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UVM to begin remote classes March 18 because of coronavirus

Submitted by tim on

This story has been updated with information at the bottom on residence halls.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont announced this afternoon that it will cancel classes this Monday and Tuesday and begin remote learning for students on Wednesday March 18 as a response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. UVM President Suresh Garimella referred to this action as "exercising an abundance of caution." No one at UVM has tested positive for COVID-19 to date and only one person in Vermont (in Bennington) has tested positive so far in the state.

This announcement went out to UVM faculty, students and staff at 1:24 pm. UVM students were already on their regularly scheduled break this week. The campus is not being closed and staff will remain at work. The timeline to reopen the campus to students is not yet known. The medical school students will remain on campus and classes will continue.

The following Q&A is between VBM and UVM officials:

What about sports teams, clubs and other ECs? Will they continue? No fans?

We are assessing the situation and will be making decisions about that soon.

Only some activities and not others?

All indoor events limited to 25 attendees or fewer

And what about work study programs? Will students receive credit still for those tuition offsets?

The federal government has relaxed requirements regarding federal work student. So, yes, they will.

Foreign students and others may have nowhere else to go, what is the plan for them (Middlebury has a contingency for this)?

We understand that some students may need to be on campus. We are prepared to continue offering services to them.

And how about outside events held at UVM inside with more than 25 people, are those also cancelled?

We are reaching out to external event sponsors and reviewing options such as postponing or alternative delivery. If there are no options that work, we will be cancelling these events that are 25 plus.

Room and board being reimbursed?

We anticipate that we will be providing those services to a number of students. We simply don't know how long we will remain in remote instruction mode. We will need to take this one step at a time.

Also, the interns need the internship credit to graduate, is there a plan to meet those requirements?

This is being addressed on a case by case basis with the faculty advisor.

LETTER

March 11, 2020

Dear UVM community members:

As we face the local, national, and international challenges posed by the coronavirus outbreak (“COVID-19”), our primary focus remains on the well-being of our students, faculty and staff. In addition to monitoring the situation closely, we have continued to consult with health authorities in order to thoughtfully and appropriately refine our response plans.

Exercising an abundance of caution, the university will shift to remote methods of learning starting Wednesday, March 18, for regularly scheduled classes. In-person classes on Monday and Tuesday, March 16 and 17, will be canceled to provide additional opportunity for faculty and staff to complete preparations for moving to remote instruction.

This decisive action reflects our commitment to help slow the spread of the virus, while also promoting the academic progress of our students and protecting the health and safety of our community. Please note that this change does not apply to medical students in the Larner College of Medicine, which is developing a separate action plan centered on their unique needs.

Specific communications will soon be issued by Provost Patty Prelock to the faculty, Dean Cindy Forehand to graduate students and post-doctoral scholars, and Rafael Rodriguez, executive director of Residential Life, to our residential undergraduate students, whom we are encouraging to not return to the residence halls after Spring Break unless they need to live on campus. These messages will include links to more detailed information and resources.

Also, starting Wednesday, March 18, the university will begin implementing other measures to facilitate the social distancing recommended to slow the spread of COVID-19. The university will remain open, but events and gatherings will be limited to 25 attendees or fewer. Wherever possible, remote delivery will be implemented to support any larger meetings.

These measures will remain in effect until further notice. Given the evolving nature of the situation, and our continual reassessment, we are not in a position to address future events, such as Commencement, at this time.

In summary, I am announcing the following measures:

  • In-person classes on Monday, March 16 and Tuesday, March 17 will be cancelled.
  • Classes will resume on Wednesday, March 18, but will shift to remote methods of instruction.
  • The university will remain open and employees will be expected to report to work.
  • Graduate students and post-doctoral scholars will be expected to continue their work, as described in the communication they will receive from Dean Forehand.
  • Social distancing measures, such as limiting indoor events to 25 attendees or fewer, will go into effect Wednesday, March 18.
While these changes are significant, I want to emphasize the importance of keeping our university open, and continuing our support of critically important services and activities, such as our student support, administrative functions, and research endeavors.

I recognize these measures are unprecedented and may be unsettling. With that in mind, we will continue to provide regular updates and information. The COVID-19 website (go.uvm.edu/covid19) is a resource for the latest policy decisions and other useful information and, starting today, questions may be sent to [email protected] or to our COVID-19 information helpline that will be staffed from 8:30-4:30 daily (and this weekend) until further notice. The helpline number is 802-656-HELP.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership. I am grateful for the dedication, teamwork, and care that defines our community.

Suresh V. Garimella
President

MESSAGE ON DORMS, March 12, 2020:

Dear Students and Families: The situation related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is evolving rapidly both here in the United States and overseas. Travel restrictions and health advisories may soon be increased. In order to help slow the spread of the virus, and because residence hall accommodations involve close proximity to others and shared bathrooms, the University of Vermont strongly encourages students not to return to campus residence halls, in order to safeguard their health and well-being.

To help support you through this transition, we are opening the halls on Saturday, March 14 at 8 a.m. for students who need to live on-campus and for students who need to retrieve items (especially essential items and those needed for remote learning, such as class-related electronics and books). Students will be expected to retrieve these items by Wednesday, March 18 at 10 a.m. For students who are unable to retrieve items required for participation in remote instruction, we are developing a process for shipping essential items. Students who are able to take all of their belongings with them by Wednesday, March 18 at 10 a.m. may do so.

We have asked you to fill out the COVID-19 HOUSING PLANNING FORM located on myHousing by 8 p.m. on Sunday, March 15. We will use this information to provide students the correct access to buildings and resources. Any changes to your housing plans should be disclosed by cancelling your existing COVID-19 Housing Planning Form and resubmitting a new one.

In summary, please observe the following steps:

For additional information, or if you have questions, please access the following resources:

Thank you for your partnership,

Rafael Rodriguez

Executive Director of Residential Life