Updates & Announcements

Sunday January 16, 2022

On-Campus COVID Safety Measures

Dear members of our LAU community,

LAU’s Emergency Health Response Committee, LAU’s Vaccination Committee, LAU’s Health Clinics and LAU Health are providing the following guidance to all members of our LAU community:

In view of the current surge of cases of the highly transmissible Omicron COVID-19 variant, the following safety measures will be implemented with the start of the spring semester.

Everyone is urged to follow the below recommendations so we can safely continue our mission:

• Wearing face masks:
  • Face masks are mandatory at all times on campus
  • Medical/surgical masks without a valve are required
  • Cloth masks should be covered by a medical mask
  • Face masks are mandatory in classrooms: all instructors must be wearing their masks in class and must ensure that students are abiding by the same rule throughout class sessions
• Washing hands frequently and thoroughly
• Social distancing outside the classrooms
• Eating and drinking together should be avoided since it is the most common cause of outbreaks
• Cafeteria operations will be limited to take-out meals and delivery only with no dine-in services
• Library operations: wearing masks is mandatory; the number of persons present in the reading areas will be reduced; and all unventilated spaces will be closed
• Unnecessary activities and large gatherings on campuses will be withheld for the next few weeks
• Vaccination including a third dose (if the second dose was done more than 5 months ago) is highly recommended during this Omicron surge. Further announcements to this effect will follow
• Anyone with any of the following should contact the Health Clinics and should not come to campus before being cleared medically by the Health Clinics:
  • a positive PCR
  • respiratory symptoms
  • has been exposed to a COVID-19 case
  • unvaccinated who were COVID-19-positive within the past two months
  • has recently traveled within the last two weeks

In the case of exams, students are being asked to refer to the course instructor for specific make-up arrangements.

• For those who have not provided their vaccination status, proof of vaccination and/or weekly PCR results should be urgently presented to the Health Clinics:
  • LAU Health Clinic – Beirut Campus

Tel: + 961 1 78 64 64, Extension 3007
Email: lauhealthclinic.beirut@lau.edu.lb

• LAU Health Clinic – Byblos Campus

Tel: + 961 9 54 72 54, Extension 3004
Email: lauhealthclinic.byblos@lau.edu.lb

Stay safe!

Human Resources Department

Friday August 13, 2021

Fall 2021 Return to Campus: Important Considerations / العودة إلى الجامعة في خريف 2021: اعتبارات مهمة

Dear members of our LAU community,

As we prepare to resume campus learning mode in fall 2021, safety remains our priority. To that end, we would like to bring to your attention several measures that we will be implementing to ensure a safe environment for all – students, faculty and staff.

Even though the COVID-19 vaccine is not mandatory worldwide nor in Lebanon, we do, however, strongly encourage you all to be vaccinated, for your own safety and the safety of those around you. We urge you to practice your civic responsibility toward your colleagues by getting vaccinated. We also want to emphasize that we cannot open up our campuses unless and until we are confident that the social immunity has reached the level necessary to protect our constituents.

This level of social immunity will be realized through the following:

• The majority of our community will have been vaccinated through our LAU Vaccination Campaign; we also remind those interested who haven’t enrolled yet not to delay further and to register the soonest by contacting the Health Services Office.
• A minority will have received vaccines on their own (in Lebanon or abroad). For those who have been vaccinated abroad, we will require:
• Proof of vaccination for those who have received FDA-approved vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson) or Sputnik V. Please email your proof of vaccination the soonest to the Health Services Office in Beirut or Byblos for our records.
• A recent serology test (conducted in August 2021) for those who have received the Sinopharm vaccine or the Covaxin vaccine. This is a precautionary measure since we lack sufficient medical data about the efficacy of these vaccines.
• To ensure their safety as well as the safety of those around them, those very few who will have decided to forego the vaccine will be required to take a weekly PCR test at the LAU Medical Center-Rizk Hospital or at LAU Medical Center-Saint John’s Hospital, at their own expense; having invested heavily in the cost and the delivery of the vaccines, the university is unable to make additional contributions toward the tests. Testing at one of our two LAU Medical Centers ensures a quick communication of the results to the Health Services Office to minimize the risks of outbreaks. They will also need to sign a Disclaimer Form, which will be circulated by email in due course. Staff who do not provide vaccination information, nor undergo regular weekly PCR testing, will not be able to report to campus and their absence days will be automatically deducted from their annual leave balance. This measure is strictly meant to preserve the health and wellbeing of our LAU Community and maintain a safe work environment and operational continuity.
• Face masks will be mandatory at all times while at LAU, for the following reasons:
• Variants of COVID-19 and its prevalence continue to represent serious risks, and face masks can help contain their spread.
• Although vaccines have been proven effective at reducing the rate of hospitalization as well as mortality, vaccinated individuals can still catch and transmit the virus.
• Even with all our education and information efforts, and those of all international and national health bodies, we expect a small number of people will still be unvaccinated, and it is important to reduce their risk of catching (or transmitting) the virus.
• ​​Social distancing will continue to be implemented, where possible:
• The University will avoid unnecessary gatherings.
• Exceptions will be made to class sizes, student life events, academic conferences, exams and course projects.
• Travel will be limited:
• Travel to conferences will continue to be restricted, with approvals required from the Schools’ Deans, Provost and the entities’ Vice-Presidents.
• Persons returning from travel must quarantine for one week if vaccinated, two weeks if unvaccinated.
• All persons returning from travel will need to present two negative PCRs (the first taken on arrival, and the second at the end of their quarantine period).
• Those returning from travel, and who have been exposed to Covid-19 cases, should not come to campus until cleared by the Health Services Office. 
• All persons with upper respiratory illness symptoms (fever, runny nose, coughing, sneezing, headaches, sore throat, fatigue, muscle aches, or shortness of breath) should not come to campus until cleared by the Health Services Office.

Please do not hesitate to send us your questions so we may address them and enhance our preparedness to return to campus.

Thank you,

LAU Vaccination Committee

جانب أعضاء أسرة الجامعة اللبنانية الأميركية الأعزّاء،

مع إستكمال استعدادتنا لاستئناف التعلّيم في حرم الجامعة إبتداءً من فصل الخريف سنة2021، تتصدّر السّلامة الصحية هرم أولوياتنا. لذا، نودّ لفت انتباهكم إلى العديد من الإجراءات الّتي سوف يتم تطبيقها لضمان بيئة آمنة للجميع ونعني بذلك الطّلاب وأعضاء هيئة التدريس والموظّفين.

