University Planning

** NOTE: This content was developed as a part of Northeastern’s COVID-19 response. Please visit news-northeastern-edu.go-vip.net/coronavirus for up-to-date information. **

 

As public health experts monitor the global spread of COVID-19, Northeastern University is developing an extensive set of contingency plans to prepare for possible disruptions, activating the staff and resources necessary to meet its institutional commitments.

 Learning Continuity

• Semester Completion. Of paramount priority for the university is to ensure that student learning is not disrupted and all students are able to complete the Spring 2020 term unimpeded. The University administration and faculty members have prepared to deliver all current courses online via existing student learning platforms (Canvas, Blackboard, Teams). Online learning will go into effect on the Boston campus on Thursday, March 12, 2020.
• Summer I, Summer II, and CPS Spring and Summer Quarters.
  • Pursuant to the CDC’s interim guidance that in-person events and gatherings be restricted to less than 50 people for the next 8 weeks, all in-person courses for Summer I and College of Profession Studies Spring and Summer Quarters will move to online and remote delivery at Northeastern’s Boston, Charlotte, Seattle, San Francisco Bay Area, and Vancouver campuses. All Summer II courses at the Boston campus will move to online delivery.The Global Experience Office and the International Safety Office is reaching out to all students planning to study abroad or participate in a global co-op during Summer I or Summer II to discuss their options.
  • We are offering a fully online modality for all our CPS degree programs. You may choose to start your degree program online even if you are unable to arrive to campus in time for the official start of the quarter. After travel restrictions have been lifted, you will be able to transfer to one of Northeastern’s campus locations in the next available academic quarter, with minimal disruption to your study plan. You may also choose to delay your enrollment and start at Northeastern at a later date. To request deferred admission, please contact us by Phone: +1-877-668-7727 or Email:CPSAdmissions@northeastern.edu. If you have elected to register for Summer II classes while awaiting a co-op offer, please remember that the deadline is July 13 to withdraw from Summer II courses with a full tuition refund. 
• As part of the contingency planning to ensure the successful continuity of learning and academic progress for our students in the unlikely event that campus-based learning is not possible, the university is asking faculty and staff to take several key steps to prepare.

Research

• The university’s research enterprise remains open and operational for the time being. PhD students who are engaged in research may remain in labs and are reminded to adhere to transmission risk mitigation and density recommendations. Contingency planning is ongoing to ensure labs and experiments are not compromised should there be any disruption in campus operations.

Campus Operations

• Business Continuity. University leaders are developing extensive contingency plans to maintain business continuity across a range of critical academic, student support, and staff functions including university health and counseling services, student housing, dining services, procurement of essential supplies, information technology, and human resources and payroll, among other areas.
• Employee Telework. Beginning March 12, in accordance with guidance from public health authorities and with a goal of reducing density on campus, we are making the following temporary change to the remote work policy:
  • The university is encouraging managers to work with employees (irrespective of risk groups) to enable remote work wherever possible, while ensuring business continuity. We realize that some positions are more conducive to remote work than others.
  • This policy applies to Northeastern’s campuses in Seattle and London.
    We would like to reiterate that if you are sick, or think you are sick, please stay at home. Do not come to work and please contact your medical care provider.
  • Importantly, the university will not close. Critical functions—such as public safety, facilities, dining services, and others—will continue. The university will continuously evaluate this policy change and make adjustments as needed.
• Bay Area and Charlotte Campuses Closed, Massachusetts Campuses Move to Essential Personnel Only. In accordance with a shelter-in-place order from six Bay Area counties, Northeastern campuses in the San Francisco Bay Area are closed effective March 17, 2020. Based on guidance from the governor of Massachusetts and health officials, staff at Northeastern’s Massachusetts campuses will be restricted to “on-site essential” employees only beginning March 24 until 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, unless subsequently extended. Effective March 26 through April 16, the Charlotte campus is closed in accordance with a stay-at-home order for the county. Staff at the Bay Area and Massachusetts campuses will work remotely and only essential university personnel will be permitted access to these facilities, if and when deemed necessary. Online course instruction will continue as planned.
• Snell Library. As of March 17, Snell Library is closed until further notice. Visit the Library’s special resilience website for additional information about online resources and services. The site will be updated regularly with any other changes.
• Mail Forwarding Available through Residential Mail. Student mail and packages that are received at ResMail can be forwarded. Please contact ResMail at ResidentialMail@northeastern.edu to make such arrangements, if necessary.
• Campus Dining Operations Moving to Take-Out Only. Consistent with the Massachusetts Governor’s proclamation to restrict in-person dining, campus dining is restricted to take-out only at International Village. There will be no seating in the dining hall. All other residential dining halls are closed. Retail dining service in Curry, service from Rebecca’s café, and Catering are suspended until further notice. Hours for International Village will be updated at: https://nudining.com/public/hours-of-operation.
• Parking. Campus parking has been designated as an essential service and all facilities remain open and available for use, as needed. MasParc is currently following recommended guidelines for daily cleaning and disinfecting to help ensure the safety of parking staff and customers. Currently, all standard parking permit policies remain in effect. If you have any questions concerning MasParc’s response to COVID-19, please visit https://www.masparc.com/faqs/ and click on COVID-19 Statement for more information. As always, please contact MasParc at contact@masparc.com if you have any questions or concerns.

Athletics

The NCAA has canceled all upcoming league and national championships. The Colonial Athletic Conference has suspended all spring sports indefinitely.