Today’s message is focused on one topic: Our May Commencement ceremonies that were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

I consider commencement a fundamental component of the educational experience at FAU. I want to assure our May graduates that every effort will be made to provide the opportunity to participate in a future commencement ceremony when it’s safe again to gather in large numbers.

Guided by a dedicated faculty, our students worked hard and achieved much during their time at FAU, and I am determined to give as many as possible the complete commencement experience.

While we won’t be able to gather next week, it is important we celebrate the accomplishments of FAU’s newest class of graduates, even in these exceptional circumstances. To that end, we will begin Celebrating the Spring Class of 2020 on Wednesday, May 6. A special website will include a listing of all graduates by college, feature student and faculty videos, include a social media feed, and more. Other highlights will be shared during a week-long social media campaign.

I don’t want to spoil the surprises, so stay tuned and I will provide more information next week.

I encourage all our graduates, along with their friends and families, to post graduation photos and favorite FAU memories by using #FAUgrad so we can celebrate virtually.

Congratulations, Class of 2020. We are very proud of you.

Go Owls!

John Kelly

President

As the university continues to adjust its operations in response to COVID-19, the health and safety of everyone associated with FAU remains the top priority. To that end, complete remote learning will continue until at least the end of the Summer III session. All classes will be taught through remote delivery.

Summer III begins June 27 and ends Aug. 7. Operations related to our fall semester will be communicated as information becomes available.

While these decisions may be disappointing to some people, the university is taking these steps to help prevent further spread of this coronavirus within our communities.

As we continue with remote learning, our Office of Information Technology recently introduced a Keep Learning tool designed to help students make the shift to remote learning. This useful resource will help our students navigate this period.

Please remember, if you are feeling unwell, and especially if you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, seek medical attention immediately.

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.

And, please practice social distancing and regularly check our dedicated COVID-19 website for updates.

Best,

John Kelly

President

For those celebrating this weekend, Happy Easter and Happy Passover. I hope everyone is able to stay healthy during this time, and that you can stay connected with those dear to you.

Today, I am happy to announce that Florida Atlantic University has established a COVID-19 Leave Donation Plan. The plan allows qualified employees to donate accrued leave (annual leave or sick leave) into a pool for use by leave-earning employees adversely affected by this public health emergency.

Examples of hardship include personal medical emergencies, quarantine mandates, or the inability to work or work remotely. Generally, employees who are most likely to benefit from an initiative like this are our lower salaried staff. I hope those of you who are able to donate hours will consider doing so.

All the information about donating leave and requesting donated leave can be found here.

For general assistance with policies, procedures and COVID-19 inquiries, please contact FAU’s Human Resources department at askhr@fau.edu or 561-297-3057.

You may remember from a previous message that our Office of Information Technology recently introduced a Keep Learning tool designed to help students make the shift to remote learning.

We now have a companion Keep Teaching tool designed for faculty who are making the transition to an open-ended period of remote course delivery. I hope you find the resources available here useful.

Please remember, if you are feeling unwell, and especially if you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, seek medical attention immediately.

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.

And, please practice social distancing and regularly check our dedicated COVID-19 website for updates.

Best,

John Kelly

President

I hope everyone is working through the challenges we all face during this difficult time. Today there is an important update.

On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act were signed into law. Both laws go into effect today. For more information about these COVID-19-related employment laws, including eligibility requirements and a benefits summary that relate to Florida Atlantic University employees click here. Please contact FAU’s Human Resources department at 561-297-3072 or via email at gzaidman@fau.edu if you have any questions.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that our professionals at Counseling and Psychological Services stand ready to provide confidential help to any student who needs assistance. Therapists are available 24 hours a day. The number for these services is 561-297-3540. Faculty and staff may seek help through the Employee Assistance Program. This number is 1-800-865-3200.

On a lighter note, with many of you taking classes or conducting meetings via video, we have produced some FAU-related backgrounds for you to use. Visit this link to download them.

Again, please remember, if you are feeling unwell, and especially if you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, seek medical attention immediately.

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.

And, please practice social distancing and regularly check our dedicated COVID-19 website for updates.

Best,

John Kelly

President

Social Distancing is a set of non-pharmaceutical infection control actions intended to stop or slow down the spread of a contagious disease.

