President Caboni

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As a result of the continued escalation of COVID-19 cases across Kentucky, Governor Beshear announced today a number of measures intended to slow the spread of the virus. The Facebook live can be viewed at fb.com/GovAndyBeshear.

In addition to supporting the mitigation steps announced today by Governor Beshear, as a reminder, WKU has the following plans in place to help address the increase in COVID-19 cases in our area:

• We will transition to all virtual learning after this Friday, November 20^th.
• Our residence halls will remain open to those who need them.
• Offices and services will remain open after the Thanksgiving break, but on-campus staffing should be at the minimal level required to maintain operational continuity. With K-12 schools moving online, we need to ensure flexibility with employees who have students learning at home. Please work with your direct supervisor on your office staffing plan.
• University offices will be closed December 21^st through January 1^st for the holiday break.
• When offices reopen on January 4^th, the expectation is minimal on-campus staffing plans will once again be deployed through the start of the spring semester on Tuesday, January 19^th.

I appreciate the planning efforts of our Academic Restart Committee and our COVID-19 Task Force to research and foresee the rise in cases in November – guiding our strategy early on to convert to virtual classes after Thanksgiving. This carefully crafted plan minimizes disruption and supports the work and health of our students, faculty and staff. I also appreciate the commitment of every member of our WKU Family to comply with our Healthy on the Hill guidelines and personally care for one another. Please remember and practice these important protocols when away from the Hill.

Here’s to a strong finish this week, as well as to a strong finish to the fall 2020 semester. Go Tops!

Best,

Timothy C. Caboni