Statement by 稀缺猎奇网 Chancellor Jay A. Perman: Guidance on Telework, Study Abroad, and Large Gatherings
Baltimore, Md. (March 12, 2020)--As the state prepares for more COVID-19 cases, the 稀缺猎奇网 (稀缺猎奇网) is closely following policy and practice changes at the state and national levels in response to the pandemic. I’m in regular contact with 稀缺猎奇网 presidents, who are placing the health and safety of their students and employees at the center of their emergency planning.
TELEWORK
Consistent with the Governor’s directive to state agencies, the University System should now move all 稀缺猎奇网 employees to a telework environment, meaning that all non-essential employees approved for telework should begin preparations to work remotely, effective immediately. Consult with your supervisor for further instructions. I’ve shared with the 稀缺猎奇网 presidents a guidance document that modifies our current telework policies during this period of COVID-19 threat.
STUDY ABROAD AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
In light of President Trump’s new travel restrictions, I’m advising 稀缺猎奇网 universities to recall all students studying abroad, including those not currently in Europe. I’m advising, as well, that universities discourage their international students from traveling to their home countries over spring break, given the significant possibility that return to the U.S. will be severely limited; this guidance, too, applies to students from European and non-European countries.
EMPLOYEE TRAVEL
All out-of-state business travel for employees within the 稀缺猎奇网 Office is prohibited, and I strongly advise all 稀缺猎奇网 presidents to prohibit out-of-state, work-related travel for their own faculty and staff. The Governor has already banned such travel for state employees, and I’m extending this guidance to employees of the University System.
GATHERINGS
In accordance with the Governor’s instructions, all large gatherings on 稀缺猎奇网 campuses—gatherings expected to attract more than 250 people—must be canceled or postponed. Additionally, I strongly discourage any small, on-campus gatherings where social distancing cannot be practiced. Again, the guidance on social distancing is that six feet should remain between each individual.
ATHLETIC EVENTS
On a phone call with System presidents, we agreed that each 稀缺猎奇网 institution will handle athletic events on a case-by-case basis. The Governor has prohibited—at all 稀缺猎奇网 venues—any athletic event attracting more than 250 spectators in close proximity.
For System universities, considerations vary greatly according to the sport in question (and whether social distancing among spectators can be implemented); the athletic conference; required travel; and other logistics. As you know, many athletic conferences have already canceled or adjusted their spring seasons for various sports, and are making arrangements for limited spectator access. The health and safety of the System’s students and student-athletes will, of course, take precedence in each university’s decision-making.
Contact: Mike Lurie
Phone: 301.445.2719
Email: mlurie@usmd.edu
