SLU to Move all Classes to Remote Delivery by March 23; U.S. Adds Travel Restrictions

March 12, 2020

Dear members of the Saint Louis University community,

Again, there are no confirmed cases of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) at Saint Louis University.

As you know, things are moving quickly at a national and global level with COVID-19. I write to share two key decisions and issues you need to know:

Saint Louis University will suspend in-person courses and instruction until at least April 30, 2020 . All formerly in-person courses will transition to remote delivery starting Monday, March 23, giving faculty members the next week to plan for instructional continuity. The exceptions to this suspension include: the School of Medicine, the School of Law (until March 23, then remote learning applies), select programs in the Doisy College of Health Sciences (those students will be notified today), the Center for Advanced Dental Education, courses that are already online, and off-campus experiential learning opportunities (clinicals, internships, student teaching, etc.).



This message is intentionally brief. We commit to sharing a follow-up email to you this evening with more details to answer many of the questions we know you have, such as students’ housing needs and a plan for moving out.

. All formerly in-person courses will transition to remote delivery starting Monday, March 23, giving faculty members the next week to plan for instructional continuity. The exceptions to this suspension include: the School of Medicine, the School of Law (until March 23, then remote learning applies), select programs in the Doisy College of Health Sciences (those students will be notified today), the Center for Advanced Dental Education, courses that are already online, and off-campus experiential learning opportunities (clinicals, internships, student teaching, etc.). The U.S. is limiting travel from Europe – with the exception of Britain – starting Friday at midnight and lasting for 30 days. American citizens and permanent legal residents and their families are exempt from the restrictions. SLU-Madrid: SLU-Madrid strongly recommends that U.S. students return to their homes in the U.S., per the most recent communication from Director and Academic Dean Paul Vita. Note that that does not mean coming back to the St. Louis campus, but rather going back to your permanent home. The Centers for Disease Control has identified Spain with a Level 3 Avoid Non-essential Travel notice, meaning you must isolate yourself for 14 days once you get to your permanent home. If you are in parts of Europe affected by this restriction, please consider making immediate plans to return to the U.S. before Friday if that is the right decision for you and your family. If you return to the U.S. from a country the CDC has identified with a Level 3 Avoid Non-essential Travel notice, you must isolate yourself for 14 days once you get to your permanent home. Please note that does not mean coming back to the St. Louis campus, but rather going back to your permanent home.



It is imperative that you check your email regularly as this situation continues to evolve. For immediate questions related to COVID-19, contact pandemic@slu.edu or check SLU’s COVID-19 website, which is updated regularly.

It is apparent that life is changing and sacrifices are demanded of all of us. Rest assured that the team at SLU is keeping the best interests of our students, patients and employees at the center of our decision making. At this point, there are many more questions than there are answers. We pledge to keep communicating with you. I thank everyone for pulling together to get us through the disruptions we face.

Fred P. Pestello, Ph.D.

President