Wayne State University is putting new restrictions in place today as coronavirus cases continue to rise.
Overall there will be no face to face classes, no sports games or practices, 25% occupancy limit in labs, no in-person classes, and the student center building will be closed. In addition, all employees who can work from home should work from home.
"Unfortunately, the regional coronavirus infection rate has continued to increase, so Wayne State University must move forward with the plan to depopulate campus starting tomorrow," President Roy Wilson wrote in a message to the school.
Effective Wednesday, April 7, 2021, and continuing for the next 10 days:
All on-campus, face-to-face instruction is suspended. The only exception is for clinical rotations in the licensed health professions in the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, the College of Nursing, and the School of Medicine.All spring sports are temporarily suspended.
Fall/winter sports are canceled for the remainder of the term. Student-athletes will receive separate guidance on resuming practice or competition from the athletics department and their coaches based on the direction of the Public Health Subcommittee of the Campus Coronavirus Committee.
Laboratory research units must take steps to reduce current time on-site activity for authorized personnel by 25%, effective April 7, 2021, and prepare a contingency plan for an additional reduction of time on-site as the situation evolves this coming week. This reduced level of current time on-site does not apply to fully vaccinated individuals involved with authorized on-site research activities.
Guest access to student housing is restricted effective at noon on April 7.
Students currently living in campus housing are permitted to continue doing so, and must continue to follow all campus health and safety guidelines.
The bookstore will close to in-person shopping. All services, including regalia ordering, remain available online and by phone, Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.Towers Café will move to take-out dining only.
Campus libraries remain open but may be subject to increased restrictions. Specific information may be found in the Library Access and Services Guide
The Mort Harris Recreation and Fitness Center is closed except for COVID-19 testing.The Student Center Building is closed except for individuals attending the vaccine clinic.
The W Food Pantry remains open and will facilitate technology loans for students in need.
With the exception of critical infrastructure employees, those who can work effectively from home should do so.
"In 10 days, we will re-examine metrics on campus, in the region and across the state," Wilson said. "If the situation has improved, we will re-engage the activities that have been suspended. If the metrics continue to show a heightened infection rate, we will extend this period of limited on-campus activities accordingly.
He added: "We continue to urge members of campus to get a vaccination if they haven’t yet done so. And while we are all hopeful about the future with the rollout of vaccinations, we must continue to take the appropriate precautions to ensure the health and safety of our campus and the broader Detroit community. Thank you for doing your part to help keep our campus Warrior Strong."