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Wayne State University - Dean of Students Office

Dear Wayne State University student,

You are likely aware that the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has spread to parts of the United States. Although no cases of the virus have been confirmed in Michigan, infectious disease specialists expect that we will see the virus in the state.

As a university, preparation is our best defense. As we are days away from spring break, this is a good time to mention a few common-sense precautions you can take as you embark on a well-deserved break from your studies:

  • You should not travel to locations that have been identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for travel restrictions — mainland China, Iran, Italy, South Korea or Japan. These are nations with high incidences of the disease and evidence of rapid spread in the community.
  • If you are traveling in the United States, monitor new developments closely to make sure COVID-19 has not been found in the place you are traveling to. You can view updates on the CDC website.
  • Avoid travel altogether if you are sick. Visit the CDC website to learn more about symptoms.  
  • If you are in large groups of people, consider practicing social distancing and try to stay away from individuals who are coughing or sneezing. The CDC website has more information about prevention.
  • Wash your hands frequently, and avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes. Consider using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently throughout the day.
  • If you feel ill and have a cough, fever or shortness of breath, see a medical professional as soon as you can. When you call to make an appointment, make sure you tell them over the phone about your symptoms.

On a different note, we have noted that at a handful of universities across the nation, some have used the coronavirus as a vehicle to target international, and particularly Asian students. The coronavirus may have originated in China and, but it does not discriminate based on ethnicity or country of origin. At Wayne State, we pride ourselves on offering a welcoming, diverse and inclusive campus community. This is instilled in our values and a focus of our strategic plan, and does not change based on changing situations. I ask that we continue to embrace this value. Behavior that negatively targets others has no place at Wayne State, and will not be tolerated. If you witness this sort of behavior on our campus, we urge you to contact the campus police at 313-577-2222.

A full description of what Wayne State is doing about the potential threat of the COVID-19 virus can be found on our website.   

Our priority is to keep the campus community safe and well. Please enjoy your spring break, and we’ll see you on March 16.

David Strauss
Dean of Students