Phoenix Herald News | ASU President Michael M. Crowe’s open letter to the ASU community

Dear ASU community: As you know from previous correspondence, university leadership has been closely monitoring the events and public health recommendations surrounding the outbreak and spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)…

Dear ASU Community:

As you know from previous correspondence, university leadership has been closely monitoring the events and public health recommendations surrounding the outbreak and spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The University has been busy planning and preparing for the possibility of transitioning to an online teaching environment to help manage the potential spread of COVID-19.

While there are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 at ASU, we know that many members of the ASU community have been traveling around the country and around the world this week during spring break, potentially spreading COVID-19. As a precautionary measure, we have decided to convert face-to-face classes to online instruction.

Starting from Monday, March 16, there will be the following changes:

1. All face-to-face courses will be converted to online teaching. Classes will continue in this mode for two weeks, at which time the university will assess the COVID-19 situation. Additional information will be provided soon, with specific guidance for teachers and students on how to transition to online instruction.

2. Universities are still open. University housing, computer labs, food services, health clinics, counseling services, research laboratories, and all other aspects of the university remain open.

Unless otherwise announced, all public events will continue.

We are taking these steps out of an abundance of caution. Public health officials have not yet made this a requirement for public agencies. However, given everything we know and what can be expected based on information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we believe this is the most prudent course of action at this time.

ASU’s COVID-19 webpage will continue to be our primary source of information and updates related to university operations. We will communicate developments and changes through as many channels as possible, and we have a team of individuals across the University ready to help staff and students transition to online teaching.

>The spread of COVID-19 may require changes in the way we interact, but it does not change the way we work. ASU will continue to operate and will continue to provide the highest quality education to the students we serve, and ASU employees will continue to perform their duties.

This is a new challenge not only for our community at ASU, but also for the wider community in metro Phoenix, Arizona and the country. We continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation with local, state and federal public health officials.

In the meantime, please continue with your work and studies. Do this to not only take care of yourself and those around you while continuing to follow the precautions recommended by public health officials, but without abandoning your commitment to education and the important work you do every day. Again, more information and specific guidance for staff and students will be released shortly.

Sincerely

> Michael M. Crow

President

Arizona State University