COVID-19 Update: Governor DeWine's Stay-at-Home Order (March 22, 2020)

Faculty and Staff,

As you are likely aware, Governor Mike DeWine issued a “stay-at-home” order this afternoon. The order goes into effect tomorrow, Monday, March 23, at 11:59 p.m., and is meant to help slow the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) by further limiting the movement and congregation of people for personal or business purposes.

While the governor’s order designates educational institutions, including universities, as essential businesses, it also urges us to limit operations on campus to only those that are in service of remote learning, critical research and essential operations.

I imagine this order creates some questions and also a bit of fear and uncertainty among faculty and staff. So let me please say, again, that our priority is supporting you and our community through the challenges presented to us by this global health crisis. As I mentioned in a previous communication, Denison is financially and organizationally healthy and we have the resources to manage through this situation — and that includes providing pay and employment continuity for our talented and dedicated employees. We will support our faculty and staff.

Below is high-level information regarding what this “stay-at-home” order means for Denison and our operations. Vice presidents will be in contact with directors and supervisors with more specific details. Faculty should refer to the 3-22-20 email from the Provost regarding the stay-at-home directive and remote teaching.

Those Scheduled to Work on Campus Tomorrow

Operations will continue on campus as scheduled tomorrow. If you are scheduled to work, please plan to be at work so that we can continue to support students and faculty still on campus and provide you with additional information.

Remote Working

Remote working will continue for those whose work permits such arrangements. Employees who wish to retrieve items from their offices that are essential to their ability to work remotely should do so tomorrow.

For Those Who Can’t Work Remotely

If you are in a role for which working remotely is not an option, your supervisor will provide specific information about how this order impacts your work and your schedule, including if your role is deemed essential. Please know that if you are not an essential employee, or if you work fewer hours as a result of the stay-at-home order, you will continue to receive your full pay and benefits. Your supervisor and HR will work with you regarding the details but please know that you are valued and when full operations resume on campus in the future, we want and need you to be part of the team.

Essential Work on Campus

Some work is essential and will require employees to continue to be on campus even during this “stay-at-home” period. We intend to acknowledge hourly employees who perform essential functions on campus through additional pay recognition. We will share more details about these plans shortly. For these employees who must continue to perform work on campus, we will continue to encourage social distancing and other protocols for everyone’s health and safety.

I know these are challenging and uncertain times but these are also the times when our values and our commitment to one another are most evident. We are Denisonians and we will get through this together. I am proud, inspired and grateful for the work I see you do each and every day in support of students, the university, one another and the community. Thank you.

We will continue to provide updates via email and on our website.

Adam