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THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH

CURRENT CAMPUS PHASE: ORANGE

Latest news related to COVID-19

Dr. Michael Good, Vice President of Health Sciences, discusses the latest coronavirus trends in the United States and Utah, the reproduction rate of the disease, hospitalization numbers, inpatient trends, and masking, sanitizing, distancing, and staying home when sick—all with the goal of stopping the spread of COVID-19 and keeping our community safe.

The University of Utah is now in the orange phase, using operational guidelines developed by the Project Orange campus-wide working group. Please note that in the orange phase most work will continue to occur away from campus, with limited exceptions. For those who will be able to return to campus in the orange phase, this process will be gradual and begin primarily with research activities. In the orange phase, telecommuting should continue for most of our employees. In this phase, accommodations should be made for high-risk individuals. Our students will not be on campus.

Our current expectation, and preparation at this time, is that our campus activities—education, research and community engagement—will be operational in fall 2020, likely with some modifications based on public health guidance and our own planning process. We are currently developing several scenarios to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff, using the work of the groups highlighted. We believe that by mid-June we will have adequate data and information to provide additional guidance for fall 2020 activities necessary to maintain public health and safety. You can learn more about plans being made for fall on the Return to Campus site.

See full memo from President Watkins.

See the full memo from Project Orange Working Group Chair Jeff Herring.

Read the full guidelines.

information & PRECAUTIONS

CONFIRMED CASES

OF UNIVERSITY STAFF, FACULTY, OR STUDENTS (BASED ON SELF-REPORTING)

110

Number of recovered cases: 40

As we monitor the spread of COVID-19 through campus we are asking members of the U community to fill out this form (uNID login required) if they have tested positive for the virus or are awaiting the results of a COVID-19 test.

COVID-19 Reporting Form

This information will help us to reduce the spread of the disease by making sure appropriate areas of campus are cleaned and disinfected.

Download the official University Guidance document for COVID-19 protocol for suspected or confirmed cases in University buildings.

If you have been in contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 or who you suspect may have COVID-19 please follow these instructions.

Administrative Leave for COVID-19 testing and exposure

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

The goal of physical distancing is to help us keep from infecting others. Sometimes called social distancing, we call it physical distancing. We want to remain socially in touch with our families and loved ones, but keep physically distant.

Physical distancing can help slow the spread of coronavirus and keep high-risk populations safe. To practice physical distancing:

  • Limit close contact with others. If you are in a space with other people, remain at least six feet apart.
  • Reduce unnecessary trips.
  • Practice good hygiene while in public. Clean frequently touched surfaces, avoid shaking hands and touching things unnecessarily, wash your hands frequently, and avoid touching your face.
  • Get fresh air and exercise while maintaining physical distance from others.

More information is available here and here.

You may click & download the following physical distancing files (PDFs) for your offices or buildings:

Floor Sticker Designs (PDF)
Threshold Signs (PDF)
Table Tents (PDF)

Protecting Yourself

You can protect yourself from COVID-19 the same way you protect yourself from other viruses with a few commonsense practices.

  • Wash your hands thoroughly and often. Make sure you are cleaning between your fingers and under your nails.
  • Avoid shaking hands, especially with those who appear to be ill.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible.
  • Disinfect shared surfaces.
  • Stay home when you are sick

University of Utah Health has a helpful website with practical tips about how to protect yourself.

Tips From U of U Health

Meetings, conferences, and gatherings

In line with state and county public guidance all university-sponsored meetings or gatherings of more than 10 people are canceled.  The university remains open and operational as we do all we can to limit exposure to this highly contagious virus.

Guidance for Building Closure and Workplace Lockdown

Information is now online for building managers and department leaders that provides recommendations and actions to close or limit the use of buildings as part of the university’s response to COVID-19 crisis. Note: this guidance is not intended for hospital and clinics.

The guidance is designed to help reduce the need for custodial services to temporarily closed campus buildings and to keep spaces disinfected so students, faculty, and staff can return to campus safely when deemed appropriate.

