Stanford GSB Update Regarding COVID-19

I write with an update regarding our response to the spread of COVID-19.

We are in close contact with Stanford’s emergency operations organization, which is assessing and coordinating campus-wide policies, and taking guidance from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department and the CDC. You can find Stanford’s up-to-date information and resources relating to COVID-19 here, including yesterday’s significantly updated travel guidance. We have mobilized staff across the GSB to evaluate and manage this evolving situation, as detailed below.

Programs

In light of the variables associated with international and domestic travel, we have made the difficult decision to cancel several programs, including:

• All international Global Study Trips (GSTs)
• MSx Seattle Study Trip
• Stanford Seed Transformation Network Global Summit
• LEAD Me2We
• Stanford-Tsinghua Exchange Program (STEP)

I would like to acknowledge the disappointment in making these cancellations, as the planning often involved enormous effort over many months. We are continuing to evaluate other programs and will be communicating decisions and related information as soon as possible.

Travel

The university is now restricting all Stanford-sponsored international travel – and is strongly recommending against personal travel out of the country. I encourage you to follow this guidance as you consider your Spring Break and personal travel plans. As a member of the GSB community, you have a responsibility not only to think about your own health and safety, but also of those around you. Additionally, the list of countries requiring post-travel quarantine continues to expand; travel and government restrictions may prevent you from re-entering the U.S. and returning to campus.

Campus Arrangements

The health of the GSB community is our number one priority. We are following the university’s guidance to cancel or postpone large campus events (over 150 people) between March 4 and April 15. I encourage everyone to follow health best practices, including frequent handwashing and staying home if you are sick.

We are fortunate at Stanford to have considerable resources, a world-class healthcare system, and an expert emergency response team, to help protect members of our community. There is a lot of fluidity, and we are learning more every day, but I am confident that we will be able to work together to navigate the situation as it evolves.

Sincerely,

Jon Levin
Philip H. Knight Professor and Dean