Dear NEOMED Community:
As we continue to receive updates from the Governor’s office, ODH and others who are implementing best practices to slow the spread of COVID-19, we are updating our latest message sent on Friday, “Expanded Work from Home Opportunities,” and previous messages regarding “exceptions” for small groups.
Effective immediately and through March 27, the following practices are mandatory:
- We are now requiring all non-essential personnel (as determined by their supervisors) to work from home for the next two weeks. Due to this mandatory safety and wellness, work-continuity initiative, we will also be extending the expanded work from home opportunities.
- We are now banning all small-group, face-to-face instruction, meetings and events. This means absolutely no in-person curriculum or training including use of the Wasson Center.
- Only Zoom or other virtual-based training will be permitted.
- Only mission critical, in-person interactions will be allowed. Small-group NBME exams may be conducted with attention to student safety, if required, at the Dean’s discretion. This means all scheduled interviews and non-critical meetings must be conducted via Zoom until further notice.
The University will remain open. Staff and faculty may come in to pick up laptops and other materials in order to work from home.
While the Governor’s office suggests that many of these necessary measures for social distancing may not be long-lived, the uncertainties associated with the spread of COVID-19 require us to act now. Due to the indefinite needs and impact, we ask that all take these precautionary measures seriously and that all act in a manner that such initiatives are sustainable for our wellness as well as our success in learning, teaching and working.
For employees who are working from home, please access telecommuting resources that can be found at neomed.edu/advisory/continuity/working and neomed.edu/advisory/continuity/teaching/ as needed. In treating your home as your remote office during applicable business hours, please also respond within reasonable times via email.
For students, please access virtual learning resources which can be found at neomed.edu/advisory/continuity/learning and look for emails with further instructions from your Colleges. Please know that the Center for Student Wellness and Counseling Services remains open Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. You may also find alternative support services at neomed.edu/cswc/#crisis-resources.
For the research community, please look for detailed instructions tomorrow afternoon from Dr. Steve Schmidt, vice president for research. Upon conferencing with NIH officials, he will provide expectations for researchers, particularly those whose work is federally funded.
The entire community should also be aware the Bistro and Erie Island Coffee will be closed. Signet is in the process of determining if pick-up service and meal-delivery to the Village will be made available.
We appreciate your understanding and will continue to provide you with updates on an on-going basis.
Your safety and wellness are our top priorities. Visit neomed.edu/advisory for the latest.
Sincerely,
John T. Langell
President