March 10 Campus Coronavirus Update: Classes canceled Thursday-Friday

Tuesday March 10, 2020

Members of the SU Community,

While no positive cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) are currently known at SU or on the Eastern Shore, the University continues to make preparations to help prevent the spread of the virus to our area.

Effective immediately, we are implementing guidelines that will take effect in two steps. In the first step, starting today, we will limit meetings and large gatherings, encourages social distancing and remote learning and prepare those who are able to telework.

In accordance with guidance from the University System of Maryland, classes are canceled this Thursday-Friday, March 12-13, so students will have the opportunity to be away from campus until Monday, April 6, 14 days after Spring Break if the second step of these guidelines is implemented. We will deliver instruction online from March 23-April 3 for courses for which this is feasible. Students should not return to campus until April 4.

We will use this time to test and practice our ability to provide instruction online from March 23-April 3. While the campus would not close during this period, most classes would not be held in physical classrooms. Please check your campus email, the SU website and the University’s Facebook and Twitter pages for any announcements regarding this possibility on or before Friday, March 20.

These measures follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USM and Maryland Department of Health on controlling the spread of the virus by decreasing the potential for human-to-human transmission.

SU also is discouraging its students, faculty and staff from international and national travel at this time. The threat of COVID-19 will not last forever at its current level. Delaying travel now may prevent you from being infected or becoming a carrier and transmitting the virus to your loved ones, including elderly family members who may be at increased risk.

As the situation regarding COVID-19 continues to evolve in Maryland, throughout the U.S. and around the world, SU officials will hold a virtual town hall meeting 1:30-3 p.m. Friday, March 13, to answer questions and provide the most up-to-date information. A live streaming link will be available on the SU COVID-19 webpage, salisbury.edu/coronavirus, prior to the event.

Please monitor SU’s COVID-19 webpage for any further updates, including campus communications and event cancellations.