CHICAGO, April 7, 2020 — Protecting our employees and working to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities remains a top priority for NORC at the University of Chicago. In pursuance with CDC guidance and mandated stay at home orders in Illinois, Maryland, California, Georgia, Kansas, Massachusetts, and New Mexico, NORC offices and call centers in Chicago, Bethesda, Sacramento, Atlanta, Wichita, Boston, and Albuquerque have been temporarily closed. Non-essential staff and visitors are prohibited from visiting NORC offices and call centers until further notice.

In spite of these unprecedented challenges, NORC continues to work with its clients to accomplish their data collection, analysis, and research goals wherever possible. Over 90% of NORC’s staff have successfully transitioned to accomplishing their jobs temporarily from home. We have moved a rapidly growing percentage of our call center capacity to remote dialing, allowing us to continue critical outreach to the American public. And AmeriSpeak, our multi-client household panel, is experiencing no interruptions in panelist participation, survey quality, or execution—and its Omnibus continues to run on a bi-weekly schedule. As the country and the world face the challenge of living in a post-COVID-19 landscape, the need for reliable data and sound analysis that can help leaders navigate complex challenges is clear. NORC has already begun research work with its clients and partners to inform critical decisions in this emerging environment, and we look forward to working together to face the challenges on the road ahead.