In coordination with the Milwaukee Health Department, the Marquette University Medical Clinic (MUMC) continues to monitor the recent outbreak of respiratory illness caused by Coronavirus (COVID-19). All actions being taken are for the health, safety and wellbeing of the campus community; the university will follow recommended guidance from the Milwaukee Public Health Department.
Campus contingency planning
A cross-disciplinary team led by Keli Wollmer, executive director of the Marquette University Medical Clinic, has been established and is meeting regularly to evaluate changing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and to establish protocols and contingency plans related to the virus.
Travel guidance
During spring break and Easter break, the university is providing travel guidance in line with recommendations from the Milwaukee Health Department and the CDC.
Effective immediately, the Milwaukee Health Department is recommending that any faculty, staff or students returning from or passing through a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice area should self-quarantine at home for 14 days before returning to campus or attending campus events. This recommendation also applies to anyone who has returned from a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice area in the past 14 days. Faculty and staff should inform their supervisor if they fit this criteria. Faculty and staff who are able to perform their job functions from home should do so during voluntary self-quarantine. For those who cannot perform their job functions from home, the university is expanding the university’s sick leave policy to cover self-quarantine days.
Faculty or staff who are symptomatic or sick with a fever, cough or shortness of breath after visiting a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice area should contact their health provider and follow the university sick leave policy, utilizing sick leave or short-term disability, if necessary. Faculty and staff who are parents of students who have recently returned from a CDC 3 Travel Notice area do not need to self-quarantine as long as their child is not symptomatic and is self-quarantined for 14 days.
Students who are symptomatic or sick with a fever, cough or shortness of breath after visiting a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice area should contact the Marquette University Medical Clinic.
- Marquette-sponsored international travel: Marquette has suspended all university-sponsored travel for faculty, staff and students to countries that the CDC identifies as a Level 3 Travel Health Notice. That includes China, Iran, Italy and South Korea, but that list is subject to change. This decision was made in alignment with CDC recommendations with the health, safety and wellbeing of our campus community top of mind.
As a reminder, all faculty and staff traveling internationally for research, teaching, conferences, service, recruiting, site visits or other Marquette business must complete the MU Faculty and Staff Travel Registration, in accordance with UPP 1-18: Policy on Marquette University Sponsored International Travel. On behalf of the provost, the Office of International Education will review for risk, as well as the general safety and security of the destination country based on governmental and non-governmental recommendations and advisories.
- Non-essential/personal travel: Given that CDC guidelines are changing rapidly, Marquette strongly advises all faculty, staff and students to check the CDC’s Travel Health Notices before traveling, as quarantines and entry/exit control measures could be implemented quickly and affect return travel to the U.S. Any faculty, staff or students returning from or passing through a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice area should self-quarantine at home for 14 days before returning to campus. Faculty and staff should notify their supervisor if they have returned from or are planning to travel to a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice area.
- Domestic travel: At this time, the CDC has not issued recommendations on domestic travel. However, if you are traveling domestically, the university strongly recommends checking your destination’s local health department for their recommendations.
This travel guidance applies to all faculty, staff and students. Faculty and staff with additional questions should contact Human Resources at (414) 288-7305 or humanresources@marquette.edu. Students should contact the dean of students at (414) 288-1412 or stephanie.quade@marquette.edu.
Study abroad
The Office of International Education is currently monitoring resources related to the spread of COVID-19 worldwide and is in close communication with its university partners abroad to understand the situation in each affected location. The self-quarantine information listed above applies to any student on a study abroad program who has traveled to or returned from a CDC Level 3 Travel Health Notice area in the past 14 days.
Student safety is the university’s number one priority. Questions related to coursework, refunds, housing, etc., are being discussed with Marquette’s partner universities in Italy as well as internally, and updates will be provided to the students in those programs in the coming week as information becomes available. Additional information can be found on OIE’s education abroad health and safety website.
Additional information and updates
Information and CDC guidance is changing rapidly. In addition to being shared via Marquette Today, all university updates related to COVID-19 are posted on marquette.edu/medical-clinic/coronavirus.php. All members of our campus community are encouraged to visit this site regularly for FAQs, information on the best ways to protect your health and updates.
Support and resources
The university supports all members of the Marquette community who are from or have connections to anywhere that has confirmed cases of COVID-19. Racist behaviors or stereotyping are not tolerated at Marquette. Those who experience harassment or discrimination on campus can report it by:
- Submitting a bias incident report online
- Calling Dr. William Welburn, vice president for inclusive excellence, at (414) 288-8028 during business hours. (Please note: if you choose to leave a message, your call will be returned at the earliest possible time during the next business day.)
- Submit an in-person report by scheduling a meeting with Dr. Welburn. Email william.welburn@marquette.edu to make an appointment.
The following resources are available for those who need support:
- Office of International Education
- Division of Student Affairs
- Counseling Center (students)
- Employee Assistance Program (faculty and staff)
- Campus Ministry (students)
- Faber Center (faculty and staff)