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Mar. 17, 2020

This message was sent to College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources and Extension faculty, staff and personnel.

Dear Faculty and Staff,

We take the coronavirus (COVID-19) spread very seriously and want to update you on what we are doing to ensure the health and safety of our employees and our communities.

Following the Chancellor, “until further notice all non-essential NSHE employees system-wide who are able to perform the core responsibilities of their jobs remotely will temporarily transition to working remotely no later than Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Employees who cannot work remotely but are considered nonessential should be placed on paid administrative leave.”

Please consult with your supervisors to determine what is essential.

As you know, we have been directed to put all classes, including labs, online by Wednesday, March 25. The duration of online course delivery is “until further notice,” and may extend to the entire semester.

Extension and Experiment station event, program, activities and classes are canceled

Furthermore, after a great deal of consideration, all Extension and Experiment Station events, activities, programs and classes are canceled until further notice. We will encourage the public to utilize resources online rather than by visiting Extension offices or Experiment Station facilities in person.

Extension is currently evaluating its programs to determine what may be delivered virtually or at a later date. As more information becomes available on specific programs, announcements will be made via the Extension website, and notifications will be sent to individual participants. Working with their Area Director, Extension Educators will provide specific guidance regarding appropriate alternate operations for employees in their counties. Research activities will continue to the extent possible following guidelines issued by the Provost and Vice President for Research and Innovation.

We are closely monitoring the recommendations from federal, state and county agencies, and we will continue to keep you updated. We urge all employees to (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and visit the University’s coronavirus updates page for more up-to-date information on this rapidly evolving situation.

Stay safe and be well,

Bill Payne, Dean
Ivory Lyles, Associate Dean for Engagement and Director of Extension
Claus Tittiger, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
Chris Pritsos, Associate Dean of Research and Director of Experiment Station