Timeline of Announcements from Tulane

April 9: Summer Programing Update
From: Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
1. Summer class will be online
2. All summer academic and co-curricular programs will be online
3. For summer study abroad information, visit this page. (this page for business school specific travel info)
4. All campus events scheduled through June 28th are cancelled. 
Contact the Provost, Robin Forman, with questions: provost@tulane.edu

April 7: Virtual Town Hall
From: President Fitts
There will be a virtual town hall for grad students on Wednesday April 15 from 5:30-6:15pm 
Registration link for grad students
There will also be one for staff staff on April 15 from 1:00-1:45pm. 
Registration link for staff

April 6: T-SHIP Information
From: Campus Health
Your Tulane health insurance (T-SHIP) will cover you while away from the university. Find an in-network provider here. No referral is needed if you are >30mi from campus. 
T-SHIP covers virtual care, both physical and mental health services. Get tele-health services by calling the number on the front of your insurance card or going here. 

April 6: Zoom Security
From: Tulane IT
Update your zoom with this new security patch:
Windows
Mac

March 28: Call for Volunteers
From: Center for Public Service
If you are a medical student, graduate, or active member/retiree of the healthcare workforce in Louisiana, consider volunteering to work during this outbreak.

March 27: Important Updates for Graduate Students
From: Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Fellows
Tulane COVID-19 FAQ
Mental health resources
–CAPS: uptown campus, open weekdays 12-4
-Postdocs can access counseling services though the Employee Assistance Program
Graduate or professional students in need of immediate aid (including stable housing, financial assistance, food, etc), can contact Erica Woodley, Dean of Students, ewoodley@tulane.edu
-Fill out this from for assistance
Thesis and dissertation defenses will be done remotely, and afterwards the committee will electronically sign a document and send it to the Dean’s office
-This is distinct from the first page of your thesis or dissertation
OGPS is still offering career advising virtually
New undergrad grading policy for TAs:
-Undergrads will decide to take a class pass (P), minimal pass (MP), or unsatisfactory (U)
-TAs will not know which students have chosen that option, so TAs will enter letter grades as usual
-The Office of the Registrar will convert grades or P, MP, U as needed
American Association of Universities’ COVID-19 FAQ regarding federal policies related to higher education

March 25: Update for SLA Graduate Students
From: SLA Dean Brian Edwards
For students currently abroad: If you have not been contacted by Ann Schumacher, please email her at aschumac@tulane.edu and tell her 1) where you are, 2) if you are conducting research or have complete research, 3) what your plans are for the rest of the semester
-If abroad, you also need to register for Global Rescue
Summer Merit Fellowships: Extended deadline, April 29
-Please apply ASAP
-The links may move slowly due to high traffic
-Do not email to find application status, you will be notified if anything is missing
-Travel for research may be restricted, but they are currently proceeding as usual
New Deadline for Land Fund: June 1: If travel suspension is not lifted by then, or if summer conferences are canceled, this date may be revised.
This email also covered mental health and aid resources and information that can be found in the March 27 email

March 23: Phishing Alert
From: Senior Security Engineer
Watch out for increased phishing emails from external senders. If you are unsure of an email, send it to security@tulane.edu.

March 22: Online Teaching Resources
From: Dean of SSE
Resources for virtual learning and teaching from the university
This message also urges flexibility for students doing independent research and offering recorded lectures and alternative hours for students for whom classes fall between 12 AM and 6 AM in their time zone.

Emergency Resources
From: President Fitz
Go here for information and resources: emergency.tulane.edu.

March 21: Shelter-in-Place
From: Dean of SSE
As per Mayor Cantrell’s announcement, New Orleans is under shelter-in-place guideline, but Tulane is considered an “essential business”
Still have full access to campus labs, offices, etc.
No in person instruction, office hours or class, for undergraduates and graduate students

March 20: View from Gibson
From: President Fitts
Comforting message about extreme social distancing

March 19: Building Restrictions
From: Tulane Chief of Police
Library and gym are closed
Only main dining halls are open on to-go basis
All Academic Uptown buildings require key card access starting March 20 onwards
Downtown buildings regulating under regular hours

March 16: Update from the President
From: President Fitts
Comforting community- no official updates

Student Employment Update
From: HR
Stipend for student workers will still be paid regardless of your ability to work

 Social Distancing
From: Provost and Chief Operating Officer
Info on social distancing
No gatherings of more than 10 people
If a student hosts or attends house parties off campus that can face disciplinary action
Library closing at 5pm
Flexible work arrangements

Revised Academic Calendar
From: Provost
Slight calendar change for certain classes that have lost the most time
The weekend of March 28 and 29 has been designated as the make-up weekend for all Monday/Wednesday/Friday classes. Your designated time is the same as your standard class meeting time.
The weekend of April 18-19 is the designated make-up period for classes that meet Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Wednesday April 29 is the designated make-up day for classes which meet only on Monday.

