Update Coronavirus

May 12, 2022

From the COVID Operational Team

To our University of Wisconsin-Platteville community,

As we wind down the 2021-22 academic year, we thank you for all you did to ensure that we made it through these two semesters in a safe and relatively healthy fashion. Your due diligence in following safety protocols ensured we were able to offer in-person instruction.

We recognize our work is not over. Our counties have seen a slight uptick in the number of COVID cases reported and the number of students who have required isolation.  This cycle of increasing and decreasing cases is becoming familiar as variants make their way to our communities. We offer these reminders of the basics, especially with finals starting next week

·       Testing – Our main campus testing site is available through May 20 in Hugunin Hall Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  We urge you to get tested if you’re experiencing symptoms or are concerned about a possible exposure.

·       Vaccinations, boosters – While we no longer offer these on our campuses, many pharmacies and health care providers offer free vaccination and booster shots.

·       Masking – Face-covering remains optional at UW-Platteville, but masks are welcomed in our buildings, especially with the increase of area cases.

Let’s each take extra care before finals to ensure a strong finish to the academic year together.

Be Safe. Be Strong. Be Pioneers.

March 29, 2022 (Updated May 6)

After serving as a good community partner by offering free COVID-19 testing for more than a year, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is ending its public testing program in April and reducing the testing times offered for students and employees.

The university offered free community testing throughout much of the pandemic, beginning in November 2020. UW-Platteville transitioned the use of the Bo Ryan Court in Williams Fieldhouse for the community testing, then moved the testing sites to Velzy Commons in Ullsvik Hall (January 2021) and Hugunin Hall (June 2021). Thousands of tests were administered over these 16 months. The university has seen the numbers significantly decrease over the previous few weeks, prompting the change.

The decision to end the community testing came after consultation with the UW System and local health providers. April 1 will be the last day for public testing.

UW-Platteville students, faculty and staff may still get a COVID-19 test on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Hugunin Hall through May 20, when the site will close. (Updated 5/6/22).

Community members should check with Grant County Health Department, their local pharmacy or personal healthcare provider for COVID-19 testing needs. 

February 25, 2022

UW-Platteville has lifted most of the faculty and staff travel restrictions that were enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Effective Monday, February 28, the supervisor travel approval form no longer needs to be completed for domestic travel. Faculty and staff can go directly to the Concur travel site to book individual air, hotel or car reservations. 
• If using a UW-Platteville fleet vehicle, please click here for driver authorization and to reserve a vehicle. 
• Because of the ever-changing global landscape, all international trips for university business must still be approved through the International Programs Office. For contact information, visit the IPO website. 
• Student travel policies remain in place until spring break. 

February 17, 2022

To the university community,

Yesterday, University of Wisconsin System President Tommy Thompson issued a press release about the removal of masks mandates across the campuses, including UW-Platteville. (See https://www.wisconsin.edu/news/archive/uw-system-moves-to-remove-mask-requirements/)

Our university mandate for indoor settings has been set to expire March 12 when we begin spring break. We will be suspending our renewal of the mandate at midnight on March 11. Our COVID-19 operational team is working to ensure the smooth transition from the mandate.

A growing number of communities and academic institutions are lifting masking requirements as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations decline and as vaccinations and booster doses continue to guard against serious illness. The research strongly suggests that individuals who are vaccinated, boosted, and wearing a high-quality mask have a high degree of protection. Because of the vaccination/booster rates and infection-induced immunity, we’re at a point where responsible behavior is up to the individual choice to continue wearing a face covering. 

We realize that for some it may feel stressful about removal of face coverings. We encourage those who want to continue to wear masks to do so. The university asks that we all respect everyone’s individual choices about face coverings. Everyone has a different comfort level, so please continue to show respect towards the entire UW-Platteville community. We will monitor COVID-19 and will adjust policies as needed if circumstances change.

UW-Platteville will continue offering testing and vaccination/booster clinics on the main campus. We ask those who have not yet been vaccinated and boosted to consider doing so. On the Platteville campus, we have vaccination clinics every Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Royce Hall. We will have another pop-up clinic in the Markee Pioneer Student Center on Friday, March 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The university thanks each and every one of you for doing your part to ensure the health and safety of our campuses. Your efforts have allowed us to Be Safe. Be Strong. Be Pioneers.

February 15, 2022

Grant County Health Department is holding another COVID-19 vaccination and booster pop-up clinic on Friday, March 4, at 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the University Rooms of the Markee Pioneer Student Center. On February 4, 76 students, faculty and staff took advantage of this free service to help keep the university safe and healthy. If you are receiving your second shot or a booster, please remember to bring your vaccination card.

February 1, 2022

January 27, 2022

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will hold two spring commencement ceremonies in Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium on the main campus on Saturday, May 14. The special events will accommodate this year's candidates as well as the graduates of Spring 2020, Summer 2020, Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 who had their ceremonies postponed by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The 10 a.m. ceremony is for candidates for graduation from the College of Business, Industry, Life Science and Agriculture as well as master's degree programs. The 2 p.m. ceremony is for the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Science and the College of Liberal Arts and Education. Graduates of 2020 and 2021 (including those who missed December 2021 because of COVID) are invited to participate with the college from which they earned their degrees. 

More information will be forthcoming on these ceremonies for students of all three campuses. 

The stadium ceremonies will be the first outdoor commencements since 2003. 

January 26, 2022

January 24, 2022

January 21, 2022

COVID testing hours extended for next week

For the health and safety of the students, faculty and staff, UW-Platteville will offer extended COVID-19 testing on the main campus during the first week of classes. Free COVID-19 testing is available Monday through Friday, January 24-28, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in Hugunin Hall. (The site is also open today, January 21, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

All those with a uwplatt.edu account should register for tests using https://uwplatt.vivi.healthcare.

Students at UW-Platteville Richland may find testing information at https://covid.co.richland.wi.us/free-community-testing/ while those at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County can use https://www.co.sauk.wi.us/publichealth/free-covid-testing-information.

Testing is limited in all areas over the weekend. For Platteville residents, spots may be open at various Walgreens and HyVee locations in Dubuque, Iowa as well at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison. Please do not go to Southwest Health for a COVID test, as the medical center is facing high capacities currently.  If you need non-emergency care, please call 608-348-4330 before coming to the hospital. The staff can give instructions for testing or treating minor symptoms of COVID-19 over the phone without a doctor’s visit.

Quarantine and isolation policies updated

The quarantine and isolation policies for all three campuses were updated yesterday to reflect changing CDC and county health guidelines. Visit the resources section at listed above. Please continue to check the site periodically through the spring semester as university policies may change in response to the fluid nature of the pandemic.

January 13, 2022

As the University of Wisconsin-Platteville prepares to welcome you back for the start of the second semester, please be aware that there are changes to the CDC guidelines regarding quarantine and isolation. Changes have occurred if you contracted COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. The university policies regarding these changes have been put on a flyer for easy reference. Please see the documents listed in the resource section above.

In addition, the Frequently Asked Questions have been updated for the spring semester and in the resource section at the top.

Due to the fluid nature of the pandemic, university policies may change frequently in response to the situation. Continue to check your university email account or this COVID update page for the latest information. 

Be Safe. Be Strong. Be Pioneers. 

December 27, 2021

December 20, 2021

Please see the following video message from Dr. Tammy Evetovich, Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs.

https://youtu.be/VrDjNOCvIPQ

Be Safe. Be Strong. Be Pioneers.

December 8, 2021

December 7, 2021

The Grant County Health Department is offering COVID-19 booster shots at its weekly vaccination clinic at UW-Platteville for faculty, staff and now students, too. The free COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters are offered Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Royce Hall.  All faculty, staff, students and the public who are 18 and older are now eligible. No appointments are necessary. (Please note these clinics have concluded. Posted 3/11/22)

Pfizer, Moderna and J&J shots are available in Royce Hall. If you are receiving your second shot or a booster, please remember to bring your vaccination card.

If you originally had Moderna or Pfizer, the booster needs to be at least six months after your last dose.  If you had J&J, it needs to be two months since the original vaccination shot.

For more information on booster shots, see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/booster-shot.html?s_cid=11706:covid%20vaccine%20booster:sem.ga:p:RG:GM:gen:PTN:FY22

November 23, 2021

Chancellor's Updated Order on Face Coverings to minimize the spread of COVID-19

Date of Order: November 23, 2021

Effective: November 29, 2021

The State of Wisconsin is continuing to see a significant number of new COVID-19 cases. On November 22, 2021 7622 new cases were reported, which is an increase from September 29, 2021, when 3321 new cases were reported.  On November 22, 2021 the daily 7-day average was reported as 3584 new cases, which is also an increase from September.  The use of face coverings is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), local health departments and healthcare professionals as an effective way to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the face covering coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice.

This order is intended to place health and safety at the forefront of campus operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Risk reduction strategies will continue to be important as our state and county strive to vaccinate people as quickly as possible and as the threat of widespread virus variants looms.

As of November 23, 2021, Grant County continued to have very high case activity and is in the “high” risk category. Richland County, home of the UW-Platteville Richland County, and Sauk County, home to UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, are also in the "high" risk category, according to the CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker, https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_dailycases.  The CDC recommendation for this risk category is that “everyone…should wear a mask in public, indoor settings.”

Based upon the foregoing, I, Dennis J. Shields, Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, by the authority vested in me by the Laws of the State of Wisconsin, including, but not limited to, Wis. Stat. sec. 36, and Wis. Admin. Code secs. UWS 17-18¹, order the following as necessary to prevent, suppress, and control the spread of COVID-19 on our campus:

1. Face Coverings. Face covering means a piece of cloth or other material that is worn to cover the nose and mouth completely. A face covering must be secured to the head with ties, ear loops, or elastic bands that go behind the head and must fit snuggly but comfortably against the side of the face. Cloth face coverings must be made with two or more layers of breathable fabric that is tightly woven (i.e., fabrics that do not let light pass through when held up to a light source). A face covering does not include bandanas, single layer neck gaiters, face shields, goggles, scarves, ski masks, balaclavas, shirt or sweater collars pulled up over the mouth and nose, or masks with slits, exhalation valves, or punctures because public health experts have determined that these types of coverings are ineffective at preventing respiratory droplets from entering the air.

• A. Face Covering Required. Every individual who enters campus lands shall wear a face covering
•  
  • In all indoor university buildings, including classrooms, public spaces, residence halls and recreation/athletic area indoor spaces, except students in their assigned residence hall rooms and employees when alone in a private, unshared office or lab; and
  • While riding a campus bus or when two or more people are present in a university vehicle.
• B. Exceptions. If an individual has a medical condition or religious belief that would prohibit them from complying with this requirement, the person should immediately contact the Dean of Students (for students) or Office of Human Resources (for employees), or UW-Platteville Police Department (for members of the public). All requests for an exception to this requirement shall be evaluated on an individualized basis utilizing the interactive reasonable accommodations process.  

2. Enforcement. The UW-Platteville Police Department is authorized to enforce this order. Violations may result in removal from campus and/or citation and fine under UWS Chapter18.

3. Severability. If any provision of this order or its application to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, then the remainder of the order, including the application of such part or provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected and shall continue in full force and effect. To this end, the provisions of this order are severable.

4. Duration. This Order shall become effective Monday, November 29, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. This Order shall remain in effect until December 31, 2021. This duration maybe shortened at any time pending ongoing evaluation of the current pandemic status in consultation with UW System, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), local health departments and recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.

Thank you for your continued use of face coverings and support in keeping our campuses and our communities a safe place to live, work and learn.

Dennis J. Shields, Chancellor

¹ In addition to the generalize authority cited above, this order is being issued pursuant to the authority vested in me by the laws of the State of Wisconsin and applicable policies in the University of Wisconsin System, including but not limited to: Wis. Stats. ss. 36.11(1)(a) and (c), 36.09(1)(a), (f) and (L), 36.35(2) and 101.11; Wis. Admin. Code ss. UWS 18.11(6)(a) and (7)(e), UWS 18.08(9)(b), UWS 18.13,  UWS 17.09(1), (14) and (15); and Regent Policy 23-2.

November 4, 2021

Dear Pioneers,

Today, I must remind everyone that wearing masks and following the guidelines set forth by the CDC remains relevant, as the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet concluded.

During recent events it was observed that members of our campus community were not adhering to these guidelines. While it is acceptable to remove masks while eating or drinking, it is advised that they be worn at all other times while indoors.
I was present during some of these events. I am aware of how easy it is to forget to wear the face covering once the meal has ended or the speeches begin.

As a reminder for all of us, these mask-wearing policies are still in place today and are still one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of a deadly virus.

It is easy to become apathetic or fatigued with this recurring message, but our continued observation of this policy in all university settings will help us sustain our academic community and allow for our institution to continue to offer in-person classes, events, and keep our community safe.

We must remain vigilant, especially with the holidays and other events on the horizon.

Be safe. Be strong. Be Pioneers.

Sincerely,

Dennis J. Shields

Chancellor, UW-Platteville

November 3, 2021

October 1, 2021

COVID-19 testing site

Please note the UW-Platteville main campus testing site has a new login site. Use https://uwplatt.vivi.healthcare to register for a COVID-19 test. UW-Platteville offers this free service Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Hugunin Hall through April 1, 2022.  Note: The test site is closed Friday, Oct. 1 to transition to a different testing company.

Chancellor's Updated Order on Face Coverings to minimize the spread of COVID-19

Date of Order: October 1, 2021

Effective: October 4, 2021

The State of Wisconsin is continuing to see a significant number of new COVID-19 cases. On September 29, 2021, 3321 new cases were reported and the daily 7-day average was reported as 2919 new cases.  The use of face coverings is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), local health departments and healthcare professionals as an effective way to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the face covering coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice.

This order is intended to place health and safety at the forefront of campus operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Risk reduction strategies will continue to be important as our state and county strive to vaccinate people as quickly as possible and as the threat of widespread virus variants looms.

As of September 30, 2021, Grant County continued to have very high case activity and is in the “high” risk category. Richland County, home of the UW-Platteville Richland County, and Sauk County, home to UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, are also in the "high" risk category, according to the CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker, https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view.  The CDC recommendation for this risk catergory is that “everyone…should wear a mask in public, indoor settings.”

Based upon the foregoing, I, Dennis J. Shields, Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, by the authority vested in me by the Laws of the State of Wisconsin, including, but not limited to, Wis. Stat. sec. 36, and Wis. Admin. Code secs. UWS 17-18¹, order the following as necessary to prevent, suppress, and control the spread of COVID-19 on our campus:

1. Face Coverings. Face covering means a piece of cloth or other material that is worn to cover the nose and mouth completely. A face covering must be secured to the head with ties, ear loops, or elastic bands that go behind the head and must fit snuggly but comfortably against the side of the face. Cloth face coverings must be made with two or more layers of breathable fabric that is tightly woven (i.e., fabrics that do not let light pass through when held up to a light source). A face covering does not include bandanas, single layer neck gaiters, face shields, goggles, scarves, ski masks, balaclavas, shirt or sweater collars pulled up over the mouth and nose, or masks with slits, exhalation valves, or punctures because public health experts have determined that these types of coverings are ineffective at preventing respiratory droplets from entering the air.

• A. Face Covering Required. Every individual who enters campus lands shall wear a face covering 
  • In all indoor university buildings, including classrooms, public spaces, residence halls and recreation/athletic area indoor spaces, except students in their assigned residence hall rooms and employees when alone in a private, unshared office or lab; and
  • While riding a campus bus or when two or more people are present in a university vehicle.
• B. Exceptions. If an individual has a medical condition or religious belief that would prohibit them from complying with this requirement, the person should immediately contact the Dean of Students (for students) or Office of Human Resources (for employees), or UW-Platteville Police Department (for members of the public). All requests for an exception to this requirement shall be evaluated on an individualized basis utilizing the interactive reasonable accommodations process.

2. Enforcement. The UW-Platteville Police Department is authorized to enforce this order. Violations may result in removal from campus and/or citation and fine under UWS Chapter18.

3. Severability. If any provision of this order or its application to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, then the remainder of the order, including the application of such part or provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected and shall continue in full force and effect. To this end, the provisions of this order are severable.

4. Duration. This Order shall become effective Monday, October 4, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. This Order shall remain in effect until November 28, 2021. This duration maybe shortened at any time pending ongoing evaluation of the current pandemic status in consultation with UW System, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), local health departments and recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.

Thank you for your continued use of face coverings and support in keeping our campuses and our communities a safe place to live, work and learn.

Dennis J. Shields, Chancellor

¹ In addition to the generalize authority cited above, this order is being issued pursuant to the authority vested in me by the laws of the State of Wisconsin and applicable policies in the University of Wisconsin System, including but not limited to: Wis. Stats. ss. 36.11(1)(a) and (c), 36.09(1)(a), (f) and (L), 36.35(2) and 101.11; Wis. Admin. Code ss. UWS 18.11(6)(a) and (7)(e), UWS 18.08(9)(b), UWS 18.13,  UWS 17.09(1), (14) and (15); and Regent Policy 23-2.

