Official message from UWS Chancellor Renée Wachter - COVID-19

We have all been hearing updates on the spread of COVID-19 in Wisconsin, across the country and the globe from the news and from other reliable media sources. UW-Superior recently convened our Emergency Response Team and this team has been meeting regularly and planning. It’s important to reiterate that our campus is safe and that there are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our region. However, COVID-19 is spreading rapidly elsewhere. 

We are acting out of an abundance of caution and taking proactive steps to better prepare in case our area becomes impacted. In addition, we are committed to ensuring that our students will successfully complete this semester and proceed on their graduation plans. We also want to take steps to slow the potential spread of this illness in our region. We learned within the last few hours that other UW institutions and institutions nationwide are taking similar precautions. As a result, the following decisions have been made: 

• All classes, events and programming on our campus will be held as scheduled through March 14. 
• We will extend our spring break by one week, which means spring break will now take place March 16-29. On-campus classes are now scheduled to resume in an alternate delivery mode Monday, March 30. As noted below, classes that are online will continue without any interruption. 
  • If possible, students should arrange to be away from campus during this extended break, as well as when classes resume. Be sure to bring your class/instructional materials with you, as well as other indispensable personal items such as prescriptions. 
  • We recognize that some students may be unable to return to their permanent residence for various reasons and will need to stay in their residence halls. At this time, services for those students will be available such as dining services in the Yellowjacket Union, residence halls, Jim Dan Hill Library and Marcovich Wellness Center.  
• On March 30, on-campus classes will begin in their alternate delivery mode. The first possible date that campus may resume face-to-face classes would be April 13. 
  • The emergency response team will assess safety and risk between now and then and update students and the campus by April 8. Should the period extend, the university will provide at least five days’ notice. 
  • More information will be coming soon on the plans for the alternate delivery mode and how students and instructors will be supported in making this change. 
• Classes that are already online will not be affected by the spring break extension and will continue as regularly scheduled.  
• Campus operations remain uninterrupted. We are mindful of the welfare and well-being of our employees. At this time, the campus is a safe place to work. Campus will remain open in accordance with UW System Administrative Policy 1235. Student employees can continue to work during this break and after without interruption. The emergency response team will continue to monitor health, risk and safety issues daily. 
• There will be specific information sent to our international students. If you have immediate questions, please contact Salisa Hochstetler directly.  
• The following travel guidelines are now in effect. Travel will remain under review.  
  • All upcoming university-sponsored travel for employees and students is being canceled through the end of the semester for areas at a CDC level 3 health notice for COVID-19. This currently includes China, Italy, Iran, and South Korea. This list may change if additional areas are impacted.  
  • Anyone who has traveled to these areas for any reason is strongly advised to self-quarantine for 14 days, whether or not symptoms are present, before returning to our campus.  
  • We also strongly discourage employees and students from any non-essential university-sponsored travel through the end of the semester. If you are altering university-sponsored travel plans, please consult Dawn McMillan or Tia Harrison in the Business Office.  
    • If you opt to travel for any reason, please know that there could be health risks involved. If you travel, we ask you to self-monitor for 14 days after you return for fever, cough and difficulty breathing. 
  • Students who are in a study away program should consult with Anya Russom, UW-Superior Study Away Coordinator, on whether to stay or return. Decisions about summer study away will be made in late April. Decisions for fall will be made at a later date in accordance with international and domestic partners. 

This is a rapidly evolving situation and we will provide updates to our campus community as quickly as possible when additional information becomes available. In the meantime, you may also check out www.uwsuper.edu/coronavirus for information. 

Please pay close attention to your email in coming days as this is the official means of communication.  

Thank you for your support, patience and flexibility as plans are implemented. These changes can be stressful, but I have confidence that we will adapt. Please remember to be kind and patient with each other. Your leadership teams have worked hard to be responsive and thoughtful.  As I’ve said many times, we are small but mighty. I continue to have confidence in the mightiness of all of you.