Subject: Fall 2020 Welcome

Welcome back.

In many ways, I am amazed that we have gotten to this point of a return to in person learning.  I thank all of you –whether you will be learning on campus or from home- for your continued commitment to keeping us safe.  Your actions matter and I am grateful.

It took so much work for all of us to get to this place.  There is now, however, more work that needs to be done by all of us to keep UConn open.  I need your help.

You have heard me say on many occasions that I believe in you.  I do.  I believe in our love of being Huskies and in our compassion for one another.  I do need to take the time to review with you how seriously these COVID related measures are and how we will be enforcing these expectations during the fall term.

As you know, the world is experiencing a health crisis.  We must follow and enforce increased health and safety measures for the safety of our community.  As a result, it is essential that students observe universal precautions such as mask wearing and physical distancing, follow quarantine and isolation procedures as directed by the university and your medical care provider, and comply with university and state advisories on gathering.

As ordered by Governor Lamont, it is required that UConn students follow Executive Order 7III.  To that end: please note that “willfully refusing or failing to self-quarantine or complete the Travel Health Form truthfully and accurately shall be subject to a civic penalty of up to one thousand dollars.”

As a student traveling from any state impacted by the travel advisory, you are required to participate in the self-quarantine regardless of whether you are residing on or off campus.  As a reminder, upon coming to Connecticut, you are required to complete an on-line travel health form within 24-hours of arrival.  You can find that form at ct.gov/travelform. 

Now, more than ever, we are reminded of the potential harm poor choices can have upon ourselves and others.  As such, I remind you that your behavior is subject to the Code whether you live on or off campus.  Our enforcement of the Code’s description of endangering behavior is particularly relevant now and will be enforced by the University with mindfulness towards the unique health and safety implications during this pandemic.

The Student Code is available at www.community.uconn.edu.  It is expected that you will familiarize yourself with this document.

All students living in on-campus housing, whether on the Storrs or Stamford campus, will be required to follow the temporary health and safety procedures distributed to students earlier this summer and available on the Residential Life website.  Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action including removal from housing.

Being a college or university student is both challenging and exciting.  I think it is important to always remind you that you are never alone in facing – and conquering- those challenges. There are no perfect students at UConn.  The uniqueness of this community is found in how we support one another and ask for help when we need it.

Please make use of the extraordinary staff found in your school’s Academic Advising, Residential Life, Counseling, Student Health, and the Dean of Students office.  Areas like Residential Life, Student Health and Wellness Services and University Police offer 24/7 coverage during the academic year and are available whenever you need them.

My colleagues and I believe in all of you and the enormous potential you have in leading and transforming the future as UConn alumni.   Please let us know whenever you need us.

Best,

Eleanor JB Daugherty, EdD
Associate Vice President and Dean of Students

To the University Community:

We write today to update the UConn community with information related to coronavirus, now known as Covid-19, which has dramatically impacted many aspects of life and business worldwide.

The virus emerged at a very difficult time when many UConn students and scholars were home for winter vacation in China, where the outbreak has been centered. Some UConn students and scholars have faced a delayed return to campus for the new semester, and are understandably worried about family and loved ones at home.

UConn Nation is one caring and united community. We empathize with all of our community members who have been personally impacted by Covid-19, and we are here to support them.

While we understand that many people may fear for their health and that of their loved ones, we urge you to join us by advocating against hurtful, hateful and insensitive behaviors that are not appropriate in this global health crisis and contradict our values. There is no place for those behaviors on our campuses.

Many UConn students have inquired about what they can do to help. In addition to providing a welcoming environment for your peers, we encourage interested student organizations to work with UConn Community Outreach on relief and fundraising efforts.

We also believe it is important to recognize the efforts of various offices who have gathered information and conducted outreach activities related to the virus.

UConn Student Health and Wellness has created a coronavirus webpage and offers a phone hotline to provide the latest information on the virus. It has provided free individual health screenings to students who recently traveled to China, and has been diligently following federal and state guidelines for managing risk related to the virus.

