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3/7: COVID-19 Update on Travel

The following message was emailed to the campus community on March 7, 2020.

Dear Santa Clara University community,

We continue to monitor and respond to the dynamic COVID-19 outbreak. Father O’Brien has activated various emergency response teams to ensure a coordinated effort to care for our community. As part of this response, over the past weeks, we have communicated information related to University preparedness and instructional continuity. In doing so, we rely on the guidance of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Santa Clara County Public Health Department (SCCPHD). While other universities like Stanford and University of Washington have experienced more direct impacts of the virus, Santa Clara at present has no known cases of this virus on the SCU campus. In keeping with the most recent guidance from the CDC, for institutions of higher education, with no identified cases on campus, classes and exams are continuing without interruption. Of course, the situation is fluid, and we will continue to assess how we can best care for our community, whose well-being is paramount.  

To provide a timely response to questions related to the outbreak, we established a separate email address, covid19@scu.edu, for anyone with specific questions or inquiries.  A dedicated phone hotline is staffed 24/7 until further notice. Please note that the correct number is: 408-551-3321. The most up-to-date information can be found on our website, including prior campus communications

We use this communication to provide a comprehensive update on issues specifically related to travel. Guidance on large University-sponsored gatherings and meetings will be addressed in a forthcoming update.

Spring Break Travel

  • All university-sponsored international travel is suspended until further notice. This includes all international travel for SCU-sponsored academic and research activities, such as coursework, academic and research conferences, and non-academic activities, including immersion trips. University-sponsored is defined as trips organized, led or financed by the University.

  • University-sponsored domestic spring break trips will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. 

  • Due to the CDC guidance and the rapidly evolving nature of this outbreak, the University strongly discourages personal travel to international locations until further notice. All international travelers are putting themselves at an increased risk of exposure to coronavirus disease.  This potential exposure can be compounded by unexpected delays upon returning to the US, including flight cancellations, border closures, quarantine or even being denied entry upon return, resulting in the potential for missed classes due to 14-day self-isolation at the start of the spring term. 

  • As a reminder, all Santa Clara residence halls remain open during the break, for those students who wish to avoid travel. 

Faculty and Staff Domestic Travel between Now and May 1, 2020

  • To avoid the potential spread of infection and pursuant to the most recent guidance from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department, all non-essential employee travel is suspended until May 1, at which time the decision will be reevaluated. Requests pertaining to essential domestic travel will be reviewed and approved by the respective member of the President’s Cabinet in your area. 

Faculty and Staff International Travel between Now and May 1, 2020

  • All university-sponsored international travel is suspended until May 1 at which time the decision will be reevaluated. This includes all international travel for SCU-sponsored academic and research activities, such as coursework, academic and research conferences, and non-academic activities. University-sponsored is defined as trips organized, led or financed by the University. 

Study Abroad: Summer and Fall

  • Students planning to study abroad during Fall 2020 have been advised of the possibility of programs being curtailed.  The Study Abroad team is communicating with students and campus partners to identify alternatives, should program options be impacted.

  • The University previously communicated a travel suspension for all level 3 or 4 sites (e.g. China, South Korea and Italy) through summer.  We will monitor this situation between now and May 1 and communicate decisions about Summer and Fall Study Abroad for these and other locations.

Travelers Returning to Campus Following Travel: Self Isolation

  • Students needing to self-isolate following travel during spring break should do so at home, not at SCU, unless circumstances suggest differently. Questions related to self-isolation should be directed to the Cowell Center. While faculty are preparing for more online options as circumstances change, students should be aware that this could put them at risk of missing important academic obligations during the two weeks after break. They may need to withdraw from some courses. We ask students to please balance travel plans with their needs to finish particular coursework for graduation.

  • Faculty and Staff with questions about working arrangements during self-isolation should contact their unit supervisor or Human Resources. 

Early next week, Human Resources will provide further information to employees, including guidance on telecommuting.

We understand the anxiety and uncertainties that this situation has created for our community. We are tremendously grateful for the hard work, concern for others and compassion that many of you have demonstrated already as we navigate these developments together. 

Let’s continue to support each other—students, faculty and staff members—with a presumption of goodwill and continued unity in our Bronco family.

Lisa Kloppenberg
Provost 

John Ottoboni
Chief Operating Officer

Jeanne Rosenberger
Vice Provost for Student Life