Returning to Campus Guide | Coronavirus | Southern Arkansas University

Overview

The Risk Management Task Force and the Committee on Reopening Campus have worked diligently over the spring and summer in an attempt to provide the best campus policies and procedures to achieve a robust academic semester and student experience in the midst of a pandemic. This has been a daunting task, and they have worked with the mission of keeping University stakeholders health and safety a priority. The following policies and procedures have these overarching objectives:

That the University will follow CDC guidelines as closely as possible.
That the University will follow the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines as closely as possible.
That SAU seeks to protect those at the highest risk of contracting or suffering complications from COVID-19.
That the University works and will continue to work with its vendors to ensure proper health safety protocols are in place.
That continuous monitoring and screening of campus employees and residents will be conducted.
That cleaning and sanitizing will continue in compliance with CDC guidelines.
That campus events and activities will continue as possible, with modifications focused to mitigate viral spread during a pandemic.
That with regret some University events and traditions will be cancelled and/or postponed during this pandemic.

Staff Return

Staff members who are at risk of serious effects from COVID-19 or who reside with a family member at risk of serious effects may request permission to work remotely by completing the remote work request here: https://web.saumag.edu/human-resources/remote/. If approved, approval is good for 90 days. Remote work requests must be evaluated after 90 days. SAU will make every effort to allow at-risk staff to work remotely.
Supervisors in areas where staff are in continuous close contact (e.g., office suites) must divide employees into “Blue” and “Gold” teams (as approved by the appropriate VP), with teams alternating schedules between reporting to work on campus and working remotely. The use of “Blue” and “Gold” teams will continue until it is determined that alternating teams are no longer necessary to ensure continuity of service.
Employees must complete a daily health screening and self-report results through the online portal saumag.edu/coronavirus/daily/. Any employee who has a temperature of 100.4 degrees (Fahrenheit) or higher or is ill should remain home and contact University Health Services.
Supervisors may send employees home if an employee reports or displays COVID-19 symptoms during work hours.
Face coverings are required at all times when employees move within buildings or when they are in close contact (i.e., within six feet) of others.
Office doors should remain closed unless the office in question regularly deals with inquiries from students or from the public.
Each employee will receive two face coverings from the University. While the University will endeavor to have temporary face coverings to make available to those who need them, it is the employee’s responsibility to acquire and clean appropriate face coverings daily.

Faculty Return to Campus

Faculty members who are at particular risk of serious effects from COVID-19 or who live in a household with a family member at serious risk may request permission to teach remotely by using the appropriate HR form.
Faculty coming to campus must complete a health screening each day they come to campus and self-report results through the portal at saumag.edu/coronavirus/daily/. Any faculty member who has a temperature of 100.4 degrees (Fahrenheit) or higher or is ill should remain home and contact University Health Services.
Deans or department chairs may ask faculty members to leave campus if they report or display any symptoms of COVID-19.
Face coverings are required at all times when faculty members move within buildings or when they are in close contact (i.e., within six feet) of others.
Individual faculty members’ office doors will remain closed.
Departmental and college offices will be open, but administrative assistants will be issued acrylic barriers to protect themselves, employees, and visitors.
While the University will endeavor to make temporary face coverings available to those who need them, it is the faculty member’s responsibility to acquire and clean appropriate face coverings daily.

