Office of Student Affairs provides resources and guidance on COVID-19, says students also should be aware of cultural sensitivities that come with this public health concern.
In a letter to the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) student community, Patty Alvarez, PhD, UMB’s assistant vice president of student affairs, is asking the student body to do its part to be proactive against the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The virus was first reported in Wuhan, China. Thousands of cases have since been confirmed in China, and additional cases have been identified in a growing number of other locations, including the United States.
In the letter, Alvarez asks students to use the resources available at UMB to stay healthy and informed about the developing situation. She also asks that students remain cognizant of the cultural sensitivities that come with this public health concern.
Letter to UMB Students
Dear UMB Students,
We are taking many precautions to keep our community informed about the novel coronavirus. UMB officials will continue to work with federal, state, and local health authorities as well as campus experts to monitor this situation and provide appropriate guidance to students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Visit the UMB coronavirus website for a review of information disseminated to the campus community.
As we take these precautions, you play an important role. First, we want to hear your concerns and questions to provide support and answers. Please contact these campus resources if they can be of assistance to you or individuals who you may know:
- Center for Global Engagement
- Counseling for students: Student Counseling Center
- Counseling for staff, faculty, residents, and postdoctoral fellows: Employee Assistance Program
- Diversity Advisory Council representatives from each school and the campus
- Human Resource Services
- Student Health Center/UMaryland Immediate Care (UMIC)
- Student Affairs dean’s office in your school
- UMB Student Affairs
Second, continue to provide information about your travel and follow the University’s guidance, as noted in the Feb. 1, 2020, message from Interim UMB President Bruce Jarrell, MD, FACS, to the campus community.
Third, avoid making assumptions about individuals who you believe may or may not have come into contact with someone who is carrying the virus. In some cases, public reactions to the virus have been sensationalized, and there have been individuals at institutions of higher education who reported encountering discrimination and harassment due to biased assumptions and overreactions. We treasure our international community members, students of color, and everyone who may be affected by this situation. We want to remind all members of our community to embody UMB’s Core Values of diversity and civility by providing understanding and support during this evolving situation.
As we continue to monitor the current situation, we ask that you stay informed and communicate any questions or needs. Contact UMB Student Affairs at 410-706-5433 or campuslife@umaryland.edu if we can be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Patty Alvarez, PhD,
Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs
Office of Academic Affairs