WSU Planning and Preparation for COVID-19

A letter from President Golden

March 16, 2020

Dear Students, Families, Faculty and Staff,

I want to start this message with two important reminders.

First, as I often tell people around the country, Shocker Nation and Wichitans are an incredible group of individuals, unsurpassed in America. I have not been part of a campus or community where the people are so caring and supportive of one another. Leading Wichita State University is truly an honor.

Second, it is because of the strength of our community that I have no doubt that we are all going to get through these difficult times just fine.

As a nation, events are rapidly evolving. It was my hope that I would be able to provide you better news but – given newly issued federal guidelines – I am letting you know today that Wichita State University has made the difficult decision to continue online and/or remote instruction through the end of the semester. We will not be resuming in-person classes

This decision was made not only to protect our campus community but also to provide some sense of certainty during these unprecedented times. Given the very recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for limited gatherings for at least 8 weeks, it was our decision to cancel all in-person instruction on campus as our semester ends in 7 weeks, excluding spring break.

Given the very recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance for limited gatherings for at least 8 weeks, this decision was made not only to protect our campus community but also to provide some sense of certainty during these unprecedented times.

In an effort to support public health efforts by Sedgwick County and the State of Kansas, Wichita State University will begin limiting on-campus housing operations at 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 22. Students who have already left campus will not be allowed to return without explicit authorization from Housing & Residence Life staff. However, students who have traveled to the following areas over the break will not be allowed to pick up items until they have completed 14 days of self-quarantine as detailed by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment:

California.
New York state.
Washington state.
Eagle, Summit, Pitkin and Gunnison counties in Colorado.

Wichita State University Housing & Residence Life recognizes that leaving the residence halls is not an option for all of our students, so we will allow students meeting the criteria outlined below to register to remain on campus:

International students and students with a permanent address in an area heavily affected by COVID-19.
Students with health conditions or disabilities that prevent travel home.
Students who reside with a family member/guardian with health issues that put them at increased risk of COVID-19.
Students without the ability to return to their permanent residence due to other documented circumstances.

The university is in the process of determining how to address housing and dining refund requests. Once a decision is made, we will update the university’s website: https://www.wichita.edu/covid19news.

To our students, faculty, and staff: Our Provost, Rick Muma, is working with our faculty to plan for online and/or remote format for the remainder of the academic year. He and his colleagues in Academic Affairs will also be keeping students and faculty and staff apprised of any needed changes involving academic programs.

Dr. Teri Hall and colleagues in Student Affairs will be providing updates to students, including continuing services for mental and physical well-being and housing.

Vice President for Finance and Administration Werner Golling and our Human Resources office will continue to keep you informed of our policies on pay and benefits, sick leave, telecommuting and more. Some of these communications may be sent through your divisional vice president.

To the parents of our students: I understand and appreciate what you are having to deal with right now to support your child and their needs while also trying to balance home and work. My younger daughter just returned from her college semester abroad, which was cut short. Not only did we have to scramble to get her back to the United States, she is now in a 14-day voluntarily self-quarantine in North Carolina. My wife is providing the necessary parental support, such as groceries etc. All of this can be disruptive to family lives. Every decision we make will impact you and your family; we know this. I want to make sure we are doing all we can to minimize these disruptions as best as possible

To our seniors and those graduate students completing studies this semester: I am saddened that your final semester has been disrupted in this way. Because we can’t predict the near-term future of COVID-19 spread, we are going to have to postpone spring commencement. I do want to promise to you and your families that I will make sure your incredible accomplishments will be recognized and that your university and your president will honor all that you have done. Our team is exploring a number of options to replace spring commencement.

Please know that these difficult decisions are not being made in isolation. I have been meeting with our university leadership team every morning and they are meeting with their divisions throughout each day as well. We have and continue to be in constant discussions with county and state health professionals and are following their guidance.

I and my team members have been consulting and coordinating with our counterparts at the University of Kansas and Kansas State University and, especially, with our Kansas Board of Regents who are working very hard to support all of our university students and institutions. We all want to do what is best for our students, faculty, staff and university community.