Required Self-isolation and Physical Distancing

The university is requiring students, faculty, and staff returning from any country to self-isolate and implement physical distancing. Individuals who fall into this category must inform the University of Utah via the returning traveler self-reporting form (RTSRF). The university will not release personal information about returning students, faculty, and staff.

If you have questions regarding self-isolation; feel sick with a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing; or have been in contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19, please call your health care provider or an urgent care center and notify them of your symptoms and recent travel. Your health care provider will determine if you need to be seen in the office and if so, will provide special instructions to prevent exposing others.

Recommendations from the CDC for self-isolation and physical distancing:

  • Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever. Also watch for cough or trouble breathing.
  • Stay home and avoid contact with others. Do not go to work or school for a 14-day period. Discuss your work situation with your employer before returning to work.
  • Do not take public transportation, taxis, or ride-shares during the time you are practicing physical distancing.
  • Avoid crowded places (such as shopping centers and movie theaters) and limit your activities in public.
  • Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet or 2 meters).

Should any university community member be diagnosed with COVID-19, public health officials and the university will respond immediately to identify others who may be at risk and make appropriate recommendations.

Best Practices for Maintaining a Safe Campus Environment

We are asking the entire campus community to follow best practices to help reduce the risk of spreading any type of illness on campus.

  • If you are a student, please stay home if you are sick. Please communicate directly with your instructors about your situation. If additional support is needed, please contact the Office of the Dean of Students (801-581-7066).
  • If you are a faculty or staff member, please stay home if you are sick. Please communicate directly with your immediate supervisor about your situation. If additional support is needed, please contact Human Resources (801-581-2169).
  • Building managers have been directed to pay particular attention to monitoring and regularly disinfecting shared surfaces.
  • All administrators are being asked to begin planning to ensure the continuity of education and research, safe housing and meal programs, and how university support services would be modified in the case of a community-wide spread of the virus.

If you have questions about sick leave, paid time off, payroll or other concerns please contact the Division of Human Resources.

Human Resources

COVID-19 Guidance for Mandatory On Campus or Telecommuting Designations

Beginning immediately, departmental should leaders begin working with their teams to identify employees and positions (as well as functions) who must report in-person to work and those whose work can be completed remotely. Guidance below has been produced by the U’s Human Resources team to assist supervisors and leaders in this process. While staffing plans should be implemented immediately, leaders should keep track of the designations and provide a report to their supervisory vice president or dean by Friday, March 20, at noon. Click here for more information.

Telecommuting Resources

Campus Transit Services & Parking

Beginning March 18, the campus shuttles will operate on the “Break” schedule. U SafeRide will operate normally. For details related to routes and hours, please refer to the Commuter Services website or call our information center at 801-581-6415.  Details can be found here.

Child Care Facilities

The university operates five on-campus child care centers. Parents and clients of these centers are being communicated with directly.

Libraries

The J. Willard Marriott Library and the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library are closed temporarily.The James E. Faust Law Library remains closed.

The libraries’ thousands of online journals, databases, and ebooks remain available via EZproxy; in addition, live reference help is available to all students, staff, and faculty.

Learn more through these webpages:

J. Willard Marriott Library: HERE

Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library: HERE

James E. Faust Law Library: HERE

Student Computer Labs

University of Utah computing labs will be open in strategic locations around campus to provide internet service to students with limited access. Students will be required to practice physical distancing in each lab.

The student computer lab in the Union building has reopened.

Computer labs that are open (please check with each lab for specific hours of operation):

  • Ray Olpin Union self-service computer lab
  • Warnock Engineering Building Engman Lab (L210). Note: Students must first submit this web form (authentication is required) to request access to WEB, which is currently closed.
  • College of Fine Arts Film Lab 270 (Building 038)

Labs that are closed:

  • UOnline Center, Marriott Library
  • Eccles Health Sciences Education Building computer lab (3100)
  • College of Social & Behavioral Science, Gardner Commons 1825 and 1855
  • College of Education, Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts and Education Complex, 2155A and 3155A
  • Department of Family & Preventive Medicine labs
  • Materials Science & Engineering, Civil & Materials Engineering Building 312 and 320
  • Kennecott Mechanical Engineering labs
  • Department of Mathematics, LCB 115
  • College of Social Work, Lab 295 (bldg. 26)
  • Warnock Engineering Building
    • CADE Mac Lab - WEB L124
    • CS Undergrad Lab - WEB L130
    • CADE Lab - WEB L224tecture building, 038)
  • Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Merrill Engineering Building
    • Analog and Motors Lab (MEB Room 2365) open to ECE-registered students
    • PC Classroom Lab, (MEB Room 2555) open to ECE-registered students
    • Power/open wave Lab (MEB Room 2353)
    • Digital Lab (MEB Room 2275)
  • College of Fine Arts
    • Art Lab 258 (258 of Art & Architecture building, 038)
    • Art Lab 365 (365 of Art & Architecture building, 038)
    • Film Lab 005 (FMAB building, 036)
    • Theatre 242 Drafting Lab (242 of TAB building, 073)
  • School of Biological Sciences Open access lab (106)
  • McKay Music Library (100 of DGH building, 003)
  • Sorenson Music Technology Studio  (100E of McKay Music Library of DGH building, 003)

Campus Store

The University Campus Store and the Sandy Campus Store will reopen to the public on Monday, May 11, 2020. At this time, Health Campus Store in HSEB will remain closed to the public. All three locations will continue to offer curbside service and encourage patrons to take advantage of this service. Those who choose to shop in-store are required to wear face coverings at all times, maintain physical distancing, and limit the size of their shopping groups.

To keep customers safe as the COVID-19 pandemic endures, Campus Store staff are taking all necessary precautions and have implemented several safety guidelines. All staff members are required to wear face coverings, tight aisles will be limited to one-way traffic, partitions have been installed where necessary, shopping carts and other frequently touched surfaces are disinfected continually, dressing rooms are temporarily closed, and staff temperatures will be checked at the employee entrance.

Hours of Operation:

Main Campus Store: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

  • 8:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. for high-risk individuals access only.

Sandy Campus Store: 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

  • 10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. for high-risk individuals access only.

Health Campus Store: remaining closed to the public at this time.

Please call 801-581-6326 with any questions or concerns.

Museums and Garden

The Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU) and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA) are closed to the public temporarily. As that date approaches, we will reassess whether the closure should continue. NHMU and UMFA are both committed to doing all that is possible to support teaching and learning, including during this period of public closure. Faculty are encouraged to reach out to the museums’ staff to discuss possible accommodations for students virtually and/or possibly in person.

Both museums maintain a database of objects that are viewable online, as well as rich online content, blogs, curricula, and other online resources that can be used for academic purposes.

Red Butte Garden is now open to visitors who make reservations. You can find more information on their website.

Pioneer Theatre Company and Kingsbury Hall Performances

Performances at Pioneer Theatre Company and Kingsbury Hall are canceled through the remainder of spring semester. Contact the relevant ticket office to inquire about rescheduled performances.

Athletics Competitions

The Pac-12 has canceled the NCAA basketball tournament and other competitions until further notice. Watch Utah athletics websites for additional information.

STUDENTS

 

Housing

For the most updated information related to on-campus housing, visit Housing & Residential Education’s COVID-19 web page.

Self-Report Form

Students living in Housing & Residential Education (HRE) on-campus housing are also required to complete HRE’s coronavirus self-report form if they experience symptoms, believe they have been exposed to the virus, or are waiting results of a COVID-19 test. The HRE Self-Report form can be found online, here.

Face Coverings & Social Distancing

Generally, on-campus residents should wear a face covering while outside of their room. Residents should maintain a 6 ft. distance between others while using community rooms and areas in their building. Guest policies may be modified to support social distancing. Resident Advisors will provide more information when a student moves in.

