Update on Governor’s Executive Order – March 23, 2020

Dear Faculty and Staff,

We know that many of you have questions about how Governor Baker’s executive order earlier today instructing all non-essential businesses to close impacts our community. The order listed out several exemptions, including the following:

Educators and staff supporting public and private emergency childcare programs, residential schools for students with disabilities, K-12 schools, colleges, and universities for purposes of facilitating distance learning, provision of school meals, or performing other essential student support functions, if operating under rules for social distancing.

We have sought further clarification from the Department of Higher Education, who have told us that the order essentially changes nothing from how we have been operating, as we move toward remote learning.

The University remains open, with limited access to buildings and centers, while the majority of our services are being provided remotely. We ask any employee who can work remotely, to please do so with the approval of your supervisor. Employees working remotely should take home with them anything they need to do their job. Given the rapidly changing nature of this situation, and due to the need to restrict access to campus, you should not assume that you will be able to access campus and or specific buildings, without getting supervisory approval. If you have any questions about what you may bring home with you, or need permission to come to campus, please contact your supervisor.

At this time, faculty may still access their offices if needed to support remote delivery of their courses, but they should be prepared for the possibility that this will change.

Those who are on campus should continue to practice rules for social distancing, by maintaining a distance of at least six feet between you and another person. Gatherings of more than 10 people in a room are prohibited.

I continue to be so proud of how our community has responded to this crisis. You are all doing tremendous work to keep the University functioning.

Sincerely,

F. Javier Cevallos, Ph.D.
President