Travel Updates for Coronavirus: A Message to Faculty & Staff (Feb. 26, 2020)

February 26, 2020

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues,

We continue to closely monitor the evolving situation related to Coronavirus (COVID-19). While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that the immediate risk of the virus to the American public is low, the CDC also advised on February 25 that the public should prepare for the possibility of an eventual U.S. outbreak. Accordingly, Denison is carefully assessing university-related travel and readiness for a U.S. outbreak that could affect the campus community or operations.

We are paying close attention to travel advisories issued by the CDC. Our concern as we consider university-related travel is always for the personal health of members of our campus community. In addition, as the global situation with outbreaks continues to evolve, travelers could face issues returning to the U.S. as the result of flight changes and/or travel restrictions being put in place with no or limited notice.

With these things in mind, we will be evaluating on a case-by-case basis any university-related travel to countries on the CDC travel advisory list. Faculty with planned professional travel to any of these countries must contact Associate Provost Veerendra Lele. Staff with planned professional travel to these countries must contact their supervisor.

We anticipate that some students will need to adjust travel plans for Spring Break in light of the current situation. The email below was sent to international students this week. The Offices of International Student Services, Student Housing, the Provost, and the Dean of Students are working on contingency planning for Denison international students who may be affected if travel limitations continue into the summer. We anticipate further updates to the community from those offices as the situation evolves.

Our hope is that circumstances surrounding the Coronavirus will improve in the near future and that travel without restrictions can resume. In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the situation and heed advisories from the CDC and other government agencies.

Sincerely,

Kim Coplin, Provost

Laurel Kennedy, Vice President for Student Development

Dear Students,

In accordance with the travel advisory issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the U.S. Department of State (DOS), regarding the coronavirus outbreak, Denison University advises all students, faculty, and staff to consider postponing travel to China at this time. Please note that Denison University’s capacity to assist travelers impacted by delays or quarantine abroad is limited. It is important to be aware that travel to China in the near future will impact your ability to re-enter the U.S. and continue your studies at Denison.

If you plan to travel over Spring Break either in the U.S. or outside the U.S. to a destination other than China, it is very important that you carry your immigration and insurance documentation. For information on the documents required for travel outside of the U.S., please visit the travel section on our website. For information on Denison’s insurance documentation, please visit the health insurance information page where you will be able to print your insurance card. If you have trouble printing the card, please contact Beth Thorpe in Students Accounts (thorpeb@denison.edu).

If you plan to stay on campus during Spring Break, you will need to sign up for break housing prior to Noon on Friday, March 6 by submitting the 2020 Spring Break Housing Application via the MyHousing Portal (MyDenison > MyApps > MyHousing > Applications > Spring Break 2020).

Please remember that we are available to offer support during this challenging time!