Cleaning Information

HRE custodial staff members have increased cleaning and sanitation in community areas and high-touch locations. Residents are encouraged to perform regular cleaning within their room and bathroom. Buckets with cleaning and sanitation supplies are available inside all laundry rooms for students to use and return. In addition, incoming residents are encouraged to pack and bring sanitizer and other cleaning materials with them when moving in.

Resources

We recognize this time of uncertainty can be particularly stressful for students who live in on-campus housing. Students who are struggling with anxiety or depression are encouraged to reach out to their HRE resident director for campus resources, or directly to the University Counseling Center for help.

More Information

University Student Apartments

University Student Apartment (USA) students: Housing operations will remain open and unchanged, with the exception of scheduled large gatherings. USA is available to respond to questions. For more information please contact apartments@utah.edu or call 801-581-8667.

Emergency student aid

For students who may be encountering financial emergencies, we have established a single point of contact for emergency financial aid requests. Please ask students to contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at FAwin1@utah.edu or at 801-581-6211 to discuss options for assistance.

If anyone is experiencing food insecurity the Feed U Pantry has food available to anyone with a UCard. They are open on weekdays but hours will vary based on volunteer availability. Current Hours can be found at feedu.utah.edu.

CARES Act emergency funding information

Online course examinations

The U’s licenses for ProctorU are being expanded to support online examinations. Students will NOT be required to pay for online course examinations.

Learning Abroad, Inbound Exchange, and international travel

After much consideration, the University of Utah has made the decision to extend the suspension of all university-affiliated student international travel through the upcoming semester, including the cancellation of all Fall 2020 Learning Abroad academic programs.

This decision was made by the university in the interest of the health and safety of our community, taking into account the dynamic nature of the global public health situation, significant current limitations on international travel and the ability to appropriately support students abroad during this time of uncertainty. The U considered a number of additional factors in making this decision, including student traveler health and safety concerns while in transit and abroad, academic programming and student experience limitations in foreign locations, existing travel advisories from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of State, and the difficulty of obtaining visas (both outbound and inbound) and U.S. consular services while abroad. Currently, the CDC cautions against all nonessential international travel, and the U.S. Department of State has not signaled an intent to recall their ongoing Global Level 4 Health Advisory, which recommends that Americans avoid all international travel due to COVID-19.

Due to the rapidly evolving nature of the pandemic both inside and outside the United States, and its implications for traveler health and safety, the University of Utah will continue to monitor the situation over the coming months before making any determinations about student travel to international locations for the Spring 2021 Semester.

Due to the current landscape of the domestic (U.S.) COVID outbreaks and respective responses by national, state, and local authorities, the university is also suspending inbound student exchanges for Fall 2020 Semester. This decision applies specifically to students who had planned to attend the U in fall 2020 only as exchange visitors. All university exchange partner institutions have been informed of the suspension at this time.

More Information

Academic Advising

Your advising needs are important to us. We have a number of options in place to ensure full access to academic advising, whether you can come to campus or not. If you need to meet with an advisor, please start at the academic advising appointments landing page. This can easily be accessed from the green conversation bubbles icon at the bottom right of the university’s home page. Select the college or unit that best fits your need, and view options for making phone or virtual appointments.

Once you’ve scheduled a phone or virtual appointment, be sure to set up a FERPA pin in CIS. Your advisor will need to verify your identity before being able to discuss your academic records by phone or video.

Our Student Success Advocate (SSA) team will also operate from a distance. SSAs can meet with you via Skype, email, or text, to support you in any way that they can. To contact an SSA, click here then select the SSA who best meets your needs. Then, call, text or email your SSA using the contact provided.

We want to ensure you are able to engage in your classes in the online format. Please let us know if you have any concerns about access to the technology you need to continue in your courses. If you do not have access to adequate Wi-Fi, please contact an SSA.

