UB continues preparations for COVID-19

As concerns continue to mount over novel coronavirus — now formallly known as COVID-19 — UB is increasing its efforts to prepare for and respond in the event that cases of the infectious disease become more widespread and directly impact the university.

President Satish K. Tripathi has established several committees and working groups, comprised of faculty, staff and students, to maintain continuity across UB’s academic, research and business operations:

• The COVID-19 Advisory Committee provides perspective and advice regarding UB’s readiness during this evolving situation. Comprised of faculty, staff and students from across the university, it is chaired by Beth Del Genio, chief of staff to the president, and Joseph Balthasar, professor of pharmaceutical sciences and associate dean for research in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
• The COVID-19 Task Force, active since January, monitors the COVID-19 situation and the health of the university community, collaborates with the Erie County Department of Health, and develops and implements a communication plan to facilitate the delivery of accurate, up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 to the UB community. It is chaired by Del Genio and John DellaContrada, vice president for university communications.
• The Academic Working Group, charged by Provost A. Scott Weber, coordinates issues related to academic continuity, enrollment management, international education and alternate forms of course instruction.
• The Research Working Group, chaired by Venu Govindaraju, vice president for research and economic development, works to ensure the continuity of UB’s research program and identify issues and concerns to minimize any potential disruption.
• The Operations Continuity Working Group, chaired by Laura Hubbard, vice president for finance and administration, is responsible for maintaining continuity in UB’s business services, internal audit, human resources and facilities.
• The Student Life Working Group, chaired by Christina Hernandez, interim vice president for student life, addresses student health and well-being.
• The Incident Management Group, also led by Hubbard, is charged with planning for any possible disruption to university operations due to COVID-19.

More than 50 people — including members of the committees and working groups, and colleagues in their respective units — will attend a meeting on Friday to plan a university-wide response to possible future scenarios.

Attendees will discuss the current situation and anticipated scenarios, assess the impact to university operations against the scenarios, discuss potential strategies to mitigate the impacts, and develop recommendations and guidance for maintaining continuity of operations.

In a related development, UB has instructed its students who are studying abroad in countries impacted by COVID-19 to return to the U.S.

Nine UB students currently are participating in UB study aboard programs in Italy (eight students) and South Korea (one student), which are among the countries identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as high risk for travelers.

UB also has suspended all international experiential learning programs planned for the spring semester, including those planned over the upcoming spring break, and has cancelled all campus-sponsored travel for faculty and staff to impacted countries for the remainder of the semester.

SUNY is arranging for chartered flights from South Korea, Italy and Japan to New York Stewart International Airport in Orange County, about 60 miles north of Manhattan, for SUNY students in the impacted countries who have yet to return to the U.S.

“This is an extraordinary gesture by the governor. The UB community appreciates the governor’s efforts to help the university keep our students safe,” said President Satish K. Tripathi.

Upon arrival at Stewart, and in accordance with New York State Department of Health guidelines, local and state health representatives will screen passengers and SUNY will arrange transportation to designated SUNY campus dormitories to begin 14-day quarantines.

SUNY will then work closely with campuses, the state DOH and local health departments to provide medical monitoring, remote course study and other resources to help individuals during the quarantine period.

“The health and safety of our students is of paramount importance to the university, whether they’re pursuing their education at our home campus or anywhere in the world,” Weber said. “The university will take all steps necessary to ensure our students have the opportunity to complete their studies in accordance with the CDC’s guidelines.”

In a memo to UB employees, Weber stressed that UB “is taking all appropriate measures to protect the health and welfare of faculty, staff and students.”

He encouraged faculty and staff who are not feeling well to stay home and consult their family physician as needed, and also advised students who feel ill to consult with Student Health Services, or their family physician. Student Health Services is coordinating with local and state health authorities to implement multiple measures — including screening students who report possible symptoms or recent travel to areas impacted by COVID-19.

“We are actively planning to ensure academic continuity should there be a disruption to our planned academic calendar and will keep you informed in the days and weeks ahead,” Weber said.

Since the beginning of the spring semester, UB has been monitoring developments related to COVID-19, and is following the guidance of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the state Department of Health and the Erie County Health Department.

At this time, the Erie County Department of Health reports there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Erie County, where UB’s campuses are located.

To facilitate communication with the campus community, UB created a COVID-19 website that provides important information on the novel coronavirus, including basic tips on how faculty, staff and students can monitor their health. The university also has been sharing information via social media and other channels.

The website, which is frequently updated, has registered more than 27,000 page views since its creation, with 10,000 of those views coming in the past few days.