Updates: March 2020

University president Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., delivers a message of thanks to the Notre Dame community

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Dear Notre Dame undergraduates,

As you may know, yesterday, Father John shared with the senior class that the University would not hold in-person Commencement ceremonies on May 16-17 as originally planned; instead, Commencement will be held in stages, with an online ceremony on May 17 and in-person celebrations on Memorial Day weekend of 2021. As Father John said in his letter to seniors, public health experts have made it clear it would not be prudent in the coming weeks to bring together on campus large gatherings of families from across the country and around the world.   …

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In a letter today to the Class of 2020, University of Notre Dame President Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., announced that the University Commencement Ceremony on May 17 will be held online rather than in Notre Dame Stadium.

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Dear Graduate and Professional Students of the Class of 2020:

I write now to you a letter I had hoped I would not need to send. We have all been following the news about the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and I have consulted with several experts on infectious diseases. Although there remains a good deal of uncertainty about the trajectory and duration of the pandemic, it is becoming clear that it would not be prudent to host on May 16-17 the Notre Dame Commencement on our campus—a large gathering bringing together families from across the country and around the world, many with older and at-risk members. The Notre Dame Commencement weekend means so much to our graduates, their families, our faculty and to me personally, and so it is with greatest regret that I tell you we will not be able to gather you on campus for Commencement this May.…

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Dear Members of the Class of 2020:

I write now to you a letter I had hoped I would not need to send. We have all been following the news about the spread of the novel coronavirus, and I have consulted with several experts on infectious diseases. Although there remains a good deal of uncertainty about the trajectory and duration of the pandemic, it is becoming clear that it would not be prudent to host on May 16-17 the Notre Dame Commencement on our campus—a large gathering bringing together families from across the country and around the world, many with older and at-risk members. The Notre Dame Commencement and the events leading up to it mean so much to our graduates, their families, our faculty and to me personally, and so it is with greatest regret that I tell you we will not be able to gather you on campus for Commencement this May.…

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Dear Colleagues,

I have never seen our beautiful campus so quiet, eerily quiet.  Yet I know that you—whether working in your offices or labs on campus or remotely from home—have been putting enormous effort into teaching online classes, continuing your research and scholarship, advising students, and conducting the business of your departments, institutes, schools, and colleges.  By all reports, our students also have adapted to this new environment and continue to progress toward their degrees. …

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Dear Notre Dame Students,

I hope this letter finds you, your families, and your friends safe and doing well in the midst of these challenging times.  Numerous faculty members have relayed to me stories of your patience, resilience, and good humor as you resumed your classes online this week.  I am grateful to you for that as well as for your efforts in many distant locations to maintain the strong sense of community we work so hard to build at Notre Dame. …

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The transition from in-classroom instruction to distant teaching and learning went smoothly this week. There was also more clarity about policies as they pertain to grades, employment, tenure track and other issues of importance to students, faculty and staff.

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Dear Members of the Notre Dame Community,

My deepest thanks for the teamwork, dedication and compassion you have demonstrated in this unprecedented time. The coronavirus pandemic has presented truly extraordinary challenges for the world and our nation, as well as for the University of Notre Dame. I am humbled and inspired by the way you have responded with care and concern for one another.…

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Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Your generosity, creativity, and commitment to our students has never been more visible than it is now in this moment of profound disruption and anxiety. Thank you. In all things, we counsel compassion, flexibility, and patience as guiding principles — towards our students, our broader community, and ourselves. Many students (and their instructors) may be in unstable circumstances; they may be burdened by this crisis in ways that are not readily visible or communicated easily. The impact of COVID-19 on our communities, the responses of local authorities to it, and access to public spaces and resources will vary. These factors will continue to impact everyone in our dispersed community. Resumption of instruction in an online environment will, no doubt, present some new opportunities and a few surprises. As we look forward to the week ahead, we write with some additional touchstones to consider as we begin remote learning and teaching as a community.…

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Dear Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars,

As you may have learned, the University is taking additional steps in response to COVID-19 to address the health and safety of all of you as well as our faculty and staff members who support online teaching and research. A recent communication states that “these steps will also position us for additional anticipated measures that state and local governments are likely to take to control the spread of the coronavirus.”…

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Dear Members of the Notre Dame Community,

We hope this finds you and your loved ones well. Given the importance of ensuring that all members of the Notre Dame community are well-informed while the coronavirus pandemic continues, we plan to summarize on Fridays the developments of that week. Much of the information may have been communicated previously through other channels. Nonetheless, it’s important that we highlight it, or in some instances, provide additional details.…

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Dear Colleagues,

With the announcement that the University plans to suspend laboratory research operations and limit access only to essential personnel on Friday March, 27, I write to inform you about how we will manage the ramp down process. I want to emphasize that although lab operations are suspended, we hope faculty, post docs, graduate and undergraduate students can still find ways to be productive remotely by engaging in computational and simulation work, data analysis, paper and proposal writing, and other similar activities. The Deans and I stand ready to assist in any way that we can.…

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Dear Colleagues,

Thank you for your committed and diligent efforts to take all necessary precautions to safeguard, as much as possible, you, your family, and your colleagues from exposure to the COVID-19 virus while also doing all you can to ensure the best possible distance education for our students.  I know that I start each note to you with thanks.  Please know that this is not formulaic; it is heartfelt.  The selfless efforts so many people have made are extraordinary.…