UConn International Student and Scholar Services has worked to identify international students who are most at risk of being impacted by mobility restrictions caused by the virus. That office has also worked with campus partners to provide options and support for students and scholars who were unable to return from China for spring semester, and to guide students who returned late due to travel delays. In addition, it has worked with the Chinese Consulate in New York to identify resources for Chinese citizens in need due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The Office of the Provost has also collaborated with deans and faculty members to offer support for students who were delayed in their efforts to begin their spring semester classes.

The University is preparing options for students who do not wish to travel outside the U.S. during the summer. We are working to ensure a productive and relaxing summer for these students, including opportunities for them to participate in dynamic courses and enrichment experiences. Once these options are available, we will announce them.

Please note, there have been no known cases of Covid-19 at the University of Connecticut or within the state of Connecticut. Students, staff and faculty who have recently returned from China should already be past the two-week quarantine period. As of Feb. 14, 2020, there are no UConn Storrs students who are in the 14-day coronavirus monitoring period.

We remind students to take precautions to stay healthy as we move into peak flu season, including by getting your flu vaccination if you have not already done so, washing hands frequently, and staying home if you are ill. With spring around the corner, we hope that the severe impacts of this virus are behind us.

Please let us know if there is anything we can do to further support you.

--

Nathan Fuerst

Vice President for Enrollment Planning and Management

Michael Gilbert

Vice President for Student Affairs

Daniel Weiner

Vice President for Global Affairs

Dear Students,

Over the course of the last several hours, our community has learned about a tragic incident on the Storrs campus. UConn student Tianyin Shang was discovered yesterday in the area of Mirror Lake by UConn Police. Her condition was grave and despite every effort to revive her, she did not survive and was pronounced dead at Windham Hospital on Monday afternoon.

A loss in our community like this is impossible to comprehend. Last night, my colleagues and I spent time with her friends and we will continue to reach out to those who knew Tianyin best.  I have learned that Tianyin, or Skyine as she was known to her friends, was proud of her Chinese heritage, excelled in math, was a friend to many in her residential community, and a rising star on the UConn Western Equestrian Team.

She is deeply missed, and many are struggling to understand her death. During the course of the next few days, we will remember, we will grieve and we will seek to cherish her contributions to our lives. The University has been in contact with her family and will provide all our support during this difficult time.

Her loss touches all of us in different ways.  Our grief for Tianyin’s loss – no matter how well we knew her -- will impact us in a myriad of ways.  Please know that the University is here for you:

• Student Health and Wellness – Mental Health:  Mental Health Services is available to provide support to the Storrs student community at this time of loss.  Mental Health Services is located on the 4^th floor of Arjona and their website lists information regarding their hours of service. Additionally on their website, you will find information on managing grief and loss.
• On Call: A Counselor-on-Call and crisis information is available to you, all day, every day.  The Counselor on Call is available after hours by calling 860-486-4705.
• Residential Life: The Residential Life staff team are available 24/7 to support members of the University residential population in need of support.  They can be contacted at 860-486-2926, or through the Resident Assistants on duty.
• Dean of Students: The Dean of Students Office located on the 2nd floor of Wilbur Cross is available to assist students struggling with the loss of their classmate. You may make an appointment by calling 860-486-3426 or stop in to meet with a staff member during business hours, Monday – Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm. Staff in the Dean of Students Office are available to help you connect with support services as needed.
• Student Care Team: If you are concerned about the well-being of a community member, call 911.  If it is not an emergency please complete a referral for the Student Care team.

Please take time to care for yourself and your fellow students during this difficult time. As a community we will support one another. I am continually touched by the students, faculty, staff, and organizations, like Active Minds, that seek to support each other.  I am grateful to be among such a community of compassionate Huskies.  Please, ask for help.  We’re here.

Yours,

Eleanor JB Daugherty
Associate Vice President of Student Affairs/Dean of Students