Dear Faculty & Staff,

Out of an abundance of caution for public health and to help mitigate any potential for the spread of COVID-19, also known as the coronavirus, the college is suspending all events beginning at noon on Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 22 . Ticketholders for events in the Zlock Performing Arts Center will be contacted with more information.

The college will also be closing all of our campuses (Bristol, Newtown, Perkasie & the Public Safety Training Centers) beginning Saturday, March 14 through Sunday, March 22, our spring break week. Staff will be working remotely while a deep cleaning will occur in all our buildings and facilities. All desks and work surfaces need to be free and clear of papers and miscellaneous items by the end of the day Friday, March 13, so they can be wiped down by the custodial staff. Supervisors in each area will be able to field questions about how work will be conducted remotely next week.

All college-related conference trips and college-sponsored travel for students and staff are suspended through March 31. All faculty and staff who have already been approved for college-related domestic and/or international travel should contact their manager.

With spring break coming up, many members of the Bucks community have travel plans. Please be mindful if you plan to travel domestically to large cities and/or attend sizable gatherings during the break. Follow suggested hygiene protocol as recommended by the CDC .

We strongly discourage all members of the Bucks community from any personal travel, which could result in quarantine upon your return. While we have not historically asked any member of our community to register personal travel, we strongly encourage you to disclose your international travel upon returning to the United States by filling out this form . This action will be helpful because federal travel regulations and health guidelines are changing rapidly. You may be required to undergo self-quarantine for at least 14 days before returning to campus. If you do not have the ability to self-quarantine for 14 days, please do not travel. Please reach out to your supervisor if any issues arise.

While there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Bucks County as of today, March 10, 2020, we continue to monitor and evaluate the situation, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Department of Health. We will communicate any further postponements or cancellations via our website, bucks.edu/coronavirus and email.

Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. If you believe you are sick and experiencing symptoms such as a fever or cough, please stay at home. The health and well-being of our community is of utmost importance to the college.

Faculty, watch for email from Provost Angelo regarding plans for possible disruption of face-to-face classes.


Sincerely,

Dr. Stephanie Shanblatt
President