College of Business Alumni Week

To: PNW Students, Faculty and Staff

From: Niaz Latif, Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs

Date:  March 13, 2020

First, my thanks for all of the actions being taken to support our response to COVID-19.  Chancellor Keon the Deans, and I greatly appreciate the Power Onward attitude expressed by our students, faculty and staff over the past several days – your resolve and support has been truly impressive. Your many questions have been helpful and we continue to point you to the PNW website COVID-19 guidefor answers to those questions.

Given the events of the past 72 hours, I write to share some additional information with you.  As Chancellor Keon indicated in his message of March 11, we anticipate resuming classroom instruction on April 6; however, “this could change depending on circumstances as we continue to monitor this situation.” We will make that decision no later than Monday, March 30.

To be clear, by March 30 we will communicate whether we will resume face-to-face instruction on April 6, or whether we will continue remote instruction for a longer period of time. We are hopeful this date is helpful for your planning purposes.

Please know that the University Village residence halls will remain open, and our partners with Chartwells food service have committed to continuing to provide service on both campuses. The libraries and computer labs on both PNW campuses remain open as well, for students who require access to computers or internet service or a quiet place to study. The hours for the cafeterias, the libraries, and computer labs are available in the FAQs on the PNW website COVID-19 guide.

We wish students a safe and healthy spring break. Please be reminded that classes will be delivered remotely from March 23 to April 4, and that by March 30, we will let you know whether or not we will be holding face-to-face classes starting April 6.

Another important update for today: The CDC has raised the travel designation for most European countries to Level 3 for coronavirus. Given this development, Purdue Northwest faculty members, staff and students returning from these Level 3 countries are required to self-quarantine for 14 days before they return to campus. In addition, the university will delay arrival of visitors from the affected countries.

Again, my thanks to each of you for all you are doing to help us navigate this challenging situation successfully. We will continue to keep you informed to the best of our ability and urge you to check the website often for help answering your questions and for updates.

Niaz Latif, Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs

GLIAC–Resolution

Effective immediately, the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, in consultation with the Council of Presidents and athletic directors, has canceled all athletically-related activity through May 31, 2020. During this unprecedented world-wide fight against the COVID-19 threat, the GLIACsupports national and NCAA efforts to protect student-athletes, coaches, fans and communities.

In accordance with this resolution, PNW Athletics’ events and competitions will be canceled until May 31.

PNW Fitness & Recreation – COVID-19 Protocol

At PNW, your health and safety is always our first priority, and we will be taking extra steps to help protect your workout environment.

What We Are Doing

• Requiring that all members disinfect absolutely every surface touched before and after workouts. This is something we have always encouraged, but it will now be strictly enforced by all staff.
• In addition to wiping down all equipment, we will be doubling the frequency of our deep-clean equipment protocol. Staff will be cleaning all equipment multiple times per week, from top to bottom.
• We continue to monitor the advice given by the CDC and the WHO on appropriate protocols going forward.
• We are doing our very best to keep everything stocked at the fitness centers, but as you are aware, there is a shortage of hand sanitizer, tissues and now cleaning solutions. Please use wipes and cleaning solutions appropriately, minimizing waste. Hand sanitizer should be used only when washing your hands is not an option.
• Starting Monday, March 16 thru Monday, April 6, the hours of Fitness and Recreation are:

Hammond Campus

Monday to Friday: 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.

Westville Campus

Monday to Friday: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Saturday: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sunday: Closed

** All Group Exercise Classes, including SilverSneakers, have been suspended thru April 6 at both campuses.

• Intramurals have been suspended until April 6.

What We Need From You

• DO NOT COME TO THE GYM SICK! Under any circumstance, an individual who is knowingly ill should stay home.
• As mentioned above, use sanitary wipes and cleaning solution to clean all surfaces that your body came in contact with during workouts, no exceptions.
• Refrain from handshaking, high fives and fist bumping.
• Please wash your hands before and after all workouts.

