Follow public health guidelines

March 24, 2020

Tori Tragis

Dear UAF community, 

I want to take a moment to remind everyone how important it is to follow the advice of public health officials and practice social distancing to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 in our community. 

I want to encourage UAF employees to work from home if your job allows. Many of our facilities are closed already and we are working to close or further limit access to others. Please work out the details with your supervisor and look for helpful resources on how to get set up to work remotely on the UA virtual campus website.

A few other important things to remember:

• If you’re sick, stay home


• If you are traveling back to Alaska you MUST self-quarantine for 14 days before coming back to work


• If you have had close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or is under investigation, that means waiting for test results, you MUST self-quarantine for 14 days before coming back to work


• If you are COVID-19 positive, you should be in isolation per public health guidance. Do not come to campus.

I also want to stress that if you are under quarantine, you may not come to campus. If you need to make arrangements to get personal items or work, make arrangements with your supervisor. 

And most importantly, if you are sick, you shouldn’t be working at all. Take the time to rest, get better and keep those around you safe. 

Please keep informed. Watch for messages from me, President Johnsen, or the Governor for UAF, UA or State policies and restrictions. If you are planning any travel at all, business or otherwise, it is critical that you are aware of the state restrictions as well as the UA and UAF policies on travel and travel-related quarantines.

Although classes are being offered remotely, most of campus is in a stage of closure. Many UAF facilities are and have been closed to all persons for weeks, some operate with employee access only and a few still have public access for limited periods each day. Closures continue to evolve as we know more and as people have a chance to ramp down activities, including research. We will need to continue to limit access and close facilities so please act now to make arrangements to work from home if it is possible and you have not already.

If we ALL follow the advice of public health officials, practice social distancing, and proper hygiene, together, we can “flatten the curve” and help our University and our community get through this crisis.

Please be sure not to stigmatize those who have been affected by COVID-19. 

Thank you for your efforts and I wish you good health.

— Dan White, chancellor