Dear Hampton University Faculty:
Hampton University is committed to keeping the campus community safe, Informed, and healthy as concern about the Coronavirus (COVID-19) grows. To date, there are no positive persons among the campus community. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Coronavirus spread a pandemic, and the purpose of this correspondence Is to update you regarding the University’s plan of action regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Hampton University is closely monitoring the situation and assessing the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), as well as our own policies regarding infectious disease. As a result, the Infectious Disease and Prevention Working Group has convened and developed a plan of action.
For the safety of the University community, all students, faculty and staff who have traveled Internationally in the past 2 weeks are required to self-Quarantine for 14 days. Report your travel to your School Dean and then email your travel information to the Health Center at HEALTHCENTER@HAMPTONU.EDU. You must self-quarantine, to monitor your health, which means for at least 14 days, you may not return to campus after returning to the United States, If is with an abundance of precaution that the University is requiring you to stay home for a 2-week (14-day) period of isolation. Although your travel may have been to a low-risk area, that designation could easily change in the next few weeks placing you In the new category of high-risk. You may contact the Virginia Communicable Disease Hotline (757-594-7427) should you have questions about your symptoms.
A faculty member who has symptoms of the virus or must self-quarantine should arrange course delivery with your respective School Dean. If you have students who must self-quarantine, be prepared to provide academic accommodations that will allow them to complete their assignments during this time period.
In the event that the University decides to cancel all in-person course delivery, be prepared to teach your courses remotely. In this regard, check the Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) website for instructions to assist you with remote course delivery. Please direct all students who are experiencing elevated
levels of distress to the Student Counseling Center (757-727-5617).
If you have symptoms and/or have been confirmed as positive for the Coronavirus, send an email to the Health Center at
HEALTHCENTER@HAMPTONU.EDU. In your email, include your name, contact phone number, and where you have traveled (including dates). For additional guidance, contact your primary care physician, or local health officials at the Communicable Disease Office (767) 594- 7427. You must receive medical clearance from your primary care physician and the Health Center before returning to campus.
As an additional precaution, the University has suspended all international and domestic travel, study abroad program participation and all non-essential visitation to the campus. Please continue to take the following steps to help decrease the spread of the virus:
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; Alcohol-based hand sanitizer may be used if soap and water is not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Refrain from shaking hands.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Seek emergency services if you have symptoms of fever, cough, and/or difficulty breathing.
Faculty should monitor their HU email accounts for continued updates and guidance. For the latest information, go to:
VDH: http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/surveillance-and-investigation/novel-coronavirus/
CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Sincerely.
JoAnn W. Haysbert
Chancellor and Provost