Tulane's Response FAQs

*What is Social Distancing?

In light of the current situation with COVID-19 in New Orleans, Tulane University is implementing updated social distancing guidelines effective immediately. The number of COVID-19 cases in Louisiana has more than tripled since Friday, March 13, and the majority of these cases are in New Orleans. THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL DISTANCING CANNOT BE OVERSTATED AT THIS TIME.

Social distancing is a best practice recommendation of health professionals to prevent or slow the spread of a virus by human-to-human transmission. Social distancing is used to reduce risk of exposure, but is not the equivalent of quarantine where you are completely secluded. These guidelines and recommendations require some personal judgement to implement.

Social distancing is applicable to all members of the Tulane community, whether student, staff, faculty or administration, and whether full-time, part-time, temporary, or contracted services. Social distancing means you should not be in close proximity to others; you should maintain at least a six-foot distance from other individuals. Whenever possible you should be at home.

Tulane Guidelines:

1. No events, meetings, or gatherings are permitted that have 10 or more individuals. Individuals need to maintain a six-foot distance from others.

  • This is applicable to ALL members of the Tulane community, whether student, staff, faculty or administration, and whether full-time, part-time, temporary, or contracted services.
  • This is applicable for all students, both on and off campus. IF STUDENTS HOST OR ATTEND HOUSE PARTIES THEY WILL FACE STUDENT CONDUCT CHARGES AND MAY BE SUSPENDED. Your actions will have consequences. Do not put the public’s health and safety at risk because you want to party. This is a grave situation and any actions that put your health and safety or the health and safety of others at risk will NOT be tolerated.

2. All non-essential university related travel is cancelled. Requests for exceptions must be submitted to the Provost and COO. You are encouraged to avoid all unnecessary personal travel.

3. In-person classes ceased 3/13/2020 and will be moved online beginning March 23, 2020.

  • SSW DSW classes will meet remotely March 21 and 22
  • EMBA classes will meet remotely March 21 and 22

Effective Monday, March 16:

  • Flexible work arrangements are being implemented for staff wherever possible.
  • The Commons is only open to Tulane faculty, staff, and students.
  • At 5:00 PM all Tulane libraries will be closed to all but critical staff. These staff will be working to ensure continuity of services online and will only be on site as long as is necessary to do so.
    Students who need access to the library because they do not have a computer or course-specific computer programs need to email Erica Woodley (ewoodley@tulane.edu) as soon as possible so accommodations can be arranged.

Additional recommendations:

  • Avoid sharing drinks or food with others.
  • Use disposable cups and utensils and dispose of them after use.
  • Avoid close contact with others, including handshakes and hugs.
  • Reduce face-to-face exposure by using telephone/conference calls, email, and videoconferencing as much as possible.
  • Avoid others if you are sick or experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, or shortness of breath.
What will happen after March 13th?
  • All classes will be conducted online beginning Monday, March 23 through the end of the semester
     
  • Friday, March 13 is the last day of in-person classes for the semester.
     
  • No classes, online or in-person, will be taught March 14 –22. This will allow undergraduate students time to move and will also ensure that faculty can provide students with the highest quality of online instruction.
    *EXCEPTIONS: School of Social Work DSW and the Business School EMBA program will hold their classes remotely March 21 and 22
     
  • All graduate and professional students will also transition to remote instruction by March 23, with the exception of clinical-based programs, practicums, medical rotations and in-lab training/research.
     
  • We will observe Spring Break as scheduled so there will be no classes from Sunday, April 5 to Monday, April 13. However, make-up classes will be scheduled to compensate for class time lost during the March 14-22 closing.
What happens if there is a confirmed case on campus?

Tulane Campus Health has begun testing individuals based on screening and testing guidelines. Individuals who are tested will be kept in isolation to prevent the spread of the disease. If a COVID-19 virus is confirmed, then CDC protocols will be followed. Those who have had close contact with the patient will be contacted and monitored by the Louisiana Department of Health. Tulane University will fully support this effort.

*What is Tulane doing to protect the health of our community?

Tulane officials are working with the Louisiana Department of Health, the Tulane Office of International Students & Scholars, Tulane Campus Health, the Tulane Office of Emergency Preparedness & Response and other key offices to monitor the evolving situation. Tulane is following the guidance of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) regarding screening and prevention.

In an effort to decrease to opportunity for transmission:

  • No events, meetings, or gatherings are permitted that have 10 or more individuals. Individuals need to maintain a six-foot distance from others.

  • All non-essential university related travel is cancelled. Requests for exceptions must be submitted to the Provost and COO. You are encouraged to avoid all unnecessary personal travel.

  • In-person classes ceased 3/13/2020 and will be moved online beginning March 23, 2020.

  • Flexible work arrangements are being implemented for staff wherever possible.

  • The Commons is only open to Tulane faculty, staff, and students.

How does Tulane clean and disinfect?
  • Hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed in all campus buildings, including residence halls, in main building entrances, and first floor elevator lobbies.
  • All daily cleaning and disinfecting is now being done using disposable wipes to minimize cross-contamination.
  • Elevator buttons, handrails and door handles are being disinfected throughout the day
  • Hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes are being placed in all Shuttles & Transportation vehicles for passenger use.

Additional sanitizer dispensers, standards, and product to last 6 months of increased use will be held on campus. An additional 3 months of product designated for Tulane will be stored at all times at our local vendor’s warehouse. ServPro is on standby as our preferred vendor should we need a complete sanitation of the entire campus. Two additional companies have been mobilized as secondary assets to help should staffing be an issue.

If COVID-19 dies down, will you let students return to campus for in-person classes later in the semester?

Tulane does not know how long the current situation with COVID-19 will last. Even if the transmissions of COVID-19 decrease before the end of the semester, Tulane will not be return to in person classes this semester. Given the time, process, and expense of moving students on and off campus, it is not realistic to bring them back this semester.

What is the City of New Orleans doing?

You can access the most recent available information for New Orleans here.