1
SCHOOLOFMINES&TECHNOLOGYROCKERSRETURNTASKFORCE
FALL2020SEMESTERPLANNINGFORCOVID-19IMPACTS
CHARTERThisCharterexaminestheoptionsthattheSouthDakotaSchoolofMinesandTechnology(SDMines)mightimplementforreestablishingcampusoperationsoverSummer2020andconductingoperationsfortheFall2020semestertoaddresstheCOVID-19pandemic.Possibleoptionscouldincludeanormal,early,orlatestartforin-personclasses,onlineclassesforthewholesemester,oronlineclassesforafewweeksandthentransitiontoin-personclasses.Thetaskforceshouldconsiderfinancialimpactsaswellasclassroom,housing,anddiningcapabilitieswithsocialdistancingandgrouplimitations(<10).
MEMBERS• Dr.LanceRoberts,InterimProvost/VicePresidentforAcademicAffairs,Co-Chair• Dr.BillSpindle,VicePresidentforFinanceandAdministration,Co-Chair• Dr.RalphDavis,VicePresidentforResearch• Dr.PatriciaMahon,VicePresidentforStudentDevelopment&DeanofStudents• Dr.LaurieAnderson,DepartmentHead,Geology/GeologicalEngr(&MEM);Director,
MuseumofGeology• Dr.HaleyArmstrong,HumanitiesandSocialSciencesFaculty• Dr.BillCross,FacultySenatePresident&MaterialsandMetallurgicalEngineering
Professor• Ms.JessicaDaigle,MonumentHealth• Ms.RosaliaDawley,StudentAssociationVice-President• Dr.SauravKumarDubey,IndustrialEngineeringFaculty• Ms.DianaEastman,AssistantRegistrar• Ms.ShelbyGuthrie,StudentAssociationPresident• Dr.PierreLarochelle,DepartmentHead,MechanicalEngineering• Mr.JoelLueken,AthleticDirector• Ms.KelseyO’Neill,AssociateVicePresident,HumanResources• Dr.MaribethPrice,DeanofGraduateEducation• Ms.JerilynRoberts,Director,FacilitiesandRiskManagement• Ms.DebRowse,AssistantController(Finance)• Mr.BryanSchumacher,Director,ITS• Dr.JeffWoldstad,DepartmentHead,IndustrialEngineering
2
TABLEOFCONTENTS
Introduction 4
OperationalGuidance 4
KeyConcepts 5
OverarchingOperationalGuidelines 6
ContainmentandSurveillanceCapabilities 6
Containment 6
Surveillance 6
SocialDistancing 7
RequiredSmallGroupWork 8
UniversalFaceCoveringUse 8
CleaningandDisinfecting 9
Signage 9
Spaces 10
MaterialsHandlingandSharedEquipment 10
CapacityLimitations 10
PersonnelMeasures 10
IndividualConsiderations 11
SpecialConsiderations 11
ResidenceHallsandCampusLivingPolicyandPractice 12
Counseling 13
Co-CurricularProgramsandCampusActivities 13
InternationalConsiderations 14
Students 14
InternationalTravel 14
Research–LaboratoryandField 15
3
EssentialResearch-RelatedActivities 15
Scope 16
NextStepsforInvestigators 16
ResearchSpace 17
FieldWork 18
Fall2020TeachingGuidanceforDepartmentsandFaculty 19
Assumptions 19
GuidingPrinciples 19
MinimumRequirements 20
StrategiestoConsider 20
Institutional/DepartmentStrategies 20
Course/FacultyStrategies 20
4
SOUTHDAKOTASCHOOLOFMINESANDTECHNOLOGY
RETURNTOCAMPUSPLAN
ThisplanisdesignedtofacilitatethereturnofSDMinesstaff,faculty,andstudentssafelytothe‘newnormal’face-to-facecampusenvironmentinFall2020.Campusleadership,whichincludestheExecutiveCouncilandtheEmergencyManagementTeam,willcontinuetomeetregularlythroughoutthesummerandfallsemestertoensurethatallaspectsofthisplanarecarriedoutsuccessfullyaswellascontinuetorefineandaddtasksasrequired.Theplanhasthreephases:June2020-TransitionMonth:WewillinitiatetheReturntoCampusPlaninJune2020withstaffandfacultyreturninggraduallytocampus.Supervisorswilldeterminewhenemployeesmustreturntowork.Itisexpectedthatmanyemployeeswillcontinuetoworkathome,anddependingontheneedsoftheorganization,maynotreturnuntilnotifiedbytheirsupervisor.Thoseathighriskforsevereillnessorthosewhoareillwillneedtomakearrangementstoremainawayfromwork.July2020:DependingonthestateoftheCOVIDcrisis,summereventsmaybescheduledoncampus.Forthistooccur,theremustbeasignificantdownwardtrajectoryofdocumentedCOVIDcasesinPenningtonCountywithnoreportsoflargenumbersofpersonstestingpositivefortheCOVIDvirus.August2020:Face-to-faceschoolwillstartonscheduleunlesstheCOVIDcrisishasintensifiedandthereisasignificantspreadofinfectioninthelocalcommunity.Ifthisoccurs,SDMinesmaytransitiontoonline-onlyclassesorsomemodifiedversionofonlineclassesandface-to-faceclasses.
