Update on summer non-curricular programs

Dear Faculty and Staff,

Each summer, a wide variety of events and programs take place across the University's campuses and facilities statewide. Each of them provide important opportunities to live out the University's outreach mission, and in many cases, they provide engagement that supports our work. Therefore, the University is reluctant to cancel all summer activities at this early date, knowing that the timeline for the COVID-19 pandemic remains unknown and the situation is likely to evolve day by day.

I am writing to share, however, that effective today, all summer non-curricular events for May and June are cancelled (unless they can be offered online). Programs that start the last week in June and continue into July are considered June events and therefore are also cancelled (unless they can be offered online as well). I hope that by communicating this decision now I am providing you some level of the certainty you need to plan effectively for early summer, including working with University and outside partners and vendors.

As we have done to date, University leaders will continue to rely on Governor Tim Walz and public health experts at the Minnesota Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to guide our analysis. We will evaluate our decision for July non-curricular events in approximately mid-May, providing more time for public health information and the course of the pandemic to evolve.

Please note, this communication does not affect museums, theatres, or other spaces that are covered under guidance from MDH and the CDC. We will review, when applicable, guidance from these entities regarding public gatherings and event spaces.

Thank you for understanding. Striking a balance between safety and continuity amidst uncertainty is not easy but we have the safety of our faculty, staff, students, and partners top of mind.

Please contact me at [email protected] if you have any questions.

Sincerely yours,

Rachel Croson
Executive Vice President and Provost

 email sent to all Twin Cities faculty and staff on April 14, 2020