COVID-19 Precautions for Athletics, UW-Platteville suspends face-to-face classes through end of semester

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – UW-Platteville Athletics remains in regular communication with University and UW-System leadership to monitor developments related to COVID-19. In response to decisions being made, UW-Platteville Athletics will implement the following measures for athletic events.

1. The spring sports season (i.e., baseball, softball, outdoor track & field, and golf) has been cancelled to include any and all competition.
2. Any and all athletically-related activities (e.g., practice) are suspended indefinitely.
3. All in-person athletic recruiting activities (on- or off-campus) are suspended indefinitely.
4. Pioneer Activity Center (PAC) is CLOSED effective immediately until further notice.

Please know these measures are being taken with an abundance of caution for the health and well-being of our student-athletes, staff, community and event guests as the priority. UW-Platteville Athletics will continue to take direction from the University, CDC guidelines, and UW System Emergency Operation Center directives to assess the coronavirus situation and its effect on athletic events. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this unusual time.

On Thursday, March 19, UW-Platteville announced the shift to alternative delivery of courses through the end of the 2020 spring semester.

For University updates on Coronavirus, please visit https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/update-coronavirus

COVID-19 Resources for Student-Athletes

Click here for directory of resources

March 30, 2020 

Message to Student-Athletes from UW-Platteville Athletics

Click here for message to student-athletes from Interim Athletic Director Emendorfer

March 14, 2020 

Releases from NCAA

NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships

March 12, 2020 4:07pm

Today, NCAA President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors canceled the Division I men's and women's 2020 basketball tournaments, as well as all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships. This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities.

Click here to view official release: https://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/ncaa-cancels-remaining-winter-and-spring-championships

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Division III Governance Update Regarding the Impact of COVID-19

March 13, 2020

Yesterday the NCAA released a statement from President Mark Emmert and the Board of Governors announcing the cancellation of all remaining winter and spring NCAA championships for all three divisions. This decision is based on the evolving COVID-19 public health threat, our ability to ensure the events do not contribute to the spread of the pandemic, and the impracticality of hosting such events at any time during this academic year given ongoing decisions by other entities. 

We have received numerous questions regarding the implications of these decisions, as well as the implications of actions member institutions and conferences have made or might take at the local level in reaction to COVID-19.  Today, the Division III Administrative Committee took the following actions, effective immediately, on behalf of the Division III Management and Presidents Councils:

• Sport sponsorship and membership requirements.   Approved a blanket waiver of any deficiencies in sports sponsorship requirements related to spring sports occurring as a result of actions taken in response to COVID-19. This would not apply to sports sponsorship issues related to fall or winter sports.

• Student-athlete seasons of participation and eligibility.  Approved a blanket waiver for all student-athletes participating in spring sports as follows: (a) Waive the use of a season of participation for all student-athletes in spring sports.  If an institution continues or re-starts its season, this relief would still exist; and (b) Waive the use of the spring semester towards their limit of 10 semesters/15 quarters, regardless of whether they used a season.  

• Playing and practice seasons exceptions and extra benefits.  Institutions should exercise flexibility in the best interest of their student-athletes with respect to playing seasons provisions and extra benefits through the conclusion of the 2019-20 academic year.  The committee directed staff to assist with applying flexibility in these areas on a case-by-case basis, when requested by institutions.  Examples include allowing flexibility for playing season adjustments occurring during the Spring 2020 semester and flexibility to assist students with travel, lodging, and meals associated with being displaced due to their campus being closed.

We know that this won't cover all circumstances that you are experiencing on campus, and we continue to encourage you to make decisions and act in the best interest of your student-athletes and communities. Conferences and institutions should not focus on the application of NCAA legislation when decisions are being made in response to COVID-19.

Our AMA staff will continue to respond to individual questions through normal and emergency avenues, including RSRO. 

All governance committee meetings in April and May (Management and Presidents Councils, SAAC, and Student-Athlete Reinstatement) will occur via videoconference or teleconference.  Your committee liaison will contact you with more details and meeting logistics. Please keep your schedules blocked for the respective meeting dates, as we will forward the meeting details as soon as we have them confirmed.  The staff will also work with Short's Travel on your behalf to cancel any already purchased air travel and lodging reservations for these meetings. 

