On Wednesday, March 11, Chancellor Douglas A. Girod and Provost Barbara A. Bichelmeyer shared the following message to students, faculty and staff.

KU leaders have been closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19. We know that some members of the Jayhawk community have been in areas with reported cases, and we don’t expect to be immune from this virus. We have a strong team that is assessing conditions regionally and across the nation and is making recommendations guided by the following principles:

1. Keep KU open so it can provide services to the fullest extent possible given unprecedented circumstances.
2. Maintain continuity of operations that support the academic and research missions of the university.
3. Prevent the spread of the disease at KU and beyond.
4. Protect members of the KU community through self-quarantine and social distancing, especially the three groups at greatest risk:
   • those who may have been exposed,
   • those who have chronic health challenges,
   • those who are currently sick.
5. Encourage all members of the KU community to be informed and practice healthy behaviors by following CDC recommendations.
6. Protect equity for our most vulnerable employees and students, as much as possible, as we respond to the situation.
7. Respond with agility to the fluid and changing nature of the situation.
8. Provide clear communications to all members of the KU community.
9. Provide exceptions for mission-critical activities on a case-by-case basis.

Delayed Resumption of In-person Classes Until March 23

To help protect the health of all members of our community, including those who may be at higher risk of the effects of COVID-19, the resumption of in-person classes will be delayed until March 23.

Next week, March 16-22, we ask that faculty prepare to transition their course content, including lectures, to online instructional platforms, such as Blackboard. Every KU course already has an existing Blackboard shell available for faculty to start the process. Beginning the week of March 23, courses will be taught remotely using online tools. We anticipate needing to stay online for several weeks, however, our team will reassess the need to continue remote-only instruction each week, starting March 28. There will be no schedule change to courses already online.

This approach limits in-person exposure after spring break to align with the estimated COVID-19 incubation period, and allows faculty members a modest amount of time to prepare and begin the transition to online instruction. It also keeps the university functioning and helps students continue toward their educational goals.

For more of the University’s statement and resources from professional health services, visit coronavirus.ku.edu.

Update regarding Big 12 and NCAA Championships

From Kansas Athletics:

In addition to the actions taken today by the Big 12 Conference and NCAA, Kansas Athletics will cancel all planned fan activities surrounding the men’s and women’s Big 12 and NCAA Basketball Championships, including pregame parties and pep rallies.

If you purchased Big 12 Tournament tickets through the Kansas Athletics Ticket Office, you will receive a refund for games impacted by the Big 12 Conference’s decision.

Read more of the statement from Kansas Athletics, as well as the statements from the Big 12 Commissioner and the NCAA president.