previous-updates2

A new campus website called Caring for Families has launched to connect families to dependent care resources. In the near future the website will include an online parent-to-parent resource for supporting one another with dependent care needs.

The Pac-12 has postponed sports competitions through the end of the 2020 calendar year. The decision was made after consultation with athletics directors and with the Pac-12 COVID-19 Medical Advisory Committee who expressed concern with moving forward with contact practice.

The fourth in a series of live-streamed conversations with campus leaders will take place today from 5-6 p.m. The topic is student engagement and services. Campus leaders will provide information about plans for student services buildings and offices, as well as details about remote services and engagement opportunities. Learn about everything from student advising, tutoring services, departments like the Career Center and CE3, and even student organizations.

Visit the Campus Conversations website at event time to view the live broadcast.

Campus leaders provided more details today on UC Berkeley’s voluntary workforce actions.

UPDATE: A recap and recording of the budget conversation is now available.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the university’s budget that is likely to have lasting effects. Please join us today, Friday, July 31, at noon for a special Campus Conversation focused on our financial present and future; mitigating steps taken to date; and future actions currently under consideration.

Chancellor Carol Christ, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Paul Alivisatos, and Vice Chancellor and Chief Financial Officer Rosemarie Rae will provide updates, forecasts, and answers to your questions. You’re invited to submit a question beforehand or pose questions during the event via Facebook Live.

UPDATE: A recording and recap of the newly admitted students event is now available.

The third in a series of live-streamed conversations with campus leaders will take place today from 5-6 p.m. The topic is the student experience for newly admitted undergraduate students (freshmen and transfer). Visit the Campus Conversations website at event time to view the live broadcast.

The UC Berkeley Library is preparing to expand its on-campus services as the fall semester nears. Plans on the horizon include launching a contactless pickup service and providing access to enhanced research consultations for special collections materials at The Bancroft Library. Both are scheduled for late summer.

In light of the decision to start the fall semester fully remote, Moffitt Library will not open at the beginning of the fall semester as originally planned. When it does open, it will provide students with a low-density on-campus study space and will have limited hours, with strict social distancing protocols in place and no snacks and drinks allowed.

While UC Berkeley’s library buildings are closed, Library users can still access a wealth of resources, including e-books, videos, databases, 24/7 help from librarians, and LinkedIn Learning courses. Learn more about the Library’s services and resources during COVID-19.

This week, the Chancellor’s Cabinet issued updates for those that plan events and gatherings on campus in regard to the pandemic and recovery.

• All department-sponsored in-person events and all non-departmental events on the main campus are now canceled through Dec. 31, 2020.
• It is highly recommended that event sponsors consider converting events to remote delivery wherever feasible.
• You may continue to plan for in person events, but should do so with the likelihood that you may have to cancel them.

For more information about exceptions and background on this update, see the events page on the campus coronavirus website.

UPDATE: A recording and recap of the instruction event is now available.

The second in a series of live-streamed conversations with campus leaders will take place today from noon to 1 p.m. The topic is instruction. Visit the Campus Conversations website at noon to view the live broadcast.

UC Berkeley has announced updated plans for the fall semester, which will begin with fully remote instruction. Preparations continue to implement hybrid and/or flexible modes of instruction as soon as public health conditions allow. Switching to remote instruction is a temporary measure.

• Message to students.
• Message to faculty and staff.

UPDATE: A recording and recap of the student housing event is now available.

The first in a series of live-streamed conversations with campus leaders begins today. The topic is student housing and will take place from noon to 1 p.m.

Visit the Campus Conversations website at noon to view the live broadcast.

ICYMI: A message sent to the campus community on Friday clarified the reporting of COVID-19 cases on campus. In most cases, individuals will not be notified of a case in their unit unless they were determined to be in close contact with the individual who tested positive.

With the increase in COVID-19 testing at University Health Services, we have moved from providing information about confirmed cases in narrative summaries to a dashboards format. This will provide information on new cases as well as trends, at a glance. Perhaps the best feature is that information on new cases is reflected in real time.

If disturbing trends or developments occur, the campus will, in addition, share that information with the campus community via posts on this web site or other campus communications.

The dashboard shows the number of positive cases for tests performed at UHS, and does not include saliva tests performed through the Innovative Genomics Institute’s FAST Study in the campus kiosks.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has rescinded its directive that would have forced international students to leave the country if their schools held all classes online due to COVID-19. For more information, see the:

• International Office email to students.
• University of California statement.

The latest episode of the Berkeley at Home Variety Show is now available. It features a professor singing about social distancing, tips for working from home with kids and a “banger version” of Pomp and Circumstance.

