Are faculty and staff members required to self-evaluate?
Yes, faculty and staff coming to campus must complete a daily health screening and self-report the results through the portal at saumag.edu/coronavirus/daily/. Deans or department chairs may ask staff members to leave campus if they report or display symptoms of COVID-19.
How do I know which team I am on, if teams are necessary in my department?
Staff should contact their direct supervisor to discuss the return to campus plan for their department.
Do I have to return to work if I have a pre-existing condition or family health concern and believe I need to continue working remotely?
Effective June 15, approval will be required to continue full-time remote work. Employees who need to continue this practice should complete the request to work remotely form located on the SAU website. Employees will receive official notification regarding their request from human resources once the review process is complete.
What additional safety measures will be provided in my workspace?
Hand sanitizers and cleaning supplies will be available to all departments. Acrylic shields will be placed in high traffic areas. Laser thermometers will be available for screenings. Disposable masks will be available to all departments to provide any visitor who arrives without a face covering.
Will face-to-face meetings resume?
Until further notice, all meetings should continue to be held virtually whenever possible. Meetings of no more than 3 persons may be held with proper social distancing guidance being utilized. To host a face-to-face meeting for greater than 3 persons, please email the Task Force with your request.
Will face coverings be required?
Yes. Face coverings are required…
- to enter a building
- to move about inside a building
- to attend any face-to-face meeting
Will face coverings be required while sitting at a desk and working?
No. While working in personal offices or workstations without the presence of others face coverings are not required. If an acrylic desk shield is in use, face coverings may not be necessary when interacting with others provided that the desk shield provides a sufficient barrier.
When interacting with others without the presence of a desk shield or if someone impedes personal space without the shield as a barrier, face coverings should be used.
Will SAU provide masks?
SAU has ordered and will provide 2 reusable Mulerider logoed masks to each employee when these masks arrive. Currently, the masks are scheduled to arrive the first week of August. Employees should be prepared to return to work and provide their own face coverings, now considered part of daily apparel. Disposable masks will be available to departments and may be used by an employee who arrives on campus without proper face coverings.
What is the classroom policy regarding use of masks?
Everyone is required to wear face coverings inside classrooms.
How do I report a violation of the face-covering policy?
Everyone is required to wear face coverings inside campus buildings. Everyone is required to wear face coverings in outdoor spaces when social distancing is not possible. Any member of the campus community may report violations to taskforce@saumag.edu.
What is the policy toward hard-copy resources?
Faculty should avoid handing out paper syllabi or other ancillaries and should, whenever possible, avoid using paper exams. Written work and term papers should be submitted electronically. In rare cases when the use of paper cannot be avoided, the appropriate college dean will be notified and proper procedures for handling exams will be described and followed.
What is the policy for office hours?
Faculty office hours will be held virtually, and the manner of contact (Blackboard Collaborate, Zoom, etc.) will be indicated in the syllabus.
What is the policy regarding Blackboard?
Faculty are expected to establish a Blackboard presence for all courses. At a minimum, students should be able to access the class syllabus, contact information, virtual office hours, assignment information, the class schedule, and grades through the class Blackboard site.
What is the policy for remote instruction?
Faculty offering face-to-face courses will use Zoom to allow students approved to miss class for health reasons the opportunity to view all lectures or attend live class virtually.
Do departments need to request the additional cleaning supplies and PPE?
No. The process for supply delivery is underway and there is no need to make an initial request. Employees will need to contact the physical plant to restock supplies.
What are the protocols regarding sanitation?
Classrooms should be deep cleaned a minimum of once daily. Labs will be cleaned prior to the beginning of the day and once during the day. Faculty are not responsible for sanitizing classrooms or labs.
What are the protocols for quarantine?
Students, faculty, and staff must notify UHS if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or has displayed symptoms. Faculty and staff who test positive should self-isolate at home. In exceptional cases (e.g., when others at home are at high risk for COVID-19 complications), the University may be capable of providing accommodations.
What to do if I have a health issue?
For students, faculty, and staff who have a health issue that prevents the use of typical face coverings, contact University Health Services at (870)235-5237 or email uhs@saumag.edu.
