Message to Faculty & Staff - COVID 19 (March 12, 3 p.m.)

Dear Colleagues:

I hope you are well as we all navigate the coronavirus situation in a proactive manner focused on the health and safety of our community. As you know, the situation is complex, especially from a global perspective, so it will take an abundance of communication to ensure we are all working together. Since email messages are outdated almost as soon as sent, the TWU website/ coronavirus will host up-to-date information. I want to share the main points now, but details from the provost and others will follow.

• We are extending spring break by a week, so we have time to prepare for alternative delivery options of courses. In most cases, this will mean moving classes online. All classes will resume on Monday, March 23.
• TWU’s campuses will remain open during the spring break extension, and normal business operations and services will continue. Faculty and staff should use this time to prepare for the next steps to best serve our students as the situation evolves. Faculty will receive more specific instructions from the provost about plans for next week.
• Many TWU students make residence halls their home, so we will keep the residence halls open.
• Campus services, including dining, health and counseling services, and other facilities will be open. However, some hours of operation may be modified.
• We plan to limit events in support of social distancing.
• We have aligned our cleaning protocols with the CDC’s Interim Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations for coronavirus. We are continuously monitoring recommendations and best practices and will continue to enact or change measures as necessary to keep our campus safe.
• HR has put together a webpage with specifics about employee benefits related to the coronavirus situation.
• We are restricting all nonessential university-related travel—domestic and international—until further notice.

As I said in my previous message, I appreciate working with colleagues who are gracious, supportive of each other, and flexible during these uncertain times. Out of a sense of urgency for students preparing to return to campus, I sent my message to them first. I apologize for any confusion that might have caused you. I am committed to the safety of our Texas Woman’s community, and I am grateful to work beside you as we lead our students together through this coronavirus situation.

With Pioneer Pride,

Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D.
Chancellor and President

Page last updated 3:18 PM, March 12, 2020