This week, University of Nebraska leaders issued a university closure announcement to all employees except those whose physical presence was officially designated as necessary.
The directive — initiated with a goal of “flattening the curve” of COVID-19 cases — went into effect Wednesday, April 8. Employees must be in full compliance by close of business on Friday, April 10.
Individuals whose physical presence on a UNMC campus is necessary because of their job received letters Tuesday or Wednesday from the chancellor. Employees who did not receive a letter should plan to work remotely pending further communication. Employees who are not designated as on-site personnel may be subject to disciplinary action if they come to a UNMC campus after April 10.
The announcement applies to employees across the entire University of Nebraska system, including student workers. It will continue for at least two weeks, after which university leaders will re-assess and decide what level of remote work is appropriate going forward based on advice from medical experts and data on COVID-19 in Nebraska and beyond.
NU’s announcement did not directly address students, except those who have a student employment responsibility. Instead, the university president left the matter of student presence on campus to the discretion of the chancellors for managing.
Below, UNMC responds to additional questions about NU’s stay-at-home announcement and its impact on students, staff and faculty.
During the NU stay-at-home order, will students still be allowed to study in the common areas?
No. Students will not be allowed to access UNMC campuses buildings and should make arrangements to study from home.
How firm should supervisors be on enforcing the NU stay-at-home order?
Firm, unless there is an essential need for the person to be on site.
What if employees/trainees have unreliable Wi-Fi and/or working from home is cumbersome?
All employees, student workers, and students need to make alternative arrangements such as renting mobile hotspots. Trainees for whom this could be financially burdensome should contact their college or campus dean for alternative solutions.
What about faculty who go into the recording studio/classroom to record lecture sessions?
Faculty are encouraged to make alternative arrangements. There are no guarantees that environmental services will be available to clean the equipment regularly and Information Technology Enterprise AV Technicians will not be able to provide onsite, in-room support from Friday, April 10 through Friday, April 24. These changes could be modified or extended as directed by university leadership. AV Technician support can be accessed remotely, by phone at 402-559-7665, during the following times:
- Monday through Thursday – 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Friday – 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Please be patient with the increased call volume.
How does this affect grad students and post-docs?
If grad students/post-docs are able to do any of their work at home, and there is no component that is needed in the laboratory, the expectation is that they stay home. Lab meetings should be done via ZOOM or other remote methods. If there is ongoing laboratory-based research, the supervisor and the entire research team (students, post-docs, laboratory workers) need to come to an agreement about the minimum number of personnel that are needed and how much time each person needs to spend in the lab to accomplish the necessary tasks. The designation of those who need to be in the laboratory (even if it is periodic) as essential personnel would be important to ensure access, but does not mandate a need to be present.
What about students with clinical education or service learning requirements?
Students who need to complete clinical rotations or service learning in clinical settings as part of their accrediting body requirements can participate in these experiences with the approval of the clinical site/preceptor and permission from their program of study, if it can be guaranteed that the student will have adequate and appropriate PPE for their degree of participation and there is regular monitoring of conditions to ensure their safety.
What is the process for consideration/submission as on-site personnel?
Individuals who believe they need to be on campus should appeal to their dean/director or vice chancellor and give the rationale as to why they need to report to work on-site during this time.
If I am on campus as essential personnel, what should I do if Campus Security questions my presence?
Show them your ID badge and a copy of the personalized letter from the chancellor (or present it on your phone) indicating that you have permission to work onsite.
Read more about NU’s stay-at-home announcement and see additional Q&As.
Read a Q&A on what NU’s announcement means for UNMC research.