Office Access
As communicated earlier this week, Salem State has shifted to a remote work environment. Remote work is currently in effect through Monday, April 13, 2020. Increased campus security measures are in place during this time. If a member of faculty or staff member needs to access files, books or other materials from their office, they need their area head’s approval to do so. Most employees have card access privileges that will allow for them to unlock exterior doors of buildings. If you experience difficulty getting access during this time, please contact university police and they will assist you either remotely or in person. Please be aware that access is given for a limited time and is not permission for you to stay and work in your office or in another space. Thank you for your continued patience and flexibility during this unprecedented time.
Mail and Package Services
Given the university’s remote work situation, many community members may be wondering about mail services. A limited number of mail services staff are on duty each morning performing routine mail and packages duties. They will continue to pick up mail from Salem Post Office each day, bring it back to campus, sort it by department and hold it securely until delivery arrangements can be made. The mail services team will also continue to meet UPS and Fedex at our loading dock to accept packages, holding those items, too.
For authorized staff only: Between 10 -11 am, at the Stanley Building loading dock, we can accommodate an exchange of a department’s mail and/or packages, for campus personnel authorized by an area head or supervisor. Please do not come to pick up if you do not have prior authorization.
Also between 10 – 11 am, we can accept your department’s outgoing university mail to apply metered postage, and to drop it off at the Salem Post Office on the same day. We are also able to accept outgoing Fedex items you need processed for university business.
For Resident Students: Mail services is working directly with residence life staff around mail and package issues for resident students, and expect that all such items will be picked up during the student’s scheduled move-out.
Our tracking system includes email notification to resident students at their university email address, so we continue to inform residents in that manner. We envision all such packages being distributed to resident students by residence life staff.
If you have specific concerns about these mail or package issues, please reach out to the director of business services at 978.542.6037.
Cybersecurity
Hackers see the opportunity and are trying to capitalize on concerns employees have about the COVID?19 crisis.
Cybercriminals are exploiting the coronavirus outbreak through a variety of phishing campaigns. These schemes are meant to steal valuable financial or personal information or introduce malware into company computer networks.
Hackers are sending malicious email seemingly from trusted sources, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), or they are doctoring email messages to appear to be internal, according to cybersecurity firms monitoring the attempts.
Here are some tried-and-true cybersecurity tips:
- Scrutinize the email sender. Some phishing email has come from "cdc-gov.org," rather than "cdc.gov." Likewise, all legitimate email from WHO will come from addresses with the domain name "who.int." You can also hover your mouse over links to see where they lead, even if the email appears to be from the right address. Remember that even legitimate email can be compromised.
- Don't click links. Instead, try retyping the address in a browser window.
- Be careful with attachments, especially if you don't recognize the sender or if the email appears suspicious.
- Don't open unsolicited email from people you don't know.
- Be aware that spelling and grammatical mistakes can be red flags.
- Be wary of generic greetings, such as "Dear Sir."
- Avoid email that demands immediate action.
- Beware of requests for your personal information, passwords or login credentials.
Please be safe. If you have questions, please contact security@salemstate.edu.
Bookstore
The university bookstore is open for online operations only and is happy to help faculty members and students with their needs. or email jbugg@follett.com.