Stay informed about recent decisions and plans being made as UD gears up for the fall semester. Current and complete information is always available at www.udel.edu/return, Have a specific question? Check the FAQs, which are updated as new information becomes available. As questions come in to coronavirus@udel.edu, answers are added to the FAQs as well.

Protect the Flock: A new health campaign -- developed by UD students, faculty and staff -- is designed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) both on and off the campus. “Protect the Flock” -- including campus signage, social media, promotional items and other programming -- plays on UD’s Blue Hen mascot and reflects the importance of shared responsibility.

Student guidelines: Due to the unique and unprecedented challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, UD is implementing interim guidance, which applies to all UD students -- graduate, undergraduates, and continuing education at all UD locations -- on campus. All UD students are expected to comply with the UD COVID-19 Return to Campus Guidelines for Students.

For those returning to campus: Anyone coming on campus this fall must first get a COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test (PCR) within 14 days before arriving on campus. They can obtain a test by contacting their healthcare provider, going to a testing center or using a home health screening kit. In Delaware, testing sites throughout the state are listed at coronavirus.delaware.gov/testing. After the test, individuals must self-quarantine until they arrive on campus, whether the test is positive or negative. Once on campus, everyone needs to complete a daily health questionnaire and periodic COVID-19 testing. Additional details are available at UD’s coronavirus website. The Testing, Tracing and Screening page has been updated with additional information about testing locations, the quarantine process and more, based on questions that have been asked and answered in the last week. Of note, ChristianaCare’s GoHealth Urgent Care location on the STAR Campus is offering COVID-19 tests for asymptomatic individuals with no referral required.

Ensuring an enriching experience for students: Vice President for Student Life José-Luis Riera recently discussed with UDaily how Student Life is preparing for a fall semester unlike any other. Read his comments here.

Connecting to your first class--tips for faculty and students: Faculty are encouraged to email students before Sept. 1 to tell them what to expect in their class, and how to connect to the first class. Remind students how to get to their Canvas site.

Students should visit the UD Canvas site, logging in with their UD username and password. Class information is on the dashboard. Visit the Canvas Help for Students site for more information.

Getting textbooks online: The UD Bookstore is encouraging students to purchase their textbooks online and have them shipped to their homes or off-campus housing. Due to decreased capacity in the store, in-store pick-up of books will be limited.

Making connections outside the classroom: Involvement Fair 2.0, a special online event set Aug. 31, will give all Blue Hens -- particularly first-year students -- the chance to get involved, build connections and make friends outside their virtual classrooms. Nearly 400 Registered Student Organizations will help students get involved and find their niche.

UD Student Centers to open Aug. 24: UD Student Centers will open for studying, dining and recreation, starting Monday, Aug. 24. Available amenities will include the Trabant Food Court, Esports Arena, Hen Zone and reservable spaces. For students who will not be on campus during fall semester, the Student Centers plan to host a slate of virtual events: leadership workshops, performances, guest speakers, trivia, bingo, and game shows. Learn more, including hours, here.

LilBob to open Aug. 31: The Carpenter Sports Building (LilBob) will be open starting Monday, Aug. 31. Hours will be 6 a.m.-9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Face coverings are required while in the facility, and access is by reservation only. More information is available at rec.bluehens.com/covid.

Fall dining on campus: Dining Services has adapted its operations this fall to provide safe dining environments. Reopening plans have been developed in accordance with guidelines provided by the CDC, the state of Delaware and the University, along with Aramark’s EverSafe platform with Jefferson Health, designed to provide a new level of safety excellence aimed to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and provide the most hygienic, safe environments for employees, customers and guests. A variety of dining options are available for students living on and off campus, as well as faculty and staff. Learn more here.

Writing Center diversifies offerings: The University Writing Center has increased and diversified its service offerings for both students and faculty for the upcoming academic year. Learn more about its services here.

Bus service begins Sept. 1: Transportation Services will run four buses on a continuous north/south route from the Laird Campus to the STAR Campus, from 7 a.m.-9 p.m., Mondays through Fridays, beginning Sept. 1. Buses will be arriving at each stop once every 7 to 9 minutes. Face coverings will be required at all times, and bus capacity is limited to eight passengers to allow for appropriate physical distancing. Learn more here.

Academic Affairs Town Halls for faculty and staff: Faculty and staff are invited to register for the next Academic Affairs Town Hall, scheduled from 1-2 p.m., Friday, Aug. 21. This week, Deputy Provost Lynn Okagaki will be joined by presenters:

• Sandra Millard, deputy University librarian and associate University librarian for public services and outreach, who will talk about the reopening of the Library;
• Charlie Riordan, vice president for research, scholarship and innovation, who will give an overview of the research ramp-up, where we are, and lessons learned over the past few months;
• Faculty members Laura Field and Carolyn Levine, who will talk about the Hens Nest model for welcoming first-year students; and
• Matt Kinservik, vice provost for faculty affairs, who will review important guidance and key points for the start of the fall semester.

To join the Zoom session, faculty and staff must register in advance here. Please submit questions in advance via this form to allow panelists time to gather answers and respond during the webinar. Faculty and instructional staff are encouraged to visit https://sites.udel.edu/provost/continuity/ for more information about the town halls, including the recordings of past presentations, and for specific resources for faculty regarding online teaching and classroom protocols.

Research reactivation: Phase 3 is well underway. Research leaders who have not been approved for a previous phase and believe they are eligible for Phase 3 should submit a PI Return to Campus application form for their team and complete required health and safety training and laboratory checklists, all available from this webpage. Research work that can be effectively performed remotely should continue in that mode, including meetings and advising. The next Research Town Hall will be presented by Charlie Riordan, vice president for research, scholarship and innovation, from 1-2 p.m., Monday, Aug. 31. Register here. Town halls are recorded and archived on this webpage.

Counseling and support are available: Students in need of counseling and support may call UD’s Center for Counseling and Student Development at 302-831-2141 or the UD Helpline, which is available at any time, day or night, for students feeling anxious, overwhelmed, depressed or otherwise in need of counseling. Students can call 302-831-1001 to get live counseling assistance 24/7. Additional information may be found at the center’s website. All UD employees, their spouses, dependents, parents and in-laws may access the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) by calling 800-343-2186 or visiting the program’s website. If using the website, UD employees should enter "State of Delaware" as the password.

Questions about Fall 2020? Send an email to coronavirus@udel.edu.