Continued Communication

Updates will be provided as further information becomes available. Please continue to check the websites below for the most current information and guidance.

PNW and Coronavirus (Covid-19)

Things You Need to Know About Covid-19

To: PNW Students, Faculty and Staff
From: Chancellor Thomas L. Keon
Date: March 11, 2020

COVID-19 Update and Impact on PNW Instruction, Activities

As you are well aware, the global outbreak of COVID-19, the disease caused by a coronavirus, continues to warrant the attention of each and every one of us. The health and safety of our entire PNW university community is our highest priority.

While we have no reported cases of COVID-19 on our campuses, there are confirmed cases in Indiana and Illinois. To minimize the impact of the potential spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health of our PNW community, we have made important decisions today that impact students, faculty and staff of the Purdue University Northwest campuses.

We recognize that these actions will be disruptive and create challenges for all of us, as well as have implications for the university, but the health and safety of our community is our focus at this extraordinary time.

Remainder of the Week

We are suspending most on-campus activities for March 12 and March 13. No face-to-face instruction will be held on these dates except for those classes where exams are scheduled. No on-campus events or meetings of more than 25 people will be held. The campuses will remain open and staff and faculty should report to work as usual.

Future Classes and Instruction

Following spring break (March 14-22), all faculty members will have moved their courses to online or alternative delivery beginning March 23, through April 4. At this time, we anticipate face-to-face instruction to resume on April 6. This could change depending on circumstances as we continue to monitor this situation. Deans and department chairs will communicate with faculty members to ensure instructional materials have been prepared for online delivery by March 23.

Transportation

Service on the inter-campus shuttle between the Hammond and Westville campuses will be suspended as of March 12. Service will resume once instructional operations return to normal.

Campus Operations

The Hammond and Westville campuses, Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest, Portage Meeting Facility and all other PNW facilities will remain open.

University Village

The residence halls of University Village on the Hammond Campus will remain open.

Events

PNW is suspending all university-sponsored events involving 25 or more attendees through April 5.

Athletics

Intercollegiate athletic events will continue as scheduled and follow the guidance of the GLIAC conference, the NCAA and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Summer Study Abroad

All summer study abroad will be cancelled. Students should check with their academic advisor about alternative coursework for the summer.

Staff

Campus operations will continue at this time. Staff should report to work according to their normal work schedules.

Personal Travel

All travelers are urged to carefully consider their intended destinations for personal trips and check on restrictions or quarantine measures that may be recommended or required by the CDC upon arrival or return. Personal international travel is strongly discouraged.

Best Practices

PNW continues to ask everyone in the university community to follow the CDC recommendations for preventive actions:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

Updates will be provided as further information becomes available. You can find the most current information and guidance for the university on these websites:

PNW Covid-19 Guide

Purdue West Lafayette Covid-19 Guide

We recognize that these actions will raise many questions about specific situations. Please see your supervisor with questions.

Again, we know this is an exceptionally challenging time for PNW, and it will take all of us working together to navigate this situation and protect the health and well-being of our university community. I would like to share my sincere appreciation in advance for coming together as the university community to make things happen at this time.

Chancellor Thomas L. Keon

PNW is are suspending most on-campus activities for March 12 and March 13. No face-to-face instruction will be held on these dates except for those classes where exams are scheduled.

Following spring break (March 14-22), all faculty members will have moved their courses to online or alternative delivery beginning March 23, through April 4. At this time, we anticipate face-to-face instruction to resume on April 6.

This could change depending on circumstances as we continue to monitor this situation. Deans and department chairs will communicate with faculty members to ensure instructional materials have been prepared for online delivery by March 23.

The Hammond and Westville campuses, Gabis Arboretum at Purdue Northwest, Portage Meeting Facility and all other PNW facilities will remain open. Staff and faculty should report to work as usual.

PNW is suspending all university-sponsored events involving 25 or more attendees through April 5.

Service on the inter-campus shuttle between the Hammond and Westville campuses will be suspended as of March 12. Service will resume once instructional operations return to normal.

