Purpose: This paper aims to outline the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to universities and how they may react. Design/methodology/approach: A description of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to higher education institutions is presented at different levels. Findings: Even though the COVID-19 pandemic affects higher education institutions in many ways, there are some measures which may be undertaken to mitigate its impacts. Practical implications: The measures suggested may assist universities at present, and in future recovery efforts. Originality/value: The value of the paper resides on a multi-perspective analysis of higher education institutions can do, as part of the recovery efforts in face of the pandemic.