Dear Students,
You have received several emails from President Gabel with important news about the University’s plans to respond to the growing COVID-19 epidemic. Her communications archive may be found toward the bottom of the University of Minnesota Safe Campus page. I’m following up with information specific to UMD.
Courses
President Gabel has suspended instruction, and effectively extended spring break. Instruction will resume on March 18 (in non-face-to-face modes). We recognize that some learning experiences will be more difficult than others under alternative instructional methods, but we are working on as many solutions as possible. Your health and wellbeing are very important to us, so we will continue to work diligently at keeping our campus community safe and finding ways to continue your courses, UROP experiences, etc. Currently, non-face-to-face instruction will continue to at least April 1.
If Possible, Stay Home
We are strongly encouraging students to stay home and continue their studies online and in the other ways faculty make available. This is very important. Bringing students together in housing, dining, recreation, library facilities, etc. creates risk and we have learned that the two most important strategies for slowing down the spread of COVID-19 are aggressive hygiene and social distancing.
Housing and Dining
It may not be possible for you to stay home, your home might be far away, or your Duluth place of residence may be your safest option. Housing facilities at UMD will be open for students and we plan to continue serving in our dining locations. We will keep you informed if changes to that plan are needed.
Student Employment
We also recognize that many students rely on campus employment and we also know that many of our services and programs rely on student employees. Campus departments will be reaching out to their student employees over the next few days to make determinations about returning to work.
We know you have many questions. President Gabel indicated that you may send questions to healthresponse@umn.edu. You may also send questions to vcsl@d.umn.edu, your faculty, and other service units as well.
Sincerely,
Lendley C. Black
Chancellor
