Updated: 03/16/2021
For more information on the UW System response to Coronavirus, please see the University of Wisconsin System Coronavirus (COVID-19) Preparedness website.
In response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the statutory, regulatory, and policy landscape is rapidly changing to best ensure the health safety of students, employees, and visitors to UW institutions. The University of Wisconsin System is subject to federal and state law, the Wisconsin administrative code, regent policy documents, and UW System administrative policies. In response to the pandemic, new temporary policies may be developed or existing policies may be temporarily modified or suspended. The list of interim statutory, regulatory and policy actions listed below provide stakeholders information about changes that have been enacted to manage the COVID-19 pandemic.
Federal Regulations and Guidance
General Resources from Agencies and Associations
AGencies
- CDC: Resources and Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education
- Department of Education: Resources and Guidance for Institutions of Higher Education
- Department of Education: Guidance for interruptions of study related to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Department of Education:
- National Institutes of Health (NIH): Guidance and Resources for COVID-19
- National Science Foundation (NSF): Guidance and Resources for COVID-19
associations
- American Council on Education: COVID-19 Information
- Association of Governing Boards of Colleges and Universities: Coronavirus Resources for Higher Education Boards
Accessibility
- Department of Education: Online Education and Website Accessibility
- National Deaf Center: Guidance on Online Instruction
Accreditation
- Department of Education: Information for Accrediting Agencies Regarding Temporary Flexibilities Provided to Coronavirus Impacted Institutions or Accrediting Agencies
Athletics
Discrimination
- Department of Education: OCR Coronavirus Statement on Stereotyping, Bullying, Harassment
Federal Student Aid/Title IV
- Department of Education: Suspension of Student Loan Interest During National Emergency
Federal Work Study
- National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators: Trending Frequently Asked Questions
FERPA Guidance
- Department of Education, Student Privacy Policy Office: FERPA and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions- March 2020
- Department of Education, Student Privacy Policy Office:
Human Resources
- College and University Professional Association for Human Resources: Coronavirus COVID-19 Resources
- Department of Homeland Security: Flexibility in Requirements Related to Form I-9 Compliance
Immigration, International Travel and Study Abroad
- DHS U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement
- NAFSA: Coronavirus Critical Resources
- U.S. Department of Labor: Office of Foreign Labor Certification FAQs
- U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs: Guidance on J-1 Exchange Visitor Program
Precollege and Youth Programs
Research
- General Federal Resources and FAQ
- National Science Foundation
- U.S. Department of Agriculture: NIFA Guidance
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: NIH Guidance
Tax
- IRS: FAQS: Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund and Emergency Financial Aid Grants under the CARES Act
Another compilation of federal guidance from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities can be found here.
Wisconsin State Law
Wisconsin Administrative Code
- Emergency Order #12-
- Emergency Order #15 –
- Emergency Order #19-
- Emergency Order #29-
Interim Regent Policy Document Actions
Interim Regent Policy Documents Approved
| Title | Related RPD | Last Approved Date | Expiration Date |
| Interim Regent Policy Document Waiver #01: COVID-19 Grants and Contracts Waiver | 13-1 | December 15, 2020 | May 31, 2021 |
| Interim Regent Policy Document Waiver #02: COVID-19 Leasing of Real Property Waiver | 13-2 | December 15, 2020 | May 31, 2021 |
Interim System Administrative Policy Actions
Interim Policies Approved
| Interim Policy | Last Revised Date | Expiration Date |
| SYS 100-01, Interim: Study Abroad Emergency/Contingency Fund Requirement Waiver | April 9, 2020 | To be determined by the UW System President |
| SYS 100-04, Interim: Lawton Undergraduate Minority Retention Grant Program Requirements Waiver Extension (Summer 2020-Summer 2021) | July 27, 2020 | August 31, 2021 |
| SYS 100-05, Interim: Veteran Access, Choice, and Accountability Act Domicile Requirement Waiver | October 12, 2020 | December 31, 2021 |
| Interim Policy | Last Revised Date | Expiration Date |
| SYS 200-02, Interim: Salary Advances for Furloughed Employees | July 27, 2020 | June 30, 2021 |
| Implementation Guidance and FAQ's for Salary Advances for Furloughed Employees | July 27, 2020 | June 30, 2021 |
| Interim Policy | Last Revised Date | Expiration Date |
| SYS 300-03.A, Interim Procedure: Institutional Use of Deferred Tax Liability Under CARES Act | August 6, 2020 | December 31, 2022 |
| Interim Policy | Last Revised Date | Expiration Date |
| SYS 600-01, Interim: Spring Semester 2021 COVID-19 Testing Requirements | December 11, 2020 | May 31, 2021 |
| UW System Guidance for COVID-19 Testing and Reopening Campuses to Minors | March 16, 2021 | May 31, 2021 |
| Interim Policy | Last Revised Date | Expiration Date |
| SYS 1200-04, Interim: Furlough | May 20, 2020 | June 30, 2022 |
| SYS 1200-05, Interim: Vacation, Compensatory Time, and Personal Holiday Carryover | April 27, 2020 | June 30, 2021 |
| SYS 1200-06, Interim: University Staff Vacation and Personal Holiday Carryover | October 8, 2020 | December 31, 2021 |
| SYS 1200-07, Interim: Sick Leave During Public Health Emergency | December 22, 2020 | June 30, 2021 |
| SYS 1200-08, Interim: Extended Vacation Carryover | March 10, 2021 | October 10, 2021 |
Expired Interim Policies
For a listing of SYS interim policy actions that have expired, see the Expired Interim Policy Actions page.