Health Guidance

Practice social distancing (a minimum of 6 feet apart) wherever possible.
Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When this is not possible, utilize hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Utilize proper sneeze/cough etiquette.
Cover your mouth and nose with a face covering.
Those who believe they cannot wear face coverings must provide documentation to University Health Services and work with them to find an appropriate accommodation.
Monitor temperature and symptoms daily.
Limit contact in large gatherings and where people are not practicing social distancing or wearing appropriate face coverings.
If you are sick, stay home and call your health provider or UHS.
Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 and who experienced symptoms may return to campus once they have satisfied a 10-day self-isolation period, are fever free for 24 hours without using fever reducing medications, OR after 10 days since first symptom appeared, and have obtained a letter of clearance from UHS.
Anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 and who never experienced symptoms may return to campus provided that 10 days have passed since the test, they continue to have no symptoms, and authorization to return is obtained from UHS.
Anyone identified as a primary contact of a positive COVID-19 case must self-quarantine for a 14-day period and complete daily personal health screenings. On a case-by-case basis according to CDC guidelines, critical infrastructure workers may return to campus sooner than 14 days following increased protective guidelines and with authorization from UHS.
SAU will make every effort to allow employees under self-isolation and self-quarantine to work remotely, if capable, prior to requiring employees to use paid time off. Please refer to the section on employee negligence for more information.
UHS procured a rapid-response COVID-19 testing machine to facilitate COVID-19 testing on campus.
Services provided by campus departments, including telemental health and telehealth sessions, will continue as needed in efforts to keep everyone as safe as possible.
Any member of the SAU community who is negligent and puts other members of our campus at risk by failing to properly disclose symptoms, falsifying information, failing to comply with medical directives regarding isolation and quarantine, or who refuse to disclose relevant information as requested to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, may be subject to disciplinary action as applicable through standing University protocols.

Face Covering Policy

The overarching principle guiding this policy is that it is becoming clear that the world will have to live with COVID-19 for an unknown period. SAU must operate within state and federal health guidelines if it is to continue its mission of education, scholarly activity, and public service in the midst of this pandemic. All decisions regarding the health and safety for the campus community and visitors will be based on the best available and most current information published by state and federal officials.

Effective July 15, 2020 SAU requires:

All faculty, staff, students, and visitors to wear an appropriate face covering while inside campus facilities/buildings where six feet social distancing may not always be possible. Face covering use will be in addition to and is not a substitute for social distancing.
All faculty, staff, students, and visitors to wear an appropriate face covering outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
Appropriate face coverings are coverings that cover both the nose and mouth and do not contain holes or vents.

Face coverings are not required in one’s own dorm room or suite, when alone in an enclosed office or study room, or in campus outdoor settings where social distancing requirements are met.

Anyone not using a face covering when required will be asked to wear one or must leave the area. A repeated refusal to comply with the requirement may result in discipline through the applicable conduct code for faculty, staff or students.

Reasonable accommodations may be made for those who are unable to wear a face covering for documented health reasons.

Classroom Policy Regarding Face Coverings

Everyone is required to wear face coverings inside classrooms. Failure by students to adhere to this stated policy will result in the following:

1^st refusal – a student’s refusal to wear a face covering inside a classroom will result in that student being dismissed from class for that day. The Dean of Students will be informed of this incident and will schedule a meeting to discuss the situation with the student and provide education on the need for face coverings.
2^nd refusal – The second incident in which a student refuses to wear a face covering will result in that student being deregistered from the class for the remainder of the semester. The student’s conduct will be reported to the Dean of Students and processed for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct, which can be basis for suspension.

Non-Classroom Policy Regarding Face Coverings

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. Failure to adhere to this stated policy will result in the following:

1^st refusal– faculty or staff refusal to wear a face covering inside a campus building will require a meeting with the Vice President for Administration to discuss the importance of this policy and the need for the SAU campus community to follow these safety measures. The Dean of Students will be informed of a student incident and will schedule a meeting to discuss the situation with the student and provide education on the need for face coverings.
2^nd refusal – A second refusal by faculty or staff to wear a face covering will result in a disciplinary meeting with the individual, their department chair or direct supervisor, and the college dean or administrator to consider the imposition of suspension without pay until a face covering is worn or the need for face coverings ends. A second refusal by a student to wear a face covering will be reported to the Dean of Students and processed for a violation to the Student Code of Conduct, which can be basis for suspension.

Campus Visitors/Guests Policy Regarding Face Coverings

Everyone visiting the SAU campus is required to wear face coverings inside campus buildings and classrooms. This policy helps to protect the SAU community, including campus visitors/guests, students, faculty, and staff. Failure to adhere to this stated policy will result in the following:

Each office on campus must keep a supply of face coverings to provide to campus visitors/guests who may enter without a face covering.
Refusal to wear a face covering will result in an individual being asked to leave campus and invited to return when the individual is willing to adhere to stated SAU policy.
An individual’s refusal to leave campus may result in an employee contact to University Police at (870)235-4100 to escort the individual off the premises.
If an individual has a medical or disability-related reason for not wearing a typical face covering, the individual should contact his/her medical provider to identify alternative facial protection and should contact taskforce@saumag.edu for guidance on receiving the campus service the visitor needs.

