We appreciate your patience thus far as we grapple with the extraordinary situation presented by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Outlined below are the most recent updates on our campus response to COVID-19 as influenced by decisions made by the Government of Jamaica.

This is a fluid situation and we will continue to assess, revisit and communicate any changes to our campus response plan as needed.

Teaching and Learning

Classes will resume in an on-line/virtual mode on April 14, 2020. Preparations are currently underway to facilitate access to course information via OurVLe and/or Blackboard Collaborate. We also encourage all students to make the necessary preparations to access the online learning platforms from their residential locations. We will continue to deliver online/remote teaching for the remainder of Semester 2 and until it is safe for us to resume in a face-to-face mode.

Semester extension and Examinations

Currently, there is a four week extension to the semester as a result of the current four week suspension of classes. This could however change, depending on our assessment of the online/virtual delivery teaching/learning experience. We are also preparing for online and alternative assessments (mid-semester exams, final exams, quizzes etc.). Teaching for Semester two will end on May 29, 2020. Examinations for Semester two will commence on June 15, 2020. The semester and final examinations will end on July 3, 2020.

Students Residing on-campus

In light of the rapidly changing situation locally, we require all students residing on campus who can do so, to make the necessary arrangements to return home as soon as possible and prepare to engage academic material in an online mode.
Whilst we recognize that a small number of students are unable to leave due to unavoidable circumstances, we would like to remind our Jamaican students in particular, to make the necessary arrangements to leave campus as soon as possible as it is necessary to reduce the population on campus at this time.

Work from Home Arrangements for Staff

The campus will continue on a reduced business operation mode and as such, work from home arrangements as determined by Heads of Departments/Centres/Units should continue until further advised. Should the local situation call for a further reduction/ restriction of movement by the general population, then The UWI Mona will respond and further scale down operations to emergency operations only.

Other Changes in keeping with recent updates orders issued by the Government of Jamaica

Effective March 25, 2020:

• Consistent with the Government's edict that public sector workers aged 65 and over should not report to work, we also encourage our employees in this age category to work from home if possible
• All members of our community aged 75 years and over are to remain at home
• There should be no gatherings of groups of more than ten (10) persons. We ask that students currently on campus as well as teams who are required to meet/work on-campus strictly adhere to this order

We are aware that there may be questions / concerns that have not yet been addressed. Students and staff are encouraged to view the 'Frequently Asked Questions' tab on the COVID-19 website for answers to concerns not addressed here. www.mona.uwi.edu/covid19
Please also feel free to share questions or concerns via email: covid19Questions@uwimona.edu.jm

Please continue to check emails and the covid19 information website regularly for updates and useful resources. We also seek the assistance of HODs to share important announcements to team members who may not be able to access our online communication platforms at this time.