Technology and Internet access

It is ideal for you to participate in distance learning from your residence. However, you may access university Wi-Fi if you still meet social distancing requirements per local health orders. Students who need access to Internet service or computer hardware should contact KU Information Technology on the Lawrence campus and kuecservices@ku.edu on the KU Edwards Campus for assistance. Several internet service providers are also offering service at no-cost, low-cost or with waived fees. As a last resort, students who need computer access will be allowed access to Watson Library, which has been reconfigured to support physical distancing and frequent cleanings.

Additionally, KU Libraries is offering services to students and working to identify technology resources for students who need them. For details, visit the Libraries coronavirus response page. 

Grading

The university has changed its grading policy for the spring 2020 semester. Please read the details in Provost Bichelmeyer's message to students titled "Spring 2020 Grading" on April 1. 

Please note an important update since the abovementioned April 1 message: That message announced an April 17 deadline for students to elect credit/no-credit (CR/NC) for spring classes. However, based on student input, on April 21 the university revised the deadline so that students have until December 18, 2020, to request the CR/NC option. This ensures eligible students considering the option will be able to see final letter grades for their spring 2020 courses and be able to make more informed decisions. As stated in the April 1 message, the CR/NC option is not available for all majors or for certain courses, such as:

• Courses needed for licensure
• Students in the School of Law or the School of Architecture and Design, which are using a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory system this semester
• Graduate-level courses needed to fulfill hours toward satisfaction of graduate degree requirements
• And other cases where a school’s long-standing policy doesn’t allow the option

At this time there are no changes to policies and deadlines for summer or fall 2020 semester courses.

Students, the most important advice we can offer is this: Before you proceed with any change, you should work closely with your advisor to fully explore and understand the implications, including those associated with student financial aid, degree completion, or licensure.

Withdrawing from a class

During the spring 2020 semester, students in regular 16-week classes will have until May 4, 2020, to withdraw from a class. For short courses still in progress, the withdrawal deadline will be modified proportionately. Consult an advisor for the exact dates.

Medical and Compassionate Retroactive Withdrawal

University leadership have approved a proposal that allows students who can document hardship to retroactively withdraw from courses after the spring 2020 semester is over. Learn more about the policy.

Final exams

The final exam schedule for spring 2020 remains in place to help avoid overlap in student schedules. In addition, faculty have been encouraged to explore and utilize methods to evaluate student mastery of the subject other than live, timed online exams.

Summer session

Students should plan for all courses to be presented in an online format. We will continue to monitor conditions to determine the potential to return to in-person instruction during the summer.

Summer session

Faculty should plan for all courses to be presented in an online format. We will continue to monitor conditions to determine the potential to return to in-person instruction during the summer.

Grading

The university has changed its grading policy for the spring 2020 semester. Please read the details in Provost Bichelmeyer's message to students titled "Spring 2020 Grading" on April 1.

Please note an important update since the abovementioned April 1 message: That message announced an April 17 deadline for students to elect credit/no-credit (CR/NC) for spring classes. However, based on student input, on April 21 the university revised the deadline so that students have until December 18, 2020, to request the CR/NC option. This ensures eligible students considering the option will be able to see final letter grades for their spring 2020 courses and be able to make more informed decisions. As stated in the April 1 message, the CR/NC option is not available for all majors or for certain courses, such as:

• Courses needed for licensure
• Students in the School of Law or the School of Architecture and Design, which are using a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory system this semester
• Graduate-level courses needed to fulfill hours toward satisfaction of graduate degree requirements
• And other cases where a school’s long-standing policy doesn’t allow the option

At this time there are no changes to policies and deadlines for summer or fall 2020 semester courses.

Withdrawing from a class

During the spring 2020 semester, students in regular 16-week classes will have until May 4, 2020, to withdraw from a class. For short courses still in progress, the withdrawal deadline will be modified proportionately.

Final exams

The final exam schedule for spring 2020 remains in place. Its primary purpose is to protect students from scheduling overlap of finals. All instructors are encouraged to explore and utilize methods to evaluate student mastery of the subject other than live, timed online exams. Please read Provost Bichelmeyer's April 16 message "Remote Lessons Learned and Help Moving Forward" for tips and links to campus resources.

Tips for teleworking

We continue to share tools for teleworking, advice for supervisors, and guidance for managing stress. For details, visit Human Resource Management's teleworking webpage.

Reporting concerns

Human Resource Management has compiled a list of Lawrence and KU Edwards Campus offices whose roles include investigating or mediating conflicts, discrimination, harassment, or other issues.

Hiring freeze

Even though we’ve taken great measures to ensure the university continues to operate and students continue to learn under these extraordinary circumstances, the pandemic has already had a significant financial impact on our institution. The uncertainty of these times requires us to take precautions that will help us weather what we can expect will be a continuing hardship. Until further notice, the University of Kansas is implementing a strategically focused hiring freeze that will serve as an initial step to address financial implications of the pandemic. A hiring freeze will help us begin to re-establish our financial footing as we map out a structured recovery plan. These decisions are never easy and often raise new questions. We’ve worked with several campus leaders to develop guidelines that help us remain true to our mission while also being fiscally responsible.

For details, see the April 2 message from the Chancellor and Provost and the April 10 message from Human Resources and Faculty Development.

