As the situation surrounding the novel coronavirus continues to change rapidly, UC Riverside is taking proactive measures to limit the risk of COVID-19 to the campus community.
Here are some of the latest developments:
Campus is closed
The campus is closed until April 3 . There are no known cases of COVID-19 on the UC Riverside campus or in the city of Riverside.
Winter quarter final exams will not proceed as in-person classroom exams. Instruction for the entire spring quarter will be remote.
University leadership is in frequent contact with the UC Office of the President, other UC campuses, Riverside County health officials, clinical partners, and elected officials. Within the campus, a cross-section of university officials is meeting at least daily to discuss updates.
For an up-to-date status of the campus, and links to the latest related COVID-19 communications, visit https://ehs.ucr.edu/coronavirus .
Here is the full announcement by Chancellor Kim A. Wilcox and Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor Thomas M. Smith regarding the measures being taken.
First week of spring quarter classes switch to online
In-person classes will continue for the week of March 9. The provost’s office has requested that faculty and instructors facilitate “social distancing” among students and make accommodations for students who cannot attend class in person. Social distancing refers to limiting proximity among people and exposure to large public gatherings.
Instruction for winter quarter ends on March 13, and the quarter ends on March 20. Spring quarter is scheduled to begin on March 30. The first week of spring quarter classes will be online only.
Instructors are developing continuity plans for spring quarter, in the event classes remain online-only beyond April 3, and using the resources found at the https://keepteachingucr.edu website and these guidelines developed by the provost’s office and the Academic. Among those resources is information for online instruction.
The colleges and schools at UC Riverside are developing plans to increase summer 2020 course offerings to offset winter or spring classes that may be disrupted.
Student housing and quarantines
On-campus housing and dining services remain open.
It is extremely unlikely there would be a need for a full residence hall self-quarantine. If a
student is ill and a medical provider assesses and determines the student is considered a “person
under investigation” for COVID-19, the student will be managed by a health care provider and in and in
a hospital — not on campus.
Students may be subject to self-quarantine as a result of returning from a Level 3 country (China, Italy, South Korea, and Iran); having been in contact with someone from a Level 3 country; or having been in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. The university will support self-quarantining in campus housing, but will encourage self-quarantine at students’ homes as an alternative.
If the student becomes symptomatic while in the 14-day self-quarantine, the university would
contact Riverside County health officials to follow correct protocols, including transport to a
medical facility.
UCR students experiencing respiratory illness (fever, cough, shortness of breath) or flu-like symptoms should contact Student Health Services at the 24/7 hotline at (951) 827-3031 for support and guidance.
Faculty and staff working
If employees are sick, have recently traveled from a region with COVID-19, or have had contact with someone known or suspected to have COVID-19, they should stay home.
The university is working to identify work-from-home guidance for faculty and staff.
Staff whose family members — spouse or domestic partner, parents, or children — are home sick with COVID-19 may be eligible for leave.
UCR Health has developed a 24/7 health hotline for UCR faculty and staff experiencing cold and flu symptoms at (844)-827-6827. The resource is for faculty and staff only.
Information on how UC's health plans cover COVID-19 is available here.
Research to continue
Research activities are proceeding but researchers are advised to follow new recommendations such as practicing social distancing and safe hygiene. Read here for more details on the guidelines.
Travel discouraged
All university travel must be registered. International travel is discouraged, and travel to high-risk countries must be preapproved in writing by a vice chancellor or dean. Nonessential domestic travel should be limited.
Travelers returning from the highest-risk (Level 3 Travel Notice) countries should expect to be quarantined for 14 days. The university is working with registered travelers to ensure their whereabouts and prepare for changes in travel plans.
Large events discouraged
Gatherings of more than 150 people should be canceled, postponed, or moved online. If this is not feasible for in-person gatherings of fewer than 150 people, approval of the provost is required. Campus visits of 15 people or more should be canceled; other visits should be moved online if possible.
All UC Riverside-hosted athletic events are scheduled to continue, however, events will now be “fan-less,” meaning there should be no fans at the events.
If you have any questions regarding deleting an event from the UCR events calendar, contact support-ucrevents@ucr.edu.
Cleaning protocols
Hand sanitizers have been made available in university housing and dining areas. A new Centers for Disease Controls-approved chemical disinfectant has been employed. Cleaning has been increased in classrooms and university-owned housing, targeting “high-touch” areas such as restrooms and elevators.
Environmental Health & Safety has worked with campus departments and identified safe standard operating procedures. This includes identifying proper ventilation, food delivery, access to virtual learning, daily medical checks, and waste collection.
Ombuds Office
The Ombuds Office is planning to stay fully operational and available to the campus over the coming weeks. However, the office plans to shift to interacting primarily via phone, Zoom, and email.
Zoom use
Instructors seeking additional information on how to conduct classes using Zoom, can find additional information here. A faculty member at the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering prepared a tutorial.
