From: Rob Rosenthal and Mike Whaley
Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at 4:18 PM
Subject: Update on global coronavirus emergency
To the campus community:
As our campus looks forward to spring break, we are writing again with an update on the global coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. We plan to provide regular updates going forward until the situation stabilizes. We have also created a new website with the latest information about the virus for the Wesleyan community, along with an FAQ addressing common questions and concerns, and links to other resources.
To date, there are no confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 at Wesleyan or in Connecticut. As the virus continues to spread through the U.S. and the rest of the world, the Wesleyan Emergency Response Team is actively managing our readiness and response to the epidemic. Health and safety continue to be the University’s top priority.
We are also closely monitoring the situation in countries around the globe. Earlier this week, we made a decision to close our study-abroad program in Bologna, Italy. Students in the program are instructed to return to their homes, and we’ve asked them not to visit campus until after spring break. Classes in the program will be offered online for the remainder of the semester. Students in several independent Wesleyan-approved programs in South Korea have also been sent home.
As many students prepare to leave campus over break, we urge everyone to make informed and thoughtful decisions about travel in consultation with their families. Wesleyan has made a recommendation that faculty, staff, and students should not travel internationally at this time. The Centers for Disease Control’s informative website contains resources to track COVID-19 cases by geography, advice for avoiding illness, and much more.
We are asking all faculty, staff, and students to register any travel beyond Connecticut—domestic or international—on this form.
As a reminder, Wesleyan’s campus will remain open over spring break. Students are permitted to remain in residences, and dining service and other supports will be available.
As always, no matter where you are in the world, please take common sense measures to stay healthy, such as washing hands and avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
We will continue to communicate regular updates to the campus. If you have questions about services over spring break, please contact the Office of Student Affairs at (860) 685-2772. Questions about study abroad can be directed to Associate Director of Study Abroad Emily Gorlewski at egorlewski@wesleyan.edu.
Rob Rosenthal
Interim Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Mike Whaley
Vice President for Student Affairs