تحثّ الجامعة الطّلاب وأعضاء هيئة التدريس والموظّفين على أخذ لقاح كوفيد-19 بالرغم من أنّ ذلك، وحتى اشعار آخر، ليس إلزامياً لا في لبنان ولا في أيّ بلدٍ آخر، وذلك من أجل سلامتكم وسلامة محيطكم. تحث الجامعة أيضاً، الجميع ودون استثناء على ممارسة مسؤوليتهم المدنية تجاه زملائهم ومحيطهم الضيّق والواسع من خلال أخذ اللقاح لحماية أنفسهم والآخرين. واستطرادًا إننا نؤكد، أنّه من غير الممكن فتح أبواب حرم الجامعة في بيروت وجبيل ما لم نتأكّد أنّ المناعة المجتمعية قد بلغت المستوى الضّروري لحماية كافّة العناصر البشرية في الجامعة.

سوف يتحقق هذا المستوى المنشود من المناعة من خلال ما يلي:

•  تلقيح غالبية أفراد أسرة الجامعة اللبنانية الأميركية من خلال حملة التلقيح الخاصة بها.
•  تلقّي قسم من الأفراد اللّقاح خارج الجامعة (ان في لبنان أو في الخارج). 
   

بالنسبة للذين أخذوا اللّقاح في الخارج، يُطلَب منهم التالي:

• إبراز شهادة التلقيح للذين تلقّوا إحدى اللّقاحات المعتمدة من إدارة الغذاء والدواء الأميركية (الـFDA) أي: فايزر-بيونتيك، موديرنا، أسترازينيكا، جونسون أند جونسون، أو سبوتنيك IV. ويرجى إرسال شهادة التلقيح بالبريد الإلكتروني في أقرب وقت ممكن إلى مكتب الخدمات الصّحية في بيروت أو جبيل لتُحفظ في سجلّات الجامعة.
• تزويدنا بنتائج إختبار المناعة الحديث (أجري في آب 2021) لأولئك الذين تلقّوا لقاح سينوفارم أو كوفاكسين. ويعتبر هذا التّدبير وقائياً لأنّنا نفتقر إلى البيانات الطّبيّة الكافية حول فعاليّة هذه اللقاحات.

وبهدف ضمان سلامتكم وسلامة محيطكم، سيُطلب من الذين قرّروا عدم أخذ اللقاح، إجراء اختبار PCR أسبوعيّاً وبشكلٍ دوريّ في المركز الطّبي للجامعة اللبنانية الأميركية - مستشفى رزق أو في المركز الطّبي للجامعة اللبنانية الأميركية – مستشفى سان جون، على نفقتهم الخاصّة؛ لأنّ الجامعة وبعدما تكبدّت تكاليف تأمين اللّقاحات وتوزيعها مجاناً على من يرغب، لم تعد تستطيع تقديم مساهمات إضافية في إختبارات الـPCR. يتعهد المختبر في كلّ من المركزين الطّبيين التّابعين للجامعة اللّبنانية الأميركية إرسال النّتائج دون إبطاء إلى مكتب الخدمات الصّحية للحدّ من مخاطر تفشّي وباء كورونا. ويتوجب على هذه الشريحة التّوقيع على نموذج رفع المسؤولية الّذي سيتمّ ارساله للمعنيين عبر البريد الإلكتروني.

كل موظف لا يقدم المعلومات المطلوبة عن أخذه اللقاح إلى مكتب الخدمات الصحية في الجامعة أو لا يخضع لإختبار الـPCRالاسبوعي، لن يتمكن من الحضور إلى حرم الجامعة، وبالتالي فإن كل يوم غياب عن عمله سوف يقتطع تلقائياً من رصيد إجازته السنوية (من دون سابق إعلام). إن هذا التدبير هو للحفاظ على صحة وسلامة جميع أفراد أسرة الجامعة لتأمين بيئة عمل آمنة ولضمان الاستمرارية في العمل.

 
فضلاً عن ذلك، إرتداء الكمامة سيكون إلزامي في كافة الأوقات أثناء وجودكم في حرم الجامعة اللبنانية الأميركية، وذلك للأسباب التالية:

•  يساعد ارتداء الكمامة في احتواء الاخطار الناجمة عن متحوّرات كوفيد-19 ويحد من انتشارها بشكل كبير.
• على الرّغم من أنّ اللّقاحات قد أثبتت فعاليّتها في الحد من معدل الاصابة والاستشفاء والوفيات، إلا ان الأفراد الذي تلقّوا اللقاح لا يزالون عرضةّ للإصابة بالفيروس ونقله.
• بالرغم من كل الجهود المبذولة في مجالي التوعية ونشر المعلومات التي تقوم بها الجامعة وكافّة الهيئات الصّحية الدّولية والمحلية، من المتوقّع أن يبقى عدداً قليلاً من الأفراد رافضاً للقاح ويهمّنا الحد من خطر إصابة هؤلاء بالفيروس أو نقله للآخرين من خلال ارتداء الكمّامة.

وتحرص الجامعة على تطبيق التباعد الاجتماعي، كلّما أمكن من خلال إتباع الخطوات التالية:

• تجنّب التّجمعات غير الضّرورية.
• اتّخاذ إجراءات استثنائيّة بالنسبة لحجم أماكن التدريس (الصفوف) وقدرة استيعابهم وأعداد الطلاب، والنشاطات الطّلابية، والمؤتمرات الأكاديمية، والامتحانات والابحاث العملانية.

بالإضافة الى ما ورد اعلاه، تستمر الجامعة بالقواعد الصحية التالية في حال السفر: 

• يستمر تقليص عدد السّفر لحضور المؤتمرات، مع مراعاة شروط الحصول على الموافقات المسبقة المطلوبة ان من عمداء الكليات أو الوكيل الأكاديمي أو نواب الرّئيس في الجامعة.
• يفرض الحجر الصّحي على الأشخاص العائدين من السفر لمدّة أسبوع إذا كانوا قد أخذوا عدد الجرعات الكافية من اللقاح، وأسبوعين في حال لم يأخذوا بعد عدد الجرعات الكافية من اللّقاح.
• يحتاج جميع الأشخاص العائدين من السفر إلى تقديم تقريرين سلبيين لنتائج فحص الـPCR (الأول الذي يكون قد أجري عند الوصول إلى مطار بيروت، والثاني عند نهاية فترة الحجر الصحي.

يفرض على جميع الأشخاص الذين يعانون من أعراض أمراض الجهاز التّنفسي (الحمّى، سيلان الأنف، السّعال، العطس، الصّداع، الإسهال، التهاب الحلق، التّعب، آلام العضلات، ضيق التنفس) عدم الحضور إلى حرم الجامعة إلا بعد الحصول على تصريح من مكتب الخدمات الصّحية.

