UPDATE MARCH 13

Reduce Campus Density 
For the Howard community’s safety, and to reduce the risk of the transmission or spread of COVID-19, we must significantly de-densify the campus population. The best way to ensure that our student population does not contract the virus will be to eliminate the opportunities to congregate in large groups, such as classrooms and residence halls.

We urge residents to make arrangements to leave campus for their permanent addresses by Wednesday, March 25, at noon, taking as many of their items as possible. 

 Because circumstances have changed, these instructions differ from those sent in a previous communication. We now anticipate potential disruptions in the supply chain for goods and services, so we cannot plan to accommodate large numbers of students on campus.

 Now, we anticipate that students will need to remain off-campus through the rest of the semester.  

 Student Belongings 

When moving out, students should take all valuables, forms of ID, and medications.

Online courses will continue through the remainder of the semester, so students should be sure they have the materials they will need to complete their coursework remotely.

 For any items that students are unable to take with them right now, we will arrange a time for the end of the semester, during which students can retrieve their belongings.

 Exceptions for Students to Remain On-Campus 

We recognize that some students may be unable to go home, with reasons ranging from high incidence rates of COVID-19 in certain parts of the country to travel limitations for international students. The University will continue to provide housing and food services for students under these circumstances. If applicable, students should complete the Extenuating Circumstances Housing Form. Those who meet these criteria to remain in the residence halls should be prepared to consolidate on campus.

 These are unpredictable circumstances, and conditions are changing daily. We need to ensure that everyone can return home quickly and safely, and appreciate your cooperation. For additional information and FAQ’s regarding COVID-19, visit Howard’s coronavirus webpage.  Please contact Residential Life at (202) 806-6131 if you have further questions.

 Excellence in Truth and Service,

 Kenneth M. Holmes

 Vice President for Student Affairs

Dear Howard University Community,

There have been a number of significant events that have transpired in regard to the COVID-19 outbreak in the past 48 hours.  The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a global pandemic.  The number of cases globally exceed 140,000, with over 5,000 deaths. Nationally, there have been over 1,700 cases, with confirmed COVID-19 cases identified in 47 states, and the District of Columbia. Additionally, Mayor Muriel Bowser has declared a state of emergency in Washington, D.C., and Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has taken the additional step of activating the National Guard. Given these events, and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the University is making urgent decisions with the expectation that conditions in the U.S. will significantly decline before the crisis is resolved. 

 We must approach this pandemic with extreme urgency, and an understanding that “life as usual” will not be our reality. We recognize and appreciate the unique circumstances of our student population who may have financial barriers to moving home quickly, our staff and faculty needs around daycare, and technological support for remote and online instruction and learning.  We understand the potential impact that these decisions will have on our students, faculty and staff, especially to students who are unable to easily return home. In addition, please note that we are in communication with the Department of Education (DOE) and following their guidance for any interruptions (or modifications) of study.  

For the safety of our community, and to reduce the potential risk of the transmission or spread of COVID-19, we must significantly de-densify, meaning, decrease the number of people on campus over the next several weeks. 


In a previous communication, we announced the transition to online and remote instruction following spring break from March 23, 2020 at least through April 6, 2020. Given the local, national and international developments that have occurred since that communication, we must anticipate that online and remote instruction will need to continue for the duration of the academic semester, and we should plan accordingly. 


The Office of Residence Life & University Housing strongly encourages students to travel to their permanent addresses during this period, with exceptions regarding international students, and other students who are truly unable to return home. Regarding faculty and staff, we must similarly de-densify, as we remain open. We recognize that a limited number of students may be unable to go home, for a number of reasons, ranging from high incidence rates of COVID-19 in certain parts of the country to international student status. We will continue to accommodate students in these circumstances.

 
During the Spring Break period, only essential faculty and staff should plan to be on campus, as we want to reduce person to person interactions, and contagious conditions. We are actively discussing the University’s best course of action in the weeks immediately following Spring Break to guarantee the continuity of University operations, do everything we can to protect the health and safety of our faculty and staff, and do our part to stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We expect to be providing further guidance to faculty and staff regarding the post-Spring Break period in the next several days. We should plan to be operating in a remote framework following Spring Break, with as few employees on campus as feasible.  Please check your inbox regularly for subsequent communications on this critical issue.

 Please note the following additionally;

We are sourcing vendors to identify additional laptops for faculty who do not have computers, or whose machines are not sufficiently current for online instruction, and for staff who need to have the capability of working remotely. We will communicate with the Deans to identify these faculty and staff most in need of equipment as supply chains are limiting the availability of equipment.

• All faculty must complete a Needs Assessment Survey and an Academic Continuity Plan and submit via Qualtrics by Tuesday, March 17, 2020. This will assist in preparation for additional training and support.

• Laptops will be prioritized to faculty with appropriate justification in the Needs Assessment Survey and Academic Continuity Plans.

• All faculty who are not already Distance Learning or Blackboard Certified must complete the mandatory Blackboard Basics training. This one-hour training will be provided by CETLA via Zoom next week. A recording of the training will be posted on the CETLA and the Office of the Provost websites. Before you begin teaching, all faculty must participate in the Zoom training or watch the video.

