Dear NSC Community,
The purpose of this memorandum is to update our campus community on the latest decisions to provide for the safety of our community as well as assist our students in providing a quality educational experience as they finish the semester. This memorandum is in compliance with the Chancellor’s directives to all NSHE institutions yesterday.
Our campus leadership, public health experts, and community partners have been continuously engaged in monitoring of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). We are monitoring Governor Sisolak’s announcement tonight and will make further adjustments as necessary. The College is taking on measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 in order to protect fellow Scorpions and the extended community. Your health and well-being continue to be at the forefront of our decision-making. The reality of our situation causes uncertainty and disruption. Taking care of your family’s and your own well-being is more important than ever.
Spring Break
In an effort to ease the transition to remote learning and student support services, NSC’s Spring Break for School of Education and Liberal Arts & Sciences will move to next week, March 23 to 27. The School of Nursing’s Spring Break will remain April 1 to 7. It is our hope this change will also allow students, faculty and staff more time to care for your families and address other personal matters.
We discourage all domestic and international travel during Spring Break due to the unpredictable circumstances, travel restrictions, and challenges accessing health care. While the College cannot restrict personal travel, we recommend monitoring CDC warnings and avoid both domestic and international destinations were COVID-19 is prevalent.
College-Sponsored Travel
All college travel must be approved by the Office of the President, whether or not the Spend Authorization was previously approved. Workday is being modified for this approval process change.
Counseling Services
For NSC students, All About You (AAU) counseling services will continue to be available in a remote format via telephone. Students can schedule an appointment directly with AAU at (702) 754-0807. Please remember to identify yourself as a NSC student. NSC’s CARE Team is also available virtually: click here to make a self-referral.
For NSC employees, LifeWorks is available for counseling services. Employees can schedule an appointment by calling (888) 732-9020. You can find more information about their services at LifeWorks.com.
Food Pantry
The NSC food pantry is available to students by appointment only. Contact Laura Hinojosa directly at (702) 992-2514 or email laura.hinojosa@nsc.flywheelstaging.com to schedule an appointment.
Telecommuting and Paid Administrative Leave
At the direction of the Chancellor for all NSHE and until further notice, most employees will be immediately transitioned to telecommuting or paid administrative leave. For certain critical student support and operational services, offices will continue to remain open in order to provide services that students are having difficulty accessing remotely. This includes minimal support levels for advising, financial aid, registrar’s office, admissions, library, and academic support (tutoring). Students are encouraged to first seek to use these services remotely and come onto campus only as a last resort. In addition, at least one senior level administrator shall continue to be physically present on campus to make critical operational decisions. Certain security, facilities and IT personnel will also be on campus during this time. You will be advised by your supervisor if you are expected to be on campus to perform your job duties.
For all remaining staff, until further notice, all other NSC employees will transition to working remotely or be placed on paid administrative leave effective tomorrow, Wednesday, March 18, 2020. This change impacts all NSC employees to include: Academic Faculty; Administrative Faculty; Classified Staff; Student Workers; Part-Time Instructors; and Part-Time hourly employees.
Additional details related to telecommuting and paid administrative leave will be forthcoming from Human Resources, and will be sent to all supervisors to be shared with employees.
In the meantime, employees and supervisors should reference the Emergency Telecommute Work Requirement document. Additionally and unless otherwise directed by your supervisor, employees should remain at home beginning tomorrow, and should contact their supervisor via phone or email to identify and discuss work plans and telecommute expectations.
Building Access
Operations will be consolidated to the Rogers Student Center and the Raker Student Success Center until further notice. Those buildings will be open from 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. The remaining campus buildings can only be accessed by faculty and staff via fob entry. There will be no changes to faculty and staff current access. However, faculty and staff are urged to minimize coming to campus over the few days and possibly weeks until the risk in Clark County is minimized. Any requests for additional room access can be requested from Information and Technology Services.
Suspended Services
Dining Services, the Campus Commuter, and Scorpion Shuttle service will suspend operation until further notice. The campus bookstore will remain open on a reduced schedule–Monday through Thursday from 9am to 3pm and Friday 9am to 1pm.
If you have any questions, please contact Edith Fernández, Vice President of College and Community Engagement, who is working closely with Gregg Maye from the University Police Services’ Office of Emergency Management.
Thank you to the entire campus community as we work together to address this unprecedented health crisis and do our part to minimize the risk of transmission.
Sincerely,
Bart Patterson
President