OPERATIONALGUIDANCE
Thisguidanceisbeingdevelopedduringaveryfluidsituation.IftheCOVID-19infectionspreaddictatesthatchangesarerequiredtosloworstopthereturntocampusprocess,allemployeesandstudentswillbenotifiedassoonaspossible.Someofficesandworkspaceswillhavelimitingfactorsintheearlystagesofreturningtoanewnormal.Thesizesofoffices,commonspaces,orreceptionareaswillguidethenumberofpeoplethatcanbeinabuildingtogetherandhowquicklyoperationsresume.SDMinesintendstoensurebuildingsareequippedtohandletrafficsafelyandincompliancewithCDC’sguidelines.
5
TheimplementationofguidanceprovidedwilldependuponroutineavailabilityofCOVID-19clinicalscreening,accesstohealthstatusevaluationsforindividuals,andtheavailabilityofpublichealthmeasuresincludingtimelycasecontacttracing.ThemeasuresrecommendedwillneedtobeincontextwiththeprevalenceofactiveandrecoveredCOVID-19affectedindividualsinthebroadergeographicregionandcomprehensivecommunity-specificoutpatientandinpatientclinicaldiagnosticandtreatmentservices.Therealsoneedstobetimelyandaccuratedatamonitoringofthepandemicimpactsonthecampusandthesurroundingcommunity.Itisunderstoodthatthebroadercommunityprevalenceandtheavailabilityofcomprehensivehealthcareresourceswillfluctuateovertimeandhopefullycontinuetoimprove.Assuch,theprogressionforwardand/orbackwardfromonerecoverysteptoanotherwilloccurinthisbroadercontext.
KEYCONCEPTS
COVID-19,anovelcoronavirusinfectionemergingin2019,hasledtoanunprecedentedinfectiousdiseaseriskforallpersons.Thedurationofthispandemicremainsunclearandthesituationcontinuestoevolve.Publichealthguidance,scientificknowledge,andclinicalbestpracticeswillchange,sotheseguidelinesmayrequireupdates,sotheydonotquicklybecomeobsolete.ThesingleconstantforSDMinesisthattheroadtorecoverywillbelong.Wecananticipaterestrictionsandlimitationsinactivitieswillbeinplaceforthenext12–18months,ifnotlonger.
Resumptionofactivitieswillbegradualandphasedbasedonlocalpublichealthconditionsaswellasinstitutionalcapacity.Returntoanactiveon-campusenvironmentwilldependuponwidespreadtesting,contacttracing,andisolation/quarantineofillandexposedindividualsbothoncampusandinthecommunity.SDMineswillprepareforthelikelihoodofalocalreboundofinfectionsthatmayresultinareturntomorerestrictivemitigationmeasuresandphysicaldistancingforperiodsoftime.
Protectingourmostvulnerablepopulations(medicallysusceptible,personsofcolor,uninsuredorunderinsured,non-traditional,andolderstudents,faculty,andstaffmembers)isamoralandethicalobligation.Somevulnerableindividualsmayneedtoobserveongoingphysicaldistancingforamoreprolongedperiod.
Meticulousadherencetopublichealthpracticesincludinghandhygiene,physicaldistancing,propercough/sneezeetiquette,frequentdisinfectionofcommonandhightrafficareas,symptomassessment,temperaturechecks,andfacecoveringinpublicisthecampus’newnormal.Thiswillbewidelycommunicatedtostudents,employees,andallcampusvisitors.
