Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
I hope this message finds you enjoying the warmer weather that often accompanies springtime, and for our students, that you’ve had a restful, enjoyable Spring Break. Welcome back. For our online community, we hope all is well wherever you might be.
I am writing today to update you on the College’s approach to the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The College’s Leadership and Emergency Response Team are actively monitoring the spread of this virus and are planning precautionary measures to protect the campus community.
It’s important to acknowledge first that the College understands this will be an ongoing concern for everyone, regardless of their role, and one that may affect many aspects of our lives. We commit to giving you the most up-to-date information available, and to treating any impacted members of our community with respect, compassion, and confidentiality.
Please be aware we currently know of no campus community members who are at-risk or infected with coronavirus. At this time, all on-campus classes, events, and day-to-day operations will go on as planned.
We ask you to read this message in its entirety for important guidance regarding any travel or activities that impact the entire campus community and precautionary steps you can take as an individual to assist us in protecting our community.
We will continue to send out important updates as this situation unfolds. These will be sent from our Emergency Response Team via College Communications email, and we will also be posting updates to the SJCME Alerts Blog, located at https://blogs.sjcme.edu/
Planning and Precautionary Measures
The safety and well-being of our students, staff and faculty is our primary concern. Additionally, for our students, the College is committed to continuing our academic experience, and will do whatever we can to ensure continuity with regard to our academic activities.
We know this is a rapidly evolving situation, but one that will likely take some time to monitor and address. We will continue to adjust our planning and actions as developments warrant. Our efforts are informed by the recommendations of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) | CDC and World Health Organization: WHO on such incidents regarding college and university campuses.
The College has convened our Incident Response Task Force with appropriate expertise in emergency management, including Student Engagement & Residential Living, the Health and Wellness Center, Facilities Management and Finance, Human Resources, Communications, Academic Affairs, Study Away, Campus Safety & Emergency Preparedness, as well as the President’s Office to plan and prepare for this evolving situation.
Our emergency planning includes considerations of, but not exclusive to:
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Potential impacts on classes, continuity of college operations and schedules
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Guidance for students, faculty, staff and visitors
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The Health and Wellness Center and its capacity to serve students and its coordination with local medical resources
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Residential students
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Commuter students
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Campus cleaning efforts
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Food service planning
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Large gatherings
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Self-isolation management
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Coordination with other local, state and federal agencies
Spring Travel by All Campus Constituents
Effective immediately, any on-campus student, staff or faculty member that has traveled to CDC Level 2 or higher level countries or areas (as of today, Italy, South Korea, Iran, Japan and China) during Spring break will be required to notify the College. Please continue to monitor the CDC guidance and restrictions on international travel.
Anyone who has traveled to such areas will need to self-isolate for 14 days and will not be permitted to come to campus (for any reason) for two weeks upon their return.
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For our students affected by international travel restrictions, self-isolation means you will not be able to live in a residence hall or attend seated classes during that two-week period.
We ask faculty to work with students who are under self-isolation to assist them in making up work they may have missed or continue to work with them through online means. We also ask faculty to relax class attendance policies to reinforce the importance that ill students not attend class to prevent infecting others.
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Employees should alert their supervisor, as well as Human Resources at the contact information below, about any such personal travel plans that result in periods of self-isolation.
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Teaching faculty will need to make arrangements with department chairs for substitute teaching or online teaching during those first two weeks after spring break or other spring travel.
From a tracking perspective, the College will keep a confidential record of any students, faculty and staff who are absent for the above reasons, including if there are any confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Depending on your status at the College, please follow the below procedures when absence is necessary:
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Student absences for illness, including self-isolation, are coordinated through the Health & Wellness Center. Please call their office x6634, or leave a voicemail, and a member of the staff will return your call and speak with you about your healthcare options.
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Staff who are going to be absent for extended periods of time due to illness and/or self-isolation are encouraged to follow the existing process through ADP, and to call our HR voicemail x7757 or send an email to humanresources@sjcme.edu.
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Faculty absences will be tracked by the Academics Affairs office, following the usual protocols when faculty are going to miss on-campus classroom activities.
In cases where work can be performed remotely, both staff and faculty are encouraged to seek the necessary approval before they engage in working remotely, through their supervisor and representatives from the Human Resources department. Staff and faculty are encouraged to contact HR directly at the information above.
CDC-Recommended Precautions
Coronavirus is thought to be transmitted primarily through two ways:
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Through person-to-person contact when people are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) and through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes;
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From contact with infected surfaces or objects by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.
CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:
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Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
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Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes.
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Stay home if you are sick.
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Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash, using your elbow if a tissue is unavailable.
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Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. (The campus has initiated heightened cleaning protocols focused on frequently touched surfaces in public spaces; office staff may use their P Cards to purchase CDC-approved disinfectant wipes or alcohol-based hand-sanitizer).
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Social distancing (efforts to limit where and when people come together).
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Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
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If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
We ask students who are experiencing symptoms consistent with coronavirus, including fever over 100 degrees, cough and shortness of breath, to call, rather than visit, the Health and Wellness Center. Faculty and staff should contact their primary doctor. The Health and Wellness Center is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
If you are a commuter or residential student and experiencing symptoms or have any questions or concerns, please call the Health and Wellness Center (893-6634) so that healthcare arrangements can be made for you. The Health and Wellness Center does not have the ability to test for coronavirus. Students who are in need of testing will be sent to local hospitals.
Resources
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For the Centers for Disease Control’s latest updates on coronavirus, visit the CDC website.
Thank you for your understanding of this complex situation and for your cooperation with the protocols that the College has implemented to protect the campus community.
Sincerely,
James S. Dlugos, Ph.D.
President
Saint Joseph’s College