This letter was published and shared on March 11, 2020. This is a rapidly changing situation and ´ºÃÎÖ±²¥ is closely monitoring developments of the Coronavirus outbreak. Learn the latest updates.
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
To help protect against the coronavirus threat, ´ºÃÎÖ±²¥ is canceling classes for the week of March 23, 2020. All administrative offices remain open and available during this period, and faculty and staff should report to campus as usual. At this point, there are no cases of the coronavirus on our campus, however, this step is important as we prepare for a number of potential scenarios.
Similar to many other institutions, Salem State is exploring the possibility of moving classes online should such measures be needed. This determination has not been made yet, and students should plan to attend classes as planned the week of March 30 unless stated otherwise.
The week of March 23 will allow our faculty and staff to prepare for the possibility of moving courses online should we deem it necessary as we track the developments of COVID-19. Faculty will be hearing from Provost David Silva with additional information and will be encouraged to attend instructional sessions on how to optimize remote learning.
In addition to allowing us time to prepare campus for the possibility of moving courses online, this additional week will allow Salem State more time for campus cleaning and planning our response in the event of a coronavirus case on campus.
This situation remains fluid, and we will continue emailing updates as they become available.
Student housing information and preparation for possible remote learning
Students will be receiving emails about advising and registration, as well as which on-campus facilities are open between March 16 and 30.
A limited number of students are registered to continue living on campus during spring break. Such accommodations can also be made for the week of March 23 for students who require it. A separate email will be sent to all resident students with more information.
Students will be alerted on their Salem State email accounts by March 26 if the university decides to move all classes online starting March 30. In preparation for this possibility, students should take the steps listed at the bottom of this email.
As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to evolve, university leadership and the response team meet daily in order to continue efforts aimed at mitigation and the safety of our community. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we all work together to put safety first at this challenging time.
John D. Keenan
President
Students should take the below steps as you leave for spring break. Please check your Salem State email frequently for updates.
- Please bring with you any materials that you would need should Salem State decide to move classes online when they are back in session on March 30 (remember, we have not decided this yet). These may include your laptop/tablet, charger(s), notebooks, textbooks, other materials crucial to completing your coursework, and items that you could not do without for some time.
- Update your emergency contact information in Navigator.
- If you need to register for spring break housing, please visit .
- If you have concerns about housing and food insecurity, please contact Rachel Frank at rfrank@salemstate.edu.
If classes are moved to online, you will be notified by March 26. Check your SSU email and the webpage salemstate.edu/coronavirus-preparedness.
All students should ensure that they are familiar with Salem State’s online learning platform, Canvas.
Faculty are being prepared to move classes online should there be a need.
If you require accommodations to complete coursework online, please contact disability services at 978.542.6217.
If classes are not moved online:
- Classes resume on campus on March 30.
- Residence halls reopen at noon on March 29.
Be vigilant of cyberthreats.
The coronavirus threat is being exploited for cyber-attacks. Do not click on any links shared from a source you do not trust. If you receive an email with a link that appears to be from a faculty or staff member that either does not sound like that person or appears suspicious, please email that person in a new message window to confirm that they have shared the link.
If you have additional questions or concerns, you can email us at SSUcovid19info@salemstate.edu or call student life at 978.542.6401 (8:30 am to 5 pm).