A Message from the President – COVID-19 Update #7

As the university transitions to a period of remote working, for those of you who still need to come to our campuses, either periodically or regularly, I can’t stress strongly enough the importance of social distancing.

This practice is a vital component of the overall efforts to help prevent community spread of COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published guidelines of what social distancing means. Please visit our dedicated COVID-19 website to stay up to date. This website also includes a host of other resources.

I also would like to remind everyone that students, faculty and staff returning from international travel must self-quarantine. This includes cruises. It is everyone’s responsibility to help prevent the spread of this coronavirus, so please review these requirements.

As I mentioned in yesterday’s update, the State University System of Florida Board of Governors has directed state universities to cancel the traditional on-campus commencement ceremonies scheduled to be held in May. Instead, each university will develop alternate schedules or methods of delivery for these commencement ceremonies.

I want to reiterate that all students and their families who were scheduled to graduate in May will be given the opportunity to participate in a future commencement ceremony when it is safe to do so. This is very important to me, and while we must make adjustments during this time, I do not want anyone to be denied this opportunity.

In other updates, the university’s libraries have changed their operating hours. All libraries are now closed except for certain computer and study labs.

On the Boca Raton campus, the Hillel Center computer lab all-night study area (room LY 3A) remains open. This lab is adjacent to the library and is accessible to all students with card swipe.

In Jupiter, the study space (room LIB 105A) adjacent to the John D. MacArthur Campus Library is available 24 hours a day via card swipe. Twenty-six computers are available.

On our Davie campus, the Student Union computer lab (room SD 101F) is open as follows: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Friday; noon – 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

In Fort Lauderdale, the student lounge (room HE 610) in the FAU/BC Higher Education Complex, is open as follows: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday to Thursday and Noon – 4:30 p.m. Friday. The Broward County main library is open 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday to Saturday.

At FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in Fort Pierce, the study space in Link 108G is available from 6 a.m. – midnight seven days a week via card access only.

Also, our dining halls have adjusted operations. To promote social distancing, the dining halls will only serve take-out meals. In-dining seating is no longer available until further notice. Dining Hall hours on the Boca Raton and Jupiter campuses are as follows: Monday to Friday — 7:30 to 10 a.m. for breakfast; 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch; 4 to 8 p.m. for dinner. Saturday and Sunday — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for brunch and 3 to 8 p.m. for dinner.

Some food-service venues in the Food Court remain open. Starbucks and Outtakes are open 7:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Friday. Wendy’s and Pollo Tropical are open 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Friday. Subway, adjacent to FAU Stadium, is open 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. All these venues are closed during weekends. Like the dining halls, these venues are open only for take-out. No in-dining seating is available.

Please remember, if you are feeling unwell, and especially if you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, seek medical attention immediately. Anyone who tests positive must follow the requirements of self-quarantine.

If you receive a positive test result, all students must notify Student Health Services as soon as possible. The number is 561-297-3512 (after hours, please select option 3). All faculty and staff must notify Human Resources. The department can be reached by calling 561-297-3076 or by email at gzaidman@fau.edu. Your supervisor also should be notified.

 

Best,

John Kelly

President

 

 

Posted in Faculty Announcements, Staff Announcements, Student Announcements