UNM Activities Under the Nov 13 Public Health Order and Transition to Remote by Nov. 23.

Many of you are aware of Governor Lujan Grisham's strong statewide public health restrictions announced today. At UNM, we were already positioned well in alignment with these new orders, and are moving quickly to be responsive to further protect our community.

Instruction:

  • The week of November 16 to November 22 will be a transition week. We encourage instructors to offer classes remotely beginning November 16, where possible, and to complete all face-to-face classes by November 21 at 5 p.m.
  • Beginning November 23, all regular UNM classes will be offered remotely. Please communicate with your students by e-mail and via the learning management system used for your class (for example: UNM Learn, Teams, etc.) with information about how to connect with the class and keep up with course work.
  • Some limited exceptions may be made in cases in which face-to-face meetings are required for completion of a licensure program. If you are the instructor of a course with face-to-face professional licensure requirements, please communicate with your dean about this. Additional guidance from HED is forthcoming on this matter.
  • Students working in research laboratories and facilities should be in contact with their supervisors for information about safe restricted use of facilities. Instructional labs and maker spaces will be largely closed beginning November 23, except in approved special cases and in support of clinical experiences. Please connect with your leadership if you have questions.
  • UNM Students will receive the message attached here.

Research:

The severity of the COVID-19 pandemic requires that researchers, to the maximum extent possible, do their work from home. This remains unchanged. However, faculty, staff, and student researchers can continue essential research activities.

Essential research generally comprises (i) activities necessary to maintain critical research infrastructure, (ii) urgent research required to satisfy degree requirements, and (iii) research that UNM is contractually obligated to perform on a specified timeline, which includes most federally funded research. For those essential research functions that cannot be done at home, researchers should continue to follow the guidance provided by Bringing Back the Pack (https://bringbackthepack.unm.edu/research-guidelines/index.html). All activities must be conducted at a maximum of 25% occupancy in a research facility, and under COVID-Safe Practices.

Reaching Out:

We can make it proudly to the semester's conclusion by reaching out to others, offering help, seeking help. Memorize and share this link to stress, anxiety, and mental health resources: mentalhealth.unm.edu. If you are worried about the well-being of someone in your community, reach out. If you are critically concerned about a student's safety and health, please file a Campus Assessment Response Education Report (CARE). I am filled with admiration at what faculty, graduate students and staff have achieved in keeping our community healthy and engaged in learning and in research and creative work. We have a great deal to be proud of in the midst of trying times.