• The University is purchasing a number of additional Zoom® licenses, and they will be available for dissemination by early next week.

• Faculty conducting essential research that requires access to campus buildings must communicate with Dr. Bruce Jones, Vice President for Research.

• We must transition all courses to remote/online instruction, with the understanding that there may be accreditation and licensure requirements that dictate modifications regarding laboratory, clinical, and performance-based courses.

• Health professional programs will continue to follow all accreditation and licensure expectations and will receive further guidance from their Deans. Each Health Science Dean will be providing specific recommendations to the Provost regarding continued implementation of instruction.

 We urge all employees to continue to monitor new and current events, and also be supportive of colleagues and family members who may be at significant risk of transmission. The most recent and viable information regarding COVID-19 is available at the CDC website (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html). We are also concerned of significant impacts to the supply of goods and services, should the outbreak progress significantly. Please plan to prepare a minimum 3-5 day supply of food, water, medications and other items in the case of supply chain disruption.

As noted previously, we realize that a limited number of our students will have challenges returning home, and we will continue to provide support for those students. These are unpredictable circumstances and conditions of accessibility to events and resources are changing daily. While we continue to hope and pray for the best outcome, we must certainly prepare for very challenging conditions. I am confident that as a strong Howard University Community, we will successfully navigate this latest challenge together. Thank you, and God bless.

 Excellence in Truth and Service,

 Anthony K. Wutoh, Ph.D., R.Ph.

Provost and Chief Academic Officer

Dear Howard University Community,

As we continue to monitor circumstances regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in this country, our priority remains the safety and well-being of our students and the campus community. While the risk to Howard University remains low and we have no cases of COVID-19 on campus, there are confirmed cases in Washington, D.C. We will continue to regularly assess risks to our community, and take steps to help mitigate and decrease any potential risks.  We continue to follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and communicate routinely with the DC Department of Health. As a result, we will be implementing the following steps to decrease the spread of the virus, and protect the health of our community:

·      Transition To Online Instruction: The University will shift courses to online and remote instruction following Spring Break from March 23, 2020 through April 6, 2020. All faculty should move their courses to online or alternative delivery by March 23, 2020. We will maintain online instruction through April 6, 2020.  Over the period of online instruction (March 23, 2020 – April 6, 2020), we will also assess impacts of the change in instructional methodology, and status of the outbreak locally, during this time.  A status update will be provided to the campus community by March 25, 2020 to determine if any further extension of the implementation of online instruction will be warranted, as conditions evolve. 

·      Each school and college will contact their students later this week with further instructions once details are finalized for virtual classes and plans for labs and clinical practicums. 

·      Students Who Live in Residence Halls: While we anticipate that most students will remain home following Spring Break, the University will provide accommodations for students whose financial circumstances may prevent them from having a place to stay until April 6. Residence Halls will remain open at this time. Under normal operating circumstances, dining services are suspended over spring break, but Howard has partnered with our food service provider to offer meals to students who will be remaining on campus during the spring break and beyond. A modified menu will be served. Dining facilities will be closed for cafeteria style dining, but food services will be provided.   

·      International Students: If you are an international student living on campus who will not be able to go home for Spring Break and beyond due to travel restrictions, we are making accommodations to continue your housing and meal services. 

·      Staff: All other normal campus operations will continue at this time and the campus will remain open following Spring Break. Additional details will be provided through supervisors, as we finalize plans for telework, and designation of essential employees.

·      Faculty Preparation: The Center for Excellence in Teaching Learning, and Assessment (CETLA) will continue to assist in preparing faculty for online instruction and will provide additional information regarding the software available to students, including Blackboard, Tegrity®, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams.  

·      Travel: All non-essential, University-sponsored international travel is suspended. Additionally, all non-essential University-sponsored domestic travel is suspended effective March 23 through May 1, 2020. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use the same caution with your personal travel for the safety and well-being of the larger community. Please be mindful that national travel restrictions are changing every day. 

·      Events: All University-sponsored events hosting 50 or more participants should be postponed or canceled through May 1, 2020. At this point, we plan to conduct Commencement and All Class Reunion exercises on May 9, 2020, but we will finalize a determination in the near future.

·      Research Activities: Research activities will continue at this time. Additional guidance will be provided by Dr. Bruce Jones, Vice President for Research shortly.

·      Personal Travel: We urge all faculty, students and staff travelers to carefully consider potential international travel, and check on restrictions or quarantine measures that may be recommended or required by the CDC upon arrival or return. 

·      Emergency Preparedness: If a widespread outbreak occurs in our region, we encourage students, faculty and staff to take emergency preparedness measures, and anticipate possible disruptions in supply chains. Plan to have medication, food, personal hygiene products available for a three-day period, at a minimum.  

·      Prevention: Please follow CDC recommendations to help prevent transmission of COVID-19

• 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.

We thank the Howard University community for your commitment to working together through this time of national uncertainty. We will remain vigilant and keep you apprised of any new developments as they occur.

Excellence In Truth and Service,

Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA

President

* For more Howard Updates on COVID-19 please visit: https://home.howard.edu/corona-virus