UW-Milwaukee employee tests negative for coronavirus; all spring study abroad programs canceled

Updated: 4:47 p.m. on March 12, 2020

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The UWM Foundation employee who was tested for coronavirus has tested negative.

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee has canceled all spring semester study abroad programs and is working with 63 students on their return to the United States.

UWM also canceled faculty-led study abroad programs planned for the summer of 2020 to France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain. The university is evaluating its remaining faculty-led summer study abroad programs to other countries.

The university confirmed Thursday that it still plans to hold its two commencement ceremonies on May 17.

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Posted: 5:11 p.m. on March 10, 2020

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is extending spring break after an employee of the UWM Foundation was tested for coronavirus Monday, March 9.

The test results will not be known until the end of the week.

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The employee works in a UWM Foundation office connected to the Cambridge Commons residence hall and became ill after coming in contact with someone who had been to a country with a level three travel warning.

In response, the university is extending spring break to two weeks -- it will now run from March 15 to March 29.

Classes will continue to be held in the days leading up to spring break.

UWM is also preparing to move the majority of its classes for all three campuses online following the extended spring break.

The university has updated its travel guidelines to include:

All university-sponsored travel for students is canceled for the remainder of the semester. Students already overseas with study abroad programs in countries that do not have Level 3 warnings should consult with UWM study abroad administrators on whether to stay in place or return home.

University employees may not engage in university-sponsored travel to areas severely impacted by coronavirus, which currently include China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Spain. Employees who independently travel to those areas must self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to UWM.

In addition, UWM strongly discourages students, faculty and staff from non-essential travel outside of Wisconsin through the end of the semester. Those who do travel will be expected to self-monitor for coronavirus symptoms, which include fever, cough and difficulty breathing, for 14 days.

For more information on UWM and the coronavirus outbreak, click here.