Accommodations

For students, faculty, and staff who have a health issue that prevents the use of typical face coverings, the following steps should be taken:

Contact University Health Services at (870)235-5237 or email uhs@saumag.edu.
If a documented disability/reason is identified, University Health Services will assist the individual in identifying alternative facial protection.
Students who cannot wear face coverings will be given the option of attending class remotely.
Faculty and staff who cannot wear face coverings will engage in discussions with supervisors and the Vice President for Administration to determine a course of action

External Campus Events

No indoor on-campus events sponsored by external (non-SAU) groups will be permitted during fall semester. Outdoor events will be approved on a case-by-case basis.
For outdoor events, face coverings will be required when social distancing cannot be maintained.
External inquiries may be directed to taskforce@saumag.edu.

Internal Campus Events

Internal events must comply with the state of Arkansas directives.
Currently, requests to host internal events, including meetings and reserving classrooms for non-academic functions, should be submitted to the Risk Management Task Force (RMTF) for review prior to submitting a facilities request. To submit a request, please complete the online form available here: https://web.saumag.edu/facilities/covid.
Facilities requests will not be reviewed unless accompanied by an authorization of approval from the RMTF.
Because the GAC suspended athletic events through December 31, 2020, events such as Homecoming, Mulegating, and Family Day have been postponed.

Athletics

Please see saumag.edu/coronavirus/athletics for information concerning athletic requirements.

Aquatic Center

Until further notice, the SAU Aquatic Center is closed to SAU faculty, staff, and students.
Senior Wellness and other community swim programs are suspended until further notice.

Magale Library

Please see saumag.edu/coronavirus/library for detailed information concerning COVID-19 and the Library.

Meeting with Other Employees

When possible, meetings should take place virtually or by phone. However, a new process to allow internal groups the ability to host indoor and outdoor meetings in compliance with current public health guidelines has been developed. Use of indoor facilities remains open to the SAU community only. The process for hosting face-to-face meetings may be reviewed by visiting web.saumag.edu/facilities.

Meeting with Students or the Public

When possible, meetings should take place virtually or by phone. However, a new process to allow internal groups the ability to host indoor and outdoor meetings in compliance with current public health guidelines has been developed. Use of indoor facilities remains open to the SAU community only. The process for hosting face-to-face meetings may be reviewed by visiting web.saumag.edu/facilities.
Students and members of the public moving within SAU buildings must wear face coverings at all times.
Offices with significant guest contact should make every effort to begin scheduling appointments to ensure that guests can practice social distancing in waiting rooms and to allow time to sanitize work spaces between appointments.
Exceptions to these rules may be made for units that regularly take deliveries from outside vendors.
Employees should make every attempt to rearrange work areas to enable social distancing.

Common Spaces
(Including Break Rooms and Copier Rooms)

Employees, students, and visitors in common rooms should wear face coverings at all times, unless eating, and should maintain a distance of six feet or more from any other individual. Each office will develop a schedule for cleaning common spaces.
Signage should be posted on every lounge area door indicating the maximum number of people allowed in the room.
The most recent user should clean shared copying machines, printers, etc., after each use.
Shared coffee pots, refrigerators, etc., are discouraged; however, if used, they should be cleaned after each use by the most recent user.
Reusable kitchen items (flatware, dishes, and cups) and cleaning tools (sponges, brushes, and towels) should be eliminated and replaced with single use options.
No more than two persons will be allowed on an elevator at any given time, with proper social distancing observed by those entering, exiting, and waiting for the elevator.
High-touch items, such as magazines, common pens, etc., should be removed from all spaces.