Second, please let your SSA know if you have any concerns about your learning style or capacity to perform to the best of your ability or keep up with your class in an online format. We will work with you to address these concerns.

Finally, please reach out to us if the move to an online format impacts your access to food or housing, puts you in a vulnerable position, or if you are feeling stress around your health and the ongoing coronavirus situation. Please know that everyone here at the University stands ready to support you during this unprecedented time.

Please stay safe and healthy.

More Information

Office of Admissions

The Office of Admissions will be extending the deadline for students to confirm their intent to enroll and to pay their enrollment deposit until June 1, 2020. Given all that we’re facing as a nation and global community, we want to be as flexible with students and families as we can.

Counseling

The University Counseling Center staff is committed to supporting the mental health needs of students. All counseling services are being conducted over the phone. If you are an enrolled University of Utah student, please call 801-581-6826 for crisis support. More information is available here. 

SafeUT

The SafeUT Crisis Chat provides real-time crisis intervention through live chat and a confidential tip program – right from your smartphone.
Get free 24/7 access to:
  • Supportive or crisis counseling
  • Suicide prevention
  • Referral services
We can help anyone with emotional crises, relationship problems, mental health, or suicide-related issues. Download the app today.

Equipment available

The Marriott Library is currently offering online services and lending books and laptops. Go to https://lib.utah.edu/covid-19.php for more information.

Laptop and mobile hotspot loan program – laptops, mobile hotspots mailed to current U students on a first-come, first-served basis.

If you are a student enrolled for Fall in need of a laptop or other technology equipment, see Marriott Library student checkout equipment.

If you are in need of off-campus internet access, many Xfinity and XMission public wireless locations are free to access. Xfinity Internet Essentials is free for 2 months to qualified customers and $9.95 in subsequent months. Students enrolled for Fall can request a mobile hotspot from Marriott Library student checkout equipment.

More resources

You can find more resources available to the campus community here.

FACULTY & STAFF

 

COVID-19 Guidance for Mandatory On Campus or Telecommuting Designations

Beginning immediately, departmental leaders should begin working with their teams to identify employees and positions (as well as functions) who must report in-person to work and those whose work can be completed remotely. While staffing plans should be implemented immediately, leaders should keep track of the designations and provide a report to their supervisory vice president or dean by Friday, March 20, at noon. Click here for more information.

Telecommuting Resources

 

Campus Transit Services & Parking

Beginning March 18, the campus shuttles will operate on the “Break” schedule. U SafeRide will operate normally. For details related to routes and hours, please refer to the Commuter Services website or call our information center at 801-581-6415.  Details can be found here.

Campus Mail

Campus mail continues to operate with the usual delivery schedule. In the event that a mail/job delivery is attempted, and the department/building is found to be locked, a memo will be left stating that delivery will be suspended. To resume mail delivery or request an alternate delivery location, please contact Juan Sosa (juan.sosa@utah.edu) at University Print & Mail Services. Mail for departments and buildings that are closed due to COVID-19 will be sorted and held until the department/building reopens. In the meantime, for those departments/buildings, mail may be picked-up by request, or special delivery requests may be made by sending an email to juan.sosa@utah.edu. There are no changes to FedEx package pick-up, processing, and drop-off schedule at this time.  A notice will be left in departments/buildings when a delivery was attempted.

Research & Clinical Research

 

The Office of the Vice President for Research (VPR) remains operational as we continue to closely monitor the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

University of Utah research is currently in the orange alert level. The Office of Environmental Health and Safety has released an important memorandum on Health and Safety Requirements for Level Orange (Limited Research Operations). It is essential that all personnel comply with the additional safety measures to help minimize the risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus. 

Please review the resources on Allowable Research Under Orange Hazard Levels and Research Alert Levels with COVID-19 Protocols. Other resources for researchers during this period are available here.

