Since late January, we have sent a number of communications to the campus community as we respond to COVID-19.

View the most up to date COVID-19 Resources and Information

Dear Members of the USF Community,

Since late January, we have sent a number of communications to the campus community as we respond to COVID-19. These are anxious times and like communities around the country and across the globe, we at the University of San Francisco are responding to new information daily from public health officials and civic leaders.

Fortunately, as of this writing, we have no known cases of the coronavirus on our campuses.

As we continue to prioritize the well-being of our community, I would like to share some very important updates:

Effective Wednesday, March 11, 2020 we are suspending face-to-face instruction at all USF campus locations at least through Sunday, March 29. All classes will be conducted online beginning March 18.

Virtual training of instructors in remote learning pedagogy by the Continuity of Instruction team (CoI) will begin immediately with intensive, in-person training occurring March 16-17 while face-to-face classes are not being held. CoI will be sending out additional information (including strategies for different course types, such as labs, field work, and performing arts classes). Instructors and students should check their email for more information and scheduling.

Existing online instruction (including at the School of Law) will continue uninterrupted. As previously announced, the School of Law will transition all classes to online as of Wednesday, March 11.

While some students may choose not to return to campus during this period of online instruction, the residence halls, library, recreational facilities, and dining services will remain open. Students who are remaining in the residence halls will be asked to register. Additional communication will be sent to residential students from Senior Director Torry Brouillard-Bruce on Wednesday March 11, 2020. Any changes in hours will be communicated to the campus community.

Although USF has suspended face-to-face instruction, the university remains open. Staff and faculty should continue to report to work on campus unless they have a prior, or temporarily-approved, remote work arrangement.

While the campus remains open there may be some limitations in services. Those staff and faculty members whose job functions are conducive to temporarily working remotely, as determined and approved by their respective units’ vice president or dean and by Human Resources, will be allowed to work remotely. Additional communication will be sent to all staff and faculty from HR AVP Diane Nelson on Wednesday, March 11.

At this time student employment will continue as currently scheduled, subject to possible limitations. We will review student employment on a unit-by-unit basis and provide regular updates to the unit managers. With proper supervision and monitoring of work, students may be able to work remotely. As with other employees, the supervisor would need to determine the suitability of the arrangement.

Given these adjustments in operations all university buildings will be locked and accessible by One Card during this period.

We will continue to provide regular updates on our COVID-19 response. Given how fluid the situation is, we may need to adjust this plan as necessary. We know that there are a variety of opinions as to how communities might respond to the spread of the coronavirus. We are making decisions in real time in a rapidly evolving situation. Please visit our resources page and review our FAQs, which are being regularly updated here.

I continue to be so appreciative of the contributions all members of our community have made in the past months as we’ve managed this evolving situation. I know we will get through this together. I join you in prayers for those who are ill and for those who have died due to the virus.

Thank you for your continued patience, work, and care for our students and one another.

Sincerely,



Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J.

President