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.
On September 22, 2020, Governor Evers declared a new public health emergency (Executive Order #90) in Wisconsin and issued a new face coverings order (Emergency Order #1). On October 6, 2020, the Governor issued Emergency Order #3 limiting public gatherings to no more than 25 percent of a room or building's total occupancy. On November 10, 2020, Governor Evers issued Executive Order #94.
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
Top Five COVID-19 Litigation Risks for Employers
Best Practices for Businesses Implementing Mask Requirements
COVID-19-related FFCRA Employee Leave
Contact Tracing and Campus Testing webinar recording
Part II of Return-to-Campus Considerations webinar recording: COVID-19 Accommodations
Wisconsin's Mask Mandate Extended for 60 Days
Part III of Return-to-Campus Considerations webinar recording: COVID-19 Privacy Concerns
Part IV of Return-to-Campus Considerations webinar recording: COVID-19 and Clinical Programs
President Trump Signs Legislation with FFCRA Variations Effective January 1, 2021
New Year, New College and University HEERF COVID Relief
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
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
- 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.
Close the Distance: Executive Leadership Conversations in Higher Education recorded webinar from August 13, 2020 By Aurora WDC featuring Dr. Cecil Youngblood, Dean of Students and Chief Diversity Officer of Beloit College.
Marsh & McClennan (WAICU Collaborative Program Partner):
5 Measures for Returning to Campus During a Pandemic
Waivers in the COVID-19 Era - A Continuing Discussion from Wright Specialty InsuranceRecorded webinars by the Medical College of Wisconsin for WAICU members:
WAICU and MCW COVID-19 Update from April 8, 2020
COVID-19 Health & Safety Considerations for Colleges and Universities from June 8, 2020Additional funding opportunity for pandemic relief under the CARES Act
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.
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 and on the SBA's website.
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
- 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 December 18, 2020