This is an unprecedented time for our division, the NCAA, your campuses and conferences as well as local communities and the world at large.  We will continue to communicate and support you in our joint efforts to keep your student-athletes, staff and administrators safe.

Sincere thanks for your related patience and cooperation in these challenging times.

Dan

Dan Dutcher 
Vice President for Division III

Release from WIAC

WIAC Statement On COVID-19

March 16, 2020

MADISON, Wis.--Following a very deliberative process to allow for the full consideration of the most up-to-date information pertaining to the spread of COVID-19, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) has announced a set of measures that will be implemented conference-wide effective immediately.

In so doing, the conference was able to consider input provided by the medical community, the decisions rendered recently by the NCAA pertaining to national championships and student-athlete eligibility, as well as steps taken by other NCAA conferences and amateur and professional sports organizations.

Most importantly, the conference endeavored to make responsible decisions that took into account what is in the best short term and long term interest of our campuses and student-athletes while prioritizing the health and safety of the general public.

The following measures will take effect immediately:
1. The spring sports season (i.e., baseball, softball, women's lacrosse, outdoor track & field, golf and tennis) has been cancelled to include any and all competition.
2. Any and all athletically-related activities (e.g., practice) are suspended indefinitely.
3. All in-person athletic recruiting activities (on- or off-campus) are suspended indefinitely.
4. All in-person conference meetings are to be transitioned to telephone conference calls until further notice.
5. The American Family Insurance/WIAC Student-Athlete Leadership Institute scheduled for April 16-17 is postponed with the possibility of rescheduling the Institute in the fall.

For further information or questions, please contact WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner at gkarner@uwsa.edu or (608) 263-4402.

Updates from UW-Platteville

March 19, 2020

For the safety of our campus communities and in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the decision has been made to suspend face-to-face classes at UW-Platteville and shift to alternative delivery of courses through the end of the 2020 spring semester. This applies to all three UW-Platteville campuses. 

The updated schedule is as follows:

March 13-29: Extended Spring Break

March 30-April 9: Classes in alternative delivery

April 10-13: April Break

April 14-May 22: Classes in alternative delivery

This change raises a number of questions, all of which we are looking into in detail and will have more information shortly, such as access to buildings, textbooks, potential refunds for housing and dining, impact on financial aid and more.  We will be sending additional details soon. For student who remain in the main campus residence halls, we will be sending an email with additional information and directions.  As for commencement, we are discussing how these changes may impact this very important event and will be making decisions and sharing information with you by next Monday.  

We will continue to monitor the everchanging developments and guidelines surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. In making any decisions, our top priority is always the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff.

Additional messages will be forthcoming through email on a regular basis as needed. All updates will continue to be posted online at https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/update-coronavirus

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March 13, 2020

With both the United States government and the State of Wisconsin declaring health emergencies because of the COVID-19, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville is canceling next week's classes. The university will begin a two-week spring break effective immediately on all three of its campuses.

Revised schedule

• March 13-29 Extended Spring Break
• March 30-April 9 Classes in alternative delivery
• April 10-13 April Break
• April 14 Face-to-face classes resume

UW-Platteville's extended spring break will run through Sunday, March 29. Following the break, the university will offer two weeks of alternative delivery before face-to-face classes are scheduled to resume Tuesday, April 14.

The extended break will also allow faculty and staff an additional week to prepare for the alternative delivery methods to ensure students have a continuous path to graduation.

If you are currently on campus

The university strongly encourages students to leave their respective campuses during the break and not return until face-to-face classes resume. Students should bring all necessary classwork materials with them to prepare for the alternative delivery on March 30. 

If you already left campus for the weekend

For those who have left campus for this weekend and need to return for their academic materials and essential personal belongings, these belongings should be retrieved by 5 p.m. Tuesday March 17.

The residence halls and dining facilities will remain open. Academic buildings will be locked through April 14, with only faculty and staff having card access. The Pioneer Activity Center, Karmann Library and the Markee Pioneer Student Center will remain open only for students, faculty and staff on the main campus. The libraries, dining services, and student services will remain open on the branch campuses. Hours for all these facilities may vary; check the appropriate website for updated information. The general public will not be allowed in university buildings during this time.  