Cleaning Supplies

Cleaning supplies (disinfectants, wipes, and sanitizers) will be made available in every building and every common area.
Employees should contact their building captain to obtain additional supplies when needed.
It is the responsibility of the building captain to email taskforce@saumag.edu when supplies of these materials run short.

Paper Communications

Offices and units are encouraged to use paperless communications whenever possible.
Unit managers and vice presidents will work with ITS and/or the Office of Communications to create paperless alternatives to current systems.

Classroom and Faculty Safety Protocols (Students)

Face coverings (covering the mouth and nose) will be required at all times in all classrooms, any building space, during transit, and when meeting with others. If students have a medical condition that makes face covering impossible (e.g., asthma, COPD), they should contact Disability Support Services for an appropriate accommodation.
In cases where faculty cannot maintain their distance at the front of the room (e.g., art review/instruction), faculty and students should wear face coverings, keep interactions to a minimum, frequently use hand sanitizer, and maintain as much distance as possible.
Faculty office hours will be held virtually, and the manner of contact (Blackboard Collaborate, Zoom, etc.) will be indicated in the syllabus.
All face-to-face courses (including hybrid courses) will have seating charts, and attendance will be taken during each class period.
Students will have access through Blackboard to class syllabi, contact information, virtual office hours, assignment information, class schedules, and grades.
Students who need to access academic accommodations through Disability Support Services should follow current policies by contacting the Office of Testing and Disability Support Services, 870-235-4145, or by emailing knkeith@saumag.edu, or pwwoods@saumag.edu. Faculty should request and obtain the proper documentation from DSS and follow the required accommodations.
Students should exit classrooms in an orderly manner to avoid any unnecessary physical contact.
Students should not congregate in hallways between classes.

Classroom and Faculty Safety Protocols (Faculty)

Face coverings (covering the mouth and nose) will be required in all classrooms, any building space, during transit, and when meeting with others.
Deans and department chairs will review classroom and lab space and set capacities. Extra seats should be removed or marked off to establish room capacities. Markers may be used to further define appropriate classroom spacing.
When defined, room capacities are to be recorded and provided to the Provost’s This information will be available for faculty review. Classroom seating arrangements should not be altered by instructors.
Faculty delivering lectures must wear face coverings and should remain at least six feet away from the nearest student. There should be a taped, marked-off area in classrooms denoting the six-foot boundary.
In cases where faculty cannot maintain their distance at the front of the room (e.g., art review/instruction), notification should be made to the appropriate dean. Faculty should wear face coverings, keep close interactions to a minimum, use hand sanitizer frequently, and maintain as much distance as possible.
Faculty should also remind students about personal health screening and encourage them to be proactive in personal screening daily prior to attending their first class.
Faculty will establish virtual office hours. Notice of those office hours and the manner of contact (Blackboard Collaborate, Zoom, etc.) will be indicated in the syllabus and shared with the provost’s In the case of an in-person meeting, each college will have available a meeting room to be reserved through the dean’s office. When possible, these meetings should be outside, maintaining social distancing and face covering requirements.
Faculty will maintain class seating charts and daily class and lab attendance. This information should be shared immediately in case of a COVID-19 case.
Classrooms should be deep cleaned a minimum of once daily.
Sanitizing stations will be available in labs for students to use before and after lab sessions. 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.
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.
Faculty are required to have an online platform for all courses in case a move to online instruction is necessary. Exceptions must be submitted to the provost.
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.
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 (e.g., paper tests), the appropriate college dean will be notified and proper procedures for handling exams will be described and followed.
For laboratory, performance, and creative spaces, the dean and faculty in charge of spaces/classes with special requirements will develop a protocol for these spaces and share that protocol with the appropriate faculty members. That protocol will be provided to the provost to be included in University policies and procedures and in course syllabi.
Students requiring special accommodations due to a disability should have those accommodations approved following current disability policies. Faculty should request verification and follow the required accommodations.
Faculty should be mindful of the need for students to exit classrooms in an orderly manner.

Screening, Testing, Isolation and Quarantine

Students should make every attempt to return home to isolate or quarantine.

SAU does have a limited number of isolation and quarantine spaces for those students in need of alternate housing on campus. Please refer to Students in Need of Isolation or Quarantine for additional information.