September 29, 2021

70-FOR-70 DEADLINE EXTENDED

The University of Wisconsin System announces an extension of the 70-for-70 deadline to October 31. This additional time will give students an opportunity to obtain a first dose of Pfizer or Moderna, receive a second dose by the end of October and enter for a $7,000 award.

To be eligible for the drawing to win one of 70 scholarships, universities must reach 70 percent vaccination rate. Students must receive their full vaccination series by October 31 and notify their university. Winners of the $7,000 will be selected after October 31 and informed by their UW System campus if they have won.

The Dean of Students Office has been surveying students every two weeks to find out vaccination status. Thank you for those who have taken the survey.

Please note that UW System is asking for what percent of our total student body is vaccinated, not the number of people who responded to the survey. The university needs everyone’s response! UW-Platteville is asking the 30 percent of the students who have not responded to the short survey to please do so to get an accurate count of where we are and help improve our percentage in the 70-for-70 contest. Students who have not responded to previous emails received another email Tuesday. Should UW-Platteville reach 70 percent vaccination rate, vaccinated students will automatically be entered in the drawings for $7,000 students (and must prove their vaccination if selected).

TESTING SITE CLOSED FRIDAY 

UW-Platteville is transitioning to a different company to provide COVID-19 testing next week. As a result, the testing center in Hugunin Hall will be closed Friday, Oct. 1, to make the switch. 

If you seek testing on Friday, here are some alternative sites. 

• Grant County Health Department, Lancaster (old Shopko building), 9 a.m. to Noon - Antigen test (results up to 72 hours) 
• Hartig Drug, Platteville, 8 to 10 a.m. – PCR testing 
• Southwest Health, Platteville, Must call clinic to schedule (348-2331) – 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. - Molecular test with same-day results
• Walgreens, Platteville, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., PCR testing

September 28, 2021

Attention Fall 2021 graduates  

Countdown to Commencement will be held Wednesday, October 13 from 2:30-6 p.m. in Velzy Commons located in Ullsvik Hall. Stop by anytime during these hours at your convenience in-person to provide one stop shopping for all your commencement and graduation needs. 

For questions or more information, please visit https://www.uwplatt.edu/countdown,   

contact the alumni office at 608-342-1181 or email alumni@uwplatt.edu  

Commencement ceremonies for the Fall 2021 class will be held in-person on Saturday, Dec. 11.  

(Note: commencement ceremonies for the classes of 2020 and spring 2021 will be held during the spring 2022 semester. Watch for further announcements.)  

Pioneer Activity Center face covering reminder  

Face coverings are required in all university buildings, including the Pioneer Activity Center. Masks must be worn properly completely covering nose and mouth. Anything else will be considered not masking. Buffs are not allowed.  

Anyone not obeying the rules and regulations of the Pioneer Activity Center will be asked to leave the facility and may receive a suspension. (This includes any classes or practices that may take place in the facility). A warning followed by a first offense is a two-day suspension.  

Repeated offenses may result in a permanent ban from the facility or a longer suspension of facility privileges. 

August 23, 2021

COVID-19 TESTING SITE MOVED

Starting today, the free COVID-19 testing site is in Hugunin Hall on the main campus. The site is open Mondays through Fridays, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. You may register for a time in advance at https://doineedacovid19test.com/

2 COVID-19 VACCINATION SITE

Grant County Health Department is offering free COVID-19 vaccinations to students, faculty, staff and the general public Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Royce Hall on the main campus.

Both Pfizer and Moderna shots are available. If you are receiving your second shot, please remember to bring your vaccination card. For questions, call the county health department at 608.723.6416.

(Please note these clinics have concluded. Posted 3/11/22)

August 19, 2021

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is excited to welcome back faculty, staff and students for our 156th year of education.

At this time capacity limits are remaining the same, events will still take place, and classes will remain as currently scheduled (including location and delivery method) as we return to a traditional university experience.

The health and safety of our university community is at the forefront of all that we do. During 2021-22, we will continue to work closely with local county health officials and adjust as needed, in accordance with CDC recommendations.

The university's Focus on Fall team, developed to ensure we are ready to welcome students to all three campuses this fall, continues to consult with our local health officials, closely monitor local case rates and changes in CDC guidelines. We will update our campus communities if any situation develops.

UW-Platteville students, employees and community members can take advantage of free antigen testing right on the main campus. We are encouraging vaccinations for everyone and will have periodic clinics on campus. On the main campus, Grant County Health Department is holding vaccination clinics at Royce Hall on Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

UW-Platteville students, employees and community members can take advantage of free antigen testing right on the main campus. We are encouraging vaccinations for everyone and will have periodic clinics on campus too. On the main campus, Grant County Health Department is holding vaccination clinics at Royce Hall on Thursdays fr

The following measures have been enacted for the fall semester to help ensure the health and safety of the university community.

See the updated Fall 2021 policies.

August 13, 2021

Chancellor's Order on Face Coverings to minimize the spread of COVID-19

Date of Order: August 13, 2021

Effective: August 17, 2021

The State of Wisconsin is currently seeing an increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases. The use of face coverings is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), local health departments and healthcare professionals as an effective way to help prevent respiratory droplets from traveling into the air and onto other people when the person wearing the face covering coughs, sneezes, talks, or raises their voice.

This order is intended to place health and safety at the forefront of campus operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Risk reduction strategies will continue to be important as our state and county strive to vaccinate people as quickly as possible and as the threat of widespread virus variants looms.

This week, Grant County increased COVID-19 transmission risk to "substantial" risk for community transmission and the Grant County Health Department is recommending "that everyone, including fully vaccinated people, wear a mask when in indoor public spaces regardless of vaccination status."

Richland County, home of the UW-Platteville Richland County, and Sauk County, home to UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, are in the "high" risk category, according to the CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker, https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view.

Based upon the foregoing, I, Dennis J. Shields, Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, by the authority vested in me by the Laws of the State of Wisconsin, including, but not limited to, Wis. Stat. sec. 36, and Wis. Admin. Code secs. UWS 17-18¹, order the following as necessary to prevent, suppress, and control the spread of COVID-19 on our campus:

1. Face Coverings. Face covering means a piece of cloth or other material that is worn to cover the nose and mouth completely. A face covering must be secured to the head with ties, ear loops, or elastic bands that go behind the head and must fit snuggly but comfortably against the side of the face. Cloth face coverings must be made with two or more layers of breathable fabric that is tightly woven (i.e., fabrics that do not let light pass through when held up to a light source). A face covering does not include bandanas, single layer neck gaiters, face shields, goggles, scarves, ski masks, balaclavas, shirt or sweater collars pulled up over the mouth and nose, or masks with slits, exhalation valves, or punctures because public health experts have determined that these types of coverings are ineffective at preventing respiratory droplets from entering the air.

• A. Face Covering Required. Every individual who enters campus lands shall wear a face covering
  • In all indoor university buildings, including classrooms, public spaces, residence halls and recreation/athletic area indoor spaces, except students in their assigned residence hall rooms and employees when alone in a private, unshared office or lab; and
  • While riding a campus bus or when two or more people are present in a university vehicle.
• B. Exceptions. If an individual has a medical condition or religious belief that would prohibit them from complying with this requirement, the person should immediately contact the Dean of Students (for students) or Office of Human Resources (for employees), or UW-Platteville Police Department (for members of the public). All requests for an exception to this requirement shall be evaluated on an individualized basis utilizing the interactive reasonable accommodations process.

2. Enforcement. The UW-Platteville Police Department is authorized to enforce this order. Violations may result in removal from campus and/or citation and fine under UWS Chapter18.

3. Severability. If any provision of this order or its application to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, then the remainder of the order, including the application of such part or provision to other persons or circumstances, shall not be affected and shall continue in full force and effect. To this end, the provisions of this order are severable.

4. Duration. This Order shall become effective Tuesday, August 17, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. This Order shall remain in effect until January 1, 2022, at 12:01 a.m. This duration maybe shortened at any time pending ongoing evaluation of the current pandemic status in consultation with UW System, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), local health departments and recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.

Thank you for your continued use of face coverings and support in keeping our campuses and our communities a safe place to live, work and learn.

Dennis J. Shields, Chancellor

¹ In addition to the generalize authority cited above, this order is being issued pursuant to the authority vested in me by the laws of the State of Wisconsin and applicable policies in the University of Wisconsin System, including, but not limited to the following: Wis. Stat. s. 36.11(1)a., Wis. Admin. Code ss. UWS 17.09(1), UWS 17.09(8), UWS 17.09 (14), UWS17.09 (15), UWS 18.08(9)(b), UWS 18.11(7)(e), UWS 18.11(6)(a), Regent Policy23-2.

July 28, 2021

A message to students from UW System President Tommy Thompson

Students,

I am excited to welcome you back to our campuses in a few weeks. In order to make your Fall semester as memorable as possible, I am encouraging all of you to get your COVID-19 vaccine. This vaccine has proven to be safe and effective at combating COVID, and I hope all of you are as safe as possible. That is why I am launching the "70 for 70" initiative, to further promote vaccinations.

If your campus reaches a 70 percent vaccination rate, then all in person vaccinated students will be eligible to receive one of 70 scholarships, valued at $7,000 each. To receive a scholarship, I encourage you to get vaccinated, tell your University you've been vaccinated, and then encourage your friends to do the same.

Together, we will vax up and smash COVID.

Tommy G. Thompson
President
1720 Van Hise Hall, 1220 Linden Dr
Madison, WI 53706
wisconsin.edu Twitter: @TommyThompsonWI

July 26, 2021

University of Wisconsin System students, including those from all three UW-Platteville campuses, may be eligible for a $7,000 scholarship under a new 70-for-70 program. Any campus that achieves a 70% student vaccination rate will qualify for the program, through which vaccinated students will be entered into a raffle to win a $7,000 scholarship. Seventy scholarships will be awarded system-wide.

More information will be coming from UW System. For immediate questions, contact deanofstudents@uwplatt.edu.

July 19, 2021

July 12, 2021

The Grant County Health Department is expanding its public COVID-19 vaccinations on the UW-Platteville main campus the week of July 19-23, when New Student Experience begins.

The clinics will be Monday through Friday next week, 1:30-4 p.m. in the Nohr Gallery of Ullsvik Hall. There will be both single- and double-dose shots available. No appointments are necessary. Those receiving second shots should bring their vaccination cards with them.

Grant County Health is also offering public vaccinations every Thursday at Royce Hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The clinics are open to all those eligible for the vaccine, including new and returning students, faculty, staff and the general public.

The UW System does not require COVID-19 vaccination but strongly encourages its students, faculty and staff to be vaccinated for the health and safety of its campuses.

July 1, 2021

Updated event guidance notice for faculty and staff

UW-Platteville is committed to ensuring the health and safety of its students and staff while recognizing the importance of connecting with our local communities and alumni. Community transmission of the COVID-19 virus in the areas surrounding our campuses continues to be low and public health officials, such as the CDC, have updated their recommendations.

Effective immediately, community members are allowed to attend on-campus, indoor events, and on-campus events may be hosted by external community partners under the following criteria:

•  
  1. Must be sponsored by the university or a community partner
     1. University-sponsored events must align with mission or strategic plan
     2. "Community partner" will be defined as an entity who relates to the mission of "community partnership and support" and meets the following standard:
        1. The university will open our facilities to our community partners, to develop mutually beneficial relationships that will enhance connections, and help fulfill our strategic plan goal of expanding connections with corporations and other stakeholders to invest in our future.
     3. All university-sponsored events must be pre-approved by the appropriate college dean, director, or divisional vice chancellor prior to being booked.

1. Must follow current UW-Platteville health and safety policies/protocols
2. Event host is responsible for enforcing current UW-Platteville health and safety policies/protocols
3. It is recommended that hosts provide "subject to change" verbiage in all event communication, as well as sharing current health and safety protocols and "attend at own risk" statement.
4. No limitation on external guest/community member attendance

In addition, the guidance for outdoor and off-campus events has been updated to align with current face coverings policies.

On-Campus Outdoor Events:

• There are currently no outdoor capacity guidelines.
• Face coverings are not required for outdoor events.
• Campus sponsors are responsible for enforcing health and safety protocols for their event.
• Community members are allowed at on-campus, outdoor events
• For all events, planners are highly encouraged to include the following verbiage in their communications and invitations: "Plans are subject to change, based on health and safety measures that may be in place at the time of the event."

Off-Campus Events:

• Community members are allowed at off-campus events.
• Events may be held indoors or outdoors, but events are strongly encouraged to be held outside. Tenting is acceptable, and the use of open-sided tents are encouraged to aid in ventilation
• Face coverings are required indoors for unvaccinated individuals.
• Youth programs are required to follow the regular approval process, which may have additional limitations for off-campus events.
• These guidelines are the minimum level of restriction; sponsors and attendees must follow any additional local guidelines if more restrictive.
• For all events, planners are highly encouraged to include the following verbiage in their communications and invitations: "Plans are subject to change, based on health and safety measures that may be in place at the time of the event."

University faculty and staff were also presented with specific guidelines for golf outings, banquets and run/walks. (Please see July 1 email for full information.)

June 15, 2021

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is pleased to announce the start of a free COVID-19 testing clinic on the main campus that is open to university community members and the general public. The testing clinic is located on first floor of Royce Hall and will be open each week as follows: Mondays 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pre-registration is preferred at doineedacovid19test.com. However, walk-ins will be accepted as well. Test results will be emailed to recipients approximately 20 minutes after the test at the email provided on the registration form. For those without access to a web browser or email, please call eTrueNorth at 1-800-635-8611 for test results.

June 7, 2021

A message to faculty and staff

On May 13, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its recommendations pertaining to the usage of face coverings by individuals who have become fully vaccinated.

In compliance with the recommendations from the CDC and effective immediately, vaccinated individuals are no longer required to wear face coverings while indoors or outdoors on the UW-Platteville campuses but may do so if preferred. Unvaccinated individuals must continue to wear face coverings while indoors on UW-Platteville campuses and outdoors where 6 feet of distancing is not possible.

To qualify for exemption from wearing face coverings or exemption from bi-weekly testing, employees must complete the UW-Platteville Vaccination Attestation Form.

A listing of employees who have completed their Vaccination Attestation Form will be provided to their supervisors. Daily, or routine, verification of vaccination status (i.e. showing a vaccination card) will not be required for employees to go without a face covering. However, verification of an employee's vaccine status will be required if there is credible evidence that an employee is misrepresenting their vaccination status solely to avoid face covering requirements.

Employees should review the Face Covering Exemption due to Vaccination FAQs for more information.

UW-Platteville strongly encourages students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated as the university plans for a return to in-person learning in the fall semester.

Vaccination Opportunities:

Grant County Health Department provides vaccination opportunities on the main campus in Platteville every Thursday through August 12, from 10 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., on first floor Royce Hall. No registration is required, as the clinics are first-come, first-served basis. To find a vaccination provider near you, visit https://www.vaccines.gov/.

For more information on COVID vaccines, contact Grant County Health Department at 608.723.6416.

For other questions regarding COVID-19 protocols at UW-Platteville, please contact: covidquestions@uwplatt.edu.

May 27, 2021

The Grant County Health Department will hold free COVID-19 public vaccination clinics at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville main campus every Thursday, from 10 a.m. until noon, on first floor Royce Hall (1065 West Pine St.). The clinics begin June 3 and run through Aug. 12 and are open to anyone (students, faculty, staff, community members) eligible to receive the vaccine.

Grant County Health Department will have the one-dose Johnson & Johnson and the two-dose Moderna and Pfizer vaccines available. Those seeking their second doses should bring their vaccination cards with them to the clinic.

No registration is required, as the clinics are first-come, first-served. Parking is available in the lots around Royce Hall. Please use the front (center) doors to enter. Reminder: face coverings are required in all university buildings.

UW-Platteville strongly encourages students, faculty and staff to get vaccinated as the university plans for a return to in-person learning in the fall semester. Fully vaccinated individuals are exempted from the UW System COVID-19 testing requirements. Fully vaccinated individuals also are exempt from quarantine if exposed to a positive case if they are asymptomatic too.

For more information, contact Grant County Health Department at 608.723.6416.

May 20, 2021

Academic Year Wrap-up by the Numbers

COVID-19 Testing

• UW System requirements enacted for second semester:
  • On-campus students: tested weekly
  • Off-campus students: tested every other week
  • Faculty and staff: tested every other week
• Two weeks after students, faculty and staff get fully vaccinated, they are exempt from testing
• UW-Platteville tested nearly 50,000 students, faculty and staff on-campus during the academic year.
  • In the fall, 478 of the 11,891 tests were positive, for a positivity rate of 4.02%
  • In the spring, 130 of the 38,008 tests were positive, for a positivity rate of 0.34%
  • Overall, 49,899 tests were administered and only 608 were positive (1.22%)

COVID-19 Vaccinations

• 1,138 students, faculty and staff were vaccinated at on-campus clinics this spring

Isolation Unit

• 265 students were admitted to, and subsequently released from, the isolation site for their 10-day stay throughout the academic year

Supplies

• UW-Platteville employees went through 12,200 rubber gloves during the academic year
• The university distributed 722 small bottles of hand sanitizer

Student Health Services

• Student Health Services had 6,852 visits, a 47 percent increase from the previous year
• SHS answered 2,213 phone calls from students with COVID-19 questions

Communications

• 164 all-university emails were sent regarding COVID-19 through the update@uwplatt.edu account since the pandemic began
• 28 chancellor videos were sent to the university community

Looking Ahead

Camps

• UW-Platteville will open the campus for several different high school camps, beginning July 1
• COVID-19 mitigation practices will be in place for youth programs, which will include testing requirements for multi-day programs

Academic Schedule

• Thursday, Sept. 2, first day of Fall 2021 classes
• At least 75 percent of classes are scheduled to be in-person

May 18, 2021

May 17, 2021

Face Covering Guidelines

On Thursday, May 13, the CDC released new face covering guidelines for vaccinated individuals. UW-Platteville is reviewing the new guidelines, as well as additional input from UW System, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and local county health officials. At this time, current COVID health and safety protocols for the UW-Platteville campuses remain unchanged. Additional updates will be provided in the near future.

