The University of Wisconsin-Madison will continue “alternative instruction” for the rest of the semester, including final exams, according to an email sent to all students and staff Tuesday.
“Our campus is continuing to monitor the rapidly changing COVID-19 pandemic, including spread of the disease and public health guidelines to mitigate its effects,” Chancellor Becky Blank wrote. “We recognize that despite the steps we have taken as a campus, there continues to be growing concern about what COVID-19 means to each of us academically, professionally and personally.”
In addition to teaching all classes remotely, all UW employees are urged to work from home as much as possible, and only essential services will be maintained on campus. Those who are not deemed essential and who cannot telecommute will be given 80 hours of paid leave.
“I share the disappointment of students and employees who were anticipating Terrace chairs, sunny days on Bascom and all of the events that make spring special at UW-Madison. This is not the semester that any of us wanted,” Blank wrote. “I especially acknowledge the disappointment of those completing their studies, whose final semester at UW has been impacted by this unprecedented situation. We will share more information on Commencement plans in the near future.”