لا تترددوا في إرسال أسئلتكم إلينا حتّى نتمكّن من الاجابة عليها وتعزيز استعدادتنا لفتح ابواب الجامعة كلياً. 

وتفضلوا بقبول الشكر،

لجنة التلقيح في الجامعة اللبنانية الأميركية

Tuesday July 6, 2021

LAU Vaccination Campaign - Registration and Process

Friday May 14, 2021

Safe Work Mode

Sunday February 7, 2021

LAU Continues to Observe Governmental COVID-19 Lockdown Measures

As a follow-up to our previous email and in line with the government’s latest COVID-19 lockdown measures, kindly note that the University campuses will remain inaccessible throughout the prolonged lockdown period until further notice, while observing “Saint Maroun’s Day” on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, as an official holiday. 

The University will decide on an adequate operating mode based on future governmental decision, as it relates to institutions of higher education.

In the meantime, all staff members will continue teleworking from home and are expected to be always reachable online and by phone at all times during work hours. Supervisors are required to ensure that their team members are responding promptly and effectively to work needs.

It is critical that our community continues to adhere to preventive measures during this phase (wear your mask at all times, maintain social distancing, wash your hands frequently, avoid poorly ventilated spaces, etc.)  Please avoid social interactions so that we perform our part in slowing down the spread of the disease for the greater good of our country and the well-being of our loved ones.

We also remind Faculty & Staff to report any illness or exposure to a suspected “sick contact,” as well as Faculty & Staff sharing the same residence with family members/dependents returning from abroad, to kindly contact the Health Services Office.

Stay Safe!

Human Resources Department

Wednesday February 3, 2021

Spring 2021 Academic Update: Deadline for Withdrawal and Pass/No Pass Grading Option

Dear Students,

I hope you had a healthy start to the semester and that you are coping and managing to focus on your learning. I am writing to inform you that in response to the prevalent COVID-19 concerns and implications on students’ learning and mental health, the Council of Deans took the following important decisions:

1. The Deadline for Withdrawal from Spring 2021 Courses (WP/WF) is extended to April 27, 2021.
2. Undergraduate students will be able to choose P/NP as a grading option this semester, on a course-by-course basis, up to a maximum of two (2) courses for each student, by April 27, 2021, as long as it does not contradict program-specific or scholarship requirements for course grades. Otherwise, the default letter grading system will be applied.
   
   Please note that courses taken on a Pass or No Pass (P/NP) basis will not count toward the GPA, but the credit hours successfully completed will be counted toward graduation. An NP grade indicates a failing performance, i.e. equivalent to a grade of F, in courses taken on a P/NP basis. An NP grade has no quality points; no credits will be added to the student’s record, nor will the average be affected. For more information on P/NP grading, please refer to the University’s undergraduate academic rules and procedures and to the FAQs on Academic Rules during the COVID-19 Crisis on the Provost Office website.
   
   There may be certain program-specific or scholarship requirements when it comes to course grading, including the following restrictions and guidelines:

• The P/NP option is not available for the following courses during Spring 2021:
  • Nursing clinical courses
  • Honors courses ​
  • School of Architecture and Design major studios (namely GRDE 340, 430, & 440; FAS 331, 431, & 531; ARCH 331, 431, 531, & 532; INAR 331, 431, &531; and FND 231 & 232)
• Pre-med students who plan to apply to the Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine may not select P/NP for any of the required science core courses and may not take more than 20% of their total program credits on P/NP basis.
• Students required to have a minimum grade on a remedial course in order for them to continue in or transfer to a major may not choose the P/NP option for these remedial courses. This requirement is very important for students in bridge or remedial programs.

Moreover, students who plan to apply to a graduate program are advised to avoid P/NP and consult with their advisor. For more help and guidance, you can always contact your school at the support email address listed below:

School of Arts and Sciences:  SOASsupport@lau.edu.lb
Adnan Kassar School of Business:  AKSOBsupport@lau.edu.lb
School of Architecture and Design:  SArDsupport@lau.edu.lb
School of Engineering:  SOEsupport@lau.edu.lb
Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine:  SOMsupport@lau.edu.lb
Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing:  ARCSONsupport@lau.edu.lb
School of Pharmacy:  SOPsupport@lau.edu.lb

Finally, to help you improve your online learning experience and guide you to available resources to learn while at home, you may refer to the Student Tips for Academic Success during the COVID-19 Crisis provided on the Provost Office website.

I am very proud of your efforts and determination during this challenging time. Stay healthy and stay strong!

Sincerely,

George E. Nasr

Friday January 15, 2021

Beginning of Spring Term Postponed to January 25, 2021

Dear All:

In light of the sudden imposition of the country-wide lockdown and its implications on the university and preparations for course delivery, the beginning of the Spring 2021 semester is postponed one week until January 25, 2021. An updated detailed calendar will be posted early next week.

Office of the Provost

Tuesday January 12, 2021

LAU Observes the Governmental Total Lockdown Decision

As a follow-up to our previous email and in line with the government’s total lockdown decision due to the continuous rise in COVID-19 cases in the country, kindly note that the University campuses will not be accessible to anyone as of the morning of Thursday, January 14, 2021 and until the morning of Monday, January 25, 2021 (subject to renewal based on future governmental decision). 

Accordingly, all staff members will be teleworking from home throughout the total lockdown period and are expected to be always reachable online and by phone at all times during work hours. Supervisors are required to ensure that their team members are responding promptly and effectively to work needs.

It is critical that our community continues to adhere to preventive measures during this phase (wear your mask at all times, maintain social distancing, wash your hands frequently, avoid poorly ventilated spaces, etc.). Please avoid social interactions so that we perform our part in slowing down the spread of the disease for the greater good of our country and the well-being of our loved ones.

We also remind faculty and staff to report any illness or exposure to a suspected “sick contact”, as well as faculty and staff sharing the same residence with family members/dependents returning from abroad, to kindly contact the Health Services Office.

Stay Safe!

Human Resources Department

Sunday January 3, 2021

Safe Work Mode

This is to inform you that the University will continue operating in a “Safe work mode”, maintaining on-campus services with reduced staff presence not to exceed 25% on rotational basis per department, awaiting further governmental decision to reassess the situation accordingly.

Employees are reminded not to share office space and refrain from any indoor or outdoor gatherings, and wear protective masks at all times while following proper hand washing guidelines with soap or sanitizer.