May 5, 2021

The 2021 commencement website is now available at www.uwplatt.edu/commencement to mark the May virtual celebrations. Beginning Friday, May 14 at 9 a.m., the video for the three different colleges will be available for viewing and then archived at that same site. All the May associate, undergraduate and graduate degree students will have their individual names read by the deans of the colleges, and congratulatory messages from several speakers will be presented. The university plans to honor the classes of 2020 and spring 2021 with in-person ceremonies when it is safe to do so. These events will most likely happen in spring 2022.

May 3, 2021

Johnson Updated Face Sheet for Recipients.pdf

 

Moderna Updated Fact Sheet for Recipients.pdf

April 30, 2021

April 29, 2021

April 28, 2021

A message from UW System President Tommy Thompson to students

Beginning this summer, UW System students who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will be exempt from routine COVID-19 testing on campus.

But remember, you are not considered fully vaccinated until 2 weeks after you received the last recommended dose. To skip testing, you will then be asked to provide proof that you have reached that marker.

I encourage all of you to get your vaccine before leaving campus for summer break. Do it for you and do for those around you.

Tommy G. Thompson
President
1720 Van Hise Hall, 1220 Linden Dr
Madison, WI 53706
wisconsin.edu

Twitter: @TommyThompsonWI

April 23, 2021

April 21, 2021

A message to faculty and staff

Recently, UW-Platteville has seen a continued uptick in positive COVID-19 cases on our campuses. Even though the overall number has remained low, it is a reminder that we must remain vigilant in our safety measures to ensure our continued operations and activities on campus.

In addition, please remember that all university-related or sponsored on- or off-campus events, camps or other activities must be consistent with the university safety plans which may be found at the top of this page. The university COVID Operational Team will review these policies relating to on- and off-campus events and their safety after July 1, 2021.

After reviewing the published policies and discussing with your divisional leader, if there are any questions or specific situations that require further review or consideration, please submit the question to John Paquin, Director of Safety and Risk (paquinj@uwplatt.edu) or Sarah Vosberg, Director of Human Resources (vosbergsara@uwplatt.edu), who will forward the issue to the Covid Operations Team (COT) for review and recommendation. Please send inquiries at least two weeks in advance of any activity of which you have questions.

We appreciate your continued cooperation and patience as we finish up a very successful semester and academic year.

April 19, 2021

April 12, 2021

April 7, 2021

Dear Colleagues,

I am happy to share that per the UW System Administrative Interim Policy 600-01: Spring Semester 2021 COVID-19 Testing Requirements, faculty, staff, and students who are fully vaccinated, as defined in the policy, may be exempted from ongoing COVID testing requirements.

To qualify for testing exemption at UW-Platteville, individuals must:

• be "fully vaccinated", which means that it has been two weeks or longer since the individual has complete the vaccine series.
• remain off-campus and resume testing on a regular basis if they are symptomatic until they are no longer symptomatic.
• continue to practice all UW-Platteville health and safety protocols while on campus, including wearing a face covering, washing hands, and maintaining physical distancing.

Faculty and staff who wish to be exempt from ongoing weekly or bi-weekly COVID testing must complete the UW-Platteville Employee Vaccination Attestation Form prior to discontinuing testing.

Vaccination is not required by UW-Platteville. Completing the form is voluntary and only necessary if you wish to be exempt from mandatory COVID-19 testing. Vaccination exemption does not apply to Athletics who will continue to test per NCAA rules.

Additional reminders:

1. For employees who received their first vaccination dose on the main campus, second-dose vaccination clinics are scheduled for April 9^th and 16^th. UW-Platteville, the City of Platteville, and Grant County are working on bringing more vaccination opportunities to the university and city as more doses become available.
2. For employees who will continue their COVID testing on UW-Platteville main campus, please note that appointment capacity is limited per day. Please schedule your appointments early, and do not wait until Fridays to ensure that you are able to find an appointment.

If you have any questions, please contact: covidquestions@uwplatt.edu

Sarah Vosberg, Chief Human Resources Officer

April 6, 2021

April 5, 2021

Welcome back from April Break. We have fewer than 50 days of classes remaining, and we wish you success in finishing this very unusual year.

While we are still completing the 2020-21 academic year, we are proceeding with all plans to have a return to a traditional university setting in Fall 2021.

The university has been running different scenarios for fall semester, and barring any increased threat to campus health and safety, this is what the semester will look like in several areas:

Academics

It is our intention to have as many face-to-face classes as possible and includes a goal of at least 75% of our classes being in person.For Fall 2021, all UW-Platteville campuses will offer in-person, online and hybrid/blended courses.

Having these in-person classes is vital to student success and is where UW-Platteville has always thrived with our high impact practices or what we call HIP(s). Our HIPs include research projects, collaborative assignments, laboratory activities, internships, hands-on experiences at Pioneer Farm and in our student shops, field trips, participation in small group music ensembles, capstone and senior design projects and an engaging outdoor learning laboratory in the Pioneer Prairie.

When our students interact with faculty and staff in this manner, they receive the sort of engagement that helps them learn, interact, develop and enrich their thinking. While we seek to maximize engagement, we will also be building on our enhanced abilities to provide flexible schedules for our students and will continue to deliver remote instruction when warranted for those who prefer that way of learning.

Student Life

We will continue to welcome prospective students and their guests to visit our campus while following CDC guidelines.

We are looking forward to welcoming our students back to our residence hall communities in fall. Our residential staffs will be planning interactive in-person activities designed to assist in creating community and connections among their residents.

Clubs, organizations, fraternities, and sororities will be welcoming new and returning members. There will be opportunities to explore interests, engage in community service activities, participate in Homecoming and other sponsored events. Student life will once again be buzzing around campus!

Athletics

As we approach the fall, intercollegiate sports will continue to follow NCAA Resocialization of Sport guidelines for a safe return to competition.

It is the intent of the Division of Athletics and Recreation in partnership with Enrollment and Student Success to offer formal recreation programming this fall. Logistics on Intramurals, Club sports and branch campus athletics will be addressed following our July 1 meeting as we continue to monitor the pandemic.

Some fall sports have already posted their schedules, and those may be found at https://letsgopioneers.com/landing/index

Commencement, Banquets and Awards

We are making plans to not only hold our normal in-person fall ceremonies, but also schedule the commencements, banquets, award ceremonies that we have postponed because of the pandemic. Stay tuned for the details of those as the logistics are finalized.

Conclusion

As we make these plans for fall, we will be always be mindful to ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and will continue to mask, distance and maintain cleaning protocols in accordance with state and local guidelines. We are hopeful that these plans can be realized but know the pandemic and our need to adapt may persist. With increased vaccinations, medical interventions, testing, and continued vigilance we are excited for the growing possibility of seeing everyone on our campuses and in our classrooms.

Be Safe. Be Strong. Be Pioneers.

Sincerely,

Chancellor Dennis J. Shields

April 1, 2021

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville requires face coverings in campus buildings and on university grounds where social distancing is not possible, pursuant to Board of Regents policy (except for those individuals with approved medical accommodations). Yesterday's Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling striking down the statewide mask mandate does not impact the system nor university policy.

March 30, 2021

University reopens outdoor recreation space

March 26, 2021

Please see the weekly video update from Chancellor Dennis J. Shields.

March 16, 2021

The Grant County Health Department is holding its next vaccination clinic at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on Friday, March 19, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Markee Pioneer Student Center.

March 11, 2021

https://youtu.be/a0LYy1HnSnY

March 9, 2021

March 5, 2021

February 26, 2021

February 25, 2021

The Department of Health and Human Services continues to plan for the distribution of the next round (1B) of the COVID-19 vaccination, which includes educators (and those who have direct contact with students). The K-12 schools will go first. This distribution is expected to start sometime in March, but a firm date has not been set by DHS yet.

The university's Covid Operations Team is working closely with county officials in regard to when and where vaccinations may start for higher education educators. We intend to be ready to provide an on-campus location when the supply vaccine doses are made available. The higher education educators include faculty or instructional staff with in-person teaching duties, as well as university staff who have direct contact with students.

Once we have more information and details from DHS, we will promptly notify the campus community. Thank you for your patience, and we will continue to update you when vaccine doses become available.

February 19, 2021

Please see the weekly video message from Chancellor Dennis J. Shields, featuring Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Tammy Evetovich and Assistant Director for University Counseling Services Teresa Miller.

https://youtu.be/ZDxb7IUuSQ0

February 17, 2021

A message from Chancellor Dennis J. Shields

February 10, 2021

Updated Ullsvik testing information for faculty/staff

February 9, 2021

Live graduations postponed; May recognition videos planned

For the health and safety of students and their families, UW-Platteville is officially postponing the May 2021 graduation ceremonies at all three campuses due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Because commencement is such a special occasion for UW-Platteville graduates, the university plans to hold in-person ceremonies for the Classes of 2020 and Spring 2021 when large gatherings are allowed under CDC and local county health guidelines.

UW-Platteville is making plans for virtual celebrations in May, much like what was done in December for main campus graduates.

Previous video links:

• UW-Platteville Main Campus, December 2020:https://www.uwplatt.edu/commencement
• UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County, May 2020:https://go.uwplatt.edu/bsc-celebration2020
• UW-Platteville Richland, May 2020https://go.uwplatt.edu/rlncelebrates2020

Thank you for your patience and understanding. To our graduating students, we look forward to the day when we can safely hold your ceremonies and watch you walk across the stage! Please continue to watch your emails for more information about the virtual recognition. Until then, Be Safe. Be Strong. Be Pioneers.

February 9, 2021

Face coverings and masks

As second semester continues, below are some reminders of guidelines and practices for use of face coverings and masks:

Face coverings and masks are required in all UW System buildings per system policy.

Do choose masks that:

• Have two or more layers of washable breathable fabric
• Completely cover your nose and mouth
• And fit snugly against the sides of your face and don't have gaps

Do not choose masks that:

• Are made of fabric that makes it hard to breathe
• Have exhalation valves or vents which allow virus particles to escape,
• Are loose fitting, such as bandanas
• And are intended for healthcare workers, including N95 respirators or surgical masks

For more information regarding best practices for mask selection, usage and care, please visit the CDCs website, Your Guide to Masks | CDC

January 29, 2021

Message to all faculty and staff and main campus students

January 28, 2021

January 26, 2021

The UW-Platteville community surge testing program ended Jan. 22. Thank you to all who used the site to help keep our university and communities safe.

Be Safe. Be Strong, Be Pioneers.

January 20, 2021

A message to the UW-Platteville main campus

January 19, 2021

A message to branch campus students

As we approach the spring 2021 semester, this is a reminder of the University of Wisconsin System has new COVID-19 testing requirements for all students for the second semester to mitigate the spread of the virus and to allow for as much in-person learning as possible.

Starting with this semester, in accordance with UW System policy, Baraboo Sauk County and Richland branch students attending any classes in person must have a negative COVID-19 test result every two weeks. Students coming on campus should be prepared to provide their negative test result when asked to. Students not in class on campus this semester are also strongly encouraged to test regularly.

There will be one more free testing opportunity on each campus Wednesday, January 20 (tomorrow) from 9am-3pm. All students are encouraged to sign up at doineedacovid19test.com.

Through the semester, test results from any healthcare provider, community testing site, or the free testing at the main campus in Platteville will fulfill this requirement. There are multiple community testing options available each week. The Sauk County and Richland County Health Departments each maintain a current list of community sites on their websites:

Sauk County:

January 15, 2021

January 15, 2021

A Q&A from the December parents' forum is now available.

January 14, 2021

A message to faculty and staff

January 11, 2021

A message to main campus students

As we get ready to begin the spring 2021 semester, this is a reminder of the University of Wisconsin System has new COVID-19 testing requirements for students for the second semester to mitigate the spread of the virus and to allow for as much in-person learning as possible.

Starting this semester, system requirements for students will be:

• On-campus students: test once per week
• Off-campus students (those coming to campus at least once per week): test every other week

A short Qualtrics survey will be sent this week to main campus students to allow students to tell the university their location and status for the spring semester. Please watch for the survey from the Dean of Students office. The survey needs to be completed by Jan. 22.

Student testing will be conducted in Velzy Commons, Ullsvik Hall, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Jan. 19. The Ullsvik Hall site replaces the fall testing that occurred at Hugunin Hall. Register for an appointment at https://uwplatt.vivi.healthcare/

Branch campus student testing will be announced soon.

UW-Platteville urges everyone to continue to follow the 3 Ws: wear your mask; wash your hands; and watch your distance.

Be Safe. Be Strong. Be Pioneers.

January 8, 2021

As students prepare to return to campus for their on-campus employment, the following protocols are in place to comply with student COVID-19 testing requirements.

All student employees are expected to have two negative COVID-19 tests upon return to campus, at their earliest convenience, prior to reporting to work.

Residence Life and Dining Services student employees may return to work prior to completing their required COVID-19 tests. However, they must follow the 3 Ws (wash your hands, wear your face covering, and watch your distance) and complete their required tests as soon as possible.

Prior to return, we highly encourage all students to 1) wear your face covering, 2) wash your hands, and 3) watch your distance. Upon their return, students should continue to follow the 3 Ws and limit contact with others until they have been tested. If they return and develop symptoms or have had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID, students should follow all previously established protocols.

Student employees should discuss their employment schedules directly with their supervisors. They may contact studentemployment@uwplatt.edu with additional questions.

January 8, 2021

The Pioneer Activity Center will re-open to UW-Platteville students, faculty and staff on Monday, Jan. 11.

Hours for the "Winterim" period are as follows:

• Fitness Center, Noon-6 p.m., Monday - Sunday;
• Lap Swimming, Noon - 2:15 p.m., Monday - Friday.

Users can schedule a workout session at the following link:

https://pioneeractivitycenter.getomnify.com/#!/schedules

The system will open up tomorrow. As per Thanksgiving break all users are required to provide confirmation of two negative Covid - 19 test results from Jan. 2, 2021-on in order to gain access to the facility. Free testing is available at Bo Ryan Court, and reservations can be made at the following link:

https://www.doineedacovid19test.com/

UW-Platteville faculty and staff interested in utilizing the PAC will need to purchase a membership for the Spring 2021 semester. There are two options available for purchase. Option #1 is $50 and is for in-person usage of the PAC. Option #2 is $80 and includes in-person usage of the PAC as well as access to on-demand fitness classes accessible through a personal mobile internet device. If you are interested in touring the facility before making a decision, please reach out to the PAC Manager. Application forms and additional information regarding PAC hours and programming is available by scrolling to the bottom of the PAC sharepoint page. Pioneer Activity Center - Home (sharepoint.com)

Return completed application forms to the PAC Welcome Desk starting Monday from noon to 6 p.m. Payments can be made using cash or a check at the time of purchase.

For additional information please contact PAC Manager, Scott Sehmann at sehmanns@uwplatt.edu

December 29, 2020

Updated Jan. 26 - the surge testing site is no longer operational.

The three University of Wisconsin-Platteville campuses have extended free COVID-19 surge testing until January 22. The tests are available to community members, students, faculty and staff under a UW System initiative.

Beginning Jan. 4, testing at the main campus will be Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., while tests will be conducted at UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County and UW-Platteville Richland Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

UW-Platteville main campus

Bo Ryan Court, Williams Fieldhouse

(Please park in Lot 9, between student center and fieldhouse)

• Monday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (exception: no testing on Jan. 18 as the university is closed for MLK Jr. Day)
• Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County

• Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Brown Theatre, Fine Arts Building

UW-Platteville Richland

• Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Classroom Building

Those wishing to be tested should register for appointments athttps://www.doineedacovid19test.com/.

Across the UW System, the sites have now administered over 166,000 Abbott BinaxNOW tests since opening in early November. Originally, System officials estimated the sites would operate for about six weeks, or through mid-December, and that was later extended until at least Christmas. Because of added support from the United States Department of Health and Human Services, surge testing will continue until mid-January.

The UW System surge testing sites are the first in the country to use the new Abbott BinaxNOW tests. Test results are available in approximately 15 minutes.

December 22, 2020

Second-Semester Testing Plans

The University of Wisconsin System recently released new COVID-19 testing requirements for students, faculty and staff for the second semester to mitigate the spread of the virus and to allow for as much in-person learning as possible.

