Resources
Governor Tony Evers has declared a Health Emergency in Response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus. On March 16, 2020, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services issued an order prohibiting gatherings of more than 50 people. The order also contains workplace and food service requirements. An update was issued on March 17 limiting gatherings to 10 people. On March 24, Governor Evers signed a "Safer at Home" order ceasing all non-essential business statewide. Emergency Order #28 was issued on April 16. The Badger Bounce Back, Emergency Order #31, was issued on April 20, and Emergency Order #34 was issued on April 27. Emergency Order #36, Interim Order to Turn the Dial, was issued on May 11. On May 13, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that some restrictions of Emergency Order #28 were unenforceable, however many counties have reimposed restrictions.
The State has developed a website that compiles all of the information and resources offered through state government regarding COVID-19 in one location.
Below are resources for colleges and universities:
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Resources for Institutes of Higher Education
- Wisconsin Department of Health Services
- U.S. Department of Education Guidance for Interruptions of Study related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) — Compliance with Title IV, Higher Eduation Act (HEA) Policies
- U.S. Department of Education COVID-19 ("Coronavirus") Information and Resources for Schools and School Personnel - Including Higher Education Leaders
- U.S. Department of Education Webinar on Ensuring Web Accessibility for Students with Disabilities and Fact Sheet for Protecting Students' Civil Rights
- U.S. Department of Education FAQs (March 20)
- Husch Blackwell (WAICU Legal Services Program partner): Coronavirus (COVID-19) Toolkit, Workplace Issues and COVID-19, Sample Notifications for Educational Institutions, Key Employee Benefits and Compensation Issues to Consider, Key Labor and Employment Considerations for Developing a Return to Work Strategy, Return-to-Work Issues in Wisconsin - The Reopening Begins, COVID-Related Class Actions Against Higher Education Institutions, Wisconsin Supreme Court Strikes Down Wisconsin’s Safer at Home Order, and Top Five COVID-19 Litigation Risks for Employers
Husch Blackwell provides more COVID-19 resources on its WAICU portal. WAICU members may sign up to be granted access if they do not already have it. - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response
- Educause Examples of Campus Responses to COVID-19
- Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Considerations For Campuses Serving Former Foster Youth in Light of COVID-19
- IPEDS Deadlines Extended
- Emergency Order #16 was signed on March 27 and includes measures for reciprocity of healthcare providers across state lines and clinical education for nursing programs. The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services has issued a Frequently Asked Questions document for clarification on Emergency Order #16. Also, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services issued guidance on telehealth reimbursement changes and status during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) COVID-19 Resources
- Recorded webinar from April 8, 2020 by the Medical College of Wisconsin for WAICU members
OpenSmartEDU, a partnership of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and Tuscany Strategy Consulting Reopening Planning and Self-Assessment reference guides
- Step-by-Step Guide on how to register on the grants.gov website from McAllister and Quinn, via NAICU
- American Council on Education (ACE) Statement of Principles on Acceptance of Credit
- MRA (WAICU Leadership Development Series partner) COVID-19 Daily Updated Resources
MRA is pleased to make this information available to non-MRA members at this time, so the entire community can work together. - Infographic: WAICU COVID-19 Losses
- Recorded webinar from June 8, 2020 by the Medical College of Wisconsin for WAICU members: COVID-19 Health & Safety Considerations for Colleges and Universities
SafeColleges has COVID-19 courses that can help students, faculty, and staff better understand the virus, as well as take steps to reduce exposure at home, your institution, and through daily preventative actions.
Due to the disruptions to higher education caused by the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) the Wisconsin Distance Learning Authorization Board (DLAB) is honoring the U.S. Department of Education’s guidance stating that it is “providing broad approval to institutions to use online technologies to accommodate students on a temporary basis.” Please see the Department’s guidance in its entirety for more information.
Therefore, institutions not approved for participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement will have the ability to accommodate students using online technologies on a temporary basis with no repercussions from the DLAB. This special accommodation will remain in place until May 31, 2020 and will be reconsidered at that time to determine if an extension to that timeframe is necessary.
WAICU Vehicle Management and Rental Program
With many universities and colleges announcing campus closures in response to coronavirus, Enterprise, WAICU’s partner in the Vehicle Management and Rental Program, is waiving the young driver fee and reducing the age to rent a vehicle to 18 years old. This will be effective through the end of May. More information will be available to students by visiting enterprise.com/studenttravelassistance or by calling (1-844-624-4412).
For more information on the WAICU Vehicle Management and Rental Program, please email Kathy Dutter, WAICU director of member services, or call her at 608.204.5232.
SBA Disaster Assistance Loans
The Small Business Administration has announced disaster assistance loans to small businesses impacted by COVID-19. These loans are also available to nonprofits including colleges and universities with annual revenues under $30 million. According to the announcement, "these loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact.....The interest rate for nonprofits is 2.75%." For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
See the online tool to determine whether your institution qualifies as a small business. Use NAICS code 611310 when prompted.
More can be found in a release from the SBA.
Paycheck Protection Program Loans FAQs
Updates from Partners
Additional information and guidance is available from key WAICU partners:
- the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and Suspension of Administrative Rules pertaining to hours of instruction, student teacher assessments, and general flexibility;
- the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD);
- the University of Wisconsin (UW) System; and
- the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS).
COVID-19 College Updates
- Live updates from WAICU members via Twitter
- Alverno College
- Bellin College
- Beloit College
- Cardinal Stritch University
- Carroll University
- Carthage College
- Concordia University-Wisconsin
- Edgewood College
- Herzing University
- Holy Family College
- Lakeland University
- Lawrence University
- Marian University
- Marquette University
- Medical College of Wisconsin
- Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design
- Milwaukee School of Engineering
- Mount Mary University
- Nashotah House
- Northland College
- Ripon College
- Saint Norbert College
- Viterbo University
- Wisconsin Lutheran College
Last updated July 23, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.