University Taking Steps to Safeguard Wellbeing of Community

In an email to the campus community Wednesday, March 4, Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy offered updated information about the Coronavirus, with additional information available at www.umass.edu/coronavirus.

The content of that email is as follows:

Dear UMass Community,

As the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, continues to cause concern on our campus, across the state, and around the world, I want assure you that we have and will continue to take steps to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our community.

While there have been no cases of COVID-19 among our students, faculty and staff, both on campus or among those studying or working abroad, and, according to the state Department of Public Health (DPH), the risk of infection to Massachusetts residents remains low, we are engaged in extensive contingency planning for both the public health and academic impacts of COVID-19 on our campus.

To ensure that we are prepared from a public health standpoint, last week I appointed a Campus Preparedness Working Group, which is focused on harnessing campus resources, from UHS to housing, to meet the challenges that COVID-19 might present. To address possible academic implications, which might include assistance to international students in obtaining visas or developing alternative course delivery methods if in-person instruction is not possible, I have assembled an Academic Planning Working Group. Each of these working groups is coordinating closely with the campus Emergency Operations Center Team, which is preparing for a myriad of scenarios.

We are also working closely with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), DPH and the Governor, who today urged colleges, universities and high schools to cancel upcoming organized international trips. In accordance with the Governor’s request, we are cancelling university-organized international trips for student groups until further notice. We are also banning university-approved travel for faculty, staff and students to CDC Level 3 countries (currently China, South Korea, Iran and Italy), and are otherwise following CDC guidelines. Requests for university-approved travel to Level 2 countries (Japan) is discouraged and will require case-by-case approval. These precautions are in addition to the previous steps we have taken to cancel programs and recall students from studies in China, South Korea and Italy; and require a 2-week self-quarantine for anyone returning from a CDC Level 3 country.

As developments warrant, University Health Services and our Emergency Operations Center Team will continue to periodically update the campus via email, and more information on our planning related to COVID-19 can be found at www.umass.edu/coronavirus.

With faculty engaged in research and scholarship around the world, more than 3,400 international students enrolled on campus, and a thriving study abroad program, UMass Amherst has a historic commitment to engagement on a global scale. Our international students and scholars are a vital part of our community and enrich us immeasurably by their presence, and the study abroad programs that have long been available to our domestic students broaden horizons and break down barriers. I am confident that the current challenges we face regarding COVID-19 will not alter the character or composition of our campus and that we will come through this difficult period stronger and more resilient than ever.

I thank you all for your understanding and support as we confront this challenge.

Sincerely,

Kumble R. Subbaswamy
Chancellor