The residence halls of University Village on the Hammond Campus will remain open.

Intercollegiate athletic events will continue as scheduled and follow the guidance of the GLIAC conference, the NCAA and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

All travelers are urged to carefully consider their intended destinations for personal trips and check on restrictions or quarantine measures that may be recommended or required by the CDC upon arrival or return. Personal international travel is strongly discouraged.

From March 12 to April 5, PNW’s libraries will be open the following hours:

Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.*

Saturday and Sunday: Closed

*Please note: the PNW library will be closed on Friday, March 20.

Chartwells will remain open with revised hours to ensure the campus community has access to dining services.

Chartwells Café Hours: Westville and Hammond

• Monday to Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
•  Market @ CLO in Hammond and Coffee Central in Westville will be closed until 4/6/20

Follett will remain open with revised hours to ensure the campus community has access to bookstore services.

Follett Campus Bookstore: Westville and Hammond

• Thursday, March 12: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Friday, March 13: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• March 16 to 21 (Spring Break): Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (closed Friday)
• March 23 to 27 and March 30 to April 3: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. through 1:00 PM.

During this time the bookstore website is offering free ground shipping on all orders. Please check the campus store website for updates.

Please refer to your syllabus for faculty office hours.

The university has suspended all university-sponsored domestic and international air travel effective March 16 to May 2. This suspension applies to all sources of funding coming from the university, including but not limited to general funds, discretionary funds and external funding including grants.

Domestic travel by car, van or bus for university business is strongly discouraged.

This builds on the university’s previous suspension of travel to countries with a CDC level 2 or higher travel advisory for COVID-19.

Anyone who believes they have an essential business reason to travel by air can request a waiver through their vice chancellor. The expectation is such waivers will be rare.

Please note, for personal travel, we urge all travelers to carefully consider their intended destinations for personal trips and check on restrictions or quarantine measures that may be recommended or required by the CDC upon arrival or return. Personal international travel is strongly discouraged.

We urge all students, faculty and staff to strongly consider where they are traveling during spring break and the possibility that travel restrictions and quarantines may be required. This includes domestic locations. International travel is strongly discouraged.

For those taking a cruise, please note that the CDC has recently issued specific recommendations regarding cruise travel.

Travelers also need to understand that in accordance with CDC guidelines, those who choose to travel to countries with a CDC level 3 travel advisory for coronavirus mustself-quarantine for 14 days and must seek an assessment with a health care provider before returning to campus.

Those traveling from a level 2 country are advised that 14-day self-quarantine is recommended before returning to campus.

If you’re traveling internationally and the CDC advisory level for any country you visited is elevated to level 3 for the coronavirus before you return to the U.S., you must self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to campus.

If the status is elevated to level 2 for coronavirus, self-quarantine is recommended before returning to campus.

Travelers should also note that the possibility exists that a country experiencing an outbreak could suspend travel in and out of the country and could result in travelers being stranded.

Employees and students are encouraged to follow CDC guidelines on travel due to COVID-19.

Travelers also need to understand that in accordance with CDC guidelines, those who choose to travel to countries with a CDC level 3 travel advisory for coronavirus must self-quarantine for 14 days and must seek an assessment with a health care provider before returning to campus.

Those traveling from a level 2 country are advised that 14-day self-quarantine is recommended.

If you’re traveling internationally and the CDC advisory level for any country you visited is elevated to level 3 for the coronavirus before you return to the U.S., you must self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to campus.

If the status is elevated to level 2 for coronavirus, self-quarantine is recommended.

Travelers should also note that the possibility exists that a country experiencing an outbreak could suspend travel in and out of the country and could result in travelers being stranded.

 If traveling for your own personal business, this is allowable, but not recommended.

Travelers also need to understand that in accordance with CDC guidelines, those who choose to travel to countries with a CDC level 3 travel advisory for coronavirus must self-quarantine for 14 days and must seek an assessment with a health care provider before returning to campus.

