A Message from the President

March 16, 2020

Bowie State University Implements Campus-wide Telework

Bowie State University continues to monitor the evolving situation related to the spread of coronavirus across the state. In response to the latest guidance from Governor Larry Hogan directing state employees to telework where possible, we are moving to implement teleworking or administrative leave for all BSU employees with the exception of those designated essential to maintain critical services during this emergency. As always, our greatest concern is for the safety and wellbeing of all members of our campus community.

Beginning Wednesday, March 18, only employees designated by their supervisors as essential should report to the campus. All other employees who have the capacity to perform their duties remotely should begin to telework, observing regular work hours and checking with supervisors for assigned tasks. Provisions of the Interim Teleworking Policy requiring advance submission of work plans are suspended. When teleworking, employees should respond to email regularly and check office phone voice mail at least three times daily to respond to incoming calls.

Employees who cannot work remotely, including Contingent I and Contingent II staff, should contact their supervisor for guidance and approval for administrative leave. Student employees and graduate assistants who cannot telework will be granted excused absences without loss of pay.

Essential employees will be designated in the following work groups to maintain services for students and critical facilities operations according to guidance from USM: Police, Residence Life, Information Technology, Wellness Center, Dining Services, Payroll and Facilities. These categories are subject to change as conditions may require. Supervisors will notify individual employees regarding who should report to campus and when. Staggered shifts may be employed to enable social distancing practices and limit the number of persons on campus. Unit heads should report up to Vice Presidents the number of staff reporting to campus each day.

Remote instruction of all classes will begin on March 23. Faculty are not required to come to campus but may access facilities if needed to retrieve any materials essential for instruction. Students should not report to campus unless they do not have access to a computer or internet service at home. The computer labs in Thurgood Marshall Library will be open to enable these students to take online classes. Social distancing will be observed in these labs.

We expect to maintain this posture until at least April 6 and encourage everyone to continue to observe the health and hygiene practices that have been recommended.  We will provide updates as the situation evolves or new information becomes available. Please continue to monitor for new messages and updates to the Coronavirus Update webpage.