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Wayne State University

Members of the campus community,

As you have heard by now, Michigan health officials have confirmed that two people in Michigan have tested positive for COVID-19. One of the patients is from Oakland County and the other is from Wayne County.

This is not an unexpected development and, as we have communicated, we have been preparing for this scenario. Wayne State University, like other institutions, has an important role to play in containing the spread of this virus. To date, we have chosen a proactive approach to help ensure the safety of our campus community.

The Presidential Coronavirus Committee met today to discuss this new development and to make recommendations to keep the campus community safe. Our decisions are as follows:

  1. Wayne State University will extend its spring break for students and cancel all classes until Monday, March 23, 2020.
  2. To plan for our shift to online instruction, a subcommittee of the larger committee, led by Provost Whitfield, has been analyzing alternative modes of instruction and limiting face-to-face instruction. There remain a number of issues under consideration, including training of faculty and working to accommodate the unique needs of students who have limited access to technology off campus. We will be sharing instructions with the campus within the next 24-48 hours.
  3. Campus housing remains open, but we strongly encourage students who do not need to be on campus to return to their permanent place of residence, if possible. For those unable to go home to an off-campus location, we will continue to fully support students in our campus housing and dining facilities.
  4. Dining will resume normal hours starting Monday, March 16, 2020. Safe dining practices, including social distancing, are recommended, and guidance will be posted at all entrances to Gold 'n' Greens, Towers Café, retail locations around campus and in the Student Center. Campus Dining will be encouraging students to opt for to-go/takeout options, and are making the necessary preparations to accommodate this shift.
  5. The campus will remain open. If you have questions regarding your ability to work from home, please work directly with your supervisor. Human Resources will be providing further guidelines in the coming days on other necessary policy adjustments. Employees who are ill, especially if they exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, are instructed to stay home.
  6. All events with 100 people or more will be canceled to adhere to the CDC’s recommendation for social distancing. Deans and vice presidents may consider exceptions, but safety must remain our top priority. Events with less than 100 people are also discouraged. Communications regarding the upcoming commencement ceremonies will be forthcoming.
  7. The health schools/colleges (medicine, pharmacy and health sciences, nursing, and social work) have unique student instruction situations (e.g., clinical rotations). The deans of these schools and colleges will be communicating further instructions based on the guidance of their accrediting agencies.
  8. Effective today, all university-sponsored international air travel is prohibited.

Please continue to follow updates and developments posted on WSU’s coronavirus website. Also, please continue to practice the recommended personal precautions to help stem the spread of the coronavirus. This is an evolving situation and we appreciate your patience.

Sincerely,

M. Roy Wilson