General

• What is the current state of operations at Wesleyan University?

  On March 11, President Michael Roth announced that to protect the well-being of our campus community in light of the rapidly growing threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Wesleyan would suspend all in-person instruction for the remainder of the semester. All campus events were canceled and the campus was closed to visitors. All students studying abroad were also required to return home. At this time, the vast majority of students, faculty, and staff are living and working off-campus, and all courses are taking place online. A small number of students who were unable to return home, as well as a small minority of staff whose roles are essential to supporting these students, remain on campus.

• What is the impact on Wesleyan of the governor ordering all non-essential businesses to close?

  On March 20, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont provided an updated statement on Connecticut’s response to COVID-19, closing all non-essential businesses. (Read the full statement.)

  Wesleyan has worked closely with other colleges and universities in the area to obtain clarification on the impact this new declaration will have on Wesleyan’s operations going forward. Under the new statement, universities are broadly considered essential functions, so we will engage our best practices to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible. That is, if you can work from home, please do so. If you cannot (for issues such as the need for specialized spaces, equipment, or technologies), please notify your supervisor regarding where and when you will be on campus. We understand that some staff and faculty may need to come to campus and, at present, that is still permissible. However, we want to emphasize that it is best to stay home if you can. In all cases, please honor the social distancing recommendations of 6 feet between persons and no gatherings larger than 10 people.  

• How should employee illnesses be reported?

  As always, employees should alert their supervisor if they are sick, especially with symptoms of fever and cough. Supervisors should alert Dr. Tom McLarney (tmclarney@wesleyan.edu) of any staff who are ill or quarantined due to COVID-19.

• Will Commencement be held as planned?

  Wesleyan has announced that it will postpone the 2020 graduation ceremony. We expect the Board of Trustees to vote to award degrees at its May meeting, and for official purposes, the University will graduate all those who qualify. We will find a way to mark that event in some festive, if still virtual, way at that time. In addition, we’ll plan to celebrate the 2020 graduates at an in-person event at some point in the future.

• Where can I get additional information?
  You can email Covid-19Info@wesleyan.edu or call 1-888-675-2011. The phone lines will be staffed from 12 to 4 p.m. Eastern time on weekdays.