Stay-at-home orders

On March 28, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a statewide stay-at-home order for the state of Kansas. This order supersedes all pre-existing local orders in Kansas, including but not limited to orders issued by Douglas, Wyandotte, Johnson and Leavenworth counties.

International travel

On March 27, the CDC applied Warning Level 3-Avoid Nonessential Travel to all international travel. This means the CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential international travel. Relatedly, on March 19, the State Department raised its global travel advisory to Level 4, the highest it goes. China was previously updated to a Level 4 warning in February at the start of the outbreak.

Required self-isolation

The university requires certain categories of travelers to self-isolate for 14 days before returning to campus, including individuals who traveled to Louisiana, Colorado, California, Florida, New York, Washington state, Illinois or New Jersey, as well as many international travelers and anyone who has been on a cruise ship. 

These guidlines are developed by the the Public Health Planning team, which relies on a variety of sources -- including the CDC, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Shoreland Travax and professional medical communities -- to determine best practices and appropriate steps. Please note, given the rapidly changing circumstances, these guidelines are subject to change at any point without advance notice.

Registration

If you choose to defy CDC and U.S. Department of State guidance and travel internationally for personal reasons, you must register with KU ahead of time. This enables us protect the health of our community and provide you tailored support if needed.

• Students should register via our Student International Travel Registry.
• Lawrence employees should send an email summarizing planned travel to the Administration and Finance unit.
• KU Medical Center students and employees should contact the Office of International Programs.

For additional information, visit the Centers for Disease Control travel advisory page.

Guiding principles

We have a strong team that is assessing conditions regionally and across the nation and is making recommendations guided by the following principles:

1. Keep KU open so it can provide services to the fullest extent possible given unprecedented circumstances.
2. Maintain continuity of operations that support the academic and research missions of the university.
3. Prevent the spread of the disease at KU and beyond.
4. Protect members of the KU community through self-quarantine and social distancing, especially:
   1. those who may have been exposed
   2. those with chronic health challenges
   3. those currently sick
5. Encourage the KU community to be informed and practice healthy behaviors by following CDC recommendations.
6. Protect equity for our most vulnerable employees and students, as much as possible, as we respond to the situation.
7. Respond with agility to the fluid nature of the situation.
8. Provide clear communications to the KU community.
9. Provide exceptions for mission-critical activities on a case-by-case basis.

Inclusion and support

As we respond to this situation, it is important to reaffirm our commitment to a safe, supportive and inclusive educational environment. We have a responsibility to ensure our university is free of discrimination and harassment, and we should seek opportunities to offer care and support to those who have family and friends affected by COVID-19.

Related to this, we encourage you to read the statement by the Association of American Universities presidents and chancellors regarding the need for unity at this difficult time.

If you are struggling emotionally, you can connect remotely with Counseling and Psychological Services. Additionally, Watkins Student Health is available. If you are concerned about housing, food or finances, Student Money Management Services is available to help youfigure out next steps. Our Campus Cupboard partner Just Food has developed new distribution methods to serve the community and students while maintaining social distancing.

Some students are familiar with online study, however many are not. Point them to the student section of remote.ku.edu. Faculty, be willing to make accommodations for your students as the semester continues.

Students who are struggling emotionally can connect remotely with Counseling and Psychological Services.

Some students may be concerned about housing, food or financial issues. Student Money Management Services is available to help students figure out next steps. As a result of the pandemic, some students will be at even greater risk of food insecurity. Our Campus Cupboard partner Just Food has developed new distribution methods to serve the community and students while maintaining social distancing.

If you encounter students facing exceptional difficulty, you may submit a care referral to Student Support and Case Management for individualized support and connection to community resources.

Watkins Health Services is open for some immediate in-person care. People who need attention should go to the main entrance where they will be screened for the reason of their visit. Individuals showing signs of respiratory illness will be evaluated at the main entrance. Routine provider appointments are suspended unless they can be done by videoconference. The pharmacy is open.

All KU employees are encouraged to reach out for personal help if it’s needed. Benefits-eligible employees and their dependents can get assistance through the state’s Employee Assistance Program. The program provides short-term counseling services, legal advice, money management assistance and much more. If you suspect a colleague is struggling to adjust, reach out and ask them. Help them connect to services they may need.

Be aware that criminals are using the COVID-19 pandemic to send phishing messages, malicious attachments and links to malicious websites. These messages claim to offer COVID-19 infection maps, official notices and other misinformation. You might also receive messages via text message, WhatsApp, TikTok and other social media. Read more from KU Information Technology about how you can protect yourself.

Additionally, Zoom has been in the news recently for security vulnerabilities that allow uninvited participants to join and disrupt meetings. Please read the April 10 message from KUIT related to Zoom and how you can protect yourself and your meetings.

Deans and directors have identified mission-essential faculty and staff. Many of those individuals have either key or card access to their buildings. Mission-essential employees who already have access to their locked building will retain the same key or card access that they had. Access will be provided to those mission-essential employees who need it. If you have been designated mission-essential on campus by your dean or director and do not currently have building access, please submit a service request at maximo.ku.edu. Other employees who need to retrieve essential personal belongings should work with their unit director to identify opportunities for limited building access.

KU police and security officers will be working ensure all campus buildings are locked. It is critical that the mission-essential employees on campus support building security efforts by refraining from allowing unknown people in, blocking doors open, and allowing others to follow behind you. Please take the extra step to make sure doors shut completely and lock as you leave the building.