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A short while ago, the US Department of State announced that its Worldwide Global Health Advisory has been raised to Level 4, “Do Not Travel.” This message advises those who are abroad to return to the US as soon as possible by commercial means while still available and, if you cannot, to shelter in place until you are able to depart safely. …

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Dear Faculty and Staff,

On Sunday, March 15th the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a new recommendation that no gatherings with 50 people or more be held for the next eight weeks. Informed by this recommendation as well as conversations with state and local health officials, and in consultation with other University leaders, I have decided to extend the suspension of in-person classes at Notre Dame to the end of the semester. Distance learning for our students will continue until then. …

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March 18, 2020

Dear Students and Parents,

On Sunday, March 15^th the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a new recommendation that no gatherings with 50 people or more be held for the next eight weeks.  Informed by this recommendation as well as conversations with state and local health officials, and in consultation with other University leaders, I have decided to extend the suspension of in-person classes at Notre Dame to the end of the semester. Distance learning for our students will continue until then. …

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Dear Notre Dame undergraduates,

Since writing to you only a week ago, the pace with which our world has changed due to COVID-19 is astounding and, at times, disconcerting. I am so proud of how you have responded to this challenge. Although your lives have changed dramatically, you have expressed understanding that Notre Dame prioritized the health and safety of our community, our nation, and our world. …

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Dear Graduate and Professional Students,

It has been a sad and stressful week. On behalf of myself and the deans of the graduate professional schools, I write to say how sorry we are that the spring semester has unfolded in this manner, and to thank you for your understanding, patience, flexibility, and creativity as the rhythm of just about every facet of our lives has been up-ended, and as we all try to adjust to a new set of routines. We understand how you may be feeling. The need to stay physically distant may bring on feelings of isolation. The pressures to move instruction online may be compounded for those of you who are not only students, but also teaching assistants or instructors of record. The contingency planning that is taking place with respect to research is important because we are trying our best to support you in your pursuit of meaningful work and progress on your degree. But understandably, this planning may bring too anxiety and countless questions related to deadlines, progress on research, funding, access to on-campus resources and so on.…

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Dear Members of the Notre Dame Community:

A Notre Dame student who returned last week from studying abroad in London has notified the University that the student has tested positive for the coronavirus (COVID-19). The student had traveled from London to home in the United States, and not to Notre Dame’s main campus in South Bend. The student was already self-quarantined when tested for the virus. The student’s local health department is currently overseeing medical care in conjunction with local providers. These local health officials are authorized to notify additional individuals who may have been in recent, close contact with the student. …

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Dear Members of the Notre Dame Community,

Thank you for your steadfast commitment to the health and well-being of all members of our community. Your leadership, flexibility and care for others during these ever-changing times is exemplary. For that and for all you are doing, I am deeply grateful.

Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb recently announced steps…

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Dear Notre Dame Family,

As Fr. Jenkins said in his recent video message, Notre Dame is a community, even when we are far apart. In the interest of caring for all members of our community, and in accordance with the guidelines of the CDC, the State of Indiana, and the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, we will be suspending public Masses in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and elsewhere on campus. This is not a decision taken lightly, but it is one that is necessary.…

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University president Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., addresses Notre Dame amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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We write to share some important new steps the University will take to safeguard the health and well-being of members of the Notre Dame community and our neighbors, while continuing our central work of education and research. We are continuously monitoring the rapidly evolving situation and thinking about the University’s response in light of local, national and global developments.

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Dear Colleagues,

Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for your overwhelming support as we move forward on the decision to move all classes online starting March 23.  As you know, our coronavirus response efforts have been unfolding quickly for the past few days and are likely to continue this weekend and into next week.…

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Dear Staff,

I wanted to provide additional information in follow up to the Executive Officers' letter that was sent to you this evening. The University remains open and operations continue with appropriate measures to protect the health and safety of the campus community. We appreciate the extraordinary efforts of all staff to support our mission of teaching and scholarship, especially during this ever-changing landscape.…

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In response to the new European travel restrictions that go into effect at midnight on Friday, March 13, Notre Dame has arranged travel for all affected undergraduate students to arrive in the U.S. prior to the deadline.

In addition, all undergraduates on study abroad have been provided rebooked flights and are scheduled to come back to the U.S. or their home country by Monday, March 16.  …

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Dear undergraduates living on campus this semester,

As a follow up to the email I sent yesterday, I write today to update you on developments relevant to our residence halls. 

Last night, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) added 29 countries…

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Although there are currently no reported cases of the coronavirus at Notre Dame, the probability that it will spread to our region is high. I have continued to monitor the quickly evolving situation, and after a great deal of deliberation and consultation with experts, with all members of our community’s health and well-being in mind, I’ve decided that the University will take several steps to reduce the likelihood of transmission of the virus.

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Dear Colleagues,

Following upon Father John’s letter to the entire Notre Dame community earlier today, I write to share with you our plan to maintain instructional continuity as we implement social-distancing practices to deal with the dangers of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.  We have two overriding aims: to protect the health and wellness of our community by lessening the potential spread of the virus through person-to-person contact on campus and to ensure the instructional continuity for our students.…

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