The University of Wisconsin made a prolonged announcement on Wednesday afternoon, in response to the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. The school released a statement, which you can read in all its particulars. A companion Twitter thread was posted by the university as well.
Of particular note is that the university is cancelling large gatherings — defined as gatherings of 50 people or more — through April 10 at the very least, with an allowance for limited exceptions:
All campus events (including @UWMadisonExt-sponsored events outside of Dane County) of more than 50 people are canceled through at least April 10, with limited exceptions to be granted by deans or vice chancellors.
— UW-Madison (@UWMadison) March 11, 2020
The school also announced that effective March 23 (Monday), face-to-face classroom instruction would be suspended through at least April 10. Classes would move online for that period of time. A plan for April 11 and beyond was not announced — that is being evaluated and will be updated in due time.
Students are being asked by the university to take school materials home for spring break and not return to residence halls on campus through April 10 at minimum. Students are expected to continue their studies from their home (remote) locations if they are available. Those whose only option is to stay in on-campus housing will have reduced services on campus in that March 23-April 10 period. Accommodations will be attempted by the school but cannot be guaranteed.
University-sponsored nonessential travel was suspended through April 10.
All of this is happening in the midst of various other cancellations of activities by other schools and athletic conferences. The Ivy League cancelled the remaining schedules for its spring sports. The Golden State Warriors announced that they would play home games without fans for the rest of the NBA season. The Seattle Mariners announced that their first two home series of the MLB season would be moved out of Seattle to an alternate location, in response to Washington Governor Jay Inslee announcing a prohibition on large gatherings within Washington State for the foreseeable future.
For more information on everything which is happening at the University of Wisconsin in response to the coronavirus, or to contact the school about any of the above decisions, consult the UW Dean of Students Office, which should be able to guide students and families in this complicated time:
Dean of Students Office
70 Bascom Hall
500 Lincoln Drive
Madison, WI 53706-1380
Phone: 608-263-5700
Fax: 608-265-5646
Email: dean@studentlife.wisc.edu