond. Religious Studies majors/minors: Contact Dr. Waddell to arrange to take this course for RELI credit!
  • CLAS/RELI 399 - Independent Study. Please contact Dr. Waddell directly to discuss independent study options. (Only for majors/minors who have already taken the courses above and need an upper-level CLAS/RELI course.)

Questions about the above study abroad courses can be directed to Dr. Philip Waddell at waddell@arizona.edu. 

Study Abroad Scholarships Available!

Students are welcome to apply for any and all of the funding awards listed below for which they are eligible. Any questions about study abroad scholarships can be directed to Dr. Karen Seat at kkseat@arizona.edu.

2026 Arizona in Orvieto Awards offered by the Department of Religious Studies & Classics 

1. General Arizona in Orvieto Award:

Awards of up to $500 are available for any University of Arizona student enrolled in CLAS/RELI 305 and/or CLAS 335 through the Arizona in Orvieto, Italy Study Abroad Program. Priority will be given to majors or minors in the Department of Religious Studies & Classics, but all U of A students (with any major/minor) can apply. The number and amount of awards will be determined by the number and quality of applications received.

2. Arizona in Orvieto Award for Majors in Classics and/or Religious Studies:

Additional monetary awards are available for majors in Classics, Religious Studies, and/or RSHP who are enrolled in CCLAS/RELI 305 and/or CLAS 335 through the Arizona in Orvieto, Italy Study Abroad Program. The number and amount of awards will be determined by the number and quality of applications received. Majors in the department will be considered for both the General Award and the Majors Award.

Majors should ALSO APPY for the following study abroad awards (more details are further below):

  • College of Humanities FEARLESS INQUIRIES ABROAD Scholarship ($2,000) and other COH Study Abroad Scholarships (February deadline): Apply here
  • SILLC Global Award ($1,500 - February deadline): Apply here.
  • Cynthia White Travel and Study in Italy Award ($250): Apply here. 

Arizona in Orvieto Award Applications are Due March 3, 2026. Application instructions can be found here.

More Info & Application Instructions 

 

See below for additional study abroad scholarships! 

ADDITIONAL STUDY ABROAD FUNDING:

SILLC Global Award for SILLC Majors (Applications Due February 16, 2026):

Awards of up to $1,500 are available to SILLC majors to support participation in Study Abroad. SILLC majors include Classics, Religious Studies, Religious Studies for Health Professionals, Italian Studies and more. More information and application instructions can be found on the SILLC Global Award Fund webpage. 

More Info 

Donna Swaim International Award for Religious Studies Majors:

Majors in Religious Studies and Religious Studies for Health Professionals (RSHP) who apply for the SILLC Global Award are automatically considered for the Donna Swaim International Award for Religious Studies. Award amounts are typically $600.

More Info 

Cynthia White Travel and Study in Italy Award 

Several awards of $250 are available for University of Arizona students enrolled in a UArizona Classics course while participating in Study Abroad programs in Italy. 

More Info 

College of Humanities Scholarships (Applications Due In February Each Year):

Numerous scholarships are available for College of Humanities majors (Classics, Religious Studies, Religious Studies for Health Professionals, etc.), including the FEARLESS INQUIRIES ABROAD scholarship ($2,000) and other study abroad scholarships.

More Info 

UA Study Abroad Office - Scholarships and Financial Aid:

Please contact the Study Abroad office to discuss additional funding opportunities to make your study abroad dreams a reality!

More Info 

 

Questions? Contact Dr. Karen Seat at kkseat@arizona.edu

Josh Wright

Chief Facilities & Planning Officer
University of Arizona
B.A.
Religious Studies
2005
B.A.
Psychology
2005
Master of Public Administration
2007

A firm grounding in the humanities teaches you the belief systems, customs, languages, and cultures that drive human behavior. No matter your subsequent career path, understanding what’s important to people and the systems and worldviews that guide their actions is absolutely essential to success.

Joshua Wright

Sand Mandala Opening Ceremony

Witness the creation of a sand mandala on the U of A campus.

When
11 a.m. – 11 a.m., Oct. 12, 2025
Where
Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine Lobby, 1502 E Mabel St.

OPENING CEREMONY, OCT 12, 2025 @ 11AM 

Witness the creation of a sand mandala on the U of A campus. The mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist ritual artform that helps viewers to envision enlightenment. Venerable Lama Losang Samten will create the intricate and colorful patterns of the mandala over the course of several days. When he is done, he will conduct a dissolution ritual at which the mandala will be destroyed as a meditation upon impermanence. 

The particular mandala to be created at U of A is the Kalachakra or “Wheel of Time,” regarded as an especially powerful tool for healing and transformation and transmitted to Buddhist practitioners across the world. 

Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Lobby, 1502 E Mabel St.

All mandala events are FREE and open to the public:

OPENING CEREMONY 

OCT 12, 2025 @ 11AM 

PUBLIC VIEWINGS

OCT 13 – 17, 2025 @ 

9AM – 12PM and 3 – 6PM (Thursday until 5PM)

DISSOLUTION RITUAL & RECEPTION
OCT 18, 2025 @ 2PM 

For additional details on the mandala events, visit afot.org.

 

In partnership with the College of Humanities 2025 Tucson Humanities Festival and hosted by the University of Arizona: Center for Buddhist Studies, Health Humanities Hub, Department of Religious Studies & Classics, Department of East Asian Studies, and the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine 

Flyer

Sand Mandala Dissolution Ritual & Reception

The sand mandala will be destroyed as a meditation upon impermanence.

When
2 – 3 p.m., Oct. 18, 2025
Where
Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine Lobby, 1502 E Mabel St.

DISSOLUTION RITUAL & RECEPTION
OCT 18, 2025 @ 2PM 

Witness the creation of a sand mandala on the U of A campus. The mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist ritual artform that helps viewers to envision enlightenment. Venerable Lama Losang Samten will create the intricate and colorful patterns of the mandala over the course of several days. When he is done, he will conduct a dissolution ritual at which the mandala will be destroyed as a meditation upon impermanence. 

The particular mandala to be created at U of A is the Kalachakra or “Wheel of Time,” regarded as an especially powerful tool for healing and transformation and transmitted to Buddhist practitioners across the world. 

Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Lobby, 1502 E Mabel St.

All mandala events are FREE and open to the public:

For additional details on the mandala events, visit afot.org.

 

In partnership with the College of Humanities 2025 Tucson Humanities Festival and hosted by the University of Arizona: Center for Buddhist Studies, Health Humanities Hub, Department of Religious Studies & Classics, Department of East Asian Studies, and the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine 

Flyer

Sand Mandala Viewing

Witness the creation of a sand mandala on the U of A campus.

When
All Day, Oct. 13 – 17, 2025
Where
Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine Lobby, 1502 E Mabel St.

PUBLIC VIEWINGS

OCT 13 – 17, 2025 @ 9AM – 12PM and 3 – 6PM (Thursday until 5PM)

Witness the creation of a sand mandala on the U of A campus. The mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist ritual artform that helps viewers to envision enlightenment. Venerable Lama Losang Samten will create the intricate and colorful patterns of the mandala over the course of several days. When he is done, he will conduct a dissolution ritual at which the mandala will be destroyed as a meditation upon impermanence. 

The particular mandala to be created at U of A is the Kalachakra or “Wheel of Time,” regarded as an especially powerful tool for healing and transformation and transmitted to Buddhist practitioners across the world. 

Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Lobby, 1502 E Mabel St.

All mandala events are FREE and open to the public:

DISSOLUTION RITUAL & RECEPTION
OCT 18, 2025 @ 2PM 

For additional details on the mandala events, visit afot.org.

 

In partnership with the College of Humanities 2025 Tucson Humanities Festival and hosted by the University of Arizona: Center for Buddhist Studies, Health Humanities Hub, Department of Religious Studies & Classics, Department of East Asian Studies, and the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine 

Flyer

Sand Mandala on Campus!

Oct. 18, 2025
Flyer

Witness the creation of a sand mandala on the U of A campus. The mandala is a Tibetan Buddhist ritual artform that helps viewers to envision enlightenment. Venerable Lama Losang Samten will create the intricate and colorful patterns of the mandala over the course of several days. When he is done, he will conduct a dissolution ritual at which the mandala will be destroyed as a meditation upon impermanence. 

The particular mandala to be created at U of A is the Kalachakra or “Wheel of Time,” regarded as an especially powerful tool for healing and transformation and transmitted to Buddhist practitioners across the world. 

Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine

Lobby, 1502 E Mabel St.

All mandala events are FREE and open to the public:

 

OPENING CEREMONY 

OCT 12, 2025 @ 11AM 

 

PUBLIC VIEWINGS

OCT 13 – 17, 2025 @ 

9AM – 12PM and 3 – 6PM (Thursday until 5PM)

 

DISSOLUTION RITUAL & RECEPTION
OCT 18, 2025 @ 2PM 

 

For additional details on the mandala events, visit afot.org.

 

In partnership with the College of Humanities 2025 Tucson Humanities Festival and hosted by the University of Arizona: Center for Buddhist Studies, Health Humanities Hub, Department of Religious Studies & Classics, Department of East Asian Studies, and the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine 

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