6
OVERARCHINGOPERATIONALGUIDELINES(BasedonCDC,StateofSouthDakotaPublicHealthDepartment,andlocalRapidCityandPenningtonCountyGuidance.Individualunitsshouldusethisguidancetodevelopmoredetaileddepartment“BacktoCampus”plans):
CONTAINMENTANDSURVEILLANCECAPABILITIESContainmentmeasuresaremulti-prongedandincludesurveillance,rapididentificationofinfectionwithimmediateisolation,contacttracing,andquarantine.
CONTAINMENT
• ControlsareavailabletominimizeexposuretotheCOVIDvirus.o Physicalspaces(classrooms,offices,residencehalls,gyms,etc.)willbeproperly
cleanedtominimizetheabilityofthevirustosurviveonsurfacesandfacilityset-upswillbeinplacetoenforcesocialdistancing.
o Socialdistancingispracticedbyeveryone.o Everyoneparticipatesincleaningsurfaces.o Everyonewearsamaskappropriately.
• Containmentandsurveillancecapabilitiesexisttomonitorhigh-riskgroupsandtolimitexposure(usinggroupcohortswhereappropriate):
o Vulnerablestaff,faculty,andstudentsbecauseofmedicalissuesoragemayhaveanoptionofworking/studyingfromhome,ifappropriate.
o Athleticteams.o Fraternitiesandsororities.o Housingresidents.o Researchfieldteams.o Studygroups.o Campteams,etc.
SURVEILLANCE
Surveillancesystemsshoulddetecttheemergenceandspreadofinfectionwithinthegeneralcommunityandwithinspecificcampuspopulations.Aplanisbeingdevelopedtoensuresickstudents,staff,andfacultycanbequicklyidentifiedandisolatedtominimizedisruptionstothegreateruniversitypopulation.
• Everyonewillaccomplishadailyself-diagnosticsymptomschecklisttobesharedwithsupervisorsorstudentaffairsstaff.
7
• Temperaturestationswillbeavailableforuncertaincasesandthosewishingtochecktheirtemperature.
• Employeeswhoaresickwillstayhomeorbesenthomeandwillbeexpectedtoconnectwiththeirhealthcareproviderforfurtherguidanceaswellaccesstoimmediateviraltestingforthosewithsymptoms.
• StudentswillstayhomeorbesenthomeandwillbereferredtotheStudentHealthCenter(contractedthroughMonumentHealth)forfurtherguidance.MonumentHealthServicesincludeaccesstoimmediateviraltestingforindividualswithsymptoms.
TheSouthDakotaDepartmentofHealthprovidescontacttracingandidentificationofallpersonsexposedtoCOVID-19andcasemanagementofpersonsdiagnosedwithCOVID-19.Personsunderquarantineafterexposure,includingplacementinisolation/quarantinehousing,seekingpsychologicalsupport,supportforbasicneeds,andongoingmonitoringwhileisolated,canseekservicesfromMonumentHealthpersonnelandothercommunityproviders;studentsalsohaveaccesstoon-campusStudentHealthServicesandSDMinesCounselingServices.
SOCIALDISTANCING
• Maintain6feetofseparationfromotherfaculty,staff,students,contractors,orvisitorswheneverpossible.
• Topromotetheconceptofsocialdistancing,inoffices,labs,andstudyspaces,trytogobeyondthe6-footsocialdistancingminimumandhaveagoalof10feetofseparationbetweendesks,workstations,computerterminals,individualstudyareas,andothersingleuseequipment(e.g.,exerciseequipment,self-serveterminals,etc.).
• Haveagoalof60-70ft2perstudent,faculty,staff,andvisitorinclassrooms,workareas,andcommonspacesbyphysicallymoving/removingfurniture,demarcatingphysicaldistancerequirementswithphysicalbarriersorsignage,orcoveringequipmenttopromotephysicaldistancing.
• Haveagoalof150-275ft2perpersoninresearchlaboratoriesandremovefurniture,providefloormarkings,andpostsignageasneededtopromotephysicaldistancing.
• Employeesshouldnotsharesmall100-160ft2offices.Ifnotpossible,alternateuseofthespaceamongofficemembers(seenextbullet).
• Toreducetheoverallpopulationdensityinsharedspaceatanyonetime,consideralternatingon-siteandteleworkdays,shiftingworkschedules,andpart-timetelework.
