Wright State coronavirus (COVID-19) UPDATE

Wright State University President Sue Edwards sent the following message March 17:

Dear Campus Community,

Wright State University continues to proactively take steps to protect the health and well-being of our students and employees and help prevent the spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (called COVID-19). Although growing in number across Ohio and the country, no cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at Wright State’s Dayton or Lake Campuses.

I understand the changes we have to impose cause you all measurable disruption. However, according to public health officials at every level, the risk of inaction outweighs the inconvenience caused by these temporary measures. The safety of our campus community is always our number one priority. It is only with your cooperation and collaboration that we can successfully navigate through this period of uncertainty, and I sincerely want to thank you for your patience and understanding.

One of the best ways to prevent the spread of viral illness is to minimize the circumstances in which individuals may interact and transmit disease. Below are a number of updates related to campus operations that will allow us to continue the education of our students while protecting our community.

CLASSROOM TEACHING

As we advised last week, all face-to-face classes and the face-to-face components of mostly and partially online classes have been moved to remote delivery.

This format will remain in place through the end of the spring semester. Students should continue to pay attention to communication from instructors regarding specific information.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Student Success Services are now available in virtual experiences on the Wright State website, with information about advising, tutoring, Math Learning Center, University Writing Center, Career Services, placement testing, and math studio.

UNIVERSITY STAFFING

In an effort to minimize the circumstances whereby individuals can interact and therefore transmit disease, the Dayton Campus and Lake Campus will move to limited on-campus staffing effective Wednesday, March 18. For hourly employees who operate on a shift schedule, this change will take effect at the beginning of their scheduled shift on March 18.

I know this is a unique situation. Unique situations require unique solutions. To that end, all employees, other than those specifically identified as needing to be on campus in order to complete their duties, will work remotely through March 31, 2020.

Supervisors, in consultation with their leaders, are to identify all positions that can work remotely (virtually). Technology needed to support remote operations is available. More information is available online from CaTS.

Employees working remotely are expected to manage workloads as if they were on site. Expectations include conference call availability, forwarding campus phone lines to home or cellphones, responding to emails, working on projects, etc. More information on remote working can be found here.

We all understand this situation is uncharted and rapidly changing. The university is developing longer-term plans to address extended on-campus and remote work assignments and will release those shortly.

UNIVERSITY OPERATIONS

University Libraries and computer labs are closed.

On-campus housing on the Dayton and Lake Campuses will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 20, except for those who receive permission from Residence Life and Housing to remain in their housing units.

Dining services are limited to carry out only.

Faculty who require the use of campus resources in order to deliver remote instruction may continue to visit campus to access those resources.

UNIVERSITY EVENTS

All official university events, receptions, gatherings, athletic events, and student activities are suspended for the remainder of the semester.

UNIVERSITY TRAVEL

All university-sponsored foreign and domestic travel is suspended until further notice. This includes travel that has received Chrome river pre-approval as well as routine in-state administrative university travel involving personal vehicles. Virtual meetings are encouraged.

BEST PRACTICES

Please continue to actively practice preventive measures, including appropriate social distancing and good hygiene practices. Employ these preventive practices to help curtail the spread of all respiratory viruses:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol. Always wash your hands if they are visibly dirty.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

If you experience symptoms of fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, consult a medical professional. Please use common sense judgments when appropriate and, where possible, use virtual group work, and practice social distancing.

These steps are being taken based upon state recommendations with special guidance from the State of Ohio.

We will continue to share information and provide updates through the university’s COVID-19 website.

I ask you to support and look out for one another during this stressful time—please ask for assistance if you need it.

I know disruptions and contingency planning can be difficult and stressful. I sincerely appreciate your efforts and cooperation to keep our students, employees, and communities safe as we take these measures to curtail the spread of COVID-19.

Thanks for your continued patience and resilience.