The University of Nebraska–Lincoln takes the health and safety of our campus community very seriously. As the United States and global health officials continue to address the spread of novel coronavirus and COVID-19 infection, health and emergency preparedness officials at UNL are monitoring the situation in collaboration with our university and governmental partners. Official updates regarding UNL’s response are found on this site.
General Info
Visitors / Events
Task Force
Forward To Fall
Students
Prospective Students
Instructors / Researchers
Employees
Contact us with COVID-19 questions.
covid19@unl.eduLatest Updates
May 29, 2020
- Link to Chancellor's 'Changes to the Fall Academic Calendar' message detailing fall semester plans, addition of 'Forward to Fall' page. (5/29)
- Link to Chancellor's letter to faculty and staff detailing June 1 - June 30 operational status, Important Updates to COVID-19 Measures, added to email lists on 'Instructors/Researchers' and 'Employees' pages. (5/21)
- Site updated for Summer 2020. (5/12)
- Students page was updated with emergency funding information and Instructors/Researchers page was updated to reflect grade appeals requests. (5/5)
- UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green, in an email "5/1 Update: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)," extends UNL’s campus closure and travel restrictions; new consideration will be given to requests for designated access to campus after May 11; announces a “Forward to Fall” subgroup of the COVID-19 Task Force. (5/1)
- NU President Ted Carter issued an email, “Update on Fall 2020 Planning,” “to let you know that we will have plans in place to safely resume in-person teaching and learning in fall 2020,” along with an FAQ, and UNL Chancellor Ronnie Green communicated about our next academic year in an email to the university community, “Planning for Fall Classes.” (4/24)
- Students and Instructors/Researchers pages updated to reflect new academic probation and dismissal policy for Spring 2020. (4/20)
- Prospective Students information updated on FAFSA deadline, NSE (4/20)
- Grad Students and Instructors/Researchers pages updated to reflect Pass/No Pass policy expanded for graduate students. (4/14)
- Emergency Leave information updated (4/10)
- Parking and Building Access information updated (4/10)
University Messages
This is a list of all messages sent university-wide. Please see Students, Instructors/Researchers and Employees pages for additional messages sent to those audiences.
General Information on Novel Coronavirus and COVID-19
How to be Prepared
Learn what you can about COVID-19 and its symptoms from the Centers for Disease Control.
Disinfect and Practice Proper Hygiene
If you have sanitation items such as wipes and antimicrobial liquids, gather them, as well as home health items such as thermometers.
Get into the habit of washing your hands thoroughly and consistently after bathroom breaks or contact with high-touch items such as doorknobs. Avoid close contact with any people showing signs of respiratory illness; maintain at least a 6-foot distance.
If You've Traveled to Areas of Widespread Transmission, Self-Quarantine
Based on guidance from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, we ask any student, faculty and staff who may be returning from travel in areas in the United States that have widespread transmission of COVID-19 to self-quarantine for 14 days. This includes anyone who visited or traveled through these areas of the United States.
This is in addition to prior warnings regarding international travel.
Get a Flu Shot
Seasonal influenza activity is currently low, but tests and a vaccine for influenza are still available.
While flu vaccine is not effective against the novel coronavirus, getting a vaccination is an essential part of preparation in order to prevent influenza and possible unnecessary evaluation for COVID-19 disease. All persons, beginning at six months, should receive an annual influenza vaccine.
If you haven’t yet gotten your annual flu shot, it's not too late.
Extension Supports Nebraskans
Nebraska Extension is providing resources and information aligned with the university's statewide outreach mission during the COVID-19 pandemic. See Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources on Extension's Disaster Education website.
Information Technology Delivers Anywhere
University of Nebraska Information Technology Services has published ITS & COVID-19 on the Nebraska.edu website. The site includes information and advice on digital security, remote working, and software available for remote use.
Hand Sanitizer Distribution
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is currently producing hand sanitizer at Nebraska Innovation Campus for healthcare facilities and essential businesses across the state. Local Lincoln pick-up is available via online request. More information available at https://handsanitizer.unl.edu. To contribute to the cause: go.unl.edu/donate4sanitizer,
If You’ve Been Exposed to the Novel Coronavirus
If you believe you have been exposed to the novel coronavirus, contact the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department. A hotline has been established for self-reporting, guidance and next steps.
Call 402-441-8006 or visit the Health Department website.
Additional information and guidance regarding exposure, prevention and treatment is available through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control.
If You Feel Sick
Contact your health provider or the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department Coronavirus Hotline: 402-441-8006. Some providers may be able to offer telemedicine; UNL faculty and staff may have access to Teladoc, for example. The University Health Center is now available to faculty and staff members as an acute care option.
CHI Health has put a simple two question diagnostic tool online; the State of Nebraska has initiated TestNebraska, a coronavirus testing program, for which you can register. You can also learn about COVID-19 and its symptoms from the Centers for Disease Control.
During this period, members of the UNL community should be more cautious than usual. You should stay home if you have symptoms (coughing, fever, shortness of breath, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell) or if you are otherwise feeling ill.
Help Support Students
Student Affairs maintains several funds through the NU Foundation to help support students' non-academic needs. Please consider supporting the UNL Student Hardship Fund, the UNL Food Pantry Fund, and the UNL Student Care and Well-Being Fund. Find out more on Student Affairs' Help Support Students page.
Information on all UNL and university system funds related to the Coronavirus pandemic can be found on the NU Foundation website.
Financial Hardship? Apply for Assistance
Students can apply for several sources of emergency assistance funding, including funding from the federal CARES Act. For more information, see COVID-19 Resources on the website of the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.
The University of Nebraska Emergency Assistance Fund helps currently enrolled students and university employees (faculty and staff) who face financial hardship resulting from emergency or crisis situations such as natural disasters, home displacement and food insecurity. These circumstances include the COVID-19 crisis that has affected people across the state.
Aid from the fund is awarded by the University of Nebraska president based on need, and applicants may receive up to $1,000 per calendar year. If you have any questions, contact the university at NUEmergencyFund@nebraska.edu or call 402-472-2111.
COVID-19 Task Force and Committees
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s ongoing response to COVID-19, and plans for a return to in-person instruction for the fall 2020 semester, are being led by the COVID-19 Task Force and six committees. These groups, listed below, include leaders representing student, faculty and staff populations.
COVID-19 Task Force
Formed in early March, the COVID-19 task force is intended to shape campus decisions in response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus pandemic. The team is divided into subgroups that evaluate possible changes in key areas: academic planning, budget, campus operations, research, student life, health, legal, international, information technology, and campus communications.
Academic Committee
Budget Advisory Committee
Forward to Fall Committee
International Committee
Research Committee
Student Affairs Committee
Visitors, Facilities and Events
A valid NCard is currently required for access to all UNL buildings. NCards may be ordered online. Visitors will need to check in with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department; all international visitors to campus are asked to contact the International Student and Scholar Office at isso@unl.edu. All public events scheduled to take place on the UNL campus or in one of its facilities have been canceled or postponed until further notice. Events may be available as a virtual experience. Please check with the event organizer for further information. Cancellations are noted on the UNL Events calendar and, where applicable, ticket holders will be notified.
The following university facilities are closed: