March 15, 2020

Dear Faculty, Students and Staff,

Last night, Chancellor Robert J. Jones and Vice Chancellor Andreas C. Cangellaris forwarded the email they shared with deans, directors and department heads (https://massmail.illinois.edu/massmail/2064109.html) regarding the University’s remote work policy for addressing the challenges of the COVID‐19 outbreak and the need for everyone to follow the CDC guidelines on social distancing. University operations are continuing, but many operations will have to be accomplished differently.

The School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics is committed to safeguarding the health and wellbeing of our students, faculty and staff. Therefore, effective 3/16/20, we will be implementing the approved temporary remote work guidelines for all interested employees. Those employees designated by the CDC to be at higher risk are especially encouraged to work from home: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/specific-groups/high-risk-complications.html

These measures will be effective through the end of March and will be re‐assessed following recommendations by health and campus authorities.

Established guidelines for remote work protocol can be found here: https://humanresources.illinois.edu/assets/docs/IHR-Remote-Work-Protocol-3.14.20-final.pdf. Staff should contact Assistant to the Director, Karen McNeely, to make arrangements for working from home, including need for equipment, VPN access etc.

Supervisors and Executive Officers will assist in the planning of workflow for employees who request to work remotely in order to effectively meet the needs of each unit. That will include:

·  availability

·  work schedules

·  pre‐approval for overtime, if applicable

·  submission of timesheets

·  vacation or sick leave

·  any other unit specific expectations

There may be some tasks that cannot be completed remotely and are essential for the University operations. If those employees report to their regular work location, they should notify us and be mindful of social distancing. Social Distancing, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, is proven to be the most effective method to prevent the introduction and rapid spread of viruses like COVID‐19. Social distancing means remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible. Following CDC recommendations, when classes are suspended, gathering and socializing are also discouraged. That includes students, staff, and faculty and places like at a friend’s house, a favorite restaurant, or a local coffee shop.

The CDC defines social distancing as it applies to COVID‐19 as:

·  "remaining out of congregate settings, avoiding mass gatherings, and maintaining distance (approximately 6 feet or 2 meters) from others when possible.

·  "no hugs, no handshakes."

·  It's particularly important—and perhaps obvious—to maintain that same 6‐foot distance from anyone who is demonstrating signs of illness, including coughing, sneezing, or fever.

·  Along with physical distance, proper hand‐washing is important for protecting not only yourself but others around you—because the virus can be spread even without symptoms.

For more information on social distancing, you may read: https://hub.jhu.edu/2020/03/13/what-is-social-distancing/

As the situation progresses, Karen McNeely and I will be working with all SLCL EOS, IHR and LASHR, as well as LAS and campus leadership, to update you regularly through email communications and via our SLCL webpage: (https://slcl.illinois.edu/).

We thank you most sincerely for your cooperation and support during this unprecedented and challenging time. We know that our community is strong, and so is our commitment to it. Social distancing and remote work solve some problems, but it will also present some challenges (logistical, of course, but also emotional and psychological). While we certainly cannot offer certainties at this point, we can assure you that we are committed to remaining engaged and connected with all of you, even if we are not physically in the same space. Please let us know if there is anything we can do in that regard, and contact us with any suggestions or questions.

Solidarity, resourcefulness, social cooperation and community resilience, will be as crucial as test kits and soap and water. And that may be the one enduring lesson of these very challenging circumstances.

Warm wishes,

L. Elena Delgado, Director, SLCL

Karen McNeely, Assistant to Director, SLCL