Starting in January, system requirements will be:

• On-campus students: test once per week
• Off-campus students: test every other week
• Faculty, staff: test every other week

UW-Platteville is working through the logistics of these tests but wanted to alert you to these requirements now. Detailed plans will be released in the upcoming weeks.

Once testing details are announced, a registration hold will be placed on all student accounts until testing results or exemptions (such as distance learning) are demonstrated. Once the weekly results or exemption statuses are confirmed, the hold will be lifted.

The university appreciates the efforts everyone made to allow the fall semester to proceed as planned and asks that the UW-Platteville community follow these UW System requirements so the second semester proceeds as planned, too.

Be Safe. Be Strong. Be Pioneers.

December 22, 2020

The COVID-19 surge testing site on Bo Ryan Court in Williams Fieldhouse is completely booked today, so walk-ins are not being admitted. COVID-19 testing is being conducted at the Platteville Armory today from 11:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. People can register at https://register.covidconnect.wi.gov/

December 22, 2020

Please see the weekly video update from Chancellor Dennis J. and Aundra N. Shields, along with several students.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wg7Js9JwUk&feature=youtu.be

December 14, 2020

UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County

• Wednesday, Dec. 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Brown Theatre, Fine Arts Building

UW-Platteville Richland

• Wednesday, Dec. 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Classroom Building

All tests are free and open to the public. Please register for appointments at https://www.doineedacovid19test.com/

December 11, 2020

Please see the following weekly video message from Chancellor Dennis J. Shields

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBza1UDZlP4&feature=youtu.be

Congratulations to all our graduates!

December 9, 2020

The University of Wisconsin System, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will continue its COVID-19 surge testing sites through at least Tuesday, Dec. 22.

At UW-Platteville's main campus, new dates have been added to the program, including Saturday, Dec. 19, Monday, Dec. 21, and Tuesday, Dec. 22. The program was originally scheduled to run through Dec. 18. (Please note that there will not be testing on the branch campuses on Wednesday, Dec. 23.)

The sites feature free rapid-response COVID-19 testing available to community members as well as students, faculty and staff. Test results are available in approximately 15 minutes.

In addition, UW-Platteville has extended its on-campus student testing site days until Friday, Dec. 18. The Hugunin Hall site is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

UW-Platteville remains committed to assisting the Tri-State region in running the COVID-19 sites. Testing helps identify more symptomatic and asymptomatic cases in an effort to isolate those carrying the virus and to mitigate the spread.

Schedule of Dec. 7-22

UW-Platteville main campus

Bo Ryan Court, Williams Fieldhouse

(Please park in Lot 9, between student center and fieldhouse)

• Monday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Tuesday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on December 22)
• Thursday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County

• Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Brown Theatre, Fine Arts Building UW-Platteville Richland
• Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Classroom Building

Please register for appointments at https://www.doineedacovid19test.com/. Main campus students should register for the Hugunin Hall site at https://uwplatt.vivi.healthcare/

December 4, 2020

December 4, 2020

The Pioneer Activity Center (PAC) will re-open on Sunday, December 6. The hours will be Noon to 6 p.m. daily through December 18. The pool hours will be Noon to 2 p.m. on weekdays only. The reservation system will be available this afternoon.

All users of the PAC will be required to confirm their testing responsibilities were met prior to re-entering the PAC. A form will be provided at the check-in desk for users to complete.

August 6, 2020

Career Fair / Pioneer Experience Fair to be offered online

The Fall 2020 Career Fair has gone virtual. The Career and Professional Development Office and Corporate Relations have collaborated to create a Virtual Career Fair for the upcoming semester. This will take place on Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.. This event will take the place of an in-person career fair for the fall semester. More information will be coming out over the coming weeks, but plan to join the hundreds of employers looking to recruit for internships, co-ops and careers after graduation.

UW-Platteville was recently voted by Zippia as THE best public university in the country for job placement!

The 2020 Pioneer Experience Fair will occur in conjunction with the Career Fair.

This year, Pioneer Experience Fair will be in a virtual format through Canvas, with four days of live Zoom sessions with students, faculty, staff, employers, alumni, and international partners, as well as other resources for students to explore the range of experiences available to them.

The Pioneer Experience Fair will again showcase four categories of high impact practices offered at the three campuses (internships/co-ops and student teaching; student-run businesses, entrepreneurship and community engagement; study abroad and global education; and undergraduate research and creative activities). The event will be open to anyone interested in learning about the opportunities the university offers.

July 31, 2020

It is UW-Platteville's goal to keep our university community as informed as possible regarding decisions during this COVID-19 pandemic. For those new faculty, staff and students who are receiving updates for the first time, all of the university communications since January are archived at https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/update-coronavirus

Here are this week's updates:

The Pioneer Promise

The health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff are of the highest importance to the university. This fall, all students at UW-Platteville are asked to show their respect to their fellow classmates by signing the Pioneer Promise. (Updated August 14, 2020)

By signing the promise, students agree to:

Prevent:

• Correctly wear a properly fitting face covering in all public spaces and buildings including instructional spaces such as classrooms, labs and studios. (Accommodations must be approved for those unable to do so)
• Check themselves for any symptoms of COVID-19
  • Fever (temperature of 100.4 or greater)
  • Chills or shaking chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Body aches
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • Runny nose
  • Loss of smell/taste
• Stay home if they are feeling ill with symptoms of COVID-19 or any other illness
• Follow all the university isolation/quarantine COVID-19 protocol upon positive test or exposure notification
• Comply with all medical recommendations
• Participate and comply with contact tracing protocols

Monitor:

• Properly wash hands and use hand sanitizer often
• Practice proper cough etiquette as defined by the Centers for Disease Control
• Practice physical distancing, in both indoor and outdoor spaces, including when entering and exiting buildings
• Participate in cleaning expectations of personal and shared spaces
• Follow specific guidance on seating and furniture use in classrooms and other shared spaces
• Follow guidelines and protocols outlined in course syllabi specific to classroom expectations, particularly for in-person learning
• Limit attendance and/or hosting of gatherings, including student organizations, to be in compliance with university and local guidelines
• Follow university restriction of hosting guests on campus
• Comply with and remain informed of university and local policies, postings, and university updates related to COVID-19

Reflect:

• Make efforts to be part of the solution and recognize that, as more is learned about COVID-19, they will need to adapt to support the overall health and safety of all Pioneers
• Treat peers, faculty, and staff with respect, and not participate, promote, or allow their own bias to impede the access and opportunity of others in my Pioneer community
• Understand that the university may be required to make exceptions to the safety measures for certain individuals or situations
• Recognize that there will be consequences for intentional and/or repeated violations of these expectations
• Become familiar with university resources and seek assistance to support them and others during this challenging time

The Pioneer Promise will be available in PASS starting on Aug. 5. Before students are able to view their booklist, they will be prompted to accept the Pioneer Promise within the Textbook Rental Agreement.

Athletics (from Letsgopioneers.com)

The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference announced this week the cancellation of competition and championships for fall season sports due to the ongoing developments related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In conjunction with the WIAC announcement, UW-Platteville will not compete in conference nor non-conference competitions for the 2020 fall season.

The announcement impacts seven UW-Platteville sport programs (men's and women's cross country, football, women's golf, men's and women's soccer, and women's volleyball). Women's golf will move to a spring 2021 championship, while the other sports will next play against outside competition in fall 2021.

UW-Platteville is committed to providing meaningful opportunities for the student-athletes and programs and is developing plans following the announcement of the cancellation of fall season sports.

Commencement Video

A video of spring UW-Platteville graduates proudly displaying their diplomas or cap and gown may be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i22U0N32nuU. Thank you to all the graduates who contributed to this video.

Be Safe. Be Strong. Be Pioneers.

July 24, 2020

Update message to all faculty, staff, students:

Water Bottle Filling

For the health and safety of our university community, the water bottle filling sections will be still operational, but the water fountains/bubblers will be turned off. The university facilities staff has rendered the drinking fountain portion of a bottle filler/fountain combination inactive and has been making those changes across campus.

Dining Facilities

The dining services facilities at all three campuses have been modified to ensure the best safety possible for our students, faculty, staff and visitors. At the Platteville campus, here are some of the most visible changes:

• UW-Platteville will increase grab-and-go options for guests who choose to dine in alternate locations.
• UW-Platteville will continue to offer salad bars, soup, bakery and buffets in a modified full-service format. Self-serve stations will no longer be available.
• The number of chairs in dining facilities will be reduced, and the spacing between tables in all dining rooms will be increased to allow social distancing.
• UW-Platteville will add floor markers and signage to encourage six-foot distancing between other guests and team members. All markers must remain as placed and not be moved around.
• Cashless operations will be used, which will reduce the register transaction times to under 10 seconds.
• Plexiglass will be installed at all registers.
• UW-Platteville is reinforcing existing sanitation procedures, including frequent and proper handwashing, with staff along with policies regarding wearing and changing gloves during their shifts.  
• Per UW System policy, face masks must be worn in all facilities.
• UW-Platteville has implemented enhanced protocols for cleaning and sanitizing the dining facilities and high-touch areas.
• All UW-Platteville Dining location managers and cooks hold a Serv-Safe certification from the National Restaurant Association.  In addition, UW-Platteville requires Serv-Safe's COVID-19 training for the entire staff including students. 
  
  Similar measures will be enacted at the branch campus locations.

July 17, 2020

Message to all students, faculty and staff:

It is UW-Platteville's goal to keep our university community as informed as possible regarding decisions during this COVID-19 pandemic. For those new faculty, staff and students who are receiving updates for the first time, allof the university communications since January are archived at https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/update-coronavirus

Here are this week's updates:

Class Schedules

UW-Platteville will offer a variety of ways to safely deliver classes this fall, including face-to-face classes in physical distance-adjusted classrooms, online, and a hybrid of the two. The type of delivery is now available in students' PASS accounts. (Students must log in with their university username and password.) Students are encouraged to review their schedules in PASS.

Faculty and staff members will be communicating with students about their individual schedules starting in early August. As previously announced, all classes will go to online delivery after the Thanksgiving break.

Residential Life

Students staying in any of the 12 UW-Platteville main campus residence halls received an email last week detailing the various expectations and precautions that will be enacted during the 2020-21 academic year to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents. Some of the measures include limiting visitors to residence hall students only, turning off the water fountains (updated July 22) as they are high touch surfaces, increased disinfectant cleaning and required face coverings in common areas to outline a few. The branch campus residence halls are run through independent foundations which will have safety measures enacted as well.

Face Coverings/Masks

To help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus, UW-Platteville is requiring all faculty, staff, students and visitors to wear face coverings in all university buildings, including classrooms, pursuant to Board of Regents policy (except for those individuals with approved medical accommodations). Face coverings will also be required outside when physical distancing is difficult to maintain. To better ensure compliance, the university is providing every faculty, staff and student with two free, washable, cloth face coverings. Faculty and staff may contact their supervisor to obtain their face coverings; main campus residence hall students will have face coverings given to them when they check in to their assigned residence halls; and off-campus and branch campus students will be provided details on how to retrieve their face coverings as it gets closer to the Sept. 2 start of classes.

Please continue to check your official university email account for updates throughout the summer.

July 8, 2020

A message from the provost

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville looks forward to welcoming students back for a campus-based fall semester and is planning for an academic schedule that begins on September 2, as previously announced.

Recognizing that this is an incredibly fluid situation, our planning also reflects the possibility of having to move to remote teaching and learning at any time during the semester or prior to opening in the fall, in the event there is a second wave of COVID-19, as many health officials predict. Following the advice of local and national healthcare officials—and following the examples of many institutions nationwide—UW-Platteville will move to online after the Thanksgiving break. No classes will be offered face-to-face after November 25 (to include finals week). The academic schedule for fall 2020 is now set as such:

Classes begin September 2

Fall Break (no classes) October 16

Thanksgiving Break November 26-27

Online Delivery November 30-December 18

Last Day of Classes December 11

Final Exams December 14-18

Although face-to-face courses will not be offered after the Thanksgiving break, students will be allowed to return to campus for all student services, support, dining, and living accommodations.

UW-Platteville is undergoing intensive planning to ensure the health and safety of our university community, including evaluating and modifying cleaning and sanitizing protocols; preparing classroom, office and workspace modifications to maximize physical distancing; and emergency planning in the event of positive cases at UW-Platteville, as well as many other aspects necessary for a safe return. All faculty, staff and students, will be required to wear face coverings in university buildings, and to maintain 6-feet of physical distancing. We are thinking through these issues and more, both as we plan for a carefully phased reopening of campus over the summer and as we think about students on campus in the fall. While it will not be a standard semester this fall, we are committed to providing an array of offerings and educational programming so that students will be able to continue their education.

Students will be able to view the mode of delivery on their individual courses by mid-July. We will provide information on how many in-person (face-to-face) classes we will offer, which courses will be online, and what blended learning strategies may be implemented in each course. The ability to offer face-to-face instruction that incorporates blended learning strategies into courses enhances flexibility, as well as accessibility for students and faculty who may not be able, or willing, to return to campus in the fall. We expect many instructors will participate in some form of blended learning in the fall and adjust their courses given the pandemic requirements as well as their own individual course requirements. More than 91 percent of our faculty have undergone, or are currently undergoing, additional training for alternative delivery best practices.

We acknowledge the frustration that this lack of certainty causes students and parents. We are balancing everyone's desire to plan for the fall with our need to provide a safe environment for our community. We will continue to provide updates with as much information as we are able throughout the summer months.

Sincerely,

Dr. Tammy Evetovich

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

July 2, 2020

We know that many of you are checking this site frequently, looking for answers to when move-in days are or what classes will be held when and in what format. We understand your anxiousness to have answers to these questions. The health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors are of utmost importance, and we are taking these processes very seriously to ensure the best possible fall of 2020.

The university is close to finalizing the fall plans and will have updates in mid-July.

Students received an email from residence life a few days ago, and the detailed email will be coming within the next two weeks. That one will have information on distancing in the halls, what to bring, move-in days, etc.

The university has been looking at every single classroom on our campuses to determine maximum capacity, according to CDC guidelines, and then making the determination of what classes can fit in those revised classrooms and what times those classes will be. Similar guidelines are being established in our dining areas and our work spaces.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. We hope you are having a happy--and safe--summer.

Paul Erickson, Public Information Officer

June 30, 2020

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is making plans to safely re-open its campuses in August in preparation for the fall semester, which begins Sept. 2 with campus-based instruction.

In March, the university closed all three of its campuses until at least Aug. 1 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only some employees have remained working on campus while those who can work remotely have done so. Additional faculty and staff will be allowed back on campus, with safety precautions made to work areas and staggered days and start times for those who share work spaces. Those who can work from remote locations are still encouraged to do so.

Among the safety measures enacted:

• Face coverings will be required in all university buildings (except for those with ADA exemptions)
• Social distancing will be required in all areas
• Additional cleaning and sanitizing operations will be in place

The Emergency Operations Center staff, along with the Senior Staff leadership team, have been working during the spring and summer to make the re-opening as safe as possible for students, faculty, staff and visitors. More detailed plans will be announced as they are finalized.

On the main campus, the Children's Center will open July 6 for children of employees

community members who had children attending the Center immediately prior to the Center's closure in March with the following safety measures in place:

• Limiting access for parents at arrival and pick up
  • Parents will not be allowed past the lobby area and will be required to wear a mask when in the building
• Health screening upon entry for children and staff including temperature checks
• Requiring masks for staff interacting with families in the building at drop off and pick up times
• Limit mixing between groups of children of different ages
• Limit staff crossing between multiple classrooms
• Increased sanitation and hygiene practices

The Pioneer Activity Center and Williams Fieldhouse will open in a phased approach, beginning Aug. 1.

• Phase 1: Aug. 1, Department of Athletic and Recreation staff members are permitted to return to the Williams Fieldhouse abiding by COVID-19 return to work guidelines.
• Phase 2: Aug. 9, Fall sport student-athletes start to return to campus for orientation, conditioning and practice sessions. Student-athletes will return to campus beginning in Phase I and start practicing Aug. 12 in groups of no more than 10 individuals.
• Phase 3: Sept. 2, All UW-Platteville students and PAC members are permitted access to the recreation facilities on the first day of classes.

The PAC will have social distancing and safety measures in place before its opening.

The Markee Pioneer Student Center is undergoing planned renovations and will not be available until the project is completed, most likely mid- to late-August. New safety measures will be enacted in the meeting rooms, dining areas and open spaces.

Karrmann Library will reopen once classes begin Sept. 2 with safety measures:

• Seating will be limited, with two people per table, one per study room.
• Computers access will also be limited to maintain social distancing.
• Social distancing markers will be placed around the circulation and reference desk.
• Disinfectant wipes will be available to clean off computer keyboards.
• Sanitation stations will be located outside the restrooms and possibly in other areas of the building.

Beginning Aug. 1, some staff will be onsite on a rotating basis. There will always be staff at the circulation counter and a librarian will be onsite Monday through Friday and on Sunday. Other departments, such as Technical Service, will be in operation, but will remain closed to the public. Many reference questions can be answered via Library Chat and reference@uwplatt.edu. Information Technology Service questions can be sent to helpdesk@uwplatt.edu.

The UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County branch campus will reopen to the public on Aug. 3, with staff and visitors required to follow mandatory safety guidelines. The T.N. Savides library will be open for limited hours starting Aug. 3, with plans to be fully open when the fall semester begins Sept. 2. Food service will also resume in the Joe Wankrl Cafeteria on Sept. 2.

The UW-Platteville Richland campus will also open to the public on Aug. 3, with staff and visitors required to follow mandatory safety guidelines. The Miller Memorial Library will be open for limited hours, with plans to be fully open when the fall semester begins Sept. 2. Food service in the Roadrunner Café will also resume Sept. 2. The independent Symons Recreation Center on the campus is open now - more information on the Center's hours, current programs, and safety guidelines, are on the website, https://symonsrec.com

More detailed information will be forthcoming about safety measures in all the dining facilities as well as the residence halls.

Please continue to check campus email or https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/update-coronavirus for the latest updates.

June 23, 2020

To better assist students, faculty and staff this summer, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Karrmann Library began offering contactless pick-up for books and other physical materials owned by the library this week.

The service is offered Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m.- noon and 1-3 p.m. at the north entrance of the library. Patrons must request items using the library catalog, Search@UW. This triggers an email to the patron with a link to SignUpGenius. The patron selects a time slot to pick-up materials via SignUpGenius (each time slot is 15 minutes). On the appointed day, the library staff (in gloves and mask) pack up plastic bags for patron's scheduled pickup. Sheets with last name will be stapled to bags for easy identification. Bags are placed on a cart and moved near the north entrance, where requesters may pick up the materials. The carts are sanitized after each pickup.

There is a limit of five items at one time and one scheduled pickup per week for each individual. Patrons must use the outside book drops to return materials. This service is only for UW-Platteville students, faculty and staff and not community members at this time.

June 18, 2020

Chancellor Shields' message to faculty, staff

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our families and communities in many ways, and the university recognizes the hardships and inconveniences many employees have endured during this time. This past spring, UW-Platteville put into place precautionary measures to ensure the health and safety of the campus community, including limiting the number of employees physically on-campus. As we move past the initial phases of the pandemic, we look forward to welcoming more employees back to our campuses.

While there is still uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, we are confident in the precautions which have been taken to provide a safe environment for those returning to campus. We will continually evaluate and evolve our response and safety measures based on the guidance provided by health and government officials.

UW-Platteville will phase-in a return of employees to campus over time in a coordinated process to ensure appropriate physical distancing and re-acclimation to the office environment. Human Resources is working directly with deans, directors and supervisors across campus to determine when and how to return staff to their work spaces beginning July 1, 2020. Any decision to return an employee to a campus work space will be based on operational need, ability to control and manage specific work environments, and necessity to access on-campus resources. Once managers and supervisors have a plan in place for their particular areas, the plans will be shared with individual employees through department directors, supervisors and deans over the course of the next six weeks.

An Employee Guide for Returning to Campus has been developed to share the safety measures and protocols which have been implemented and the expectations of faculty and staff working on-campus to contribute toward a safe and healthy work environment. Employees are expected to familiarize themselves and fully comply with the policies, protocols and guidelines outlined in the Guide to support a strong return to campus. All employees will be expected to sign an acknowledgment form prior to returning to work on campus.

Furthermore, as more employees return to campus, we must recognize and respect that everyone has different levels of comfort with being in public and returning to campus. There is no "wrong" way for someone to feel, and the expectation is for each member of our campus community to treat one another with kindness and respect.

I thank all of our faculty and staff for their flexibility, resiliency, and dedication to UW-Platteville. Together, we will return to campus stronger than ever.

Be Safe. Be Strong, Be Pioneers.

Chancellor Dennis J. Shields

June 11, 2020

Chancellor Shields' message to students, parents

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will start classes as originally scheduled on Sept. 2. As previously announced, university plans include physically returning to campus, but the educational experience will look different as we take into account the health, safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff and visitors.

What will fall classes look like?

Our on-campus courses will continue to feature our outstanding faculty, who will lead instruction and advise students throughout the fall. However, due to physical distancing needs in the classroom, there will be many classes that cannot be held on our campuses with full attendance of every enrolled student at the same time. That is simply not possible. Instead, each student will most likely have a blend of courses that has on-campus attendance, especially our hands-on labs, as well as some online components. (You may see these called hybrid classes, too.) We have targeted a date no later than the end of June to make a final decision on how many in-person classes we will offer, which courses will be online, and what blended learning strategies may be implemented in each course. We continue to strive to offer a full array of offerings and educational programming, so that students will be able to continue their education and remain on a timely path to graduation.

What are we doing this summer?

In preparation for the fall, we are making adjustments in our classrooms, offices, residence halls, dining areas, health services and more in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and local health department guidelines. Our faculty are going through trainings this summer to be able to teach in all formats.

How can you stay up to date?

As we have already experienced, this pandemic has caused many changes and quick responses to those changes. We must continue to be flexible and willing to adapt to these changes, just as we all did in March. We ask each student to keep up to date with these changes. You will continually receive communications through your university email account, @uwplatt.edu. Those announcements, and more, are archived on the website COVID-19 response page, which may be accessed from the front page of the website or directly at https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/update-coronavirus

June 5, 2020

Chancellor's message to faculty and staff

As announced in the Chancellor's Message on May 6, 2020, UW-Platteville has implemented a furlough program consisting of three phases: 1.) consecutive furlough, 2.) temporary work reduction furlough, and 3.) intermittent furlough. The consecutive furlough and temporary work reduction furloughs were implemented in May. Over the past few weeks, I have considered several intermittent furlough options giving great consideration to feedback from Faculty, staff, and shared governance.

The intermittent furlough program will begin July 1, 2020 and run through June 30, 2021. All Faculty and staff are included in the unpaid intermittent furlough program with the exception of student employees, ad hoc employees, and employees funded at least 50% through grants. Employees assigned to a consecutive day furlough or temporary work reduction furlough equal to the intermittent furlough program will have fulfilled their furlough obligations and will not be required to take additional intermittent furlough days.

The amount of intermittent furlough days will be assigned on the following criteria based on salary tiers, academic or calendar year appointment, and prorated by FTE. Employees hired between July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021 will be assigned a pro-rated amount of intermittent furlough days based on their FTE and date of hire.

Outside of the criteria above, and in lieu of furlough, senior leadership will be taking a 6.5% temporary salary reduction for the fiscal year to provide additional salary savings which is equivalent to 16.9 furlough days. I will take a 10% temporary salary reduction for the fiscal year which is equivalent to 26 furlough days. The estimated combined salary savings from the furlough program including consecutive day, temporary work reduction, intermittent furloughs, and temporary pay reductions is $2.9 million.

The UW-Platteville Furlough Program Guidelineshave been updated to include the intermittent furlough program details, and they are published on the Human Resources website. Each employee will receive a personalized furlough notification letter mailed to their home address in coming weeks.

I recognize that this is a stressful and challenging time for all of you, and it is a lot to ask our campus community to participate in a furlough program. I am confident that these efforts, along with increased budget planning and reduction activities to create a sustainable budget model will ensure that we are able to provide an affordable and accessible education for generations to come.

Over the next few weeks, we will be providing information and details on returning more employees back to campus. Supervisors will be working directly with their employees to determine who will be allowed to return to campus for work and when. Stay tuned for more information.

Thank you again for all that you do.

Dennis J. Shields

Chancellor

June 3, 2020

Chancellor's Message: return to campus-based learning in fall 2020

Dear University Community,

First and foremost, thank you for all your efforts during this unprecedented time in higher education. The last semester has seen extraordinary undertakings by our faculty, staff and students to ensure the best possible educational experiences.

Second, after much consideration and consultation with health officials, we are making plans to bring students back to campus for the 2020 fall semester. Please note, these plans are fluid and depend on how well we can manage the health and safety of our university community, but we are starting from the position that we will be together in the fall.

We are now taking the summer to make plans for the return to campus with safety measures enacted in the residence halls, dining areas, classrooms, office areas and our health services. We know we are going to look different than in our previous years as we these make adjustments to limit the spread of the virus. We will keep you up-to-date throughout the summer with regular communications as plans evolve, but I felt it was important to let you know as soon as possible about this decision.

I am excited to see you again on our campuses!

Sincerely,

Dennis J. Shields Chancellor, UW-Platteville

May 29, 2020

Updates on furloughs

On May 6, Chancellor Dennis J. Shields announced three levels of furloughs to help combat the approximate $6.2 million revenue loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. The consecutive days and the work reductions furloughs are already underway, and the intermittent furlough plans for all employees during 2020-21 are being finalized. Chancellor Shields is engaging the shared governance leaders with the final scenarios and plans to provide a campus-wide announcement sharing the plan with all staff and faculty next week.

The UW-Platteville Furlough Program Guidelines are published on the Human Resources website.

May 25, 2020

Chancellor Shields' message to the university community

The safety and well-being of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville community has been and will continue to be at the forefront of all our decisions regarding the COVID-19. I write today to inform you that the Grant County Public Health Department notified us that a member of the UW-Platteville community has a confirmed case of COVID-19.

• The individual's name is not being released in accordance with HIPAA rules.
• This individual will remain quarantined under Grant County Public Health Department guidelines until their officials have cleared the individual.
• The Grant County Public Health Department will notify students, faculty, and staff who may have been had direct contact or exposure with the individual as warranted.
• Those notified should contact their primary care provider for guidance.
• Affected physical spaces will receive deep cleaning consistent with public health guidelines.

Appropriate precautions are being taken to keep the students who are staying on campus and the essential employees working on-site safe.

It is important to remember to exercise caution regarding the information you may see on social media. The Grant County Public Health Department, in conjunction with the Wisconsin State Department of Health, provides the only official quarantine measures for COVID-19. All university updates will continue to be posted at https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/update-coronavirus.

I urge you to continue practicing good hygiene as well as social distancing in order to minimize spread of this virus. Stay safe and remain well!

Sincerely,

Chancellor Dennis J. Shields

May 18, 2020

Provost Joanne Wilson message to faculty and staff

We are entering the final stretch of this unusual semester! I know this has been an adjustment for all of us. I want to thank you again for all that you have done to ensure our students' success. To turn classes, advising, counseling, tutoring and other important services to alternative delivery in a short two weeks was truly a remarkable effort.

The first message is a resolution passed by Faculty Senate (see May 12 for full resolution). This was in response to the Student Senate request to change finals week. This resolution was written by Travis Nelson, Jeff Huebschman, Katie Kalish and Andy Pawl.It was approved by Faculty Senate. Subsequently, Travis Nelson and Irfan Ul-Haq took this to Student Senate.Note that the request to delay the completion of final grades until Monday, June 1, has been approved by Registrar Kieckhafer and myself. (Grades will be due on June 1 at 8 am)

The second document (listed below) is an outline of the discipline process. Unfortunately we did have students that did not follow instructions and found other means to solve their exam questions. For you that are pursuing discipline for these reasons, we thought it a good idea to provide you this process. The Dean of Students office is willing to assist with discipline, but we are hoping that these issues can be resolved at the department or dean level.It is unfortunate that we have to address these issues at this time. I would point out that while this has been an issue for some faculty, I believe that the majority of our students have given their assignments, projects, and exams their very best effort. The saying that we spend 95% of our time on 5% of the people comes to mind at this time.

In closing, thank you again for your patience and hard work this semester.

And one last reminder that final grades must be posted on June 1 at 8 a.m.!

Be safe.

Joanne

Outline of discipline process

As the campus navigates the challenges of alternative delivery, discussions around encouraging academic integrity and holding students accountable for violations of academic misconduct have been on the rise. As such, we wanted to remind everyone how to initiate the academic misconduct process and what resources are available to instructors.

If an instructor suspects academic misconduct, they will need to set up a time to discuss the alleged misconduct with the student. The next step in the process is dictated by the instructor's decision of responsibility and recommend sanction.

• If the instructor determines the student is not responsible no further action is needed.
• If the instructor determines a student is responsible and wants to sanction an oral reprimand, written reprimand presented only to the student, or assign the student to repeat the work, they can do so without writing a formal report.
• If the instructor determines a student is responsible and wishes to lower the grade of the assignment or fail the assignment, lower the student's course grade, or give a failing grade for the course, a formal report* needs to be written. This report needs to be mailed to the student, and e-mailed to the Dean of Students Office, student's advisor, Registrar, and dean of the college.
• If an instructor determines a student is responsible and would like to remove the student from the course, have a written reprimand included in the student's file, recommend disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion, the instructor would need to write a report and forward it to the Dean of Students Office for a further investigation.

For additional information on the academic misconduct process please review UWS Chapter 14.

*The Dean of Students Office has created a template of the formal report required. This document is attached to this email.

A few other helpful tips as you navigate this process:

• The first step of the process is to conference with the student about the suspicions of academic misconduct. This can be via Zoom, over the phone, etc. If the student is not responsive to this request to conference, set a hard deadline for the conference to occur and communicate that if the conference does not happen by this time, you will make a decision without the value of the student's input.
• The more specific the you are in describing the alleged misconduct, (evidence, etc) the easier it is for the student to understand. This may also reduce the number of cases appealed.
• If the sanction has the potential to impact the student's final grade, and the appeal window overlaps when grades are due, it is recommended that you give the student an INC in the class until the full process plays out. This is easier than a change of grade, should an appeal happen.

Please note that UWS Chapter 14 requires all reports/letters to students be either hand delivered or sent via US Mail. If faculty do not have the ability to send this document via US Mail, please inform the Dean of Students Office and we will take care of this step for you. It is still your responsibility to email the report/letter to the student.

For questions about how to proceed with an instance of academic misconduct in your course, please first consult with your department chair or the dean of your college. If you have additional questions about the academic misconduct process, you can further consult with the Dean of Students Office at 608.342.1854 or deanofstudents@uwplatt.edu.

Thank you all for the work you continue to do during these unprecedented times.

May 18, 2020

Student Body President Ben Behlke message to fellow students

If we have not yet had the opportunity to meet, my name is Ben Behlke and I am the Student Body President of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. I would first like to say, it is okay to be scared and frustrated. This is a time like never before in our lives. More people are faced with financial burdens and mental health issues like they have never experienced. It is a time filled with high anxiety and concerning uncertainties. Many have lost summer employment, and many will continue to feel the impacts of this pandemic for years to come.

But in this time of great darkness, there is still light. The overwhelming support for the men and women on the front lines during this pandemic has been inspiring. The ability of our student body to convert to alternative delivery for our classes, and overcoming the challenges that come with it, and the ability to adapt to the continual rapid changes of the pandemic, is nothing short of amazing. This is told to the student body a lot, but from my position, I hear and feel the struggles that many of you feel, and to still come out on top of many of these challenges both big and small is inspiring to see.

As we near the end of the current semester, I would like to send my greatest congratulations to the graduating class of 2020. The current situation should not stop you from feeling proud of all that you have accomplished and the rich legacy each one of you will leave at the university.

To the continuing students, finish strong. I am sure many of you are looking forward to this whirlwind of a semester to be over, but we are in the final stretch. Be sure to study and make sure you check in with your professors if you are in need of special accommodations, due to any unique circumstances you may be facing, and be sure to know how each final exam will be administered. I wish you the best of luck during this time.

As we head into the summer, be sure to read university updates and if you are feeling a great financial burden, please feel free to apply for an emergency grant. At our university, the program is called "Pioneers Help Pioneers". They can assist with your current rental payment so you can maintain your housing, help to pay for your internet bill so that you can access online delivery of coursework, help to purchase some much-needed groceries and hygiene products, help to purchase a current medication or prescription, help to make an automobile repair so that you can continue to utilize your vehicle for essential needs and assist with the payment of this month's utility bills. Take advantage of this if you run into financial burdens over the course of the summer. Here is the current link for the grant program https://campus.uwplatt.edu/campus-climate/pioneers-helping-pioneers.

Lastly, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Student Senate is here for you. Our email is ssenate@uwplatt.edu. If you have any issues or concerns talk to us and let us know how we can help. We are here to serve as your voice during this uncertain time. No matter how big or small it may be, you letting us know will help us in serving you. Feel free to like and message us on Facebook as well for more updates from us. We are hoping to be as transparent as we can through the summer months so liking us on Facebook will allow you to receive the updates as soon as possible.

Thank you all, and I hope you are staying safe and well.

May 15, 2020

Commencement recognition pages

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville salutes all of its 2020 spring and summer candidates for graduation! Each campus has put together special commencement recognition sites to honor our graduates. Once it is safe to do so, we plan to host an in-person celebration.

The UW-Platteville campus page features a video tribute along with a PDF of all our candidates' names. That site is at https://www.uwplatt.edu/204commencement

Our branch campus celebrations are at:

• UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County (premiering Sunday at 2 p.m.)
• UW-Platteville Richland (Facebook site)

May 14, 2020

A Message from the Chancellor

May 12, 2020

Platteville's M to be be lit blue tonight

Southwest Health and UW-Platteville are lighting the M blue tonight in support of the health care industry dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The M will be turned blue, with lighting equipment donated by Scott Implement, at dusk tonight through 10:30 p.m.