Examples of Social Distancing in action are:

1. Working from home whenever possible
2. Travel only when necessary
3. Avoid Social Venues like cinemas and clubs
4. Avoid gatherings of large groups
5. Restrict visitors
6. If you go out in public, maintain a safe distance from others – usually 6-7 feet apart.

I want to give you an update regarding remote instruction and remote working. When we transitioned to these formats earlier this month it was for an initial two-week period, with all students, faculty and staff scheduled to return to on-campus operations this coming Monday.

However, with continuation of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote instruction and remote working will continue until further notice.

For university employees, this applies to all except those designated by their supervisor as operating necessary services. These roles will remain operational until further notice.

I strongly encourage every employee who can work remotely to do so. Certain employees will be required to be on campus to support academics, research, student services, public safety, university facilities, and other areas, and I am extremely grateful to these people for their dedication and commitment to FAU.

All staff who are or will be working remotely, whether exclusively or partially, must complete a COVID-19 Alternative Work Arrangement form in consultation with their supervisor. The form is found in Workday. More information about remote work and answers to some of your questions are available here.

For students, I appreciate that 100 percent remote instruction may present challenges. Please know that our faculty are doing all they can to ensure you continue to receive the best quality education possible.

To further assist you, please take a moment to look at our new Keep Learning tool developed by FAU’s Office of Information Technology. Here, you will find tips and resources to help you make the shift to remote learning.

While we are learning and working away from campus, it’s important we all stay in touch. Today, you should have received via email news about some of the amazing work that continues at FAU despite these unprecedented times. The work our students, faculty and staff are capable of truly is incredible. I sincerely thank you all.

Please remember, if you are feeling unwell, and especially if you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, seek medical attention immediately.

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.

Lastly, please practice social distancing, and regularly check our dedicated COVID-19 website for updates.

Best,

John Kelly

President

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, I want to draw your attention to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’s Executive Order 20-83, which was issued yesterday. The university strongly encourages all applicable students and employees to take note of this order.

The order, in part, urges persons over age 65 and those of any age with serious underlying medical conditions that place them at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 to stay home. Should you fall into one or both of these categories and are not already working from home, please inform your supervisor immediately so alternative working arrangements can be made.

Supervisors should work with any such employees in their areas to immediately complete and implement an Alternative Work Arrangement. If the employee’s duties cannot be performed remotely, supervisors should contact FAU Human Resources immediately. The department can be reached by calling 561-297-3076.

You can review the governor’s executive orders as they are posted online by clicking here.

I also would like to mention that our Office of Equity, Inclusion, and Compliance (EIC) remains open and operational remotely. Maintaining our programs and activities free from unlawful discrimination remains a priority for the university. Information on the university’s discrimination regulation and sexual misconduct policies and procedures can be found here. Our online reporting form can be accessed here.

As we move through our second week of remote learning and our first full week of remote working, I would like to express my gratitude for the efforts everyone is making to help university operations continue during this unprecedented time in our history. Your dedication, adaptability, and creativity exemplify the spirit of FAU.

We will stay in touch regularly because “We are in this together.” To see how we are coming together as a university virtually, please watch our newest video.

If you are feeling unwell, and especially if you are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19, please seek medical attention immediately.

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.

Lastly, please practice social distancing, and regularly check our dedicated COVID-19 website for updates.

Best,

John Kelly

President

Based on the feedback I’ve received so far, the FAU community is coming together to maintain normal operations as much as possible during this unprecedented time of remote learning and remote working. Such positive reactions are exactly what I would expect from our dedicated faculty, students and staff.

Regarding working from home, all staff who are or will be working remotely, whether exclusively or partially, must complete a COVID-19 Alternative Work Arrangement form in consultation with their supervisor. This form is required for the university to properly document each position that temporarily will be performed from an alternative site because of the COVID-19 emergency.

The form is found in Workday. In your search bar type create request. In the next search box type COVID to locate the form titled COVID-19 Alternate Work Arrangement — Self Report. Please confirm the arrangements with your supervisor and complete and submit the form as soon as possible.

More information about remote work and answers to some of your questions are available here: fau.edu/coronavirus/faq.

As another reminder, when you come to campus, the practice of social distancing is a vital component in the overall efforts to help prevent community spread of COVID-19. Please review our dedicated COVID-19 website for more information.

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.

Thank you for your commitment and cooperation during this challenging time.

Best,

John Kelly

President

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