We are all called upon, supervisors and employees, to ensure strict adherence to the COVID-19 preventive measures for our safety and the safety of the University community. 

Meanwhile, staff members who will be working remotely from home are expected to be reachable online and/or by phone at all times during work hours, and supervisors are required to ensure that their team members are responding promptly and effectively to work needs. 

We also remind employees to report any illness or exposure to a suspected “sick contact,” as well as employees sharing the same residence with family members/dependents returning from abroad, to kindly contact the Health Services Office.

Wishing you and your families continuous safety.

Human Resources Department

Monday November 30, 2020

Safe Work Mode

In line with the most recent governmental decision, and as recommended by our Division of Infectious Diseases at LAU SOM and LAUMC-RH, this is to inform you that the University will be operating on a “Safe work mode”, maintaining on-campus services with reduced staff presence not to exceed 25% on rotational basis per department, starting Monday, November 30, 2020.

Employees are reminded not to share office space and refrain from any indoor or outdoor gatherings, and wear protective masks at all times while following proper hand washing guidelines with soap or sanitizer.

We are all called upon, supervisors and employees, to ensure strict adherence to the COVID-19 preventive measures for our safety and the safety of the University community.

Meanwhile, staff members who will be working remotely from home are expected to be reachable online and/or by phone at all times during work hours, and supervisors are required to ensure that their team members are responding promptly and effectively to work needs.

We also remind employees to report any illness or exposure to a suspected “sick contact,” as well as employees sharing the same residence with family members/dependents returning from abroad, to kindly contact the Health Services Office.

Saturday November 14, 2020

LAU Switches to a Strictly Essential-Services-Only Mode

As the COVID-19 epidemic continues to escalate in Lebanon, and in line with the governmentally decreed lockdown, the university will move into a strictly Essential-Services-Only mode as of the morning of Saturday November 14, 2020 and until the morning of Monday November 30, 2020.

Essential Services

Only LAU will operate essential on-campus services only, ensuring the continuity of necessary and indispensable services. All divisions and departments will achieve operational continuity by maintaining a minimal number of staff on campus. The rest will be teleworking from home. All department heads and supervisors have been briefed and have been establishing these continuity arrangements. We expect the majority of our staff to work from home and be always reachable online and/or by phone at all times during work hours, and supervisors are required to ensure that their team members are responding promptly and effectively to work needs.

Academic Update on Online Courses

LAU will continue delivering all its courses through online platforms. In-person exams will be postponed or held online.

Access to Campuses

During the strictly-essential-services-only operations period, and for its duration, the campuses will be accessible to faculty, post-docs, individual students for cause, and staff on duty.

It is critical that our community continues to adhere to preventive measures during this phase. Please avoid social interactions so that we perform our part in slowing down the spread of the disease for the greater good of our country and the well-being of our loved ones.

We also remind Faculty & Staff to report any illness or exposure to a suspected “sick contact,” as well as Faculty & Staff sharing the same residence with family members/dependents returning from abroad, to kindly contact the Health Services Office.

Friday November 6, 2020

Fall 2020 Academic Update

Dear Students,

I hope you are coping and managing to focus on your learning during these difficult and unprecedented times. I am writing to inform you that in response to the escalating COVID-19 concerns and implications on students’ learning and mental health, the Council of Deans took the following important academic decisions to give students more flexibility and reduce their anxiety during this nerve-racking time:

1. Extension of the Deadline for Withdrawal from Fall 2020 Courses (WP/WF): The last day for withdrawal from Fall 2020 courses is December 1, 2020.
2. Flexible Grading System for Undergraduate Courses in Fall 2020: Undergraduate students will be able to choose Pass/No Pass (P/NP) as a grading option for Fall 2020 courses, on a course-by-course basis, up to a maximum of two (2) courses for each student, by December 1, 2020. Otherwise, the default letter grading system will be applied. The P/NP grade can be selected as long as it does not contradict program-specific requirements for course grades. Furthermore, we advise all students applying for graduate studies or the medical school to avoid this option especially for the core courses and to check with their advisor when needed.  Please also note that once a P/NP grade option is selected, the letter grade could no longer be assigned and will not be available to students.  For more information on P/NP grade option, please see the University’s undergraduate academic rules and procedures.
3. Admission to the 2021-2022 Medicine Year 1 in the LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine: Following the suspension of the MCAT administration in Lebanon, and the recent announcement by the AAMC that MCAT exams will not be administered in Lebanon in January or March 2021, the LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine will waive the MCAT score in the selection for the 2021-2022 Medicine Year 1. The school will use the scores of the cumulative GPA, the core GPA, and interviews in making decisions for admission.

For more help and guidance, you can always contact your school at the support email address listed below:

School of Arts and Sciences:  SOASsupport@lau.edu.lb

Adnan Kassar School of Business:  AKSOBsupport@lau.edu.lb

School of Architecture and Design:  SArDsupport@lau.edu.lb

School of Engineering:  SOEsupport@lau.edu.lb

Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine:  SOMsupport@lau.edu.lb

Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing:  ARCSONsupport@lau.edu.lb

School of Pharmacy:  SOPsupport@lau.edu.lb

I hope these decisions will alleviate some of your anxiety about grades, offer you flexibility, and help you stay focused on your studies and well-being. Stay healthy, stay strong, and remember that LAU is here for you!

Best Wishes,

George E. Nasr

Friday October 30, 2020

November 2020 Course Delivery Plan

Dear Students,

This is to update you on the delivery of fall 2020 courses during November. In light of the latest health developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon, LAU will continue to deliver courses online during the month of November 2020 including those courses designated as hybrid, with the exception of labs, studios, and special courses that may be delivered in a hybrid mode under strict preventive health measures.

Please note that exams may also be held in person, under strict preventive health measures, during November 2020. Students who are unable to come to campus for exams can make arrangements with their instructors for a make-up assessment. In support of your learning experience on campus, you may use the Library on both campuses by booking a 2-hour slot on this link.

We have made preparations to ensure our campuses are ready to receive students; we also count on you to fully abide by the health recommendations while on campus, such as wearing a mask at all times, maintaining social distance, and frequently washing/sanitizing hands.

