Health and Safety

man and woman walking through campus wearing masks

Top things to know

  • Updates to the University of Minnesota’s response to the continuing COVID-19 situation, as well as the vaccination process on campus, are available on the Safe Campus website. Check back here for specific Humphrey School-related events and information.
  • Your safety is our first priority! Visit or call 624-WALK (612-624-9255) for the free walking or biking security escort service to and from campus locations and adjacent neighborhoods, available to all students, faculty, staff, and visitors. See other safety tips.
  • SAFE-U Emergency Notifications are rapid notifications in emergency situations that will be sent to faculty, staff, and students via the following channels: text, phone, and email, depending on individual preferences. All contact methods may be updated or changed within MyU with the exception of the umn.edu email address, which is required. 

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Health and well-being

  • The safety and well-being of the Humphrey community is our top priority, and Humphrey leaders are working in collaboration with University public health officials as well as local and state health representatives to ensure current public health guidelines are in effect. The Safe Campus website provides the most timely updates for the University's response to COVID-19 and vaccination effort.
  • Keeping our campus and Humphrey community as safe as possible during the global pandemic is a shared responsibility.
  • There are several ways to find assistance and support for mental and physical health needs of our community. Learn more about the University's central resources, or connect with Career and Student Success for students, or your supervisor/HR representative, for faculty and staff.
  • Practice mindfulness and learn the importance of spending time in nature with free webinars from the Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing.

COVID-19 protocols

  • Masking up and physical distancing are proven ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our community. Check the University of Minnesota Safe Campus website to stay up to date on current masking and other COVID-19 protocols.
  • Regular housekeeping practices are being enhanced by Facilities Management, including routine cleaning and sanitizing of work surfaces, equipment, tools, and machinery, and areas in the work environment, including restrooms, break rooms, lunchrooms, and meeting rooms. Frequent cleaning and sanitizing is being conducted in high-touch areas, such as controls, door handles, elevator panels, railings, etc.
  • Instructors may set up their workspace to enable physical distancing between the instructor and students. If your assigned classroom will not allow this distance, you can contact the Office of Classroom Management at 612-625-1086 or your local classroom scheduling unit for assistance. Find more considerations for faculty and teaching on the Safe Campus website.
  • Hand sanitizer and disposable masks will be made available throughout the Humphrey School and across campus.
  • Information about HVAC systems can be found on the Facilities Management website.
  • Wearing face coverings, staying home when sick, washing hands frequently, and avoiding large gatherings are proven to be effective health habits that not only reduce the spread of COVID-19, but may also help keep flu and other illnesses to a minimum. Continue those habits throughout the semester.
  • In addition to getting vaccinated and wearing a mask, notifying close contacts following a positive test result for COVID-19 is another important step you can take to protect our community, and is the right thing to do.
  • Faculty: Students may tell you that they have tested positive for COVID-19, or may appear to be sick. Review guidance on how to respond and describes what will happen.

Student experience

Operations and updates

  • Humphrey School staff and faculty have implemented flexible working arrangements through the University of Minnesota’s Work. With Flexibility program. This program allows for remote or on-site work schedules for employees based on their job functions.
  • Hours of operation for each department are posted in several places: office doors, email signatures, and the Humphrey School website as applicable.
  • At this time, there are no public health restrictions on the use of common spaces within the Humphrey School.
  • Carry your U Card with you on campus at all times to ensure access to buildings.
  • The Rave Guardian app provides "virtual" walking buddies on and near campus for staff and students, as well as access to other important safety resources.
  • The University of Minnesota and the Humphrey School have resumed normal operations; however, departments and offices should continue to consider current public health guidelines in their normal decision-making process.
  • Package deliveries will continue the same process as the Spring 2021 process.
  • A new technology pointers webpage provides useful resources to help you start using technology on campus again. It’s a great resource to help address some frequently encountered technical issues on your own. Technology Help is also available to assist with technology-related issues. Due to an expected increase in demand, there may be longer response and service delivery times during this transition.
    • Remember to reach out to the Help IT Service Desk for any computer or related support: [email protected] or 612-301-HELP (612-301-4357).
  • Questions about the University of Minnesota’s response to COVID-19 or the vaccination process can be sent to [email protected]. Likewise, questions or concerns about the Humphrey School’s response or operations can be directed to [email protected].

Visit the Safe Campus website