Updated 3/12/2020
Dear School of Nursing Community,
We are taking many precautions to keep our community informed about the Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Leadership of both the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) and the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) will continue to work with federal, state, and local health authorities as well as campus experts to monitor this situation to provide appropriate guidance to the UMSON community and to our visitors.
As we take necessary precautions, please know that UMB and UMSON offices are available to address your concerns and questions. We also want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that we are a community, and we want to ensure that all feel welcome and safe during our educational and workplace pursuits. We urge you to be a shining example of the UMB core values of Diversity, Civility, and Respect.
Therefore, we want to offer the following guidance so we can all be vigilant and mindful of how an outbreak like COVID-19 can impact members of our community. It is everyone’s responsibility to look out and care for our fellow students, staff, and faculty.
- We must not make assumptions about whether or not someone is ill with COVID-19 based on their race/ethnicity, symptoms, where they have traveled, or with whom they have been in contact.
- Avoid having public and/or sensationalized reactions to news about COVID-19.
- If you or someone you know has seen and/or experienced any form of discrimination, harassment, or targeting due to biased assumptions, please utilize the following campus resources:
- UMB Title IX
- UMB Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
- UMSON Office of Diversity and Inclusion
- UMB Human Resources Services
- UMB Academic Affairs
- UMSON Office of Student and Academic Services (call 410.706.0501)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also offer information on Stigma and Resilience as they relate to COVID-19.
As we continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation, we ask that you stay informed by reviewing the UMSON COVID-19 and UMB Coronavirus webpages twice daily and communicate any questions and needs you may have to the relevant offices.
Sincerely,
Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN
Dean and Professor
University of Maryland School of Nursing