• Meetingsshouldcontinuevirtuallywheneverpossibletopreventcontactandfreeupmeetingspacesforpossibleuseasofficesforemployeeswhoaredisplacedfromsharedoffices,orforuseasclassrooms.
• Washhandsfor20secondsusingsoapandwaterfrequentlythroughouttheday,andaftercontactingsurfacesthatmayhavebeentouchedbyotherpersons.Handsanitizermaybeusedwhenahandwashingsinkisnotavailable.
8
• Limitvisitorsexceptrequiredessentialservices,adequatelycontrolrecruitmentvisits,andduringproperlymanagedmuseum/bookstorehours—whendeterminedtobefeasible.
• Initially,buildingswillbelockedandonlyaccessibleviakeyorcardaccess.• MeetviaZoomoroutdoorswherefeasiblypossible.In-personmeetingsmustbekeptto
lessthan10peopleorattheadjustedcapacityoftheroom,whicheverislarger,whilestillmaintainingaminimumof6feetofseparationforsocialdistancing.
• Createonlineoptionsfortraditionalwalk-upwindowservices.• Useplexiglassdividersbetweencashiersandcustomersandothersituationswhere
socialdistancingcannotbemaintainedroutinely.
REQUIREDSMALLGROUPWORK
• Cohortsofsmallgroupsofstudentsandfaculty/stafflearningteamswillbeimplementedalongwithsmallgroupguidelinesforco-curricularprograms.
• Thesesmallgrouplearningteamsshouldhaveaconsistentmembership,sothatstudentsincloseproximityalwaysworktogether,withclassroomseating,breaks,andmealstakentogether.
• Eveningandweekendinstructionandlaboratoryaccesswillbeexpanded.Thisservestobothtodecreasenumberofpotentialexposuresforeachpersonandtosimplifycontacttracingofpossibleexposuresifacasepresents.
• Limitcrossoverinentrances,hallways,andcommonspacesasneededbyadjustingpersonnelworkflowandphysicalstructures.Individualswillbeencouragedtowalktotherightincommonhallways,corridors,andpaths.
• Thenumberofpersonsinahallwayorentrywayatonetimewillbelimited.• Transitiontimebetweeneventswillbeincreased.• Limitcontactwithhigh-touchsurfaces(e.g.,keepingdoorsopentoallowmovement
withouttouchingknobswhenitdoesnotimpactfireandothersafetyzones).• Campuscommunitymembersshouldentereachareawithcleanhandsandhaveeasy
accesstohandsanitizers.
UNIVERSALFACECOVERINGUSE
• Allstudents,faculty,andstaffarehighlyrecommendedtowearfacecoverings(i.e.,clothmasks)inaccordancewithCDCguidelineswhenevertheywillencounterotherpeople,andespeciallyincommonareas(e.g.,hallways,classrooms,recreationalfacilities,workareas,elevators,restrooms,retailspaces)oranyotherareaswhereitmaybedifficulttomaintainaminimum6feetofdistancefromotherpersons.RegularlyconsultCDCGuidelinesforuseofclothmasks.
• Employeeswillbegivenoneclothmask,buteveryoneshouldhavemultiplefacecoverings.Facecoveringswornforextendedperiodsshouldbelaunderedorhand
9
washedatleastdailyusingregularlaundrydetergent.Iffacecoveringsareissuedbytheuniversity,theybecomethepropertyoftheuser,andaretheresponsibilityofthatindividualtoensureproperlaundering.
• Foodserviceemployeesmustalwaysbemaskedwhilepreparingandservingfood.CLEANINGANDDISINFECTING
SpaceCleaningRoutines:Routinecleaningserviceswillbeaugmentedwithadditionalcleaninganddisinfectionactivitiesinallareas,withvaryingfrequencydependingonthenumberofoccupantsandthespacetypeandusage.Ingeneral,spaceswithhigherlevelsofoccupantsandworkactivitywillhaveahigherfrequencyofcleaning.Cleaningbythecustodialservicewillconsistoftheactivitiesdescribedbelow:
• Routinecleaning:wasteremoval,floorcleaning,andwipe-downofhorizontalsurfaces.• Routinerestroomcleaning:wasteremoval,cleaninganddisinfectionoffloors,sinks,
toilets,andurinals.• Routinecleaningofdininghall,Miner’sShack,Einstein’sandotherfoodserviceareas:
cleaningoffoodpreparationareas,servicelines,anddiningfacilities.• Enhancedcleaninganddisinfectionofhigh-touchsurfaces:wipedownofhigh-
frequencytouchpoints(doorhandles,lightswitches,elevatorbuttons,sharedequipmentcontrolpanels,etc.)withEPA-approveddisinfectants.
