BGSU announces proactive COVID-19 response

March 10, 2020

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Bowling Green State University’s executive team in charge of our COVID-19 response and preparedness efforts continues to update our plans and protocols in consultation with local, state and national agencies. While there are currently no known COVID-19 cases in northwest Ohio, we join other universities in being proactive in slowing down the spread of novel coronavirus.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine declared a State of Emergency to allow state agencies and organizations to better coordinate their response to this situation. Upon the recommendation from the governor, we are moving all face-to-face classes toward online and remote learning after our scheduled Spring Break, starting March 23 to April 6. The two weeks of remote learning complies with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s COVID-19 exposure window. During Spring Break, faculty will work to develop and enhance online learning to accommodate this content delivery transition.

While completing classes remotely, students may choose to return to their permanent place of residence or return to campus, where appropriate social distancing and enhanced preventative public health and hygiene measures will be actively instituted.

We continue to evaluate classroom experiences such as laboratory and performance classes and the University will provide more detailed guidance next week. Internships, co-ops, clinical rotations and student teaching currently in place will continue as planned.

Classes will continue on both campuses as scheduled through Friday. During this week, we urge all students to make choices that are best for their own personal health situations. Faculty will be flexible for class attendance during this time. The University remains open for operation.

The University is extending its previous travel restrictions to suspend all BGSU supported domestic and international travel for students, faculty and staff until May 15. Only approved, essential business travel will be permitted.

The University is suspending all BGSU events greater than 100 participants effective March 14 through April 17, and in the meantime, we recommend that students, faculty and staff practice social distancing.

The University is also assessing opportunities, where appropriate, for faculty and staff to work remotely. More information will be available in the coming days. We have asked the President’s Cabinet to begin working with supervisors and managers on flexible accommodations.

As a public university for the public good, we are committed to the continuity of University and academic operations, as well as the health and vitality of our students, faculty, staff and community members. For the most current information, please visit the University’s coronavirus website. This is a rapidly evolving situation and we will immediately share updates as we make decisions.

Regards,

Rodney K. Rogers, Ph.D.
President

Joe B. Whitehead, Ph.D.
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs