UNK leadership team monitoring coronavirus situation closely

To the UNK Community:

The emergence and spread of the novel coronavirus over the past few weeks has raised a number of questions about the impact on members of the UNK community. The UNK leadership team is monitoring this situation closely in collaboration with our colleagues across the University of Nebraska system.

We encourage you to visit Nebraska Medicine’s website for up-to-date, accurate information about the coronavirus and its impact in Nebraska. We also share the following updates:

  • The university’s medical experts remind us to practice common-sense hygiene practices – such as regular handwashing and cleaning frequently touched objects – to remain healthy. Students, faculty and staff should contact Student Health at 308.865.8218 or visit Memorial Student Affairs Building Room 184 if they have any concerning symptoms.
  • Based on current CDC and Department of State advisory levels, student, faculty and staff travel to China is restricted in accordance with the university system’s Executive Memorandum 25. Faculty and staff seeking to travel to China on university business must first seek written approval as outlined in the policy. Members of the UNK community with questions or concerns about international travel should contact Tim Burkink, assistant vice chancellor for international affairs, at 308.865.8207 or burkinktj@unk.edu.

Our medical experts remind us that while the coronavirus has understandably generated a great deal of news coverage and concern, the risk here in Nebraska remains low. Our primary concern is for the safety of our UNK community, and we will update you if there are any new developments.

Finally, we offer our full support to members of our community who may be worried about family or friends in China. We know this is a difficult time, and we hope you will reach out to UNK Counseling at 308.865.8248 if you’re feeling stressed or need to talk.

Thank you for all that you do to protect your health and the health of the UNK community.

– Gilbert Hinga, Dean Student Affairs