Coronavirus Update, Guidance Issued

Interim President Michael Bernstein has released a new message to the University community on remote instruction and other issues relating to the coronavirus situation. The message reads as follows:
In an effort to increase precautionary health measures, reduce community spread of COVID-19, and ensure the successful conclusion of the spring 2020 semester for Stony Brook University students, beginning March 23, 2020 we will move to remote instruction. Classes will be held through the end of the semester to ensure academic continuity, and all classes and finals will meet remotely. Experiential learning and clinical placements will continue for students in the Health Sciences and for some other special circumstances. All classes will be offered at their regularly scheduled times.
Spring break (March 16-20) will commence as planned at the end of this week, and we will begin remote instruction at the conclusion of the break. Accordingly, students planning to leave campus for spring break should take with them any items essential to continuing their education from home including laptops, textbooks, notebooks, essential papers and other material. Students should also bring home valuables and indispensable items in the event that a sustained period will pass before they are able to easily retrieve them.
Most non-classroom events and large gatherings will be cancelled or postponed as of this week through at least March 31. Throughout the remainder of the semester, however, the campus will remain open, operational and will continue to provide services. This includes academic advising, dining services, residence hall accommodations, library services, recreation programming, athletics facility services, and hospital and clinical services. Resident students can continue to live in the residence halls, and will be provided all services as usual. Accessibility needs will be addressed on a case by case basis in conjunction with the Provost’s office and our Student Accessibility Support Center.
The University’s academic, research and administrative operations will remain open, and faculty and staff are expected to work from their regular locations. Supervisors will be provided with guidance on work from home and alternative work assignments for those limited situations where that is necessary.
Moving to remote instruction was a decision that was not made lightly. We did so in order to curtail large group gatherings and reduce time spent in close proximity with one another in classrooms, lecture halls, dining facilities, and campus residences. Our actions are consistent with the guidance of public health agencies on how to limit the spread of COVID-19, and it is also similar to decisions made by peer institutions.
Pending guidance from public health officials, we will make a determination about when to resume classes in a face-to-face format on campus. Please see our Stony Brook University Coronavirus website for updates, review the FAQs and continue to check your stonybrook.edu email for updates. If you have specific questions regarding this information, please contact the appropriate office listed below.
In the meantime, we appreciate your patience as we work together to respond to this health emergency in a rapidly-changing environment. I also want to thank the extremely dedicated teams who have been working literally around the clock to respond to the numerous challenges posed by COVID-19.
Contacts/Resources:
Student related issues:  studentaffairs@stonybrook.edu
Academic related issues:  provost@stonybrook.edu
International Travel and immigration services:  vis@stonybrook.edu
Stony Brook University HR-related issues:  hrs_info@stonybrook.edu
Stony Brook University Hospital HR-related issues:  SBUHHR@stonybrookmedicine.edu
Long Island State Veterans Home HR-related issues:  LISVH_HR@stonybrookmedicine.edu