All faculty and staff should continue their regular work schedules unless directed otherwise by their supervisors. Supervisors may determine whether or not employees can work remotely. Student employees should check with their supervisors before returning to work.

In order to reduce and mitigate any potential exposure to the campus communities, if a student, faculty or staff member travels to an area that is outside the local area and/or attends a large public event (more than 250 public members), the university is asking that person to remain off campus for a period of 14 days for the safety of students, faculty and staff. 

For all university-related notices, see https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/update-coronavirus

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March 12, 2020

UW-Platteville Events Canceled

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services recommended today the cancelation or postponement of non-essential gatherings of 250 or more people to help protect Wisconsinites from the spread of COVID-19, particularly those who are most vulnerable to infection and severe disease.

Because of that recommendation and out of concern for the safety and well-being for the UW-Platteville community, the university is immediately canceling all university-sponsored public events and gatherings held on all three campuses, beginning Friday, March 13 through at least Tuesday, April 14, at which time the situation will be re-evaluated. These events include any that is open to the non-university attendees and/or the public has been invited. This policy covers gatherings of all sizes with the exception of a classroom guest speaker or lecturer.

Members of the university's Emergency Operations Center will be in contact with each event organizer to confirm the cancelation.

UW-Platteville is moving forward with plans to prevent or slow the transmission of the virus as best we can and mitigate its risks if it comes to our community.

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March 11, 2020

Update to campus community

The safety, health and well-being of the students, faculty and staff have always been at the forefront of University of Wisconsin-Platteville decisions. In that light, the university offers updates on the COVID-19 (also known as the Coronavirus).

First and foremost, there are no known or immediate threats on any of the three campuses. To help minimize those risks, UW-Platteville is taking the following steps:

International travel

• The university is suspending all outgoing and incoming sponsored international trips through at least May 31. This applies to ALL countries, regardless of their warning levels.
• University officials are continuing to monitor the students and faculty who remain on overseas trips. Last week, all those at Level 3 countries were returned safely back home.
• Any travel plans that are scheduled to occur after May 31 will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will depend on the CDC's guidance.  
• Further university travel restrictions may be warranted.  
• All personal travel is strongly discouraged.

Domestic travel

• All university-related travel by air domestically is suspended through May 31.
• Any travel by land for university-related business must be approved in advance by the applicable divisional leader. If travel by land is used in lieu of air travel due to this travel restriction, coverage/reimbursement for the additional costs to travel by land must be approved by the head of the division.  
• Any personal airfare travel in any form to any location in the U.S. or its territories is strongly discouraged, as is all other forms travel to areas or high risk.
• If you believe you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, please contact your health care provider to receive direction and guidance.  
• If you do become ill or symptomatic, please do not come to campus for 14 days or until cleared by your health provider. This will help prevent any possible spread of not just the COVID-19 but other illnesses. Please contact your faculty members if you are a student or your supervisors if you are employee should this occur. 

The university asks everyone to follow health and safety tips that were previously issued:

• Avoid contact with sick people. 
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. 
• Clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at 60%–95% alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty. 
• It is especially important to clean hands after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. 

The university continues to follow all Centers for Disease Control protocols. For more information, visit the CDC site at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.

All university updates are posted at https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/update-coronavirus.

Spring break

Other UW System institutions have decided to temporarily delay the start of their on-campus courses after their spring break periods for a period of up to two weeks. These institutions will provide alternative methods of learning to maintain continuity of learning.  At this time, UW-Platteville is continuing to monitor the COVID-19 situation and is following all CDC guidelines and UW System Emergency Operation Center directives. UW-Platteville will assess the situation and decide whether to take a similar approach (go to alternative methods of learning for a short period of time after spring break). The university will make this decision by Tuesday night, March 17, so that students will be fully informed prior to leaving.

If you have any questions, please contact Public Information Officer Paul Erickson at ericksop@uwplatt.edu.

For all up-to-date information on the university's actions in response to COVID-19, visit https://www.uwplatt.edu/news/update-coronavirus.