University of Wyoming deals with COVID-19
Virtual commencement will be live on May 16th
April 5, 2020
The University of Wyoming has moved to online course delivery for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester in response to concerns about the novel coronavirus COVID-19. UW is implementing a plan that will allow students to continue progress toward their degrees and the university to continue operations, with many employees working remotely.
UW has canceled traditional graduation and will instead hold virtual commencement ceremonies because of the coronavirus. They plan to broadcast the virtual ceremony live on May 16, the same date traditional graduation was planned. The university has no choice but to look for alternatives to public gatherings on campus in Laramie, acting President Neil Theobald said. Other options for graduates include taking part in ceremonies next winter or spring.
University faculty and students have stepped forward in a number of ways to be of help during the COVID-19 crisis. The School of Pharmacy is using their labs to make hand sanitizer which has become in extremely short supply everywhere. They have converted one of their pharmacy lab into a temporary hand sanitizer factory. Because of social distancing requirements, they had limited personnel working in the lab at any given time, but they made it work. They used sanitizer formulas recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) guidelines. To date, containers have been distributed to the Laramie fire stations, UW Student Health Service clinic, UW custodial services, Laramie Reproductive Clinic, Laramie Care Center, the Downtown Clinic, Albany Community Health Clinic and Ivinson Memorial Hospital.
In addition to the hand sanitizer production, the UW Student Innovation Center (CRMC) Team began using their 3D printer to print 3D surgical masks for the Cheyenne Medical Center, where masks are in very short supply. CRMC medical workers reached out to the University for assistance and have requested at least 100 protective masks and 100 face shields. All are being produced through the SIC’s 3D printers and laser cutters. Once the prototypes are approved by CMC, official production will begin and run around the clock to get the surgical masks and face shields sent to Cheyenne.
Click on these links to read more on these stories:
UW Faculty, Students Persevere to Make Online Instruction Successful March 30, 2020
UW School of Pharmacy Produces Hand Sanitizer during COVID-19 Supply Shortage March 27, 2020
UW Student Innovation Center Team Creates 3D Surgical Masks for Cheyenne Medical Center March 27, 2020
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