Please remember that the fall academic plan is fluid and will be updated on a month-by-month basis or as and when required. For more help and guidance, please contact your school at the support email address listed below:

School of Arts and Sciences:  SOASsupport@lau.edu.lb
Adnan Kassar School of Business:  AKSOBsupport@lau.edu.lb
School of Architecture and Design:  SArDsupport@lau.edu.lb
School of Engineering:  SOEsupport@lau.edu.lb
Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine:  SOMsupport@lau.edu.lb
Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing:  ARCSONsupport@lau.edu.lb
School of Pharmacy:  SOPsupport@lau.edu.lb

For general questions or concerns, please contact the dean of students of your campus at the email address listed below:

Dean of Students (Beirut): rmohsen@lau.edu.lb
Dean of Students (Byblos): makram.ouaiss@lau.edu.lb

Sincerely,

George Nasr

Friday September 25, 2020

October 2020 Course Delivery Plan

Dear Students,

This is to update you on the delivery of fall 2020 courses during October. In light of the latest health developments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon, LAU will continue to deliver courses online during the month of October 2020 including those courses designated as hybrid, with the exception of labs, studios, and special courses that may be delivered in a hybrid mode under strict preventive health measures. Please note that exams may also be held in person, under strict preventive health measures, during October 2020. Students who are unable to come to campus for exams can make arrangements with their instructors for a make-up assessment. In support of your learning experience on campus, you may use the Library on both campuses by booking a 2-hour slot on this link.

We have made preparations to ensure our campuses are ready to receive students; we also count on you to fully abide by the health recommendations while on campus, such as wearing a mask at all times, maintaining social distance, and frequently washing/sanitizing hands.

Please remember that the fall academic plan is fluid and will be updated on a month-by-month basis or as and when required. For more help and guidance, please contact your school at the support email address listed below:

School of Arts and Sciences:  SOASsupport@lau.edu.lb
Adnan Kassar School of Business:  AKSOBsupport@lau.edu.lb
School of Architecture and Design:  SArDsupport@lau.edu.lb
School of Engineering:  SOEsupport@lau.edu.lb
Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine:  SOMsupport@lau.edu.lb
Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing:  ARCSONsupport@lau.edu.lb
School of Pharmacy:  SOPsupport@lau.edu.lb

For general questions or concerns, please contact the dean of students of your campus at the email address listed below:

Dean of Students (Beirut): rmohsen@lau.edu.lb
Dean of Students (Byblos): makram.ouaiss@lau.edu.lb

Sincerely,

George Nasr
Provost

Friday August 21, 2020

Fall Semester Update

Dear students,

We hope you and your families are safe and well in these difficult times. We have all been greatly affected by the catastrophic explosion in the Port of Beirut on August 4, and we have been working tirelessly since then to rehabilitate and restore the LAUMC-Rizk Hospital and Beirut campus. Many of you have been helping in these restoration efforts and providing relief to the local communities, and we are very proud of you. You can count on LAU’s continuous support as our communities heal and rebuild.

Fall 2020 classes at the university will begin online on September 1, 2020. The first week of classes will also be used to assess the online learning experience and sort out any encountered issues, technical or otherwise.

In light of the latest health and security developments in Lebanon, LAU will deliver all courses fully online during the month of September 2020 including those courses designated as hybrid.  We will be assessing the situation regularly, and by the third week of each month we will make a decision regarding whether to continue all courses online or not for the subsequent month.

In case the situation improves and LAU can offer some courses in hybrid fashion beginning in October or later, we will make full provisions for students unable to come to our campuses. International students, Lebanese students living abroad, and students with medical conditions who cannot attend hybrid classes on campus will be allowed to complete their courses fully online.

If hybrid courses can be offered, students residing in Lebanon and taking hybrid classes may come to campus, under strict preventive health measures, provided the public health situation in the country allows for it. As for lab, clinical, studio, and special courses, details will be made available by the concerned Schools.

First year students will also be offered, hopefully starting October 1^st, optional in-person sessions once per week, in addition to the online part of each course, provided the health situation and national restrictions allow. Again, details will be made available later.

Please note that this plan is fluid and will be updated on a month-by-month basis or as and when required. We are eager to welcome you to LAU this Fall, so stay safe and know that we will be communicating with you on a regular basis.

For more help and guidance, please contact your school at the school support email address listed below:

School of Arts and Sciences:  SOASsupport@lau.edu.lb

Adnan Kassar School of Business:  AKSOBsupport@lau.edu.lb

School of Architecture and Design:  SArDsupport@lau.edu.lb

School of Engineering:  SOEsupport@lau.edu.lb

Gilbert & Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine:  SOMsupport@lau.edu.lb

Alice Ramez Chagoury School of Nursing:  ARCSONsupport@lau.edu.lb

School of Pharmacy:  SOPsupport@lau.edu.lb

Sincerely,

George Nasr

Monday August 3, 2020

A Message from LAU Provost George Nasr

Dear Students,

Our goal for the Fall 2020 semester is to uphold your safety while providing you with the best learning environment. For this purpose, LAU will be delivering most of the courses in a hybrid mode, which consists of on-campus classes once a week in a safe environment while learning the remaining parts of the course online. Our faculty are currently preparing their courses to be delivered in the most effective way, taking advantage of the best of both online and face-to-face teaching methods. The major course components of freshman and first year courses will be delivered in-person, while labs will also be offered mostly face-to-face with some of their lecture or instruction type components delivered online to minimize contact.

We are working relentlessly with all of our faculty members to ensure the best quality of education in these daring times. Our Emergency Health Response Committee (EHRC) also continues to work with everyone to adapt to any developments in the pandemic and enhance our understanding of the virus to ensure the safety of the whole LAU community. The on-campus presence of our students will follow strict social distancing measures and the use of masks and sanitizers. In case the pandemic situation deteriorates, LAU will effectively transition to a well-prepared fully online learning delivery of courses.

In light of the prevailing situation and travel restrictions, the University will also allow international students, Lebanese students living abroad, and students with medical conditions who cannot be present on campus in Fall 2020 to complete their courses remotely by registering in courses that are primarily online. In addition, online courses will not be restricted by campus, allowing students from either campus to register for any offered online course. Finally, it is important for you to know that alternative grading (P/NP), which was offered exceptionally during Spring and Summer 2020, will no longer be an option in Fall 2020.

Sincerely,

George Nasr

Wednesday July 29, 2020

LAU Switching to “Strictly Essential-Services” mode

In compliance with the governmental decisions, kindly note the following:

• On the occasion of “Eid Al Adha”, the University will be closed on Friday, July 31 and Saturday, August 1, 2020.
• As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to escalate in Lebanon, the University will move into a “strictly essential services” mode effective Thursday, July 30, 2020 until Monday, August 10, 2020 inclusive.

Essential Services Only

LAU will operate on “absolutely essential services only” mode, ensuring the continuity of necessary and indispensable on-campus services. The remaining staff members will be teleworking from home and are expected to be reachable online and/or by phone.

Access to Campuses 

During the strictly-essential-services-only operations period, and for its duration, the campuses will only be accessible to faculty, post-docs, individual students for cause, and staff on duty.

Thursday June 18, 2020

Resuming On-Campus Full Operational Mode

Further to the the decision of the President’s Cabinet, and after consultations with our infectious disease expert and the Emergency Health Response Committee, the University is now stepping up its gradual reopening by moving to full attendance of its Staff members on campus, starting Monday, June 22, 2020. Accordingly, office hours will be maintained on a daily basis (from 8:00 am until 2:30 pm until August 23, 2020, inclusive). 

Our first phase of gradual reopening has been positive so far, the preventive measures have been followed generally, and we are reassured with our community’s awareness and cooperation in implementing the various best practices to safeguard from COVID-19. In fact, the first phase of the gradual reopening has allowed us to address several areas of concern and challenges in our setups.

Resuming full on-campus operations requires everyone to stay very attentive and continue to adhere to these safety measures; namely in terms of social distancing, avoiding face-to-face meetings and gatherings, keeping a safe distance of 2 meters, resorting to virtual meetings instead, wearing a mask (in group settings and on campus) and frequently washing hands. It is also very well-known now that anyone with illness symptoms should refrain from coming to campus. (Please refer to the attached presentation for best practices for the return to campus).

While the goal is to reach full on-campus presence, the University is aware that some of its staff members may be immunosuppressed or have certain underlying medical conditions which may require special attention and consideration. Please discuss your case privately with your supervisor and the Health Services Office to reach a suitable arrangement.

Supervisors are kindly requested to relay this information to their team members who do not have access to email.

For any query, please feel free to reach out to the Emergency Health Response Committee’s Task Force.

Thursday May 21, 2020

Gradual Reopening of University Offices

In line with the Government’s gradual lockdown release plan, and based on the recommendation of the LAU Emergency Health Response Committee and the directives of the PC for a gradual reopening of the University, kindly note that preparations are underway to ensure a steady return of full-time staff to Campus as of Monday, June 1, 2020.

The overall plan is to gradually reduce the work from home while gradually increasing on-campus presence, moving towards full capacity as we approach the beginning of the Fall 2020 semester by the end of August 2020. 

Meanwhile, and in order to ensure the proper running of essential services, the first phase of the gradual return will bring the on-campus full-time staff capacity to around 25% per office, or higher if necessary, as long as safe social distancing is preserved. Based on the completion of this first phase in a safe and successful manner, the overall plan of gradually increasing our full-time staff capacity will be assessed on a bi-weekly basis. During this period, office hours will be operating from Monday till Friday, between 8:00 a.m. & 2:30 p.m.

As the safety of our staff members remains our utmost priority, a number of measures have been put in place to adapt our physical space and procedures to the challenges of working in a post COVID-19 workplace. Additionally, special care and attention will be given to immunocompromised staff members, should their on-campus presence prove to be essential.

Reopening plans are being developed at the level of every service and department. Accordingly, full-time staff members who will be requested to return during the first phase will be informed by their respective supervisors ahead of time. In case you have any underlying health conditions that would prevent you from reporting to work, you are kindly requested to inform your direct supervisor to that effect, so that appropriate measures can be taken.

We will be gradually providing you with the relative updates and the necessary guidelines and preventive measures to ensure a safe and smooth return.

Wishing you all continuous safety and looking forward to having you back on Campus.

Tuesday April 21, 2020

Flexible Summer Measures Including Emergency Financial Aid

Dear LAU Students:

We know it has been a very difficult and an unusual Spring semester, and with your invaluable input we continue to improve and adjust going forward in this new world of online teaching and learning.

In light of the continued COVID-19 concerns, LAU has taken the below steps for the Summer 2020 semester which we hope will be helpful to you: 

1. Summer 2020 courses will be online
2. The option of P/NP grading model will continue
3. Students receiving financial aid and/or scholarships will continue to receive their funding irrespective of the number of credits registered and without the need of doing their work-aid hours
4. Students not currently receiving Financial Aid yet facing unforeseen financial difficulties can fill out the Summer Emergency Financial Aid form that will be on their portal as of May 4
5. Students enrolled in Summer term will continue to be credited a total of $98 for the months of June and July 2020 to help them with their internet charges
6. Students unable to pay their Summer tuition in full, should contact the Business Office during the “statement of fees” period in order to arrange for deferred payments
7. Students who still have some outstanding fees from Spring 2020 will be allowed to register for the Summer after making payment arrangements with the Business Office, one week before registration.

Summer term will begin June 15 and conclude July 22, and classes will be 5 days a week. Summer course offerings will be available by the last week of May, and online registration will begin on June 11.

Please see the revised calendar at https://www.lau.edu.lb/calendar/

Good luck with completion of your Spring courses.

Stay safe

Deans of Students

Saturday March 28, 2020

Academic Update

Dear students,

It is becoming evident that the interruptions due to the COVID-19 crisis will continue beyond the end of the Spring 2020 semester. Therefore, as promised in my previous message, I would like to inform you about a number of important academic decisions that the Council of Deans took last Wednesday, March 25 with the approval of President Joseph Jabbra to offer you flexibility, alleviate your anxiety about exams and grades, and most importantly allow you to focus on your learning and well-being.

1. Flexible Grading System for Undergraduate Courses: Undergraduate students will be able to choose the Pass/No Pass (P/NP) as a grading option, on a course-by-course basis, by the withdrawal date of April 30, 2020. Otherwise, the default letter grading system will be applied. As defined in the University’s undergraduate academic rules and procedures, an NP grade indicates a failing performance, i.e. equivalent to a grade of F, in courses taken on a P/NP basis. No credits will be added to the student’s record, nor will the average be affected. It has no quality points.
   
   You will soon receive a form to select which course(s) you would like to be graded as P/NP.
2. Flexible Grading System for Graduate Courses: All students will be able to choose the P/NP grading option for any graduate course taken this semester as well, on a course-by-course basis, by the withdrawal date. Otherwise, the default letter grading system will be applied. The NP grade for graduate courses indicates a failing performance, i.e. equivalent to a grade of C- (C minus) or below.
3. Scholastic Standing: The final grades of the Spring 2020 semester will not have any impact on students’ scholastic standing. This semester will be treated as a grace semester not impacting suspension, probation, or academic recognition. 
4. Repeating Courses: The course repeat rules defined in LAU’s undergraduate academic rules and procedures will be suspended for the Spring 2020 semester.
5. Class Attendance: The student attendance regulations defined in the University’s undergraduate academic rules and procedures will be waived for the Spring 2020 semester.
6. Lab, Clinical, and Studio Courses: Most of these courses could not be entirely delivered using online methods. Therefore, these courses will resume in an intensive manner once the campuses are accessible. If the semester ends before students are able to complete these courses, an incomplete grade will be given to all students registered in these courses.
7. Thesis Defense: Graduate students will be allowed to defend their theses virtually, e.g. through WebEx, considering the current lockdown. In addition, the required two-week prior thesis defense announcement will be waived.
8. Online learning survey: A survey was sent to assess the online learning experience in each of your courses. We appreciate your complete and objective responses to the surveys to help us improve your learning experience. 
9. Revised Spring 2020 Academic Calendar:  The academic calendar for Spring 2020 has been modified as follows:

   Thursday, April 16	Deadline for Incomplete grades (from fall 2019)
   Thursday, April 30	Last day for withdrawal from courses for spring 2020 (WP/WF) Last day for selection of the P/ NP grading option on a course-by-course basis
   Friday, May 15	Spring 2020 classes end
   Monday, May 18-Saturday, May 30	Spring 2020 final assessment period (Eid El Fitr expected to be May 25-26)

To allow for more flexibility, faculty instructors will consider using different modalities/tools for final course assessment other than the typical final examinations.  If online final exams are to be given, they must be administered during the final assessment period set in the academic calendar.

Finally, a new webpage under the Provost’s Office website, Student Tips for Academic Success during the COVID-19 Crisis, has been put together to help you improve your online learning experience and guide you to available resources to learn while at home. Again, we sincerely understand how disruptive and frustrating all of this has been for you. We never expected that the academic year would have unfolded as such, and the transition to remote learning delivery has forced us all to adapt to a new challenging and unpredictable situation. Nevertheless, we are very proud of your efforts and determination. Together, with your patience and continuous cooperation, we will be able to navigate successfully through this crisis.

Stay healthy and stay strong!  Your LAU community is here for you.

Sincerely,
George Nasr

*An FAQ section was developed, specifically addressing your questions in relation to the P/NP grading and other academic measures taken in Spring 2020. 

Wednesday March 25, 2020

Class Schedule and Exams During COVID-19 Crisis

Dear Colleagues,

I hope you are all staying healthy in the global Corona pandemic, that has radically affected our lives and the lives of our students. It has exposed the discrepancies between various constituents: faculty, staff and students and their ability to cope with this grave crisis. While some of us, in the population at large, may be able to continue operating at a distance, others have seen their livelihood completely shattered.

It is in this context, I invite you all to show additional empathy, to respond to some of our students’ concerns and problems, while at the same time making every effort to keep our Mission of quality education alive. 

Few points I would like to share with you:

• Try as much as possible to keep regular contact with students by scheduling regular live office hours via Webex or any other platform.
• For lecture courses, it is apparent that Asynchronous means [pre-recorded lectures using Panotpto or others] are a better for students to follow the course than synchronous methods (Live streamed classes using WebEx or others). Follow up live sessions and/or live office hours should be regularly scheduled.
• There are numerous advantages to recorded lectures such as record/view at convenient times, works well with slow internet connection, and could be reused in the future.
• For courses that are delivered in synchronous means (live streamed) please keep the same schedule as in-class, and do not go live at other times that may conflict with other courses.
• Do not ‘dump’ readings on students, and expect them to do it all on their own.
• Schedule your exams during class time or later in the evening after making sure that all students does not have any time conflict
• Exams should be reconfigured to respond to this situation. Any changes from the normative process must be cleared with the department chair. An online exam guideline is being prepared and shall be shared with you, however it is important to keep in mind that in these situations substituting exams with interactive and take-home work is more robust.

Please stay safe and healthy! Together we will uphold the Mission and the Values of LAU and we will come out of this crisis stronger than ever before.

Sincerely,

George Nasr

Provost

Monday March 16, 2020

A Message from LAU Provost George Nasr

Dear Colleagues,

I would like to start by expressing my sincere gratitude to the enormous efforts you are exerting toward converting your courses into online delivery during the current crisis. LAU is once again standing out from the crowd due to your dedication. You are impressive!

Nevertheless, these efforts will have to intensify as the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic continues to escalate in Lebanon and a prolonged shutdown is anticipated. We will have to continue transitioning most of the remaining courses into online delivery:

• All lecture type courses should be delivered online
• Clinical, Lab, and Studio courses should have their lecture and discussion components delivered online. Make up sessions for the non-compensated components will be scheduled once the University resumes normal operations.
• Exams need to be reconfigured and rescheduled. You may schedule online exams or preferably adopt instead other approaches to remote assessment. Whenever possible, assign projects, essay type questions, and take-home type exams.

In support of your efforts, those of you who have a limited internet connection at home may purchase extra bandwidth and submit the receipts for a possible reimbursement of up to 75,000 LL per month. However, LAU cannot offer this to all our students; therefore, it is important that you record your lectures (preferably using Panopto) and upload downloadable material whenever possible. When it is necessary, schedule your live sessions during the regular class time.

Following President Jabbra’s message that LAU switches into a strictly-essential-services-only mode starting Saturday, March 14, 2020, you will be able to access campus if necessary. Furthermore, all the CIL, IT, and other required staff members will continue to be available on campus to support delivering online learning.  All 4 CIL studios will remain open during normal operation hours. Kindly contact cil@lau.edu.lb if you need to reserve them.

Furthermore, the CIL has formed a Distant Learning Support Unit composed of our CIL Faculty Fellows to promote better online delivery practices and support you individually while transitioning your courses into online delivery. The CIL is organizing numerous webinars and remote support sessions that will continue throughout the crisis.

Finally, considering faculty travel during the current coronavirus threat, the University has decided that all business travel will be suspended until further notice. Faculty personal travel should be limited to emergency situations and will require pre-clearance and approval of the school dean.

I wish you safety and well-being!

Sincerely,

George E. Nasr, Ph.D.
Provost   

Friday March 13, 2020

LAU Switches into a Strictly Essential Services-Only Mode

Dear members of our LAU family,

No priority for LAU matches our commitment to the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff. You are the heart and mind of LAU and your welfare is of paramount importance before any other consideration.

As the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic continues to escalate in Lebanon, the university will move into the appropriate response stage by switching as of the morning of Saturday March 14 into a strictly essential services-only mode and implementing ‘social distancing’ to safeguard further the safety of our LAU family and community.

