From: Danielle Clarizio Date: March 13, 2020 Subject: COVID-19 Briefing Follow Up
Hi First_Name,
Important Notes and Reminders from our COVID-19 Briefing
Thank you to all of you who took the time to join our COVID-19 briefing. The purpose of our meeting was to give you an opportunity to ask questions and hear from decision-making officials regarding the information that most impacts you at this time. We know that information has been evolving rapidly and that it can be difficult to keep up with what matters most.
Indeed, it would be fair to say that more information is definitely coming again soon. But in the meanwhile, I am sending a recap of important take aways from our briefing today for those who weren't able to join, joined late or would benefit from having this information all in one place.
As you are aware, when students return from Spring Break, all course will be taught through alternative methods through April 5, 2020. During this time, essential campus services such as univerisyt housing, dining, health service and counselling services will be available to students.
Please be advised that, because we will continue to offer courses after Spring Break, you are all considered to be maintaining your status. Even though classes will be delivered in distance modality following Spring Break, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program has given us some flexibility during this time and are allowing institutions to amend course delivery methods as needed to facilitate enrollment and course completion.
Some students have questions about what will happen at the end of the semester. It is too early for us to know this right now but please know that you will be able to stay at Stout (in on-campus housing) if necessary and that we will assist you from an immigration angle when the time comes. However, the US government is providing us with options and we are prepared if we need to assist you.
Exchange Students: your home universities have all been notified of UW-Stout's plans for the coming weeks. As you can imagine, this is a busy time for all of us in international education and we are also receiving regular communication from them regarding plans at your home institutions. Please let Danielle know if you have any questions
Government-Sponsored Students: SACM students, I have been in touch with your new advisor, Nagi, and he is aware of the UW-Stout plan. SACM understands that moving classes to an online format is an appropriate measure to take at this time and they approve the measure. As such, this will not impact your sponsorship.
TRAVEL
We know that Spring Break is a popular time to travel for all students. However, with the COVID-19 situation developing rapidly, we are discouraging students from participating in unnecessary travel. This is especially important if you have plans to travel internationally (outside of the United States) as quarantines and airline cancellations are currently commonplace. Even within the U.S. new virus hotspots are appearing daily and it is becoming very difficult to predict what areas will be impacted next. Because of this, we do not recommend that students travel at this time. However, if you choose to travel, please be aware that we cannot guarantee assistance to you if you have issues returning.
If you have not done do already, please complete the Spring Break Travel Survey. The information you provide (even if you are not travelling) could be helpful to our efforts to best assist students in the coming weeks.
Our office will remain open during Spring Break (as per usual) and beyond. Most campus offices will remain open but students are encouraged to contact via email or phone, rather than walking in to meet.
We will continue to operate on the basis that we have Walk-In Hours from 1-3pm daily.
Please rememeber that much of the action that the university is taking is to minimize the amount of contact people have. So while I will be in my office, it is recommended that you contact me via email or phone before visiting. Please know that I prefer emails. Next week, I expect to be sending you information about how we can meet through Skype, if that is preferred.
HOUSING
While university housing will remain open for residents, please be aware of the following:
Service desks will be closed: item checkout will not be available to students. if you lose your key or get locked out, please call the number posted at your service desk for assistance.
Kitchen/cooking supplies will available for resident use: cooking supplies (pots and pans, spatulas, etc) will be stored in the main kitchen of your residence hall. Please do not bring communal cooking items to your rooms-- all of the supplies should remain in the main kitchen. Please wash alll items that you use with soap and water when you are done with them. When you use something, we strongly advise washing it with soap and water before you use it; this is the best way to prevent the spread of illness.
All university housing policies will remain in effect: during this time, there will be no change to housing policy. This includes alcohol, smoking, visitation, etc.
In order to assist staff in making adequate preparations, they are asking all current university housing students to complete a short survey. Please complete this survey as soon as possible:
As per usual, University Dining will be closed during Spring Break. The only on-campus dining option will be the Blue Devil Market in MSC and they will have limited hours.
When we return from Spring Break, the dining hall in Price Commons will be open in addition to the Blue Devil Market. Price Commons will offer a take-away only service which includes bottled beverages during the two weeks following Spring Break. These services will be open to all students, regardless of where they live.
Please note for those of you living on the North Campus, the North Point Dining Center will not be open. You will need to visit the Price Commons if you need university dining.
Questions about Dining hours should be directed to the University Dining team.
HEALTH SERVICES
As per usual, Student Health Services will be closed during Spring Break.
After we return from Spring Break, Student Health Services will be open during normal business hours 8am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday. If you require health services, please remember that health professionals are asking that people phone about their symptoms before going to the doctor's office if they suspect that they are suffering from a cold, the flu, or indeed COVID-19.
The number for Student Health Services is: 715 232 1314 and appointments can be made using MyHealth
The number for Mayo Health Urgent Care is: 715 233 7777
Please remember to carry your health insurance card with you at all times. If you do not have your insurance card, you can download it from the Wellfleet site.
The Counselling Center will also remain open through Spring Break and beyond.
OTHER CAMPUS/COMMUNITY SERVICES
Fitness Center: the Johnson Field House will be open for reduced hours following Spring Break. North Point Fitness Center is unlikely to be open.
MSC: will be open but only the Blue Devil Market will be serving food
The Library: will be open
The Bus: will continue to run during this time. Be advised that services may be more limited than normal.
Stout Route: not running during Spring Break; reduced schedule during the two weeks following Spring Break.
Community Route: service will remain normal during Spring Break and period following.
Students looking to continue their employment during this time should speak with their supervisor and/or department about what oppotunities will be available.
Please understand that with decreased numbers of students on campus, there may not be the need for offices to have full employment opportunities. Regardless, as we are still within the semester, you are limited to a maximum of 20 hours of on-campus employment per week during this time.
COVID-19 CAMPUS RESOURCES
You can find more information and resources, as well as the most up-to-date information for the campus community here:
