Updated April 7: Since Chancellor May issued this letter March 18, communicating that “generally, employees should assume they will work from home through April 7, unless they hear otherwise from their managers,” the state issued a stay-at-home order without an end date, and Yolo County extended its shelter-in-place order to May 1. Therefore, the current guidance is for employees (except those who are designated) to expect to work remotely until they hear otherwise from their managers.

Chancellor Gary S. May sent the following message to the campus community today (March 18):

Dear UC Davis Community:

Yolo and Sacramento counties have issued directives advising residents to shelter in place to slow the spread of COVID-19. As a result and effective immediately, the campus is moving to suspended operations as outlined in our policy as defined by policy and described on changes to campus operating status.

As of Thursday, March 19, we are updating our campus directives to include the following:

• All in-person instruction should cease.
• All instruction that can be delivered remotely should continue.
• Students are strongly encouraged to take their online finals from their place of shelter. However, to ensure that all students have access to computers and WiFi to complete their online final exams, the library, computer labs, study spaces and classrooms will remain open through Sunday, March 22. All individuals who utilize these spaces should observe appropriate social distancing.
• The IT Express Service Desk will remain open for students and faculty who need assistance with questions about campus technology through finals week. People can also email IT Express at ithelp@ucdavis.edu.
• As notified on March 17 by the Office of Research, researchers are expected to ramp down noncritical, on-site research activities.
• Personnel whose work is necessary to ensure the ongoing viability of research, including supply chain management, safety services, and people who support the well-being of research animals, essential plant populations and the maintenance of research materials that are perishable or not easily replaced, must continue their work.

In most cases, employees will return home and where possible, work remotely. Please confirm this with your supervisor or manager. Generally, employees should assume they will work from home through April 7, unless they hear otherwise from their managers.

Some critical functions that cannot be offered remotely will need to continue. These include housing, dining, health services, counseling and critical operations such as UC Davis Medical Center, UC Davis Police and Fire departments, facilities, custodial, information systems and technology, and maintenance of critical research specimens.

For those who cannot work from home due to the nature of their job, UCOP issued systemwide guidance on Monday, March 16. Please continue to refer to our website for the most current information.

The COVID-19 public health emergency continues to evolve rapidly. I would like to recognize the critical role that UC Davis Health is providing to the wellness and safety of our region, as well as the immense undertaking of instructors and staff to ensure educational continuity for our 40,000 students.

Thank you for your patience and understanding during these uncertain times. We’ll get through this, together.

Sincerely,

Gary S. May
Chancellor