Essential Services Only

LAU will operate absolutely essential services only, ensuring the continuity of necessary and indispensable services. All divisions and departments will achieve operational continuity by maintaining a minimal number of staff on campus. The rest will be teleworking from home. All department heads and supervisors have been briefed and have been establishing these continuity arrangements. We expect the majority of our staff to work from home and be always reachable online and/or by phone.

It is critical that our community continues to maximize preventive measures during this phase. Please avoid social interactions so that we perform our part in slowing down the spread of the disease for the greater good of our country and the well-being of our loved ones.

Academic Update on Online Courses

On the academic side, LAU continues to prioritize the transition of academic programs to online platforms. Our academic division has already made considerable strides in moving courses online, and have finalized most, if not all, transitions of courses which can be delivered online. Additional messages from our Provost or our academic Deans will be forthcoming as needed.

Business Travel Update

All business travel has been discontinued until further notice. Personal travel requires pre-clearance and approval with the relevant Dean or VP.

Access to Campuses

During the strictly-essential-services-only operations period, and for its duration, the campuses will be accessible to faculty, post-docs, individual students for cause, and staff on duty.

LAU Medical Center – Rizk Hospital Update

Given the severity of the epidemic, LAU Medical Center – Rizk Hospital continues to be fully functional and mobilized. Its COVID-19 testing will begin imminently. A separate ward has been completely sealed off with negative pressure from the rest of the hospital for that purpose.

The strictly-essential-services-only operation will begin on Saturday, March 14, and will continue until further notice with updates as they become necessary through email and through the COVID-19 microsite.

Please do all you can to stay safe and ensure the safety of your loved ones. LAU is there for each and every one of you and so much looks forward to seeing its family united again on both campuses at the nearest possible date.

Thank you,

Joseph G. Jabbra
LAU President

Saturday March 7, 2020

Message from President Jabbra to the LAU Family

Dear Members of the LAU family,

I am writing to inform you that a meeting that was to be held early this evening between the Minister of Education and Higher Education, His Excellency Dr Tareq Majzoub, and the Presidents of the three sister institutions, (AUB, USJ, and LAU), was called off because of the Minister’s engagement in an urgent and important Cabinet meeting that is still running.

Therefore, in coordination with our sister institutions (AUB and Saint Joseph), I am, on behalf of the University, announcing that LAU will continue to suspend classes and postpone formal in-class exams during the coming week ending March 15 in view of the mounting concern with the Coronavirus and the need to take all precautionary measures possible .

As such, LAU will be closed insofar as classroom teaching is concerned during said period with the Library and Gym continuing to be off limits to students as well. We will however do all we can to keep as many courses as possible active online and to provide access to course materials through our various online platforms.

The office of the provost is the key point of contact in this regard together with School Deans and Deans of Students who will be communicating with students as needed.

The University will, of course, remain open to faculty, staff and individual students as was the case last week.

LAU as you well know is deeply committed to the safety of all members of its family and will always do its utmost to ensure this safety. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and get back to you again if and when needed.

Please be safe and exercise extreme caution in every way possible.

Joseph G. Jabbra, Ph.D.

President

Saturday February 29, 2020

Internal Communications

Dear all,

Following consultations with our experts in infectious diseases at our Gilbert and Rose-Marie School of Medicine and LAU Medical Center – Rizk Hospital, LAU will be open as planned Saturday February 29, for make-up classes and exams, as previously scheduled.

We continue to ask all – students, faculty and staff – to act responsibly in terms of taking preventive measures, namely to abstain coming to campus in case of recent travel to endemic countries or having any flu-like symptoms.

You will be updated of any changes to university operations in due course promptly.

Thursday February 27, 2020

Q&A on Coronavirus with Dr. Jacques Mokhbat

FAQs (Symptoms, Prevention, Facts)

Q&A on Coronavirus with Dr. Jacques Mokhbat, Chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at the LAU Gilbert and Rose-Marie Chagoury School of Medicine, and Vice Chair of the National Committee of Infectious Diseases

What is the mortality rate of Coronavirus and how does it compare with that of similar diseases?

The mortality rate up until now and according to recent data is 3.1 percent, but it really depends on the age group. In age groups below 50-60 it stands at less than 0.1 percent, rising dramatically above the age of 60 and more so above the age of 70. SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in China and MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) in Saudi Arabia – in 2002 and 2012 respectively – were associated with much higher rates of mortality, at 15-30 percent.

Is there a reason to panic? If yes, when?

So far, I don’t think there is any reason to panic. People are naturally anxious because it is a new virus and they are not fully aware of the risks and mode of transmission etc. Thanks to what has been done in China, we are more informed about how the virus is transmitted, the risks, and the precautions we must take.

The epidemic has started to level off in China and should be declining soon. If other countries fully observe safe hygiene and protocols, as has been done in China, then we should be able to stop the virus from spreading.

Should one go to the doctor as soon as one starts coughing?

It is preferable. This is the season of upper respiratory viral infections, the common cold, influenza, and now the Novel Coronavirus, which manifests itself in classical influenza symptoms.

If someone is coughing and has a fever they can get a simple symptomatic treatment at home. But if the cough and fever persist, especially if accompanied with shortness of breath and chest discomfort or pain, then they should seek medical help.

Should an infected patient take any over-the-counter medications? In particular, should people take an antibiotic at the first symptoms?

Absolutely not. Viral infections should not be treated with antibiotics. The only thing recommended, as with influenza, is good hydration and medication to lower the temperature.

Who is the affected population?

Anyone can be affected by Novel Corona. However, the hardest hit tend to be in the advanced age group – with an average age of 40 – while children are the least affected. If children get the disease, they are asymptomatic.

The persons at most risk are healthcare personnel since they are always exposed to viruses.

If someone gets the virus, what should they expect?

They should expect a fever, dry cough, muscle aches and pain, just like with influenza. If the coughing becomes productive (with sputum or phlegm), shortness or difficulty breathing, the person should seek medical advice to rule out pneumonia. Rare symptoms can include diarrhea. The disease seems to linger longer than classical influenza typical manifestations.

How can we prevent or contain the spread of coronavirus at our workplace (LAU)?

• Be informed
• Be responsible
• Don’t be afraid
• Use proper coughing etiquette, by covering your mouth with your sleeve or tissue. Dispose of the tissue after each use.
• Wash your hands after you cough or sneeze
• Always wash your hands or use sanitizing hand gel after you shake hands
• Do not place your hands back on your face prior to hand hygiene protocol
• If coughing or sneezing, you should stand two meters away from others
• Clean items with hand gel before you touch them. Wearing masks in the streets or on campus is useless unless you are face-to-face with a patient.