by University Communications
March 2nd 2020
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Portland State is responding to the rapidly changing developments both internationally and here in Oregon regarding the coronavirus known as COVID-19.
Travel
Effective Monday, PSU is suspending official travel for all faculty, students and staff to South Korea, Italy and Iran, in addition to the existing ban on PSU travel to mainland China. As a result of this change, ten PSU students studying abroad in Italy and South Korea will return home. These measures follow the latest health and safety recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Academic and Operational Continuity
An interdisciplinary workgroup is meeting to develop guidelines for academic disruptions and expects to provide preliminary direction for faculty in the coming days. Operationally, all departments should evaluate critical functions performed to ensure that more than one person is cross-trained on those functions. Additional operational continuity planning guidelines will be shared later this week.
Campus Community Health
Federal, state and county health officials list a number of precautions to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses including coronavirus COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control includes a comprehensive prevention and treatment resource. The advice includes washing your hands often, avoid close contact with people who are sick, cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect high-traffic surfaces frequently and stay at home when you are sick.
At PSU, managers and supervisors should be flexible when employees are sick and need to stay home. Faculty should also be flexible with their students who need to stay home in the event of illness. Faculty with questions should contact their department chair or dean’s office. Students should contact the Center for Student Health and Counseling with questions or concerns about the virus.
No Tolerance for Discrimination
Please be mindful not to make any assumptions or comments about people based on their national origin, race, color or any other identities. Asking questions about someone’s health based on your perception of their race or national origin could be considered discriminatory. If you or someone you know experiences a bias incident or discrimination, contact Global Diversity and Inclusion.
Communications
PSU will continue to keep the campus community informed as developments change.
We have set up an email account to field specific questions related to coronavirus, coronavirusresponse@pdx.edu.
University Communications is also designating a site that will go live later this week, www.pdx.edu/coronavirus-response, to serve as an information hub for PSU. It will include updates, frequently asked questions and other relevant links.