Remember, we will get through this together. Take a moment and check on each other and remind each other that you care. Follow CDC and local health guidelines-as we are doing at Wichita State. Please make sure to continue to check our Wichita State University COVID-19 website and FAQ pages at https://www.wichita.edu/covid19news.

I will keep you informed. Until my next note, stay safe, stay strong and as always…. Go Shocks!

Sincerely,

Dr. Jay S. Golden

President

Earlier President's Letters

March 12, 2020

Dear Shocker Nation,

We are all aware of the unique circumstance that people across our country and globe are facing in regard to the COVID-19 Coronavirus. Nationally, a number of actions are taking place including those at colleges and universities. This is a situation that has all of us concerned, yet we must not become panicked. It’s important to note that at this time, there are no known COVID-19 cases on our campus, in Wichita or Sedgwick County.

As President of Wichita State University, my number one priority is the student experience. This most especially includes the health and well-being of our students and campus community.

Today, I want to share with the entire campus community some important updates to university operations that will soon be implemented as described below. The following plans apply to the Wichita State University student, faculty, and staff community. WSU Tech will continue communicating to their community and keep me appraised of their actions.

Our actions have been developed in accordance with guidelines and recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Please understand that this situation is ever-evolving and our campus response could change at any point.

I want to assure you that our administration is working tirelessly with the rest of the campus, Student Health Services, and many other offices to make the best decisions for the entirety of Shocker Nation.

I understand there are many personal and logistical challenges that happen with measures like this. Please take care of yourself and your friends and colleagues during this time.

I continue to be inspired by our Shocker Family and the wonderful Wichita community we call home. While the coronavirus is very serious, I have no doubt that as a community working together, we will be fine.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jay S. Golden

President

Plan for COVID-19 response

Last Updated on March 13, 2020 at 5:20 p.m.

NOTE: This is a complex, challenging, and fluid situation which continues to evolve rapidly. All information is subject to change as deemed necessary by University leadership in accordance with guidance and recommendations issued by federal, state, and local public health and government officials.

This plan — which will be updated on an ongoing basis — is intended to provide information about COVID-19; preventive measures for avoiding infection; how Wichita State University is responding to the current COVID-19 situation; and other critical information to keep students, faculty, and staff safe and healthy.

We anticipate needing to maintain these on-campus and residential practices for at least two weeks, however, our team will reassess the need to continue online and/or remote-only instruction each week, starting March 30.

On-campus class updates

Effective Monday, March 16 until Friday, March 20

There will be no schedule change to courses already online.

All academic in-person classes and activities related to those classes (e.g., assignments, presentations, performances, defenses, academic lab work, etc.) are temporarily suspended.
Classes that were fully online will continue.
Hybrid classes will move to online and/or remote instruction only.
Students on domestic clinical rotations, internships, practicums, applied learning, etc., should contact their WSU coordinator for further guidance. If the facility allows continued student participation, students should continue in these activities as normally scheduled.

Beginning the week of March 30

There will be no schedule change to courses already online.

All in-person classes will be temporarily moved to an online and/or remote format.
Students are asked not to return to campus after Spring Break and to meet academic requirements online and/or remotely.
Wichita State will provide students a two-week notice when classes resume on campus.

Residential updates

Effective Monday, March 16

All residence halls will remain open and continue normal operations.
Students who are able to move to another location are encouraged to do so during this time. When preparing to leave, we ask that students take all essential belongings, medications and materials from your residence hall or work space.
Students who do remain on campus are expected to meet academic requirements online and/or remotely.

Events Cancelations

High School Athletic Events

We will not allow events larger than 50 people, in accordance with Sedgwick County’s ban on gatherings of more than 50 people. This ban will remain in effect until vacated by the Sedgwick County Local Health Officer.
All athletic events — either sponsored by WSU or held on WSU property — will be cancelled
Events initially scheduled for after April 13 will be reevaluated.

Collegiate Athletic Events

Wichita State athletic events are suspended indefinitely, per the American Athletic Conference.

Non-Athletic Events

We will not allow events larger than 50 people, in accordance with Sedgwick County’s ban on gatherings of more than 50 people. This ban will remain in effect until vacated by the Sedgwick County Local Health Officer.
Non-credit courses, workshops, conferences, and day trips will continue as scheduled.

