Updated March 12, 2020
Classes Online March 18
Utah State University will move academic courses online on Wednesday, March 18. Classes on Friday, Monday and Tuesday, March 13, 16 and 17, will be canceled to allow faculty members time to move their classes into the online learning environment. This transition to online course delivery is part of USU’s efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to the campus community. The university will communicate directly with students as early as possible about when their classes will go online.
The situation is evolving, but classes will likely be online through the semester. This may be re-evaluated.
University Remains Open
The university will otherwise remain open for business. Residents in USU Housing are encouraged to stay and services will continue to be provided, including food services, the library, and the Aggie Recreation Center.
Staff will continue business as usual as much as possible, with an emphasis on social distancing and avoiding meetings over 20 people. Staff who are at greater risk for complications from COVID-19 may work with their supervisors to make accommodations. All employees who are ill should stay at home, rest, recover, and prevent the spread of germs.
Travel Restrictions
- With new new travel restrictions in place on the evening of March 11, USU is working to bring all study abroad students back to the U.S. Global Engagement is working with each student to ensure they return quickly.
- In addition, all university-related travel both domestic and international, through April 8 has been cancelled. Those who are planning to travel for personal reasons and those who have recently travelled must complete USU's travel registration survey so USU can assess risks and ask some individuals to self-isolate upon their return as appropriate.
Utah health officials announced the state’s first case of COVID-19 on March 6, 2020. (Only cases diagnosed in Utah are counted as Utah cases.) The Utah Department of Health reports that Utah’s disease surveillance system is working as designed, as public health officials and health care providers are coordinating to identify and investigate potential cases. If you have questions in your area, please reach out to your local health department.
As new information emerges, please remember that the risk of COVID-19 is not connected with race, ethnicity or nationality. Do not make determinations of risk based on race or country of origin, and be sure to maintain confidentiality of those who may be tested for or have confirmed coronavirus infection. Sharing accurate information from only reliable sources is the best thing community members can do to keep rumors and misinformation from spreading.
Keep Our Campus Healthy
USU requests that anyone who plans to travel or has recently travelled fill out a travel survey. If you have recently travelled to a CDC Level Three country, we ask that you self-isolate for 14 days upon returning home. Learn more about travel guidance.
Stay Home if You Are Sick
In this heightened public health situation, we are asking any students (and employees) who are ill to stay at home, rest, and prevent the spread of disease. We need the help from all students and employees to do this:
- Faculty: Doctor's notes should no longer be required to excuse student class absences.
- Supervisors: Do not request that a employee who was ill get a COVID-19 test to return to work. These tests are only available under certain parameters determined by health officials. If the employee is well, has no symptoms, and has been fever free for more than 24 hours, they should be allowed to return to work.
- Students: If you become ill, please communicate directly with your instructors first about your situation. After you talk to your instructor, if you still need additional support please contact Paul Barrin the Provost's Office.
- Faculty and Staff: If you are ill, reach out to your immediate supervisor or department head to talk about your situation. If additional support is needed, please contact Human Resources: 435-797-0122 | HR@usu.edu.
Prevent the Spread of Illness
Source: CDC
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Keep a distance of 6 feet.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
- CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
- Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
Download the "Stop the Spread" flyer
If You Think You Might Have COVID-19
If you develop these symptoms:
- Fever (100.4 degrees F or higher)
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
AND either have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19,
OR have recently traveled from an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19,then call your doctor, or if you do not have a doctor, call the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707.
Please do not show up at a clinic, urgent care, emergency room or other health facility without calling first. Your provider will need to take special measures to protect other people in the clinic.
Logan Campus Emergency Rooms
- Cache Valley Hospital: 435-713-9700
- Logan Regional Hospital: 435-716-1000
Official and Reliable Information About COVID-19
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Utah Department of Health
- Bear River Health Department
- Utah local county health departments
- World Health Organization
Important Contacts
USU information for students and employees: contact USU Risk Management at 435-797-1844.
Information for Utah residents about COVID-19: contact the Statewide Coronavirus Information Line at 800-456-7707