The World's Largest M measures 214 by 241 feet and was constructed in 1937 by students from the mining school. That school merged with the teacher's college in 1959 to form what is now known as UW-Platteville.

May 6-12 is National Nurses Week, while May 10-16 is National Hospital Week. Please join us in saluting those who are leading the health response to COVID-19.

May 12, 2020

A message from Provost Joanne Wilson to students

Dear UW-Platteville Students,

We are currently in our last week of what would have been your face-to-face classes. I know that there have been many bumps along this journey. There are so many things I would like to acknowledge about this semester.You have responded to everything as well as can be expected. Yes, things weren't always perfect and I hope you have learned that you are able to advocate for yourselves.You should never be afraid to speak up and ask the appropriate questions. Members of the Academic Affairs team have reached out to many of you in the past weeks, and we have done our best to rectify a difficult situation that you may have found yourself in. I am extremely proud of our students and their successes this semester. Likewise, I am proud of the faculty who have also done their best to teach you.

As we move forward, know that we are doing our best to plan what the subsequent semesters will look like. We maintain student success at the core of our planning. As the Chancellor stated in his campus email Monday afternoon, we are working on different scenarios that will depend on where we are with this pandemic.

• Scenario 1: Face-to-face with normal or late start date after ensuring living and learning spaces meet all safety guidelines established by our local, state and national guidelines.
• Scenario 2: Completely alternative delivery with late start to allow for two weeks of training for students, faculty and staff to maximize the educational experience.

In addition, there are a few other things I would like to address as you move forward through this week and finals week.

Final Projects and Exams

Below you will find the Faculty Senate resolution regarding final projects and finals week. After the faculty senate approved this document, the faculty presented this to Student Senate as well. The paragraph that is most important to you as a student states the following:

"Given the special circumstances of the semester, and recognizing that many students have limited flexibility in their schedules, we ask faculty and staff to offer students more time to complete and submit final projects and exams than would be required in an on-campus setting and to refrain from including any material on a final exam that was not adequately covered in class. The logistics of a final exam week in alternative delivery also leads us to strongly encourage faculty and staff to, if at all possible, reduce the length of their final exam compared to a typical semester and to be prepared to offer reasonable accommodations to students who communicate scheduling issues in advance. Individual instructors may also determine whether they want to make a final assessment optional, convert a cumulative final to a non-cumulative exam, or offer other alternatives to a traditional final. In order to accommodate as much individual flexibility as possible, we ask the provost and registrar's office to consider extending the deadline for final grades submission to June 1, 2020."

I encourage you to communicate with your faculty this week about the expectations that they have regarding the final projects and exams that they are asking you to complete. Their expectations for the following two weeks should be clearly identified for you. And the request for a later date for final grade submission has been approved by Registrar Kieckhafer and myself.

Commencement

I am extremely sad that we will not be holding commencement exercises this weekend. As many of you might know, this was to be the last set of commencement exercises that I would emcee, as I am retiring at the end of June. Commencement is always my favorite day, and this day was to be even more special spent with all of you.

Recently we sent a survey to the campus community asking for opinions on what we should do to recognize our graduates. The most common response was that you wanted a ceremony, with a REAL stage, that you could enjoy with your family and friends. We are going to do our best to honor your request for a real ceremony. We expect that this might be scheduled for late Fall, as we will know more about the social distancing restrictions which should be followed.

In place of the ceremonies this weekend, we intend to post a website dedicated to recognizing you as May and August graduates. The Chancellor will say a few words as will I and ALL of the names of those of you intending to graduate will be listed on the website. We will provide a link so that each of you can provide picture(s) of you celebrating your commencement. We intend to create a video with all of these pictures and that video will be posted later in June.

Those of you that provided an address in the survey, we are working on that project and hope to have it completed as soon as possible. This has turned out to be a bit bigger endeavor than we had projected, and we are waiting for a few shipped items to arrive at the university before we can complete the project. Please note that we are only sending this package to those graduates that asked us for this delivery.

Provide Information to Us

Soon you will be asked to provide your feedback on alternative delivery. This survey will be about your overall educational experience and differs from in-course evaluations that some of your instructors may require. When asked to respond to the survey, please answer the questions about your overall experience in your classes since Spring Break. We will use this information to help us improve your learning experiences in the future.

As I close, I want to ask that you continue to complete your courses and give them your best effort. Please know that the campus community is doing its best to support you. We are hopeful that we will be able to see you in a face to face environment in the fall semester.

Please be safe.

Sincerely,

Joanne

May 12, 2020

Faculty Senate Resolution

This memo is in response to the portion of the Student Senate Covid-19 Academic Resolution (sponsored by Senator Ciesla) requesting that students be allowed to opt out of final assessments and projects and that due dates for final assessments and projects be extended to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2020. Other important aspects of this resolution have been addressed by the provost and deans.

We certainly recognize that students are under extraordinary and diverse pressures in these challenging times and have worked very hard to adapt to the particular challenges of alternative delivery instruction. Despite the significant concerns outlined in the Student Senate resolution, the student body has demonstrated remarkable persistence, responsibility, flexibility, and resilience and has, in most cases, engaged positively and productively in newly-structured courses. Faculty and instructional staff have worked similarly hard to quickly restructure their courses and instructional methods and have, in most cases, done their best to accommodate student needs as much as possible.

Because we value academic freedom and the rights of faculty and instructional staff to make decisions about student learning, pedagogy, and assessment, we do not support a broad policy of optional final assessments and projects. Such assessments and projects are often essential to the integrative and reflective parts of student learning. And the content covered in these assessments and projects is often vital for next-step courses or as preparation for pre-professional tracks. Similarly, a universal extension of final assessment and project due dates to May 22 is likely to have unintended scheduling and other consequences for both students and faculty/staff.

Given the special circumstances of the semester, and recognizing that many students have limited flexibility in their schedules, we ask faculty and staff to offer students more time to complete and submit final projects and exams than would be required in an on-campus setting and to refrain from including any material on a final exam that was not adequately covered in class. The logistics of a final exam week in alternative delivery also leads us to strongly encourage faculty and staff to, if at all possible, reduce the length of their final exam compared to a typical semester and to be prepared to offer reasonable accommodations to students who communicate scheduling issues in advance. Individual instructors may also determine whether they want to make a final assessment optional, convert a cumulative final to a non-cumulative exam, or offer other alternatives to a traditional final. In order to accommodate as much individual flexibility as possible, we ask the provost and registrar's office to consider extending the deadline for final grades submission to June 1, 2020.

Finally, we invite students to communicate regularly with their instructors and, when necessary, department chairs - especially if they are having academic or other difficulties. It is very important that we as a UW-Platteville community continue to support each other and to help our students learn and thrive.

May 11, 2020

A message from Chancellor Dennis J. Shields

Greetings,

As we begin the final week of classes this semester, I offer my sincerest appreciation for all you have done during this unprecedented time in our history. Your willingness and ability to adapt have been nothing short of remarkable. I have been thoroughly impressed with our entire university community during this time. You truly are why every day is a great day to be a Pioneer.

Congratulations to our graduating seniors. I will miss shaking your hands and celebrating with you this weekend. It is important that we reschedule your ceremony so we have that opportunity.

Congratulations and thank you as well to our faculty and staff who are retiring after this academic year. We plan to have a retirement party for you when we are all together face-to-face again.

For those who are returning this fall, I assure you that we are working on different scenarios that will depend on where we are with this pandemic.

• Scenario 1: Face-to-face with normal or late start date after ensuring living and learning spaces meet all safety guidelines established by our local, state and national guidelines.
• Scenario 2: Completely alternative delivery with late start to allow for two weeks of training for students, faculty and staff to maximize the educational experience.

I know it is everyone's preference, including mine, to return to face-to-face classes as soon as possible, but your safety and well-being have been-and will continue to be-at the forefront of all our decisions. If all 7,000+ students, faculty and staff are back in close contact on a daily basis, and there is an outbreak, we could overwhelm our healthcare facilities. That is why we as a university have acted with such careful and deliberate methods in assessing the feasibility of this situation. We have a responsibility to you and to the entire Tri-State area.

We will continue to assess the ever-changing situation and would like to have a decision around July 1 so we can all be prepared for the fall.

Thank you again for your commitment to the UW-Platteville educational experience.

Be Safe. Be Strong. Be Pioneers.

Sincerely,

Chancellor Dennis J. Shields

May 6, 2020

Chancellor's message regarding budget, furloughs

Over the past two months, our campus and communities have endured many changes and challenges as we face the COVID-19 pandemic. The way in which we deliver a world-class education and services to our students, and the way in which this university runs day-to-day has been transformed. I want to thank each and every one of you for your flexibility and commitment during these unprecedented times.

Prior to the pandemic, UW-Platteville was facing a budgetary shortfall of $8.2 million including branch campuses. The effects of COVID-19 on this campus has resulted in an additional revenue loss of $6.5 million through summer 2020, and we will continue to feel the effects of the pandemic for much longer.

We have received approximately $4.8 million in federal assistance; 50% of these dollars must be used for the sole purpose of providing emergency financial aid grants to students, and 50% may be used to cover costs associated with significant changes to the delivery of instruction due to the coronavirus and refunds to students. Additionally, Governor Evers has directed state entities to reduce their spending by 5% by July 1, 2020 which equates to a reduction of approximately $1.4 million in our current fiscal year's spending.

The university has been engaged in budget planning and reduction activities for the past several months. The current crisis increased those efforts. Some immediate actions we took to control current and future costs included:

• Voluntary Separation Incentive Program (VSIP)
• Freezing travel and limiting non-essential expenses
• Reducing or rotating staff in areas where services have been reduced or eliminated
• Limiting recruitment and hiring with increased approval processes
• Redoubling our efforts to increase enrollment

Unfortunately, we must take additional short-term steps to address the ongoing financial challenges including the implementation of a furlough program at UW-Platteville. The furlough program will consist of three phases: 1.) consecutive furlough, 2.) temporary work reduction furlough, and 3.) intermittent furlough. The decision to implement a furlough program did not come easy, and I thank everyone who participated in the employee survey which helped to shape the design of this program.

Beginning May 18, approximately 70 UW-Platteville employees of operational units where services or workload has been reduced or eliminated due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be placed on consecutive day furloughs of up to three months. A consecutive day furlough is assigned in full-day increments for a continuous period of time with a defined start and end date; dates may differ by operational unit. Employees identified for a consecutive day furlough will be notified by their supervisor or manager and by a letter mailed to their home address 7 days prior to the first day of the furlough.

Employees may not utilize any paid leave benefit on a day the employee is assigned to a consecutive day furlough; however, they are eligible for apply for unemployment benefits. Estimated savings from the consecutive leave program may reach $500,000.

Some employees will be placed on temporary work reduction furlough beginning around May 18. A temporary work reduction (TWR) furlough assignment reduces the FTE percentage of an employee's appointment for a continuous period of time with a defined start and end date. Leaders are currently working to identify staff for whom this may be an option, and implementation dates and length of TWR furlough assignments will vary. Employees will receive at least 7 days' notice prior to the start of the TWR, and they will also be eligible to apply for unemployment. Reach out to your supervisor if you feel a temporary work reduction may be an option for you.

Finally, we will be implementing an intermittent furlough program for all employee classifications from July 1, 2020 - June 30, 2021. Thank you again to all of you who completed the employee furlough survey. Your input has been instrumental in developing several financial models currently in consideration. Details on the intermittent furlough program are still being finalized.The Chancellor intends to make a final decision by the end of the month.

The UW-Platteville Furlough Program Guidelines have been published on the Human Resources website and will be updated upon finalization of the intermittent furlough details. Additionally, I invite you to review the UW System Administrative Policy 1200-Interim 04: Furlough which establishes the guidelines for institutional furlough program development.

I recognize that this is a stressful and challenging time for all of you, and it is a lot to ask our campus community to participate in a furlough program. I am confident that these efforts, along with increased budget planning and reduction activities to create a sustainable budget model, will ensure that we are able to provide a world-class education for generations to come.

Thank you again for all that you do. It is because of you that every day is a great day to be a Pioneer!

Dennis J. Shields

Chancellor

May 5, 2020

Commencement update

It is the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's full intention to have our spring 2020 graduates walk across the stage at some point. Our graduates have earned that right, and we are anxious to set a new commencement date, once we know when public gatherings will be safe again. For the main campus students, please watch for an announcement about a special web site that will go live on May 14 to recognize those who are graduating. Similar recognition sites or videos will be communicated to branch campus graduates as well as online graduates.

Be Safe. Be Strong. Be Pioneers.

April 30, 2020

April 28, 2020

Return of UW-Platteville Items (textbooks, equipment, instruments, materials, etc.) at UW-Platteville Main Campus

•  
  • "Enter Department Name" for example Textbook Center
    University of Wisconsin-Platteville
    1 University Plaza
    Platteville, WI 53818
  • Use the US Postal Service "Media Mail", it is tracked and the most affordable rate. Please see USPS Media Mail Rates.
    • Media Mail is defined as: recordings, books, scripts, DVDs, CDs, etc
• Textbooks may also be dropped off at the Textbook Center drop box or Karrmann Library drop boxes. All drop boxes are available 24/7. Student identification on textbooks is not required at drop off.
• For oversized or very sensitive items please contact your instructor to make arrangements.

April 23, 2020

New Student Registration to utilize virtual format

For the health and safety of our campus communities, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville will be transitioning to a virtual format for summer 2020 New Student Registration.

Even though New Student Registration is going to be a bit different than originally planned, the university is committed to offering a personalized, engaging experience online for incoming freshmen and families. All students will have their own Success Team to answer questions and provide guidance along the way, as they learn about important resources, connect with the campus community, register for classes and prepare for the fall semester.

Additional information about NSR and placement testing will also be sent directly to the incoming students in the near future. For questions, please contact Academic Support Programs at 608.342.1081 or academicsupport@uwplatt.edu. In the meantime, Be Safe. Be Strong. Be Pioneers.

April 22, 2020

Drop deadline extended, fee waived

The drop classes deadline has been extended until the last day of classes. Students now have until 4 p.m. on May 15 to officially drop a course. The drop fee has been waived for this semester as well.

Resources for all three campus

Single sites with links to helpful resources during this semester have now been developed for all three campuses.

• UW-Platteville Main Campus
• https://uwplatt.sharepoint.com/sites/EnrollmentStudentSuccess/SitePages/Campus-Resources-for-Students-During-COVID-19.aspx
• UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County
• https://uwplatt.sharepoint.com/sites/BarabooSaukCounty/SitePages/COVID-19-Resources-for-Baraboo-Sauk-County.aspx
• UW-Platteville Richland
• https://uwplatt.sharepoint.com/sites/Richland/SitePages/COVID-19-Resources-for-Richland.aspx

Travel update

All university travel by air is suspended through at least Aug. 1 (previously the university announced the suspension through May 31). In addition, all travel by land for university-related business must be approved in advance by the applicable divisional leader.

April 22, 2020

Parking refunds for main campus

April 20, 2020

Residence hall move-out days

To allow students to collect their belongings from the main campus residence halls and still ensure social distancing, UW-Platteville has devised a staggered schedule for April 25-26 and May 1-3.

Students vacated the residence halls on March 13 for an extended two-week spring break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The two weeks of alternative delivery originally scheduled to follow the spring break were extended to the entire semester following Gov. Tony Evers' Safer At Home decree. The Safer At Home order originally expired on April 24, and the edict does allow for facilitated evacuation of residence halls. This plan has been approved by the UW-Platteville Emergency Operations Center with guidance from the Grant County Health Department.

To ensure the safety and well-being of the students and staff, students have registered for different two-hour slots over the five move-out days. Only 20 students, with no more than two helpers, are scheduled per time slot per building to collect and move their belongings. In addition, the parking lots will be staffed to facilitate traffic flow and encourage social distancing. The Centers for Disease Controls recommends social distancing of at least six feet. Personal safety measures, such as masks, are also encouraged.

April 16, 2020

Chancellor's communication regarding furloughs

On April 16, 2020, the Board of Regents Executive Committee reviewed and approved amendments to Regent Policy Document 20-21 which authorizes UW institutions to implement furloughs. UW System 1200 Interim 04 Policy: Furlough establishes standards for UW System institution furlough programs.

Specifically, the Board Resolution states:

• The University of Wisconsin System is facing increased fiscal challenges as a result of the COVID-19 crisis. As a result, the Executive Committee of the Board of Regents, under the authority granted to the Board in Wis. Stats. s. 36.115, is being asked to modify Regent Policy Document 20-21 to authorize the UW System President and the UW-Madison Chancellor to create furlough policies. The furlough policies will provide options in addition to the other workforce reduction and cost saving measures, to address these financial challenges in a way that minimizes layoffs and maximizes the UW System's ability to continue to perform its critical educational and outreach mission. The furlough process is not a substitute for layoff, non-renewal, or termination processes as outlined in the Wisconsin Administrative code, systemwide policies, and institutional policies

Per this Resolution, the Board grants the President the authority to delegate to individual Chancellors of institutions other than UW-Madison the administration and oversight of the personnel system for all system employees (excluding UW-Madison, which has its own personnel system).

