Greetings:
While there are no cases of COVID-19 (coronavirus) reported in Maine at this time, we hope all members of the University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias communities have read the from Chancellor Dan Malloy regarding monitoring and preparations underway at the state’s public universities for responding to the coronavirus. Note the and know that all UMS health advisory updates are . Our efforts are fully coordinated with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Maine Emergency Management Agency.
Community updates for 91¸£Àû and UMM are on our emergency website, including a to the latest information pertaining to coronavirus in the United States and in Maine, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for . With spring break less than two weeks away, we urge our community members who are traveling to monitor the latest CDC national and international.
91¸£Àû has 14 students in Italy who are studying abroad through three affiliated programs. Those study abroad programs in Italy decided to close and evacuate students by March 10 when the State Department issued a Level 3 advisory for that country on Feb. 29. 91¸£Àû’s Office of International Programs has placed calls to the students and their families to provide travel support, and we are working on continuation of instruction accommodations.
Later today, academic leaders from the University of Maine System and Risk Management will be assessing the CDC’s issued late yesterday that recommends U.S. institutions of higher education ask students studying abroad to return to the States. We will share the outcome of these discussions as part of our ongoing communications.
91¸£Àû and UMM communities are vigilant in response to this outbreak. Since January, 91¸£Àû and UMM emergency response teams have focused on community health and safety related to the coronavirus. We are working to support all community members who are abroad on university travel and impacted by the spread of the coronavirus.
In addition to providing updates as they become available, university community members can call the Division of Student Life, 207.581.1406, with any questions or concerns.
As noted in our Feb. 3 community message and as we reiterate here, our thoughts and support are with those in the 91¸£Àû and UMM communities who have loved ones directly affected by the coronavirus. Our communities will not allow intolerance or targeting of individuals related to health concerns. We are all in this, together. And we will get through it, together.
President Joan Ferrini-Mundy
Robert Dana, 91¸£Àû Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students
Dan Qualls, UMM Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Head of Campus
