Dry Run of University Contingency Plans in Response to COVID-19 Health Emergency
Memo to : The University Community
Ateneo de Manila University has been continuously monitoring the global spread of COVID-19 virus, and has implemented a range of measures to ensure the health and safety of all members of the community. With today’s declaration of a state of public health emergency, the University decided to undertake a seven-day dry run of its contingency plan in response to the ongoing outbreak. The dry run shall commence on Thursday March 12 and end on Wednesday March 18.
During the dry run:
● Offices will simulate operations with a skeleton workforce
● On-site classes will be suspended to give way to simulation of alternative modes of teaching, learning, and testing
● Final examinations and deliberations in Basic Education will proceed to enable the unit to finish the school year within the week, as scheduled
The following University events will also be postponed:
● The University Service Awards (18 March 2020) and the Presidential Luncheon (20 March 2020)
● Office R&R and/or team building activities; the budget for such activities may be used at a later date up to the next fiscal year.
● Implementation of home quarantine guidelines for members of the community who might have been exposed to COVID-19, particularly those with a
history of travel abroad
● Temporary suspension of all international student mobility programs and official travel until December 2020
● Postponement of non-essential travel by members of the community
Other guidelines may also be released subsequently, depending on official word from public agencies and ongoing appraisals of the COVID-19 situation.
Indeed, these are intimidating times. But we are greater than this piece of genetic material that threatens to weaken our bodies and social cohesion. While we cannot be dismissive about this virus, let us help each other not yield to anxiety or fear. And we can do this by listening to the science, avoiding toxic and misleading trails especially on social media, following the official university advisories, spending time in prayer and reflecting what Lenten abstinence can be for us at this time, and letting compassion and care for our neighbor get the better of us.
God bless us and keep us strong in this time of trial.
Jose Ramon T Villarin SJ
President
