Western New Mexico University has asked its employees to stay home an additional week due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Here is a statement issued by WNMU President Joe Shepherd:
Given the additional restrictions placed on residents of New Mexico in the hopes of minimizing the spread of the coronavirus, employees and student workers are advised to stay home next week and return to work on March 30, 2020. During the week of March 23, faculty members are asked to transition your courses. You may choose to deliver asynchronously through Canvas or you may choose to synchronously deliver your course through video conference (Zoom).
If you feel the need to work from the office next week, please notify your supervisor and practice social distancing. Remember to limit group gatherings to ten or less. Sodexo will be open for brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and regular dinner hours. All meals will be take out only. We will reassess toward the end of next week to determine what schedule will work for the following week.
The Child Development Center will open as scheduled on March 23. While we want to do all we can to isolate individuals, there are many in our community who are relying on a safe place for their child while they work in other jobs. Such noted, if you are an employee of the university who has a child at the CDC, please keep them at home as we are permitting you to remain home.
At this time, classes and regular work schedules will resume on Monday, March 30, 2020. Employees should consult with their supervisor to determine if work from home (WFH) or teleworking is a feasible option.
I want to thank the Mustang family for coming together during this difficult period. You each are contributing to living the mission of the university and moving us forward as we model caring and creativity. There are many areas to thank such as Marketing and Communications, IT, Maintenance and faculty who, along with many others, have worked over the spring break to keep us informed, safe and connected.
Your health, safety and mental wellbeing is of great importance to the university. Take care of yourselves and be kind to others as we all deal with stress in different ways. Please keep checking the WNMU website at wnmu.edu for important university updates as well as your university email.
Go Mustangs,
Joseph (Joe) Shepard, Ph.D.
President