Faculty and staff required to isolate or quarantine should do so at home. In exceptional cases, such as when other household members are high risk, the University may be capable of providing accommodations.

Faculty and staff are required to conduct self-screening and report findings each day they report to campus.
Students should conduct self-screening daily and follow the procedures for What to Do if they become symptomatic or believe they have been exposed to COVID-19.
UHS will conduct on-site COVID-19 screening and testing based on Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) and CDC guidance.
UHS has the authority to conduct contact tracing for on-campus COVID-19 positive cases to identify close contacts among students, faculty, and staff.
UHS has the authority to direct members of the SAU campus to isolate or quarantine based on test results and contact tracing findings.
Students, faculty, or staff who test positive for COVID-19 will be instructed to isolate.
Students, faculty, and staff will be considered a close contact if he or she has been within six feet of a positive case of COVID-19 for 15 minutes or more for the 48 hours prior to the positive test result. This is the 6/15/48 rule as defined currently by public health officials. Persons who meet this criterion will be instructed to quarantine.
Suitemates and immediate family members residing in the same residence as a COVID-19 positive case will be instructed to quarantine.
Students, faculty, and staff must isolate or quarantine if instructed to do so by UHS or by an external medical care provider.
Students, faculty, and staff must contact UHS if instructed to isolate or quarantine by an external medical care provider or if they have been in contact with a known positive case of COVID-19.
The ADH assumes responsibility to conduct external contact tracing on all positive cases related to the SAU campus. The ADH or its representative will conduct interviews with the positive patient and will communicate with non-SAU close contacts. Additionally, the ADH or its representative may communicate with those identified as close contacts by UHS and provide additional guidance. UHS does not assume the responsibility to conduct contact tracing for or notification to close contacts related to a positive case on the SAU campus.
UHS will follow current ADH guidelines to determine the appropriate length of isolation or quarantine based on each unique situation.
When possible, employees in isolation or quarantine should be allowed to work remotely before being required to use paid time off, provided that all isolation and quarantine directives have been followed.

Mail Rooms

Social distancing should be practiced in the Reynolds mail room and while waiting to enter the mail room. Only two people should be in the mail room at a time.
Six-foot distancing markers will be placed in the mail room
Social distancing should be practiced when picking up mail from the slot room in Overstreet. Mail pick-up should be limited to once daily when possible.

General

Employees should use caution when using UV sanitizing wands to ensure their safety.
All departments should take steps to eliminate paper as much as possible.
Breakrooms should be limited in use. Communal use items should be eliminated when possible or should be cleaned according to CDC guidelines.
Students will be required to clean spaces prior to and after use and proper cleaning supplies will be supplied.

Student Activities

Organizational event requests, including meetings, should be submitted to the RMTF to ensure compliance with state of Arkansas public health directives. To submit a request, please complete the online form available at https://web.saumag.edu/facilities/covid.
All requirements for an approved event must be enforced by the hosting organization.
Parties will not be held until further notice.
Organizations are encouraged to host virtual meetings and create meaningful ways of engaging via virtual platforms.
Hosting outdoor meetings will not nullify the use of face coverings if all parties do not actively practice social distancing, which includes maintaining a 6-foot distance from all other attendees.

Food Service

The University Food Service plan is available by visiting https://web.saumag.edu/dining/files/2020/06/SAU_COVID-Re-Open-Presentation_6.9.20-v2.pdf.
SAU dining services will begin honoring meal plans August 7 at dinner.

Mulerider Activity Center

Lockers may not be used at this time.
Staff and guests will be screened with a temporal skin thermometer before being allowed to use the facility.
The number of users allowed at one time will be limited due to accommodate social distancing guidelines.
Only one person will be allowed at each goal on the basketball court at any given time.
The workout area will be limited to a maximum of 10 users at one time to allow for social distancing.
Do not use signs will be placed on machines to comply with current guidelines.
All equipment will be cleaned daily prior to opening.
Staff will disinfect between users, and users will also be notified that they are required to wipe down all equipment they use or touch. Failure to comply with this request may result in users being banned from the MAC.
Hand sanitizer will be available throughout the facility.
Individual training sessions, indoor group fitness classes, and workouts requiring a partner must maintain 12-foot spacing between each person.
Face coverings are required except when actively exercising.

