Dear members of the U of G community,
As we move into our third week of physical distancing, many of us are working to establish routines that help us balance our work and studies with family and personal commitments. I continue to be energized and buoyed by the resiliency I’ve seen from so many of our students, staff and faculty. As you support others and maintain connections through email, text and calls, please don’t forget to ask for help when you need it. 
Many U of G employees are still working on campus each day to provide services that can’t be managed from home. I want to particularly acknowledge your contributions and commitment during this challenging time. Thank you for all you’re doing to keep our University running safely.
Last week, the University of Guelph donated more than 10,000 N95 masks to Guelph-Wellington-Dufferin Public Health to support front-line health-care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to use a coordinated approach in assessing and donating University supplies that can be used to support our local community. By collaborating with our colleagues in Public Health, we can ensure that supplies are being distributed to front-line health-care workers who need them the most.
Today, the Ontario government extended the state of emergency for another two weeks, following its directives announced over the weekend to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Social gatherings and public events of more than five people are now prohibited. More information is available on the Government of Ontario’s website. I must continue to stress the importance of following these guidelines and of maintaining physical distance from each other. Together, we can all do our part to slow and stop the spread of this virus.
Sincerely,
Franco Vaccarino
President and Vice-Chancellor
Daily Updates: March 30, 2020
Athletics Programs and Facilities to Remain Closed Until May 31
As U of G works to plan for what comes after COVID-19, the Department of Athletics intends to keep its facilities and programs closed until May 31, 2020. This includes all outdoor soccer pitches, baseball fields and the Alumni Stadium field and track. Athletics looks forward to being back open soon and helping our community stay healthy. While facilities are closed, check out online at-home workouts on the @gryphons_fitness Instagram account.
Make Your Home Workstation More Ergonomic
The Occupational Health and Wellness team in Human Resources has written an article about making your home laptop workstation more ergonomic. Read the article and view two video resources for tips on easing body strain while working remotely.
The University of Guelph’s COVID-19 website is your best source of information about the University’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.