POSTED MARCH 25, 2020 - INFORMATION MAY HAVE CHANGED

Dear NSU faculty and staff,

Gov. Kristi Noem’s most recent executive order regarding the COVID-19 pandemic directed all “non-essential personnel” to work remotely until Saturday, May 2. For university employees, the South Dakota Board of Regents has extended that date through Friday, May 15.

Though you have likely already spoken with your supervisor regarding the status of your position, please note that this situation is fluid, and your status could change in the coming weeks based on campus needs.

For now, we know that:

• A limited number of essential employees are working in-person as required, though this is subject to change.
• All faculty members continue to be considered essential personnel and are encouraged to work remotely if possible.
• Everyone who can work remotely should be working remotely.
• If you are considered a non-essential employee and are unable to perform your job duties remotely, you and your supervisor will be asked to explore options of other university duties that you could perform remotely at this time.
• If no such work is possible, you will then receive paid administrative leave.

Again, this situation is likely to go through frequent changes as the semester progresses. Your “non-essential” designation could change in the coming weeks as the needs of the university shift. Likewise, other work might come up at some point that you could perform remotely. We ask that you please stay in contact with your supervisor throughout this period to keep informed of any changes.

We soon expect to have guidance regarding work study students and will share accordingly.

We also ask that you please remain flexible and patient during the coming weeks. As we’ve stated previously, this is an unprecedented situation, and we are all working together to navigate these uncharted waters the best we can.

But our goal throughout this uncertain time has remained the same: to make the best decisions for everyone in our campus community. We will continue to do that, and we thank you for your continued hard work and dedication despite the challenges around us.

If you have questions at any point, please contact your supervisor. Please also continue to do all that you can to keep yourself, your family, and the community safe and healthy, so we can stop the spread of COVID-19. Please visit covid.sd.gov or northern.edu/coronavirus for up-to-date information.

Thank you and go Wolves!

-NSU Senior Cabinet