March 13, 2020
Dear Colleagues:
We are in unprecedented times as we are all responding to the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. As always, the health and safety of our campus community is our top priority. As such, we are taking a number of proactive measures to protect each of you, while ensuring the continued academic progress of our students.
We have been closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and providing regular updates to the campus community through a dedicated website: utoledo.edu/coronavirus. As a public research university, we recognize that we have a local, statewide and global footprint –– all of which have been taken into consideration as we determined how to reduce the spread of the virus and ensure the continuation of our academic mission.
While there are no campus-related cases to date, we are announcing new updates based on the expertise and guidance of our own UToledo infectious disease experts, with the support of local, state and federal officials:
Spring Semester Classes
• As previously announced, classes have been canceled Monday, March 16, and Tuesday, March 17.
• Beginning Wednesday, March 18, we will be suspending all face-to-face classes and transitioning to remote learning for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester.
• Students have been asked not to return to campus for the remainder of the semester.
• There are several options for faculty to continue to deliver course instruction remotely. Read more information.
University Housing
• Students living on campus are being asked to return home, or to a non-campus housing arrangement, on or before Sunday, March 22.
• The Office of Residence Life will be coordinating an orderly process to allow students to move out of the residence halls between March 14 and March 22.
• We understand that there may be exceptions and extenuating circumstances requiring some students to stay on campus. The Office of Residence Life will work with these students on an individual basis.
Returning from Travel
• Individuals who have recently traveled outside of the state of Ohio should register their travel using the University’s online travel registry form.
• UToledo is now requiring all individuals returning from a country on the CDC’s Level 2 or Level 3 warning list to self-isolate for 14 days. Employees should notify their direct supervisor of their recent travel and submit the appropriate documentation to Human Resources to be granted a self-isolation agreement.
Human Resources
• Anyone feeling sick is asked to notify their supervisor and stay home. Employees may use sick leave or apply for FMLA if they need extended leave.
• Faculty and staff are encouraged to reach out to the University’s Employee Assistance Program if they are feeling anxious as a result of this challenging situation.
Research
• As University facilities remain open, researchers may continue working in their laboratories.
• Additional information on mitigating the impacts of COVID-19 on research activities is available online.
These are indeed unprecedented times. I want to assure you that these decisions have not been made without immense consideration and discussion with health experts. As announced yesterday by the Ohio Department of Health, it is believed that at least 1% of the population currently has the virus and cases are expected to double every six days.
We will continue to communicate with you directly as changes occur. Please also continue to check our website for updates and additional information.
I want to thank you for your patience and understanding during this challenging time. I am humbled by the support I’ve seen from our entire campus community. We are doing everything within our power to ensure the health and safety of our students and the greater campus community. We are a family. We are Rockets!
Sincerely,
Sharon L. Gaber, Ph.D.
President
