UNMC has extended the date of its “stay at home” directive for employees until May 15.
The decision comes after careful consideration of the number and rate of rise of regional COVID-19 cases. It also follows the University of Nebraska’s April 21 announcement that extended the stay-at-home directive. At that time, NU President Ted Carter said UNMC and other university campuses would monitor local conditions and consider their own path forward.
“Upon careful assessment of the safety, science and data related to the spread of COVID-19 and the impact to the health of the UNMC family and the broader communities that we serve, we have decided to extend UNMC’s stay-at-home directive until May 15,” said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “Our focus continues to be the safety of faculty, staff and students as we collectively work to get back to the ‘new normal’ across Nebraska. As a result, we ask individuals to continue to work remotely, unless their job requires them to physically be on campus.”
Dr. Gold added, “Our students, faculty and staff have demonstrated remarkable leadership in our community. As community pandemic data monitoring of the COVID-19 impact continues to evolve, we will continue to be data driven as we progress toward a ‘new normal’ by the time the fall semester begins.”
Until May 15, only employees whose physical presence has been officially designated as necessary will be permitted on campus; all others will continue to work remotely. Letters issued earlier for designated personnel will remain valid through this extended period. Employees who may need to be on campus prior to May 15 to support critical functions should contact their supervisor.
Previous decisions related to campus operations remain as follows:
- Classes will continue to be taught remotely for the rest of the semester, and summer classes also will be remote. Clinical rotations on campus and in the community will be determined by our deans and program leaders on a program by program basis.
- Previously announced plans for the virtual commencement ceremonies remain in place. Separate online ceremonies will be held May 7-9 for each of UNMC’s six academic colleges and for those earning graduate studies degrees.
- All study abroad and international travel is canceled through the summer semester.
- Campus buildings and facilities are accessible; however, they remain closed without a valid ID badge, which is required for access. Students and the public can communicate with UNMC staff, who are working remotely.
- All faculty, staff and students on a UNMC campus should wear a mask in public places and common areas such as lobbies and elevators.
Employees are reminded that they may take up to 160 hours of emergency paid administrative leave for absences related to COVID-19. Additionally, recently passed federal legislation provides other options for paid leave for COVID-19 related absences. Complete details are available here. Employees are encouraged to contact their campus Human Resources office with questions about their leave options.
why in this time of uncerteniity when others get to work from home, others get special raises and others get lunches brought in for them, we cant even get a discount at the cafeteria and even the senior citizens discount was eliminated?