University Housing (UH)

Move-in Dates

July 3 ……………………………………………………………….. RAs and CAs Move-in
August 3…………………………………………………………….Band Leaders Move-in
August 5 – 6………………………………………………………. Returning Students/Band/Cheer/Athlete Move-ins
August 7 – 8………………………………………………………. Move-ins for Returning Students
August 9……………………………………………………………. New Student Move-in

The location for centralized check-in is in the Engineering Building.
The fall check-in map is located below. A centralized check-in process will be utilized following social distancing guidelines.
Check-in will be scheduled online with options every 30 minutes on the date your group arrives. Students will receive an email from Housing to their SAU email account notifying them of more detailed information.
Only two guests may help the student move-in due to social distancing.

UH will promote the following behaviors to reduce COVID-19 spread:

Promote education of COVID-19 symptoms and appropriate protocol.
Recommend handwashing with soap and water for 20 seconds.
Provide CDC educational flyers on handwashing and protective measures.
Require face coverings where social distancing is not possible and in shared spaces (laundry room, lobbies, computer lab, classroom).
Limit staff entering residents’ rooms.
Suggest residents keep up-to-date lists of medications and medical conditions.
Identify platforms for education and communication with residents.

UH will seek to maintain healthy environments by the following:

Place sanitizer in residence hall computer labs, classrooms, and near the front desk.
Work with AYS to develop a schedule for increased routine cleaning and disinfection.
Use desk assistants and resident assistants to frequently disinfect common doors.
Use non-touch trash cans.
Encourage residents to keep personal items and spaces clean.
Discourage students from sharing items that are hard to clean.
Maintain regular cleaning of ice machines.
Pre-set resident rooms with at least six feet between beds.
Allow students to place barriers between beds (must be approved in advance).
Offer programming with limited attendees and virtual options.
Provide prepackaged food for any programs during which food is included or require that non-packaged food is served by servers using face covering and gloves (no self-service).
Food containers for programming must be disposable (e.g., aluminum pans, disposable silverware and bowls, etc.).
Stagger residence hall activities to allow for small groups.
Encourage residents not to place personal items on shared surfaces (e.g., toothbrush on sink).

UH will seek to maintain healthy operations in the following ways:

Schedule and stagger move-in to allow for small group exposure.
Limit move-in visitors/helpers to two
Cancel Mulerider Movers for fall 2020.
Prohibit visitation of non-residents.
Offer accommodations for high-risk residents.
Maintain social distancing during programming or gatherings.
Encourage outside and virtual events.
Conduct housing staff meetings virtually or following social distancing.
Advertise and encourage virtual video meetings between office staff and students.
Limit non-essential travel.
Designate a University Housing COVID-19 point of contact.
Create a back-up staffing plan.
Create a plan to protect staff and promote personal preventative measures.
Create a flexible work policy for housing staff who may become sick.
Support students’ coping and resilience programs (e.g., SADDLE UP, Counseling Services).
Implement Housing’s “Be Well” program (focusing on healthy body, mind, and spirit).
Restrict number of people in shared spaces.

UH will use the following protocols if someone becomes ill from COVID-19:

Assist student as needed to contact UHS and follow state guidelines.
Advise students of Isolation Protocol.
Coordinate with UHS for staff protocol.
Identify key isolation options.
Close off any areas used by a sick person until the areas have been cleaned and disinfected.
Assist UHS if possible to conduct contact notification.
Provide ill person information on self-care during sickness.

