Coronavirus FAQs

We understand the significant transition our faculty and students have experienced with the shift to virtual learning, and we appreciate their ongoing commitment to academic success.

To mitigate the impact this transition may have on students during spring semester 2020, students will be allowed a course-by-course, student-elected adoption of Pass/Low Pass/No Credit (P/LP/NC) grades for qualified on-campus courses now being taught online.

For more detailed information, please refer to the FAQ on theROCK.

Updated April 9, 2020

Residential students who are not preapproved to remain in housing will receive a housing credit based on the reduced occupancy term from the beginning of the spring semester through March 22, the date of residence hall closure.

Residential students who are preapproved to remain in housing will be billed for the full spring semester.

Residential students who are preapproved to remain in housing past March 22, who choose to move off campus prior to May 15, will receive a credit based on their occupancy duration (email housing@unwsp.edu prior to moving off campus to confirm move-off date).

Applicable credits will be issued to student accounts by April 15, 2020 and applied to any remaining balance on their account at the time of issue. Any credit balance on the student account after applicable credits are applied will be refunded to the student by an ACH or check and will be issued by April 20, 2020. We encourage students to sign up for ACH refunds for a fast and safe receipt. For instructions on ACH setup, please see the Student FAQs for Student Accounts or email studentaccounts@unwsp.edu.

Please refer to FAQ on theROCK. If you still have questions after April 15, 2020, once credits are applied, please email studentaccounts@unwsp.edu.

Updated March 27, 2020

Commuter students and residential students who are not preapproved to remain in housing will receive a dining funds credit based on the amount of dining funds that have been used, up to half of the required amount for their status for spring semester. Any dining funds that students added during spring semester will also be eligible for a dining funds credit if those funds have not been used.

Full meal plans will be left in place for those students who have been preapproved to and currently remain in UNW housing. Dining services will continue to be available to these students while they remain on campus. Those students that were preapproved to continue living on campus but choose to move off campus prior to May 15 will be issued a pro-rated credit based on the amount of dining funds that have been used.

Students who were part of the ICS trip during Quad 3 will be issued full credit for their spring semester meal plan charges.

Applicable credits will be issued to student accounts by April 15, 2020 and applied to any remaining balance on their account at the time of issue. Any credit balance on the student account after applicable credits are applied will be refunded to the student by an ACH or check and will be issued by April 20, 2020. We encourage students to sign up for ACH refunds for a fast and safe receipt. For instructions on ACH setup, please see the Student FAQs for Student Accounts or email studentaccounts@unwsp.edu.

Please refer to FAQ on theROCK. If you still have questions after April 15, 2020, once credits are applied, please email studentaccounts@unwsp.edu.

Updated March 27, 2020

Half of the spring semester activity fees will be credited to student accounts. All other fees have been applied to existing programs and infrastructure for the university and will not be pro-rated.

All fees were reviewed individually for their purpose and application to programs, maintenance of our campus buildings and grounds, and the repair or replacement of equipment, furniture, and fixtures. It was with these factors in mind that crediting half of the spring semester student fee was determined.

Applicable credits will be issued to student accounts by April 15, 2020 and applied to any remaining balance on their account at the time of issue. Any credit balance on the student account after applicable credits are applied will be refunded to the student by an ACH or check and will be issued by April 20, 2020. We encourage students to sign up for ACH refunds for a fast and safe receipt. For instructions on ACH setup, please see the Student FAQs for Student Accounts or email studentaccounts@unwsp.edu.

Please refer to FAQ on theROCK. If you still have questions after April 15, 2020, once credits are applied, please email studentaccounts@unwsp.edu.

Updated March 27, 2020

HOUSING

Consistent with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's directive to everyone in the state to "stay at home" and limit movements outside home beyond essential needs effective Friday, March 27 at 11:59 p.m. to Monday, May 4:

Residence hall checkouts are on hold beginning Friday, March 27 at 11 p.m. through the end of the Minnesota stay at home order. Please do not travel to campus to retrieve personal items or check out of your room while the Minnesota “stay at home” order is in effect. Access to the residence halls will be restricted. More information regarding the checkout process will be forthcoming. If you have questions regarding your checkout, please contact housing@unwsp.edu.

Students who received prior approval to live on campus until the end of the semester are encouraged to find alternative housing as they are able. If approved students are able to find alternative housing, please contact the Housing Office at housing@unwsp.edu. If students are unable to leave, be assured that the approval to remain on campus will remain intact. These students will have access to limited services, including food service, public safety, and modified health and counseling services. We expect students remaining on campus to follow all updated housing policies, including social distancing practices. We will continue to follow cleaning protocols already in place to mitigate the risks of COVID-19.

For more detailed instructions related to classes and housing, please reference https://confluence.unwsp.edu/display/CR/Student+FAQs

If you have questions or concerns, contact housing@unwsp.edu.

Updated: April 8, 2020 at 3:30 p.m.

DINING

UNW Dining Services will be available for students that must remain on campus. Information regarding adjusted dining hours and locations during this time have been posted on theROCK.

If you have questions or concerns, contact mealplans@unwsp.edu.

Updated: March 16, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.

STUDENT SERVICES

HEALTH SERVICES

Health Services will remain open and available to students that must remain on campus. Students must call to schedule appointments before being seen. Phone consultation and telemedicine options are being explored.

If you have questions or concerns, contact healthservices@unwsp.edu

Updated: March 16, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.

COUNSELING SERVICES

Counseling Services will be available to students that must remain on campus in a modified capacity. Students must call to schedule appointments before being seen.
If you have questions or concerns, contact counselingservices@unwsp.edu.