Those traveling from a level 2 country are advised that 14-day self-quarantine is recommended.

If you’re traveling internationally and the CDC advisory level for any country you visited is elevated to level 3 for the coronavirus before you return to the U.S., you must self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to campus.

If the status is elevated to level 2 for coronavirus, self-quarantine is recommended.

Travelers should also note that the possibility exists that a country experiencing an outbreak could suspend travel in and out of the country and could result in travelers being stranded.

Yes. In accordance with CDC guidelines, those who choose to travel to countries with a CDC level 3 travel advisory for coronavirus must self-quarantine for 14 days and must seek an assessment with a health care provider before returning to campus.

Those traveling from a level 2 country are advised that 14-day self-quarantine is recommended.

If you’re traveling internationally and the CDC advisory level for any country you visited is elevated to level 3 for the coronavirus before you return to the U.S., you must self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to campus.

If the status is elevated to level 2 for coronavirus, self-quarantine is recommended.

Anyone undergoing a self-quarantine should follow the CDC’s self-quarantine guidelines. Students may contact the Office of the Dean of Students by phone for further assistance. Employees may contact their Human Resources representative for further assistance.

Students and staff who returned from university-sponsored programs in China completed a monitored 14-day quarantine before being reintegrated into campus life.

Anyone undergoing a self-quarantine should follow the CDC’s self-quarantine guidelines:

Stay home for 14 days from the time you left an area with widespread, ongoing community spread (for international travelers to Purdue, that means areas with a CDC level 3 travel advisory for coronavirus) and practice social distancing.

Take these steps to monitor your health and practice social distancing:

• Take your temperature with a thermometer twice 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 this 14-day period.
• Do not take public transportation, taxis or ride shares during the time you are practicing social 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).

If you get sick with a fever of 100.4F / 38C or higher, cough, or have trouble breathing:

• Seek medical care. Call ahead before you go a doctor’s office or emergency room.
• Tell your doctor about your recent travel and symptoms.
• Avoid contact with others.

For additional questions on monitoring your health, contact your health care provider or local pubic health officials.

• The general risk remains low; however, there have been confirmed cases in the state of Indiana.
• In confirmed COVID-19 cases, reported illnesses have ranged from mild symptoms to severe illness and death. Symptoms can include:
  • Fever.
  • Cough.
  • Shortness of breath.
• According to the CDC older adults and those with chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19.
• The safety and health of our campus community is of the utmost importance and we will continue working to make the most prudent decisions in the timeliest manner.
• The spread of coronavirus is a fluid and ever-changing situation. Numerous departments on campus are closely monitoring it and are in regular contact about its possible impact.
• We look to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. State Department for recommendations and travel advisories.
• Person-to-person spread is occurring, although it’s unclear exactly how it is transmitted and how easily the virus spreads between people.
• The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
• The university’s Integrated Emergency Management Plan guides preparedness for a number of specific emergencies. This provides guidance for public health emergencies.

This page offers guidance for institutes of higher education regarding administration, cleaning and travel

There is currently no vaccine to prevent COVID-19. The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this new strain of coronavirus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home when you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.

If you are at a higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19, please refer to these additional guidelines from the CDC.

No objective surpasses in priority the health and safety of the campus community. The university is monitoring COVID-19 on a daily basis and providing information on this website.

Employees are encouraged to follow information on preventing COVID-19 by visiting the CDC website.

Employees who are ill are encouraged to stay home until they have been fever free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever reducing or other symptom altering medicine. Employees should notify their supervisor and stay home if they are sick.

Faculty and staff are advised to contact a medical professional. Convenient and cost effective care options such as Telemedicine are also available for those covered by a Purdue health plan who need to see a physician quickly and not able to get into their primary care physician.

Instructors should recommend that students who are ill return to their residence until recovered (24 hours fever-free without any fever-reducing medication) and that students should reach out to their physician by phone to seek medical assistance.

We ask every faculty and staff member teaching this semester to accommodate students who are not feeling well by being flexible with attendance policies.