Spring Break will continue as planned

Monday, March 23 until Friday, March 27

Employees

General employees

University operations will continue.
You should report to work as normal and follow any instructions provided by your supervisor.
There is no planned interruption in work hours or pay for any employees, including student employees.
If you have a health-related concern, please reach out to your primary care physician and consider using the health plan telemedicine feature.
If you need to request leave related to a COVID-19 concern, please call HR at 978-3065 or email the leave administrator at TotalRewards@wichita.edu. You will receive instructions on how to request a leave. Coming soon, there will be a leave request form available.
If you have concerns or anxiety related to these events and need someone to talk with, please know you may contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 888-275-1205 (select option 1).

Student employees

There is no planned interruption in work hours or pay for any employees, including student employees.
You should report to work as normal and follow any instructions provided by your supervisor.

Supervisors

You are asked to manage staffing based on university needs and are encouraged to be flexible and consider appropriate staffing alternatives, such as, allowing employees to work remotely, shift and schedule adjustments, alternate hours of work and staggered work schedules. Coming soon will be a link to managing your staff more flexibly.

If you have an employee who needs to request leave related to a COVID-19 concern, please have them call HR at 978-3065 or email the leave administrator at TotalRewards@wichita.edu. You will receive instructions on how to request a leave. There is a leave request form available.

Reach out to your Human Resources Business Partner with questions or any assistance.

University-Sponsored Travel (Students, Faculty, Staff)

Domestic travel

Domestic travel is permitted. The university encourages you to consider the following:

Could this business be handled online or remotely?
Can this business be delayed?
Please be mindful of CDC guidance and guidance relayed by the travel destination.
Students and employees must register at wichita.edu/travelnotification.

International travel

All university-sponsored international travel is to be discontinued, effective immediately.

No new travel approvals will be granted unless extreme circumstances — approval will be required from a divisional Vice President.
Currently scheduled travel must be cancelled — reach out to supervisor regarding next steps.

Personal travel

Individuals on personal travel are encouraged to follow all CDC-issued guidelines and any guidelines issued by their travel destination.

The University strongly encourages students, faculty and staff on personal travel to register your travel with the university and provide us with basic details about any international travel planned through the end of the semester. Go to wichita.edu/travelnotification.

If you are returning from a country designated as Level 3 by the CDC, you must contact the local health department upon your return.

On March 15, 2020, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has issued additional recommendations should you travel to certain areas of the United States.

Recently traveled within the United States?

If you have a health-related concern, please reach out to your primary care physician and consider using the health plan telemedicine feature.

If you have concerns or anxiety related to these events and need someone to talk with, please know you may contact the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 888-275-1205 (select option 1).

Resources for Teaching and Research Faculty

Teaching resources

Start preparing your courses ato be temporarily moved to an online and/or remote format for two weeks starting on March 30, 2020. Additional weeks may be added as we receive additional information.

The Instructional Design and Access team has been working to provide quick information for instructors. These instructions can be viewed at wichita.edu/bbnow. For more questions, email ida@wichita.edu.

You also have access to Wichita State’s Blackboard Guide for Instructors. This 31-page guide has concise instructions with screen shots to help you get started in Blackboard.

Additional Blackboard support staff are being prepared to handle an expected increase in support requests. More information will be made available through WSU Today.

Research Resources

Please see Managing your research program.

What can you do?

For suggestions for what you can do for prevention, go to the Student Health coronavirus page

Personal Care Services

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Remember that Counseling and Prevention Services are available to help you manage anxiety and stress.
COVID-19 may be stressful for people and communities. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions. For information on mental health and coping, visit the Centers For Disease Control website. You can also contact Counseling and Prevention Services.

University Custodial efforts

Custodial Services staff at Wichita State have ramped up their disinfecting efforts recently in an effort to provide increased sanitization for the university community. Training sessions for custodial staff have taken place, with a renewed emphasis on disinfecting touch points throughout campus. They will continue to use germicidal disinfectants for these surfaces and as part of their regular cleaning routines.