Office of the President

March 16, 2020 - COVID-19: 65 and/or With Existing Conditions

To: Campus Community
From: President Gayle Hutchinson

It has been difficult to stay ahead of the escalating advice coming from various federal and state agencies in the past couple of weeks. Our campus efforts have been focused on moving quickly enough to keep our campus community safe, while maintaining our educational mission to every degree possible.

Yesterday, Governor Newsom directed that everyone 65 and older, or individuals with serious chronic medical conditions (i.e., heart disease, diabetes, lung disease), must practice home isolation. As such, effective immediately, all employees so categorized must stay off campus, both for your safety and others in the campus community.

Please contact your manager to notify them that you will be complying with this order. Managers should discuss telecommuting with employees in this category whose job duties can be done remotely. For those employees that are not able to telecommute, you will be placed on administrative leave with pay at your current rate and for your normal scheduled workhours.

As further clarity emerges from the Governor’s Office, and as circumstances surrounding COVID-19 continue to change, we reserve the right to adjust this directive. For further information, you may contact Human Resources at extension 6671. We anticipate a high call volume, so please be patient, and remain confident that a response will be provided as quickly as possible.

Our campus motto has never been more compelling: Today Decides Tomorrow. The actions we take today will decide the degree to which our campus is affected by this unexpected global emergency, and how quickly we return to normality. While conditions remain uncertain, please be assured that our Emergency Operations Center is diligently working to coordinate our response and prepare for our future tomorrows.

Thank you for all you are doing to ensure the health and safety of those around you, and for your dedication and commitment to Chico State’s mission.