Libraries close
From: Provost
All physical libraries close
Borrowing will be dealt with on an individual basis
Librarians are still available via Zoom

Reimbursement for Travel Funding for Grad Students
From: President of GSSA
Seek refunds for grad travel funding (flights and conferences) ASAP
If refunds are not possible GSSA will still reimburse with appropriate receipts/paperwork

 Campus Health Service Changes
From: Campus Health
Closing downtown health center
CAPS available by phone
Non-essential services (travel clinic, STI screening) have stopped
The Well is closed
Numbers and other resources for information and health
All students entering the clinic will be screened for COVID-19

March 16: Computers/tech needs to SLA Graduate Students
From: Ann Schumacher, Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs
If SLA grad students need certain technology to participate in online work as a student or instructor, email Ann Schumacher your name, what you need, and contact info. aschumac@tulane.edu
-That will be sent to IT, and they will contact you.

March 15: Work policy changes in SSE
From: Dean of SSE
Everyone who can work from home should, with approval from supervisor

Staff Update
From: Chief Operating Officer
Work remotely if you can, with approval from your supervisor
Eligible employees will get emergency paid sick leave- 80 hrs
Employee Assistance Program is available for faculty or staff seeking counseling or support

Special Update from the President
From: President Fitts
Video comforting community
Starting regular video updates

Work Policy Update for SSE
From: Dean of SSE
Teaching online
Can still use your offices
Library still open

March 14: Flexible Work Advisory
From: Chief Operating Officer
Tomorrow sending out new guidelines for the new work environment

March 13: Gym Closure
Reilly Center closed until further notice

Community Services Update
From: VP Student Affairs
Info about spaces for students to get questions answered and talk about what’s going on
CAPS info

March 12: All GSSA Events Cancelled
From: President of GSSA

March 11: Classes moving online
From: President Fitts
Classes move online but university remains open
No classes the week of March 16th
Students living on campus should move out between March 14-22
Contact given for those with difficulties moving out
Erica Woodley, Dean of Students, ewoodley@tulane.edu
All non-essential university travel is suspended

March 9: COVID-19 Update
From: Provost and Chief Operating Officer
First “presumed positive” case in LA
Tulane is operating normally, but considering switching to online
No Tulane personnel will be required to travel internationally for the rest of the spring 
Personal care info
If you get sick
Hygiene
Self-isolation

SSE Updates
From: Dean of SSE
Other universities have closed
Gives info and sort of a plan if ours closes too
Info about labs
Basically saying to get prepared for that

March 6: Tulane Travel Updates
From: Tulane Travel Procurement Department
Relays info from the Provost’s March 3 email: general advice is business as usual
Weird….
Provides contact for Tulane’s Travel Manger to get in touch with about delayed and cancelled trips
Info about airline and hotel cancelations 

View from Gibson- “Constant Vigilance”
From: President Fitts
Working to establish contingency plans for the university
Provides links to previous emails and health info

March 3: General Update on COVID-19
From: Provost and Chief Operating Officer
Information on proper COVID hygiene: hand washing, etc
FAQ page and CDC travel information
Mandatory that all international travelers at Tulane register with Global Rescue

Feb 29: Updated Travel Advisory
From: Provost and Chief Operating Officer
Italy added to level 3 travel warning
Effective immediately, travel to Italy or South Korea is prohibited for university-related purposes
Personal travel to those countries strongly discouraged
Tulane personnel in those countries must leave
Hosting visitors for official purposes must be approved by the school’s Dean or appropriate VP and the Provost

Feb 28: Updated Travel Advisory and General Monitoring 
From: Provost and Chief Operating Officer
Following CDC recommendations, Tulane restricts travel to South Korea (level 3 warning), and strongly discourages travel to Italy, Iran, and Japan (level 2 warning)
Tulane monitoring the situation globally and “discussions are underway” about how COVID-19 may affect the spring semester and onward