UC Berkeley has seen a notable increase in students testing positive for COVID-19. Members of the campus community are reminded to:

• Not attend large gatherings or parties.
• Keep a safe physical distance.
• Wear face coverings.
• Be attuned to your own health.

Read the campus message about the increase in students testing positive for more information.

The Department of Homeland Security has issued new guidance to universities related to international students and fall instruction requirements. Read UC Berkeley’s response to the new requirements. The campus is expected to announce more details soon.

In a series of Campus Conversations, leaders from across UC Berkeley answered questions and discussed plans for the fall semester. Read recaps and watch recordings of each event:

• Overview with the chancellor and provost.
• Instruction.
• Research and operations.
• Student engagement and services.

• Randy H. Katz, Vice Chancellor for Research
• Marc Fisher, Vice Chancellor, Administration
• Maximilian Auffhammer, Professor of International Sustainable Development and Associate Dean in the Division of Social Sciences
• Susan Marqusee, Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

• Undergraduate students
• Graduate students.
• Faculty, staff, graduate student instructors, and graduate student researchers.

The city of Berkeley’s health officer has expanded face covering requirements starting June 8, 2020. Everyone must carry a cloth face covering when they leave home, have it visible at all times, and put it on when others are nearby.

Face coverings are required for everyone over 12 years old when:

• Shopping at a store.
• Waiting in line to enter a store.
• Using or waiting for public transportation.
• In a taxi or when ride-sharing.
• Seeking health care.
• Inside a workplace.
• Walking outside and within 30 feet of others (about the length of a bus).

For more information, see the city of Berkeley’s face coverings page.

The University of California Education Abroad Program has suspended fall 2020 and 2020-21 year-long study abroad programs.

The city of Berkeley’s indefinite extension of the shelter-in-place order means faculty and staff should continue working remotely until directed otherwise by their supervisor.

Approved essential employees will be issued two cloth face coverings. Additional distribution dates have been added. See the email sent to all approved essential employees for more details.

In an update to graduating seniors, Chancellor Christ announced there will be no summer commencement.

The University of California plans to implement a one-year pay freeze for non-represented staff and faculty.

A document from Environmental Health and Safety on considerations for working safely on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic has been added to the “campus operations” section.

Chancellor Carol Christ answered questions related to UC Berkeley’s response to coronavirus in a virtual Campus Conversation held Monday afternoon. You can view a recording of the live event on the Campus Conversations web site.

In an update on UC Berkeley’s plans for the fall semester, it was announced that nine committees have been formed to continue ongoing planning for the fall semester. A “recovery planning” section has been added and will be updated as this work progresses.

The “telecommuting and paid leave” section has been updated with new information and required actions for employees working outside of California due to COVID-19.

International travel information.

The events page has been updated with a link to guidance for university employees who are responsible for organizing departmental events, gatherings and programs after May 31. As a reminder, all department or administrative events and all events held on university property are canceled through May 31, 2020.

How to support UC Berkeley students (and staff) on Giving Tuesday.

A new section on family and domestic violence has been added.

 Face coverings are now required on campus.

See the lineup for this week’s Berkeley Conversations.

Chancellor Carol Christ and Provost Paul Alivisatos provided an update on UC Berkeley’s budget situation.

A new explainer on masks is now available and has been added to the “Health” section.

You’re encouraged to cover your nose and mouth with cloth when leaving home. Read the message from Marc Fisher for more information.

A staff member has tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of known cases within the UC Berkeley community to 9. The staff member was not on campus during the exposure risk period and is in good condition while isolating at home.

UC Berkeley has made the decision to continue remote delivery of instruction in place of face-to-face classes through Summer Sessions 2020.

• Free and low-cost options for accessing the internet off campus.
• Resources for preventing and responding to sexual and domestic violence

You can now access digital versions of much of the library’s physical volumes via a digital library.

The city of Berkeley is recommending that everyone “everyone cover their noses and mouths with cloth when leaving home for essential visits to doctor’s offices, supermarkets or pharmacies.” Read their press release for more information.

• New live online COVID-19 series connects experts with the public.
• There will be no COVID-related layoffs through June.
• In light of the shelter-in-place order being extended through May 3, additional precautions and information about working from home.
• FAQs on the spring semester grading policy.
• Additional guidance on the hiring freeze.
• Employees who are working remotely from outside of California are asked to complete a new form. The form has also been added to the “working remotely” page.

• An update on the financial impacts of COVID-19, including a campus hiring freeze, was sent to faculty and staff.
• A new section has been added to this page for those who wish to donate PPE or medical supplies.
• The University of California has taken a number of steps to temporarily adjust admissions requirements to ensure that newly admitted students and prospective students are not harmed by educational disruptions from COVID-19.