The Chancellor and Leadership Team are reviewing the UW System 1200 Interim 04 Policy in detail and will determine shortly whether to use the furlough process to address our budgetary and revenue shortfalls created by COVID-19. The Chancellor fully realizes the financial impact that a furlough or reduction in pay/work can have on our employees and will be considering this impact throughout every stage of this process. The Chancellor will be consulting with governance and other university leaders and sharing any tentative plans prior to making any final decisions on furloughs. More information and details will be forthcoming next week. (Update: the university sent a survey to faculty and staff for input on April 23.)

April 16, 2020

COVID-19 Updates: grades, drop deadline, summer announcements

Many universities have decided to modify their grading approach for the Spring 2020 semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After careful consideration, UW-Platteville is adjusting its grading approach through changes to a series of policies. Students, faculty and staff are aware that a Pass/Fail option is being adopted by many other universities. The Academic Affairs team does not believe that this approach will benefit the students at UW-Platteville. The decision to provide changes to the following policies and standards will prevent students from inadvertently disadvantaging themselves at a later date in their academic career. The Provost has reviewed this plan with the Faculty and Student Senates. The Chancellor has agreed that this is the best plan for our students at this time.

Possible issues with the Pass/Fail option include students putting themselves in jeopardy for future classes, ability to meet GPA requirements for specific programs and subsequent admissions to graduate school.

Changes to policies include:

• Extending the last day to drop to April 20 (originally scheduled for April 9)
• Waiving the drop fee for the remainder of the Spring 2020 semester
• A note will be inserted on each student's transcript for the Spring 2020 semester indicating that this was a semester that was interrupted by the COVID 19 pandemic
• Leniency of the dismissal policy.

1. For a student on first semester of final probation, if Spring 2020 term is 0.0 GPA and the student is dismissed, the student may appeal for re-entry. If the term GPA is above 0.0—the student will be placed on standing earned or, if already on 2nd semester of final probation, will stay on final probation.
2. A student who was on one semester dismissal and was reinstated as special student this semester: if the Spring 2020 GPA is 0.0, student is dismissed and may appeal; if the GPA earned is above 0.0, the student will be reinstated.
3. In Fall 2019, Faculty Senate approved the change from a 2-year dismissal to a 1-year dismissal; this change will apply to Spring 2020 semester.
4. A student currently on a two-year dismissal that has not been completed, may appeal for early reinstatement. Currently the Registrar is not applying the new 1-year dismissal to students currently on 2-year dismissal.

• For Spring 2020 semester, students will complete the multiple repeat form (known as the 3-peat form), but the Dean's designee will note on the form that this course was part of the student's course load during the Spring 2020 semester, and the grade will not count in the subsequent average of the GPA. A subsequent repeat of the course will replace the grade in the GPA. This should be noted on the form by the Dean's designee at the time that the course is repeated.

Thank you for your patience while we considered all of the comments that were provided to us. This was an important decision that was not made lightly. UW-Platteville supports our students' success and we believe that the changes to these policies will reduce anxiety, keep students on their track to degrees, and provide guidelines for the near future.

Summer school guidelines for faculty/staff scheduling with students

In relation to the summer schedule, to minimize course conflicts and maximize potential student participation, the following has been worked out with the registrar.

1. Make all summer classes asynchronous on the schedule (but still consistent with session dates) allowing students to register for what they need without time conflicts. Please note that courses will be scheduled as asynchronous in the schedule, however, faculty/staff can schedule synchronous times with students.
2. Once the class begins the instructor can set up synchronous meeting times with students with the understanding that some students may not be able to make them due to schedule conflicts with work , internships etc.
3. Office hours can also be scheduled with the understanding that work, internships and coops may create some conflict and some evening and weekend times may be needed.

April 15, 2020

Residence Hall and Dining Refund Information

UW-Platteville has been working closely with the UW System to develop a plan to refund students for unused time in Residence Life and Dining Meal Plans.

Residence Life will be refunding students who lived in the residence halls and have since left, a percentage of their spring housing payment. This percentage is based off the time students left housing due to COVID-19. For most students this date calculation began on March 13, 2020. The refund calculation excludes the originally scheduled Spring Break week. There are no refunds being offered for loft and bike locker rentals.Students living in Rountree Commons will receive additional refund communication from Rountree Commons facilities staff.

Should students have any questions about residence hall specific refunds, please feel free to email us at reslife@uwplatt.edu.

Dining Services will refund the Spring 2020 meal plans based off unused spring meals and dining dollars.

If you have questions about your meal plan balance, log into e-Accounts for this information. Follow the link to the log in page https://eacct-uwplatt-sp.transactcampus.com/eaccounts/AnonymousHome.aspx. If you have any other questions, please feel free to email us at mao@uwplatt.edu.

Residence Life and Dining Services will work with the Cashier's Office and those refunds will begin to appear on student's accounts starting April 17, 2020. These refunds will not appear on accounts of students who are still residing on campus and using their meal plans during this time. Refunds for these adjustments will be initiated on April 21, 2020 and you should start to see them in your bank accounts around April 24, 2020. Make sure you've set up your BankMobile preferences.

Parking refund procedures will be sent in a later email. Student workers should have already received an email from Human Resources about income continuation.

April 10, 2020

Summer Session 2020

For the safety of our students, faculty, and staff, and in order to mitigate any possible spread of COVID-19, all face-to-face classes at UW-Platteville are suspended for the 2020 summer sessions. Alternative delivery methods will be used for all three UW-Platteville campuses.

• Any course that was originally scheduled as an online course will run as scheduled during the previously-scheduled summer session.
• The summer session scheduled to begin May 26 will now ONLY be used to enroll students in the co-op or internship sections scheduled for this session. No classes will be offered during this session.
• Courses that were originally scheduled to be face-to-face will move to alternative delivery, and these courses will be offered in the summer session which is scheduled to begin on June 22.

April 9, 2020

Summer events canceled

In a cautionary and proactive move, UW-Platteville will suspend/postpone/cancel all summer in-person/face-to-face events, including camps, clinics, weddings and similar events through at least Aug. 1. This decision is made based on a concern for the health and welfare of those who would be coming to our campuses given the current status of COVID-19. This would include events on all three campuses. All spring public events have already been canceled due to the pandemic. (Clarifications and updates: no events can be held through Aug. 1; no new events can be scheduled in August; and none of the postponed spring or summer events can be rescheduled in August.)

As always, we thank you for your patience during these unprecedented events.

April 7, 2020

Resources during COVID-19 pandemic

To assist our students, faculty and staff, a one-site resource guide was compiled with all the student services available during this semester. Please visit https://uwplatt.sharepoint.com/sites/EnrollmentStudentSuccess/SitePages/Campus-Resources-for-Students-During-COVID-19

Updated building policy

In order to ensure the safest possible environments in academic buildings, UW-Platteville has updated its policies during the COVID-19 pandemic to include the following:

• All academic buildings are locked for the remainder of the semester.
• Faculty and staff are highly encouraged to work remotely.
• Only employees who must be on campus to perform their work duties and/or have approval from their supervisor should be accessing buildings.
• Faculty and staff are to only have access to the building in which they work and must use their access cards
• All student workers must be granted appropriate access by facilities to the building in which they work.
• Everyone who enters an academic building must sign in at the door. This will assist the facilities staff in knowing which rooms to clean.
• Use the elevator instead of stairs. Facilities will be cleaning the elevators, not all the individual stairwells. If an elevator is not working, please call 608.342.1155.

These steps are necessary to ensure social distancing, limited access and conservation of cleaning supplies.

Be Safe. Be Strong. Be Pioneers.

April 1, 2020

Message to university

In a cautionary and proactive move, UW-Platteville departments are training for the event of a COVID-19 case on the main campus. Facilities staff are undergoing training to properly clean an infected area, and dining services personnel are developing alternative delivery protocols.

Facilities will begin with a deep clean in an area of Ottensman Hall. An employee had been feeling ill on March 17, but did not meet Grant County Health Department recommendations for further testing. Out of an abundance of caution, that area (which has been closed since March 17) will be the first to be thoroughly sanitized, following OSHA and CDC cleaning directives.

As a reminder, if there is a suspected case of COVID-19, all people in contact with that person would be notified by the Grant County Health Department.

The university again reminds all employees if they are sick not to come to campus and follow the Centers for Disease Controls recommended guidelines.

March 29, 2020

Message to the university

On Monday, UW-Platteville will resume classes, utilizing alternative delivery after two weeks of extended spring break. In doing so, we recognize that some students, faculty, and staff will be returning to the Platteville, Baraboo, and Richland Center areas for the first time since the implementation of Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers' "safer at home" order. As members of the UW-Platteville community, we are also part of our larger communities. We remind all members of our university community of the importance of adhering to all established protective guidelines, such as keeping at least six feet apart from others, avoiding physical contact and avoiding groups larger than 10.

Thank you and good luck with the start of alternative delivery methods during this unprecedented time.

Be safe. Be strong. Be Pioneers.

March 25, 2020

Gov. Evers' Safer at Home Order

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has issued a "safer at home" order for the state of Wisconsin effective Wednesday, March 25 at 8 a.m. until April 24. Please note that the governor has defined higher educational institutions as essential "for purposes of facilitating distance learning, performing critical research, or performing essential functions as determined by the institution."

Be assured that UW-Platteville is prepared to continue providing those essential services to our students while at the same time practicing social distancing. Even before the order, the university has already limited the number of people on all three campuses. UW-Platteville encourages those who remain to follow the established guidelines of keeping at least six feet apart from others, avoiding physical contact and avoiding groups larger than five.

To even further reduce the amounts of interaction, the following services on the main campus have modified schedules:

• All campus buildings remain closed except those who work in the buildings and have card access.
• University Police will continue to provide 24/7 emergency coverage. Non-emergency calls will be handled via the phone, 608.342.1584.
• Dining Services will work in collaboration with Residence Life to provide meals to students who remain in the residence halls.
• Facilities: The heating plant will operate as normal, and custodial and maintenance will downsize to a smaller, rotating crew of employees and will continue to handle maintenance requests, including an on-call status for after hours. Call 608.342.1155 for more information.
• Residence Life: Resident Directors will remain in their respective buildings; central staff will not be on site, but will be available by Zoom or phone; and front office staff will be in the office part time. Residence hall students will receive periodic communications.
• Pioneer Farm will continue to operate, in order to care for the 800-plus animals.
• ITS: A minimal number of staff will work on a rotating basis in order to ensure our campus community has the necessary technical support.
• URecord Studio and Zoom Room are available to faculty for alternative delivery by in-person appointments only. Contact the helpdesk to schedule access. Helpdesk support is available by phone at 608.342.1400 or email, helpdesk@uwplatt.edu. In person support is available by appointment only.
• Student Health Services: Student Health Services is available by telephone for consultation. Call 608.342.1891
• The Registrar's office will be staffed with one person at a time, 8-4 Monday and Friday and 10-2 Wednesday. Contact 608.342.1321 or registrar@uwplatt.edu.
• Central Receiving loading dock and Pioneer Printing and Postal Services will have limited hours. On Monday and Friday morning, from 9-11 a.m., mail and packages will be delivered to essential departments. Essential departments with USPS mail that needs processing need to make arrangements during these hours for that. Call 608.342.1484 to make arrangements. FedEx packages will be delivered as needed to essential departments. All outgoing UPS or Fed Ex packages must be taken to Central Receiving to be sent. Call ahead at 608.342.1144.
• Markee Pioneer Student Center: The student center is closed, although the main information line of 608.342.1491 will be available weekdays 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
• Human Resources: Office is closed, but employees are encouraged to review the Human Resources FAQs or contact Human Resources at humanresources@uwplatt.edu or 608.342.1176 during normal business hours.

The university thanks all faculty, students and staff for their understanding and flexibility during this quickly-changing pandemic.

March 23, 2020

A message from Chancellor Dennis J. Shields

Good afternoon Pioneers,

• First, I thank you for everything you have done during this unprecedented occurrence in our university's history. Your willingness and your abilities to adapt to rapidly-changing circumstances have been remarkable.
• Second, many questions have arisen, with a large one being about finances. I am happy to share with you this announcement from UW System (below) that prorated room, board and meal plan refunds will be offered to those who able to leave due to COVID-19. As your chancellor, I felt this is an important step for us to take. Details will be worked out on the logistics of these refunds and who is eligible, but I am writing today to hopefully put your minds at ease over this question.
• Third, based on the Centers for Disease Control recommendations, we are postponing the May commencement ceremonies at all three campuses. Please note that we are not canceling, but we are looking at alternatives to celebrating our seniors' accomplishments. I remain firmly committed to being able to congratulate each and every senior.
• Fourth, with the exception of the elections being held in Ullsvik Hall on April 7, all public events are either canceled or postponed through at least the end of this semester.

Again, thank you for all your efforts. Stay safe and remain strong.

Sincerely,

Chancellor Dennis J. Shields

UW System to offer prorated room and board refunds

MADISON, Wis.—University of Wisconsin System President Ray Cross announced today that all UW System institutions will refund the prorated charges for housing and dining for the remainder of the spring semester for students who have vacated their respective universities.

Cross said the decision is a response to the evolving situation related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the transition to classes being delivered through alternative methods.

"We recognize the tremendous upheaval this pandemic has inflicted on the lives of our students, and we appreciate their patience and their sacrifice," Cross said. "This reimbursement is the right thing to do."

University chancellors were consulted on the decision and agree with it.

Prorated reimbursements will exclude the period of the originally scheduled spring break and shall be issued by the close of the spring academic semester. Crediting these funds toward future semesters in lieu of a refund is not an option because of rules related to the awarding of federal financial aid.

March 19, 2020

Building updates for all three campuses

March 19, 2020

For the safety of our campus communities and in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the decision has been made to suspend face-to-face classes at UW-Platteville and shift to alternative delivery of courses through the end of the 2020 spring semester. This applies to all three UW-Platteville campuses.

The updated schedule is as follows:

March 13-29: Extended Spring Break
March 30-April 9: Classes in alternative delivery
April 10-13: April Break
April 14-May 22: Classes in alternative delivery

This change raises a number of questions, all of which we are looking into in detail and will have more information shortly, such as access to buildings, textbooks, potential refunds for housing and dining, impact on financial aid and more. We will be sending additional details soon. For student who remain in the main campus residence halls, we will be sending an email with additional information and directions. As for commencement, we are discussing how these changes may impact this very important event and will be making decisions and sharing information with you by next Monday.

We will continue to monitor the everchanging developments and guidelines surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. In making any decisions, our top priority is always the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff.

Additional messages will be forthcoming through email on a regular basis as needed. All updates will continue to be posted online at https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/update-coronavirus.

As always, we thank you for your patience during these unprecedented events.

March 18, 2020

A message from Chancellor Dennis J. Shields

Please see the following video message from Chancellor Dennis J. Shields: https://youtu.be/4ypynDNa-dU

March 18, 2020

Message to Students from Provost Wilson - important information regarding registration for Fall 2020, etc.

I thought it might be a good time to reach out to each of you. I can appreciate that the situation of the past few weeks has been alarming and created uncertainty and many questions. We are doing our best to keep everyone informed of decisions as they are made, and please know prioritizing your safety and education are at the heart of those decisions.

Note that THIS WEEK IS OFFICIALLY PART OF SPRING BREAK. From your perspective this means that students are not expected to submit any exams, papers, lab reports or any other assignment until Monday, March 30. I would caution you that your faculty and instructors may expect something that was due this week to be submitted on March 30. I would be ready for that request, just in case. I would also remind you that the attendance policies that influence a student's final grade have been suspended for the remainder of this semester, effective Monday, March 9. If you haven't attended class prior to that date, I encourage you to have a conversation with your faculty member.

From Registrar Kieckhafer, there are three very important messages I need to convey to you.

1. The final drop date for campus is Monday, April 20. Due to all the recent changes, we have extended the published drop date so that students have additional time to consider this important decision.
2. Registration for Fall 2020 semester has also been rescheduled and will begin on Tuesday, April 14. You may work with your academic advisor over email, phone, or zoom. Your academic advisor will only be able to provide your PIN number through your official uwplatt.edu email and ONLY after you have worked with your academic advisor to create your Fall 2020 schedule. It's important during this time for you to use your official Platteville email and recognize critical communication will be sent through this email. I would recommend checking this email frequently.
3. This week your faculty will be evaluating your midterm grades. Be aware that these will be submitted in the next few weeks. You should access your PASS account so that you understand how you have been evaluated prior to the alternative delivery phase of this semester.

I encourage you to communicate with your faculty members as you move through the next part of the semester. We know that some of you will not have access to appropriate technology. It may be difficult for you to complete your assignments in the media that the faculty member has chosen. Let them know your situation. If you have accommodation needs due to a documented disability, please connect with our Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD@uwplatt.edu, 608-342-1818) and let your faculty know about your situation.

