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Apr. 3, 2020

This message was sent to the Â鶹ӳ»­ students, faculty and staff.

To Our University community:

This week Gov. Steve Sisolak and Chancellor Thom Reilly reinforced the importance of staying home as Â鶹ӳ»­ continues its fight against the outbreak of coronavirus.

On Wednesday, Gov. Sisolak announced an extension to his “Stay at Home” order for all other directives for two weeks under his original Declaration of Emergency, including school, non-essential business and gaming closures, until April 30. Chancellor Reilly further amplified the Governor’s message by directing that all nonessential faculty and employees at Â鶹ӳ»­ System of Higher Education campuses who are able to work from home, to do so immediately.

Our most important priority continues to be the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and community. The University remains open for operations as long as those operations are done remotely. Only in special circumstances is work being allowed on campus. With Gov. Sisolak and Chancellor Reilly’s new directives in mind, it is important to note and be clear on the following:

Building access is limited. Individuals are not to enter any building on campus without first obtaining acknowledgment and approval from the appropriate vice president and dean. When this approval is given, get in and out of the building quickly. Do not congregate with others. Any ongoing campus work needs written approval of the President.

Researchers who have laboratories other than those deemed to be critical in nature should immediately transition their research labs to majority-remote operations and suspend on-campus research. A can assist in planning for ramp-down of laboratory operations. A separate communication will be issued through Research & Innovation to provide further guidance, and will include a process through which critical lab and research operations will need to be identified and seek express approval of the VPRI and President.

Also, in accordance with Chancellor Reilly’s memo regarding Summer Session, online instruction will continue for Mini Session, First Session, Regular Session, and all dynamic sessions starting prior to June 30, 2020. Faculty who are teaching during these first sessions should be preparing now for this online modality. Teaching & Learning Technologies has compiled an extensive list of resources to assist in delivering courses online.

As the current delivery of online instruction continues for the spring semester, faculty who need help with technology issues are encouraged to reach out to TLT for online teaching questions.

We are in the midst of a very challenging time. While routines have been disrupted, the gravity of this moment cannot be overemphasized. The health of each and every Â鶹ӳ»­n is currently at stake. We must re-double our efforts and not let our guards down. #StayHomeForÂ鶹ӳ»­, and know that if you have questions or needs, there are University resources available to help, so please continue to check the latest coronavirus information and updates frequently.

Sincerely,

Marc A. Johnson
President