• UC Berkeley has learned that another student returning from study abroad has tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total count of known cases to 8.
• Event cancelations have been extended through at least May 3.

For undergraduates concerned about how P/NP grades may affect their applications to graduate and professional schools, the Council of Deans have released this statement:

Recognizing the challenges to teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Provost and Deans of the University of California, Berkeley adopted the following principle:

UC Berkeley evaluates applicants for admission to its graduate and professional schools holistically, meaning that we consider an applicant’s combination of personal accomplishments, letters of recommendation, personal statements, academic record, and test scores in making our admissions decisions. Such a review will take into account the significant disruptions of COVID-19 when reviewing students’ transcripts and other admissions materials from Spring 2020. We understand that many institutions across the country instituted P/NP grading policies during that semester. Thus, we will not penalize students for the adoption of P/NP and other grading options during this unprecedented period, whether the choices were made by institutions or by individual students. Our admissions evaluation will focus primarily on a student’s academic performance prior to this period, and if applicable, following this period. What is most important is that applicants demonstrate that they pursued a challenging curriculum that was relevant to their plan for graduate or professional school.

An additional two UC Berkeley students who recently returned from study abroad in Spain have tested positive for COVID-19.

Two more UC Berkeley students who recently returned from study abroad in Spain have tested positive for COVID-19, campus officials recently learned.

They are both undergraduate students.

One student had studied with the University of California Education Abroad Program in Barcelona, and another student with the UCEAP program in Madrid. Officials with UCEAP have sent letters to program participants and advised them to contact their health provider if they develop symptoms.

University Health Services officials cared for one of the two students and UHS  information indicates the student, who lives in the city of Berkeley and is self-isolating in good condition, spent no time on campus while symptomatic and there is unlikely to be any risk to the campus community. The City of Berkeley Public Health Department has been investigating and will reach out to anyone who may have been exposed.

Regarding the second new case, the student is self-isolating outside of Alameda County. Information provided to UCEAP indicates the student was not on the Berkeley campus after returning from Spain. We have few additional details about this case.

To date, we are aware of a total of five confirmed cases where it was reported to us that Berkeley students tested positive for COVID-19. The majority of these cases have been linked to travel from countries with sustained community transmission.

Please keep in mind that our counts are not comprehensive. When confirmed cases involving members of the UC Berkeley community occur outside of UHS or the local area, there may be no confirmation or delayed confirmation of the cases from public health officials to UHS officials. Further, we know that there are likely many more positive cases within our communities that are not yet counted as confirmed positive because the individuals have not been tested.

It is very likely that there are many more positive cases already in our campus community. According to public health officials, once testing becomes more widely available locally and in the region we can expect to see a much higher number of positive cases here and elsewhere. The coronavirus, and community spread, is very much in our Bay Area communities.

Officials at UHS are committed to providing ongoing services in primary care, social services and counseling and psychology to the extent they can during this pandemic.  They are developing a number of online and virtual services. Please check the University Health Services website if you are a student needing medical or mental health care.

Grading policies have been changed for the spring semester.

UC Berkeley has clarified campus directives in light of the shelter-in-place mandate.

• All in-person instruction is canceled for the remainder of the semester.
• The research community is directed to immediately transition to work remotely whenever possible.
• Staff who are not explicitly instructed to work at the campus in person should not come to work.
• All libraries, Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Union, Eshleman Hall, Cesar Chavez Hall, and the Recreational Sports Facility will be closed.
• All public events planned to take place on the campus through April 7, 2020, should be cancelled or rescheduled.

Public health officials have determined that there are no high risk contacts from this case, meaning that no one is at significantly higher risk of contracting it from the infected individual than would be expected in the general population. People should continue to monitor their health and be in touch with their physician or University Health Services if they are exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms.

A member of the UC Berkeley campus community has contracted COVID-19. The individual is a graduate student who does not live on campus or in the city of Berkeley and has self-isolated in their city of residence. The individual is in good condition and has no serious symptoms. Read the message to campus to learn more.

• Campus spaces and venues will not be available for any event with 100 or more expected attendees.
• Intercollegiate Athletics events on campus will be held without spectators.
• Cal Performances events through March 29 will be canceled.
• Cal Day, which was scheduled for April 18, has been canceled.
• A decision has not been made about graduation/commencement events.

1:20 p.m.: Chancellor Carol Christ has announced that beginning Tuesday, March 10, several campus actions will go into place to mitigate the potential transmission of coronavirus in the Bay Area community.

These changes are effective starting Tuesday, March 10 and will remain in place through spring break, which ends March 29. A decision on what will happen on March 30 and beyond will occur at a later date, based on the latest coronavirus information at that time.

Read the full message from Chancellor Carol Christ.