Many of you have chosen to stay local to campus through the next few weeks. We will do all we can to support you, however, we also want you to maintain your social distance, so that everyone can do their best to remain healthy. To that end, we are limiting access to academic buildings and laboratories. This situation is changing every day. The library will have a chat function available for you to ask librarians for assistance. The Markee Pioneer Student Center will post their hours. Faculty will not be accepting drop-in visits during this break to ensure the social distancing. If you need assistance from a particular staff member, I encourage you to email or call so that you can work through an appropriate communication method. Due to their circumstances, they may only be on campus for a few hours a day, or a few days a week.

As we move beyond spring break, I encourage you to remember that this is a new situation for all of us. Your faculty members are working this week to think about how they might deliver their course information. Many of you will not have another lecture to attend, but instead may learn through activities posted in CANVAS or multiple emails. You may have reading assignments and/or videos to access. This is all new to many of our faculty and staff, so please be patient with them and make sure to check your official UW-Platteville email.

Above all, know that we are here to continue to support your academic success.

Please take care of yourself over the next few weeks. We will continue to update you as best we can.

Be well,

Joanne

D. Joanne Wilson

Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

March 17, 2020

Interim COVID-19 Leave Policy and Travel Restriction Clarifications

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville encourages all students, faculty and staff to practice social distancing. For those employees who are able to perform their essential duties remotely, every attempt should be made to coordinate doing so to the greatest extent possible. Please discuss your alternative work plan with your supervisor and enact this plan starting tomorrow, March 18, 2020.

Please see the updates below regarding:

1. Interim COVID-19 Leave Policy
2. Employee Travel Restrictions Clarifications and Local Travel Defined

IMPORTANT - more information will be released tomorrow regarding the remainder of the semester.

Interim COVID-19 Leave Policy

On March 17, 2020, President Cross has announced the implementation of an interim COVID-19 Leave Policy. The policy establishes standards for the continued pay and leave usage for UW System employees during the COVID-19 pandemic including up to 80 hours of paid COVID-19 leave (prorated by % FTE) for employees who are unable to perform their assigned duties on campus or through working remotely. This policy applies to all UW-Platteville employees, except student employees.

Employees who are unable to perform their assigned duties during the COVID-19 pandemic are eligible to use COVID-19 leave. This includes, but is not limited to, employees who are unable to perform their assigned duties due to the inability to work remotely (telecommute or telework), self-quarantine, self-isolation, illness, care of an immediate family member, or child/elder care due to school/day care closures. In instances where employees can perform their assigned duties remotely and there is work available as approved by their supervisor, they may not refuse to do so in order to take COVID-19 leave.

Please discuss with your supervisor to confirm your eligibility for COVID-19 leave. Supervisors have the discretion to determine which employees may be approved to perform their work remotely and which employees are required to perform their work duties on campus due to the nature of their work and/or staffing needs.

Once confirmed, you may enter COVID-19 leave through HRS where a pay code will be established. Please have patience as we wait for HRS to be updated. Complete policy and eligibility details may be found in the COVID-19 Leave Policy. Please also review the Human Resources FAQs listed on their webpage. Contact your supervisor or Human Resources with any questions.

Travel Restrictions and Local Area Defined

As announced last week, employees are directed to communicate personal travel plans to their supervisor. It is strongly recommended that employees postpone or cancel personal travel outside of Wisconsin. This includes both Interntional travel and domestic travel to states where CDC deems there is sustained community transmission.

In order to reduce and mitigate any potential exposure to the campus communities, if a student, faculty or staff member travels to an area that is outside the local area and/or attends a large public event (updated per Governor Evers's Emergency Order #5 on March 17, 2020 prohibited mass gatherings of 10 people of more), the university is asking that person to remain off campus for a period of 14 days for the safety of students, faculty and staff. This direction is not applicable to employees who reside out of state and travel to Wisconsin for work.

When assessing an individual's travel history, consideration should be given to where they went, what they did, any contact with sick people, mode of travel, and what position they are in. If they are ill, the employee should isolate and contact their health care provider.

"Local area" refers to travel you perform during your everyday life, whether a commute, grocery store run, trips for medical appointments, assisting elderly family members, or a trip between campuses. Any trip outside that norm for at least one night would trigger the 14-day isolation period, and employees are strongly encouraged to follow this. Employees must communicate with their supervisors and be forthcoming in their travel, and UW-Platteville asks that all employees show respect for their fellow Pioneers and minimize the risk of spreading to the university campuses.

Per the Grant County Health Department regarding household member travel, no quarantine should be necessary for the person who did not travel if the other member is not ill. Monitoring for illness for all involved is warranted.

IMPORTANT - more information will be released tomorrow regarding the remainder of the semester in response to the governor's emergency order #5.

March 15, 2020

Faculty and Staff Face-to-Face Instructional Support from TTC - Monday and Tuesday

The Teaching and Technology Center, with support from the Center for Distance Learning, is providing face-to-face training this Monday and Tuesday in the Markee Pioneer Student Center Bears Den and Hempel Collaboratory.

Beginning Wednesday, TTC will provide support on CANVAS and via email.

TTC is dedicated to helping faculty and instructors as they transition to alternative delivery. Our primary contact and resource page is through the CANVAS AltMode Learning Community. You have received an email invitation to this page. Please accept the invitation to access resources and get announcement.

For questions, please email ttc@uwplatt.edu

Open Office Hours: 1-on-1 help

When: Monday and Tuesday 3/16 & 3/17 from 9am-noon and from 1pm-4pm

What: Help for Zoom, Canvas and Pedagogical Questions NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Where: Bears Den

Who: Regina Nelson, TTC Faculty Associates, Media Technology Services, CDL Canvas Administrator and Instructional Designer
*This event is BYOD - Bring Your Own Device (if you have a laptop) otherwise there are plenty of desktops to use.

Targeted Courses:

1. Introduction to Zoom and Zoom on Canvas:

Monday 11am-12pm; 2pm-3pm; Tuesday 9am-10am; 1pm-2pm

Click to Register: http://uwplatteville.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8cXc9xQfwhix65v

2. Canvas Lite: Modules, Embedding film into a course page, assignments, rubrics and speedgrader

Monday 3pm-4pm; Tuesday 11am-12pm; 3pm-4pm

Click to Register: http://uwplatteville.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_ezkCzLvklNGnsmp

3. Basics: Teaching without Canvas

Tuesday 10am-11am; 2pm-3pm

http://uwplatteville.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_brREWI5qIye2kRL

Information Security Update

At this time of year, scams related to taxes and spring break are typical. This year, cyber predators are also trying to take advantage of our desire to be well, safe, and helpful during the coronavirus pandemic. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is tracking scams related to alleged treatments and charities. Follow known scams at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/scam-alerts

At the university, ITS expects to see an uptick in phishing attempts. If you receive a suspicious message related to the pandemic or any topic in your UWPLATT account, do not respond.

1. Please report the message to the ITS Help Desk at helpdesk@uwplatt.edu immediately.
2. REMEMBER, ITS will never ask you for your password—in person, on the phone, or in an email. Never, ever. Seriously!
3. Stay up to date on university announcements related to the pandemic at https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/update-coronavirus

March 14, 2020

Reminder of Revised Class Schedule

(As previously announced)

• March 13-29 Extended Spring Break
• March 30-April 9 Classes in alternative delivery
• April 10-13 April Break
• April 14 Face-to-face classes resume (subject to change)

Work Policies for Faculty, Staff

The university recognizes the hardships and inconveniences many employees will be going through in the next few weeks, especially with K-12 schools closing. During this time of precautionary methods, children will not be allowed to accompany you to work. You should contact your immediate supervisor regarding flexible work arrangements, utilize department call-in procedures, and properly report absences on your timesheet if you cannot work your normal work hours. There are a variety of options available to you for using paid time off, unpaid time off, and sick leave based on your specific circumstances. Please review the UW-Platteville Human Resources FAQs on the Human Resources webpage for more information. If you have any questions, please speak with your supervisor or call Human Resources.

Campus Isolation Sites

Action plans are underway in the event of an active COVID-19 case on any of the three UW-Platteville campuses. Locations have been selected on each campus for isolation if we have students who are awaiting test results or have tested positive for the virus. These measures are precautionary, yet necessary as the situation evolves.

Dining Service Hours

The main UW-Platteville campus dining services hours have been amended over the two-week extended spring break. They may be found at https://uwplatt.sharepoint.com/sites/AdministrativeServices/AuxiliaryServices/DiningServices/SitePages/Hours.aspx

COVID-19 Updates

Regular updates will be provided on a daily basis or as needed. Please continue to refer to https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/update-coronavirus for all previous communications.

March 13, 2020

With both the United States government and the State of Wisconsin declaring health emergencies because of the COVID-19, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is canceling next week's classes. The university will begin a two-week spring break effective immediately on all three of its campuses.

Revised schedule (Subject to Change)

• March 13-29 Extended Spring Break
• March 30-April 9 Classes in alternative delivery
• April 10-13 April Break
• April 14 Face-to-face classes resume

UW-Platteville's extended spring break will run through Sunday, March 29. Following the break, the university will offer two weeks of alternative delivery before face-to-face classes are scheduled to resume Tuesday, April 14.

The extended break will also allow faculty and staff an additional week to prepare for the alternative delivery methods to ensure students have a continuous path to graduation.

If you are currently on campus

The university strongly encourages students to leave their respective campuses during the break and not return until face-to-face classes resume. Students should bring all necessary classwork materials with them to prepare for the alternative delivery on March 30.

If you already left campus for the weekend

For those who have left campus for this weekend and need to return for their academic materials and essential personal belongings, these belongings should be retrieved by 5 p.m. Tuesday March 17.

The residence halls and dining facilities will remain open. Academic buildings will be locked through April 14, with only faculty and staff having card access. The Pioneer Activity Center, Karmann Library and the Markee Pioneer Student Center will remain open only for students, faculty and staff on the main campus. The libraries, dining services, and student services will remain open on the branch campuses. Hours for all these facilities may vary; check the appropriate website for updated information. The general public will not be allowed in university buildings during this time.

All faculty and staff should continue their regular work schedules unless directed otherwise by their supervisors. Supervisors may determine whether or not employees can work remotely. Student employees should check with their supervisors before returning to work.

In order to reduce and mitigate any potential exposure to the campus communities, if a student, faculty or staff member travels to an area that is outside the local area and/or attends a large public event (more than 250 public members), the university is asking that person to remain off campus for a period of 14 days for the safety of students, faculty and staff.

March 12, 2020

University Update - Revised Schedule

Summary of Revised Schedule (Subject to Change)

• March 12-20 Face-to-face classes as normal
• March 21-29 Spring Break
• March 30-April 10 Classes in alternative delivery
• April 10-13 April Break
• April 14 Face-to-face classes resume

Due to Public Health Officials' (Grant, Sauk and Richland County) belief that there is a possibility of COVID-19 spreading in coming weeks and based on Centers for Disease Control recommendations, UW-Platteville is suspending face-to-face instruction beginning on Monday, March 30 (following the week of Spring Break) on all three UW-Platteville campuses. Face-to-face classes will be held as scheduled through Friday, March 20. Beginning on Monday, March 30, UW-Platteville will initiate alternative delivery methods for all classes until Tuesday, April 14, at which time face-to-face classes are scheduled to resume. The situation is constantly evolving and being evaluated.

When students leave for spring break, they are encouraged to bring all course-related materials with them. Students should be mindful of taking personal essentials, such as medications, for an extended period of time in case the situation changes. Once anyone leaves the local area, they should stay away from the campuses until Monday, April 13 to mitigate the possibility of exposure to the campus communities.

During this period of suspended face-to-face instruction, the university is NOT closed. Faculty and staff will continue to report to work. (More guidance for faculty and instructional staff will be coming from Provost Wilson.) Residence halls will remain open on all three campuses for those students who need to remain on campus, and limited dining services will be available.

At this time, there are still no known or immediate threats on any of the three campuses. UW-Platteville officials continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with health officials and will adapt plans as needed.

For all up-to-date information on the university's actions in response to COVID-19, visit https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/update-coronavirus.

March 12, 2020

UW-Platteville Events Canceled

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services recommended today the cancelation or postponement of non-essential gatherings of 250 or more people to help protect Wisconsinites from the spread of COVID-19, particularly those who are most vulnerable to infection and severe disease.

Because of that recommendation and out of concern for the safety and well-being for the UW-Platteville community, the university is immediately canceling all university-sponsored public events and gatherings held on all three campuses, beginning Friday, March 13 through at least Tuesday, April 14, at which time the situation will be re-evaluated. These events include any that is open to the non-university attendees and/or the public has been invited. This policy covers gatherings of all sizes with the exception of a classroom guest speaker or lecturer.

Members of the university's Emergency Operations Center will be in contact with each event organizer to confirm the cancelation.

UW-Platteville is moving forward with plans to prevent or slow the transmission of the virus as best we can and mitigate its risks if it comes to our community.

March 11, 2020

Update to campus community

The safety, health and well-being of the students, faculty and staff have always been at the forefront of University of Wisconsin-Platteville decisions. In that light, the university offers updates on the COVID-19 (also known as the Coronavirus).

First and foremost, there are no known or immediate threats on any of the three campuses. To help minimize those risks, UW-Platteville is taking the following steps:

International travel

• The university is suspending all outgoing and incoming sponsored international trips through at least May 31. This applies to ALL countries, regardless of their warning levels.
• University officials are continuing to monitor the students and faculty who remain on overseas trips. Last week, all those at Level 3 countries were returned safely back home.
• Any travel plans that are scheduled to occur after May 31 will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will depend on the CDC's guidance.
• Further university travel restrictions may be warranted.
• All personal travel is strongly discouraged.

Domestic travel

• All university-related travel by air domestically is suspended through May 31.
• Any travel by land for university-related business must be approved in advance by the applicable divisional leader. If travel by land is used in lieu of air travel due to this travel restriction, coverage/reimbursement for the additional costs to travel by land must be approved by the head of the division.
• Any personal airfare travel in any form to any location in the U.S. or its territories is strongly discouraged, as is all other forms travel to areas or high risk.
• If you believe you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please contact your health care provider to receive direction and guidance.
• If you do become ill or symptomatic, please do not come to campus for 14 days or until cleared by your health provider. This will help prevent any possible spread of not just the COVID-19 but other illnesses. Please contact your faculty members if you are a student or your supervisors if you are employee should this occur.

The university asks everyone to follow health and safety tips that were previously issued:

• Avoid contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at 60%-95% alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.
• It is especially important to clean hands after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.

The university continues to follow all Centers for Disease Control protocols. For more information, visit the CDC site at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

All university updates are posted at https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/update-coronavirus.

Spring break

Other UW System institutions have decided to temporarily delay the start of their on-campus courses after their spring break periods for a period of up to two weeks. These institutions will provide alternative methods of learning to maintain continuity of learning. At this time, UW-Platteville is continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation and is following all CDC guidelines and UW System Emergency Operation Center directives. UW-Platteville will assess the situation and decide whether to take a similar approach (go to alternative methods of learning for a short period of time after spring break). The university will make this decision by Tuesday night, March 17, so that students will be fully informed prior to leaving.

If you have any questions, please contact Public Information Officer Paul Erickson at ericksop@uwplatt.edu.

March 4, 2020

Chancellor Dennis J. Shields Message to the University Community: Update on COVID-19 and Travel

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville values the safety and health of our students, faculty and staff. In response to the recent outbreak of the COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus, our Emergency Operations Center has been actively and continuously monitoring all information available. As stated before, there are no immediate nor known threats to our campus community.

Due to the risks that have been raised in certain countries and the Level 3 Warnings issued by the Centers for Disease Control, we have returned our students who were studying in South Korea and Italy. We are suspending all university-sponsored trips to Level 3 countries, which includes China, South Korea and Italy. We will continue to monitor the hot-spot regions around the world as well as any new or increased risks for domestic travel (such as professional conferences, meetings or other university-related travel). The EOC is working closely with UW System and the Wisconsin Health Department to remain fully informed and aware of any changes regarding this matter. We will continue to update the campus community on a regular basis and will take all steps necessary to keep the campus' health and safety our priority.

General health concerns

Even though the current focus has been on the risks related to the COVID-19, we want to remind our campus community to take precautions to protect their health and safety in regard to other common colds and illnesses, such as Influenza A. Please remember to practice good hygiene, and if you feel ill, please take all necessary steps to protect your health and prevent exposure to others. Here are a few suggestions:

Practice good hygiene

• Avoid contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at 60%-95% alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.
• It is especially important to clean hands after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose.

What to do if you feel sick

First and foremost, stay home if you are feeling ill. If you are a student, let your faculty know you are sick. If you are an employee, let your supervisor know.

UW-Platteville students can schedule an appointment with Student Health Services at 608.342.1891 or online through MyHealth, our online portal. Nursing also provides triage for telephone questions and walk-ins. The Student Health Services Clinic is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. in Royce Hall on the UW-Platteville campus. All visits and calls are confidential.

These tips are especially important as we approach spring break later this month. Please stay informed on any potential health or safety risks that may impact your travel. Thank you for your diligence and your consideration of all our fellow students, faculty and staff.

For more information about the COVID-19, visit the CDC site, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.