Updated: March 16, 2020 at 4:30 p.m.

Spring Semester 2020

All spring semester on-campus classes have moved to a virtual learning environment through the end of spring semester.

Summer Semester 2020

Virtual learning will be extended through the summer. All summer semester online courses will be offered as scheduled.

Details about summer offerings, dates, and fees will be provided in the coming days. For more detailed and up-to-date information, please refer to the “COVID-19” section on theROCK.

Updated: April 7, 2020 at 5:30 p.m.

The Campus Store is still physically open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m.–1 m. and available by appointment Monday–Friday from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Please email campusstore@unwsp.edu or call 651-631-5280 to schedule an appointment.

The online store is also available to have orders shipped to you or pick up in the store or request curbside delivery outside the Billy Graham Community Life Commons building.

Please email campusstore@unwsp.edu with questions.

Updated March 19, 2020

The Campus Store is working with textbook vendors to determine how to return textbooks. Emails will be sent to students who rented books this semester, including all PSEO students, once details on returning rental books at the end of the semester are available.

Updated April 7, 2020 at 6 p.m.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS

All on-campus co-curricular and extra-curricular activities are suspended through the end of the spring 2020 semester.

ATHLETICS

All on-campus co-curricular and extra-curricular activities are suspended through the end of the spring 2020 semester. No athletic events, practices, or competitions will take place through the end of the semester. All students and athletes will remain off campus, and all athletic facilities will be closed.

Per the NCAA's announcement on Thursday, all NCAA 2020 spring sports championships have been canceled.

Updated: April 7, 2020 at 5 p.m.

EVENTS

University of Northwestern is in the process of evaluating the potential risk all on-campus events pose to the community. Further information will be forthcoming.

Campus guests that have an event scheduled at UNW should contact Event Services. Those scheduled to attend an event on campus should contact their event sponsor. All campus guests and event attendees are asked to take appropriate precautions to prevent the spread of illness.

For questions, please contact events@unwsp.edu.

Updated: April 7, 2020 at 5 p.m.

SCHEDULED VISITS

UNW is not offering in-person campus visits. However, we are now offering virtual meetings with Admission Counselors, Financial Aid Counselors, and professors via FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, or phone call. Prospective students can also view UNW's virtual campus tour here.

For up-to-date information, please contact admissions@unwsp.edu.

Updated: March 16, 2020 at 5 p.m.

Given the uncertainties of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation, Spring 2020 Commencement ceremonies originally scheduled for May 16 will be postponed. Details about the date, time, and venue for commencement will be forthcoming.

Updated: April 7, 2020 at 5 p.m.

University of Northwestern will work closely with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to determine the best actions to provide a safe environment for our community should a confirmed case of COVID-19 occur.

UNW’s Pandemic Response team is determining next steps in the event that a UNW community member tests positive for COVID-19.

Updated: March 13, 2020 at 1 p.m.

Students and faculty returning from high-risk areas were asked to self-quarantine according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines.

Updated: April 7, 2020 at 4:45 p.m.

There are no known cases of COVID-19 among the UNW community at this time.

Updated: April 8, 2020 at 3:30 p.m.

University of Northwestern is working closely with our international students to ensure their well-being in this time of uncertainty and unrest.

Updated: March 13, 2020 at 1 p.m.

UNW is giving increased attention to the cleanliness of campus.

The most important COVID-19 preventative measure is for students, faculty, and staff to follow good health practices:

• Wash hands often and for at least 20 seconds and use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
• Stay home when sick
• Cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or sleeve
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth
• Avoid shaking hands

Updated: March 13, 2020 at 1 p.m.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends regular cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces (e.g., door knobs, tables, keyboards light switches). Use an EPA-registered disinfectant or a 10% bleach/water solution to clean surfaces. We recommend each person regularly clean their desk and personal areas. Please refer to this CDC document for detailed recommendations.

Updated: March 13, 2020 at 1 p.m.

If you are sick, please stay home or in your dorm, take good care of yourself, and closely monitor your symptoms.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for more information about COVID-19 symptoms and care.

Updated: March 13, 2020 at 1 p.m.

Please call Health Services at 651-631-5246 (x5246) during normal business hours (M–F, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.) or call your primary care provide if you have concerns, worsening symptoms, or a chronic health issue that may increase your risk for complication (i.e., blood disorders, chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, compromised immune system [immunosuppression], current or recent pregnancy, endocrine disorders, metabolic disorders, heart disease, lung disease, neurological and neurodevelopment conditions). For a complete list, visit MDH.

If you have concern about symptoms or exposure to COVID-19 after 4:30 p.m. or on a weekend, please call a local urgent care or emergency department.

If you have a medical emergency and are on campus, call 911 immediately and then call the Office of Public Safety: 651-631-5310 (x5310).

Do not go to the emergency room unless you are experiencing severe symptoms. It’s better to call a health care professional first.

Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for more information about COVID-19 symptoms and care.

Updated: March 13, 2020 at 6 p.m.

Guidelines for student employees are located on theRock.

Updated: March 13, 2020 at 1 p.m.

University of Northwestern will continue to work with appropriate officials and agencies to update the community, take further precautions, and monitor COVID-19 developments as they relate to our community. Please refer to these sites for further information:

• UNW Coronavirus/COVID-19 site
• UNW Health Services
• UNW Athletics
• theRock
• CDC: 2019 Novel Coronavirus
• CDC: Steps When Sick
• EPA Registered Disinfectants
• WHO: Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV)
• More Health Services Information