At 8:59 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, Chancellor Joe Gow sent out an email update to all University of Wisconsin-La Crosse students, faculty and staff, about campus procedures following Thanksgiving break.

“Following Thanksgiving, UW-La Crosse will transition to exclusively online/remote instruction for the remainder of the fall semester. Nonetheless, our residence halls, Whitney Center dining hall, REC, classroom buildings, and other facilities will remain open for all students for the rest of the semester,” said Gow.

“We feel our campus is among the safest places in La Crosse—as evidenced by our daily COVID-19 test results— but in light of alarming numbers of positive cases in the greater La Crosse community, we want to give our students the ability to choose where they will reside as they complete their fall semester courses through online and other remote modes. Students currently residing in our residence halls will receive more details early next week,” said Gow.

In the email, Gow said students should refrain from in-person gatherings and traveling. “Experts say small and mid-size gatherings are one of the primary culprits for the rising numbers. Our public health officials and health care providers are imploring us to limit our contact to those within our households,” said Gow.

According to Gow, students are advised to quarantine and receive a COVID-19 test if they intend on traveling. “If you choose to visit friends or family this Thanksgiving, you should begin a self-quarantine today and will be required to get tested for COVID-19 both before and after the holiday.” Virtual celebrations of the holiday are encouraged in the email.

For students staying on campus, the Student Union will be providing Thanksgiving meals among their cuisine on Nov. 26, 27, and 28. The Recreational Eagle Center will be open Nov. 27, 28, and 29.

More information, such as details for students staying in residence halls, will be available early next week.

The Racquet Press will be updating the UWL community as this story continues.