For guidance on research planning and continuity, click here.

travel RESTRICTIONS

Effective immediately, the University of Utah is extending the current travel restriction for all university-related business travel for faculty, staff, and students through September 1, 2020. 

NOTE: This restriction may be extended to a later date as we continue to monitor the situation.

WHAT YOU NEED TO DO NOW: If you have planned a business-, research- or teaching-related trip between now and September 1, you should cancel the trip, unless you obtain an approved exception.

Exceptions to this restriction should be approved at least 1 week prior to departure, and are subject to the following exception procedures:

Those designated for final approval of a travel restriction exception are:

  • Main Campus Academic Affairs Travel: Sarah Projansky, AVP for Faculty, projansky@utah.edu.
  • U of U Health Academic Travel: Dayle Benson, Chief of Staff for Clinical Affairs, benson@hsc.utah.edu
  • U of U Health Hospitals and Clinics Staff Travel: Sarah Sherer, Senior Human Resources Director, sherer@hsc.utah.edu
  • Main Campus Staff Travel: Chris Bone, Senior Human Resources Director, bone@utah.edu

Trips through September 1, 2020: VP approval is required prior to departure for any trips during these dates.

Field Trips and Internships: Travel (one person/household per vehicle) that is required for essential field trips and internships, or is part of the educational process, will be allowed. For guidance, check with your dean or department chair.

In-State Travel: In-state travel (one person/household per vehicle) is allowed for counties in green, yellow or orange status, according to Utah Department of Health guidelines. Should a county be designated red status, university-approved travel to that area would stop.

Personal Travel: We continue to encourage you, when considering your personal travel choices, to follow travel advisories issued by your local and state authorities. If you choose to travel, you may be restricted from returning to work depending upon the specifics of your circumstances.

UNIVERSITY ASIA CAMPUS

 

Faculty, students and staff who have visited or stayed in Daegu/Cheongdo within 14 days prior to arrival on campus must notify IGC Housing at housing@igc.or.kr or 82-032-626-4856 immediately.  In addition, all need to provide their names, cell phone numbers and Kakao IDs to the Office of the Dean of Students. Any questions or concerns please address to Randy McCrillis, at randy.mccrillis@utah.edu.

More Information

We Support Our Campus Community

 

We also recognize that many of you have friends and families in regions of the world affected by the coronavirus. We want each of you to know that in this stressful time, the university stands with you, and that all of us at the U are committed to your well-being and to supporting you. If you have concerns or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to your advisors, your colleagues, university support services, or any of us.

Finally, several testing sites in Asia already have been disrupted by quarantines, making standardized examinations, including the GRE, GMAT, TOEFL, and SAT/ACT, unavailable. If you receive queries or concerns from potential students, these should be directed to the Graduate School (info@gradschool.utah.edu for programs, policies, and procedures, or graduate@utah.edu for graduate admissions) or Undergraduate Admissions (admissions@utah.edu).

 

Combating stigma associated with COVID-19 (adapted from the CDC website)

Stigma and discrimination can occur when people associate an infectious disease, such as COVID-19, with a population or nationality, even though not everyone in that population or from that region is infected or at risk for the disease. Stigma hurts everyone by creating fear or anger towards ordinary people instead of the disease that is causing the problem. Please refer to the university’s website or the CDC website for additional guidance.

  • Viruses cannot target people from specific populations, ethnicities, or racial backgrounds.
  • People—including those of Asian descent—who have not recently been in an area of ongoing spread of COVID-19 or been in contact with a person who is a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 are not at greater risk of acquiring and spreading COVID-19 than other Americans.
  • People who have returned from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19 more than 14 days ago and do not have symptoms are not infected with the virus and contact with them will not give you the virus.
  • Share the need for social support for people who have returned from affected countries or are worried about friends or relatives in the affected region.
Important note

Local county health departments in coordination with the state health department are taking the lead on tracking patients and those they have come in contact with to help prevent the spread of the virus. If you have questions please call the Utah Department of Health Resource Center at 1-888-222-2442.