Health Services

All high-touch areas will be disinfected frequently throughout the day.
A hand sanitizer dispenser is located in front of UHS door to be used prior to entering the clinic.
No more than two people will be allowed in the waiting room to ensure social distancing.
Procedures will be in place to remind visitors about social distancing, and chairs will be blocked off or removed to ensure adequate space between visitors.
Patients wishing to be seen in clinic or to have COVID-19 testing will be required to schedule an appointment, and a brief COVID-19 screening will be completed over the telephone and prior to the patient entering the clinic.
If the patient is considered at risk, the patient will need to remain in the vehicle and follow testing instructions.
All patients are to wear a face covering prior to entering and while in clinic.
Medical History and Release of Information forms will be completed electronically by patient and available online or emailed to patient.
Telehealth options will be utilized when possible.
If a patient with possible COVID-19 symptoms needs to be transported to ER, CCAS will be notified and informed that the patient is a possible or positive COVID-19 patient.
Glass will be installed along counter in front office to provide barrier between patients and administrative assistant.
Portable HEPA filters will be placed in patient waiting room, each exam room and in the central location of clinic.
UV light will be placed in ductwork to help protect incoming air to clinic.
UV light portable sterilizers will be used when needed.

Exposure to a Confirmed Case of COVID-19

(Notification by external agency or positive patient)

SAU Employee Response:

Notify UHS and immediate supervisor.
Follow the guidance of the medical care provider from which notification was received. If notification came from the positive patient, follow the advice of UHS staff.
UHS will provide quarantine orders if necessary.
Close contacts are not immediately tested for COVID-19. Current public health guidelines recommend testing 3-5 days following close contact.
If quarantined, do not return to campus without authorization from UHS or the appropriate state health department.
Quarantine away from other household members and stay away from other people, especially those who are at higher risk.
Monitor health conditions, including twice-a-day temperature checks.
Contact health care provider should personal health conditions change during quarantine, and notify UHS of symptomatic changes.
If seriously ill, call 911 or report to the nearest emergency care facility.
Comply with all other guidelines provided in the screening, testing, isolation and quarantine polices as applicable.

SAU Student response:

Notify UHS and the Office of Student Life immediately.
Follow the guidance of the medical care provider from which notification was received. If notification came from the positive patient, follow the advice of UHS staff.
UHS will provide quarantine orders if necessary.
Close contacts are not immediately tested for COVID-19. Current public health guidelines recommend testing 3-5 days following close contact.
Comply with all other guidelines provided in the screening, testing, isolation, and quarantine policies as applicable.
If on-campus quarantine housing is required, please refer to the Students in need of Isolation or Quarantine policy.

Greek Life

SAU Greek life is planning to host a virtual recruitment.

August 19^th– Passport to Greek
August 20^th– Zoom Q & A with Greek panel
August 20^th– Information Videos posted on SAU Greek Website
August 24^th – Hazing Speaker Zoom Presentation

Recruitment Events:

Each organization will be responsible for its own virtual recruitment event or events.
Each organization will be able to hold no more than two virtual parties during recruitment week.
All events must conform to social distancing standards.
Event capacities are determined by social distancing guidelines for each area.
Health screening must occur to ensure everyone’s safety.
The Greek Show and after-party have been cancelled for 2020-2021.

Admissions/Tours

The Office of Admissions continues to conduct personal campus tours following current health guidelines to provide healthy and safe experiences for potential students.
Future Muleriders are encouraged to learn more about SAU tours and the safety procedures implemented for successful campus visits by visiting our website at https://web.saumag.edu/admissions/campus-tours/.

Resources

White House Guidelines – Opening Up America Again
IDSA Policy and Public Health Recommendations for Easing COVID-19 Distancing Restrictions
American Psychological Association Practice Resources in Response to COVID-19:
Considerations for Reopening Institutions of Higher Education in the COVID-19 Era / page 19
American Counseling Association, Counseling in a Time of COVID-19
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Association
Mental Health America
American College Health Association
Mental Health Alliance (HEMHA) College Counseling from a Distance:
Deciding Whether and When to Engage in Telemental Health Services

International Travel and COVID-19:

CDC Travel
U.S. State Department Travel
Many additional travel health related resources in ACHA Connect Travel Health Forum library (members only).

A Proposal to Reopen Arkansas Higher Education Institutions: Health Care Infrastructure Delivery for Protecting Students, Faculty, and Staff. A proposal submitted to the Arkansas CARES Act Steering Committee.

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