Dear UMD Students,

This evening you received this message from President Loh which is the most recent and current communication from the university.  In his letter, he stated that I would be following up with you directly regarding important information about student services and resources. As such, I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight a couple of updates that are especially relevant for you as students.  Please be reminded that our fundamental priority remains your health, safety and well-being.

Here’s a broad overview of your campus schedule for the next month:

• March 9 - 13: Classes as usual
• March 16 - 20: Spring Break
• March 23 - 27: Classes canceled
• March 30 - April 3: Classes taught online
• April 6 - 10: Classes taught online

Given that Spring Break begins this Saturday, I know that many of you have plans to travel to visit your family or go on vacation.  We encourage you to be cautious in your travels.  

• All personal international travel is strongly discouraged.  If you choose to travel internationally, you may be asked to self-isolate when you return. 
• All Alternative Break trips have been canceled.
• We strongly urge extreme caution for your personal travel within the US by planes, trains, buses, and other mass transit.  There may be travel delays or the potential need for self-isolation in the future.

The university has issued guidelines on upcoming events and meetings, including student programs and events. 

• Social distancing is strongly encouraged in all situations. Please sit with space around you wherever you are, as possible.
• All events that cannot maintain social distancing will be canceled and we will make every attempt to notify the community via websites and social media.
• These guidelines are in effect through April 10, 2020, at which point they will be reevaluated.

As President Loh described, we have canceled classes from March 23-27, and have moved to online instruction from March 30 through April 10.

• Make sure that you have the equipment and connectivity you need to learn from home, as needed. Please complete this survey from UMD IT.
• When preparing to leave for Spring Break, take all essential belongings, medications, and materials from your residence hall or workspace needed through April 10th as you will not be able to access your residence halls until you return to campus in April.

I wanted to share specific information with you regarding important student services and resources over the next few weeks. It is our deep commitment to care for all students. Should you have special requests or concerns, please feel free to reach out to vpsa@umd.edu. It is our promise to support our students in all ways possible.

• Housing: The Department of Resident Life will continue its practice of requiring that all students who have an extenuating need to live in on-campus housing during this time complete the online application request. Remember that when preparing to leave for Spring Break, you should take all essential belongings, medications and materials you will need with you to be successful.  Re-entry to your residence hall will not be possible. This includes all on-campus residence halls and 21 university owned fraternity and sorority houses. For all off-campus housing questions, including South Campus Commons/Courtyards, as they are privately owned, you should work with your rental management regarding questions.  
• Dining: Beginning at the dinner meal period on Sunday, March 22, the South Campus Dining Hall will open and provide two meals per day until the campus resumes in-person classes. Hours of operation will be: Brunch from 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and Dinner from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.  South Campus Commons shop will also be open daily from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. beginning on Sunday, March 22. We will continue to evaluate the needs of the campus and adjust services as appropriate. Spring Break Hours (March 13-21) will remain as posted on the website.
• Health Center: Beginning Wednesday, March 18, through Friday, April 10, Health Center hours will be Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Walk-ins and appointments will be available during these times. Additionally, the pharmacy will be open during these times. The After-Hours Nurse Line, (877) 924-7758, will also remain available. Again, should you not feel well or have an immunocompromised system or chronic health condition, please seek medical guidance ASAP.
• Counseling Center:  Beginning Wednesday, March 18, through Friday, April 10, the Counseling Center will remain in operation from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday for routine services (intakes to initiate treatment, on-going individual therapy, drop-in visits, and consultation). After-hours crisis services will be available by phone at (301) 314-7651 starting at 4:30 p.m. every day and on weekends. Current group therapy and workshops will resume once students return to the campus.  Guided Study Session programs will close for the duration of the spring break and resume upon the resumption of physical classes.
• Accessibility and Disability Service (ADS):  Beginning Wednesday, March 18, through Friday, April 10, ADS will continue providing services to students seeking disability accommodations operating from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. 
• RecWell: Beginning Wednesday, March 18, through Friday, April 10, Eppley Recreation Center (ERC) will be open from Monday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. There will be no group programmed activities (e.g., fitness classes, aquatic classes, club practices, intramurals, etc.). All Limited Access Membership will have access to the ERC. The Golf Course will have normal operating hours. All other RecWell facilities will be closed.
• Libraries: McKeldin Library will remain open. All other branches will be closed physically to the public, and will only offer online services and resources. McKeldin’s hours will be shortened to a Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. schedule - weekend and 24-hour operations will be suspended. Remote use of resources and services will be emphasized for UMD students and faculty.
• Stamp Student Union:  Beginning Wednesday March 18, through Friday, April 10, Stamp will be open Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Sunday, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. The Food Court, M&T Bank, and UPS Store will have limited options during these reduced building hours. Consult the Stamp website for availability.
• UMD Shuttle:  Published Spring Break schedule will apply. Please refer to the Shuttle-UM service announcement on DOTS website for details.

We will continue to increase cleaning and disinfecting across all high trafficked areas on campus.

We recommend that you find updated information for all student services on the Student Affairs website. If you have coronavirus-related questions, please email healthconcerns@umd.edu. If you have a medical question or concern, please contact your physician.

As you know, this is a rapidly evolving situation so I suggest you continue to refer to our campus website for ongoing updates. Thank you for your flexibility and understanding during this time. Please take extra care for your health and safety and that of our Terp community.
 

Be well and have a restful, healthy and enjoyable Spring Break,

Patty Perillo
Vice President for Student Affairs