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Every COVID-19 announcement email that Chancellor Rebecca Blank at the University of Wisconsin-Madison sent out during the 2020-21 school year.
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Welcome back Badgers email
UW-Madison Chancellor Blank sent out a Q and A email about why students should still attend campus for the 2020/21 school year. She explained that at the current time, 45 percent of classes would have some in-person component to them. Along with this, all students living in university housing were to be tested every two weeks. -
Risks of emergency suspension on campus
Email sent out by the Chancellor that stated "to individuals who have intentionally behaved in ways that risk the health of our community, we are pursuing actions that could result in discipline up to and including the revocation of Housing contracts and emergency suspension." Students that were not following the universities masking and social distancing protocols and were threatened of suspension were also told that they may not be able to participate in classes at UW–Madison. -
New protocols because of high amount of positive COVID-19 tests
A week into school a new set of rules were sent out that were effective Sept. 10 – 25. All in-person study spaces and academic buildings were closed. Dining services shifted to carry-out only for Housing residents and staff. University Recreation & Wellbeing facilities were closed and University Health Services were only open for urgent care needs. For a moment, almost everything was cancelled and closed. -
Locked into residence halls
Not even two days later, Chancellor Blank sent out a follow up email. As of Sept. 9 the positive test rate among students had been 20 percent or greater than the past two days. The highest number of these positive test results were from the Sellery and Witte Residence Halls. Every resident in these buildings was to quarantine in place for the next two weeks effective at 10 p.m. that evening. -
Investigation into students
Both Blank and Dean of Students at UW-Madison Christina Olstad sent out a strongly worded email that stated "As of today, the University has completed or is currently investigating nearly 450 students and 9 student organizations for public health violations. Of these, 14 students were referred for emergency suspension. If a student repeatedly or intentionally violates the University’s public health expectations, there are real consequences that could affect their academic future." -
Stricter rules for the Spring semester
During the spring semester, starting Jan. 25 all undergraduate students living in the greater Madison area were to be tested twice weekly, a testing rule that changed a lot from the beginning of the year. Along with this, the app Safer Badgers was first introduced in this email which provided anonymous, secure notifications to anyone who has been in proximity to another participating app user who has tested positive for COVID-19. A green badge got you into any building on campus. -
Saliva-based COVID-19 tests introduced
Chancellor Blank announced that UW–Madison would begin offering saliva-based tests the week of Jan. 11 at selected sites. These fast, accurate tests ultimately would be available at 12 sites on campus seven days a week. As every student at UW had to be tested, only having nasal swabs was not going to cut it. -
On campus testing now drop in only
Beginning on Sunday, Jan. 24. students were able to test at any time without making an appointment. Students could use their Safer Badgers to identify wait times, therefore providing more flexibility in choosing the time and place that best suited their needs. -
Vaccine availability changes event rules
Effective March 8, Blank stated that Dane County's new rule was that campus events could be held for up to 50 people indoors and up to 150 people outdoors with facial coverings and physical distancing.
Along with this, eligibility guidelines for the vaccine were expanding and being offered to those serving direct patient care roles, those with direct exposure to the virus or virus samples, and to active members of campus age 65 and older. -
Testing no longer required for vaccinated
Chancellor Blank and UW-Madison officially announce that on Wednesday, March 17, employees and students who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will no longer be required to participate in routine on-campus testing. A huge milestone. -
The end of the school year leads to hopefulness for moving to in-person in the fall
As the school year was coming to an end Chancellor Blank explained that students need to continue to follow the safety protocols set in place through the end of the semester. Blank was getting ready for graduating students to return to Camp Randall for in-person commencement ceremonies on May 8. In this email, Blank also celebrated that 23,000 employees and students that had received at least one dose of vaccine, either at UHS or from a vaccinator off campus. -
The start of a new year at UW-Madison
To prepare students for the rules of the upcoming 2020/21 school year the Chancellor sent out an email stating that starting August 30, employees and students who had not shared proof of COVID-19 vaccination with UHS would be required to test weekly on campus. Along with this, that masks are to be worn in all university buildings. However, other than that the school year would return to normal with no social distancing required.