• Enhanceddisinfection:disinfectionofhorizontalworksurfacesinclassroomsandcommonareasusingEPA-approveddisinfectants.
• Handsanitizerlocationsareavailablethroughoutcampusforcampuscommunityuse.• Everyoneshouldtakeresponsibilitytohelpwipedowncommunalareaswithprovided
supplies.SIGNAGESignageandVisualCues:Signswillbepostedinhighvisibilityareaswithineachbuilding(includingcommonareas,restrooms,sharedofficespaces,classrooms,etc.)Thesignswillbeusedtocommunicate:
• Reminderstoexercisephysicaldistancing,touseoffacecoverings,andtopracticegoodpersonalhygienepractices.
• Specificroomorspaceoccupancylimits,ifapplicable.• Additionalprecautionsthatmustbeobservedforuniquespaces.• Floormarkingsorbarriertapemaybeusedwherenecessarytopromotephysical
distancing.
10
SPACES
CampusSpaces:Occupancyanddistancingrequirementsforallspaceswillbebasedonthefollowing:
• Occupancylevelsfordepartmentalanduniversityspacesandclassroomswillbereduced,basedoncalculatedsquarefootagerequiredperoccupantinordertomaintainphysicaldistancingatalltimes.
• SchedulingOffice,EnvironmentalHealth,andFacilitiesManagementstaffareavailabletohelpdeterminehowbesttomaximizeindividualclassroomandinstructionallaboratoryspaceswithinsocialdistancingguidelines.
• Sharedspacesandmeetingroomsshouldbeconvertedtosingle-useofficespacesorclassrooms,asneeded.
• AlloccupiedbuildingswillmaintainHVACsystemoperationformaximumspaceoccupancytoallowformaximumfreshairsupply,regardlessofreducedoccupancywithinthespace.Airfilterswillbecheckedroutinelytoensuremaximumusage.
MATERIALSHANDLINGANDSHAREDEQUIPMENT
• Individualsexpectedtocollectordistributematerialsthroughouttheworkday(e.g.,mailservices,cashiers,retailemployees)shouldweardisposablegloveswhilehandlingmaterialsand,afterglovesareremoved,washhandsorusehandsanitizerwhenahandwashingsinkisnotavailable.
• Othershandlingpapermaterialslessfrequentlyshould,wheneverpossible,placepapermaterialsintoaquarantineareafor24hoursbeforehandlingandwashhandsimmediatelyafterhandling.Sharedequipmentshouldbedisinfectedbetweenuses.
CAPACITYLIMITATIONS• LimitoccupancybasedonRapidCity/CDCguidelineswithoccupancylimitsposted.
SchedulingOfficestaffwillprovideguidance.
PERSONNELMEASURESThepriorityintheneartermistoreturnemployeestofullproductivity,whetherbyworkinginanofficesettingorinawork-from-homearrangement.UnlessapprovedbyHRforFFCRA,FMLA,orADAconsiderations,employeeswhoareunwillingtoreturntoworkwillnotbeprovidedadministrativeleave.
11
INDIVIDUALCONSIDERATIONS
SupervisorswillberequiredtoworkwiththeirsupervisorwhoisanExecutiveCouncilmembertoidentifyandcontinuouslyreviewthestatusesoftheiremployees’worklocationsandavailability.Shouldanemployeebeunabletoworkduetochildcareneedsorillness,supervisorsshouldinstructtheseemployeestocontactHRforinformationonoptionsavailabletothem.
• ThoseidentifiedashighriskbyamedicalproviderorCDCguidelines.o Continuationofremoteworkwilllikelybenecessary,withevaluationona
regularbasismovingforward,inaccordancewithCDCguidelinesorrecommendations.
• Thoseidentifiedashavingahigh-riskimmediatefamilymemberlivinginthehome.o Continuationofremoteworkisanoptionforconsideration.
• ThosewithoutchildcarewhocanworkremotelycancontinuetodosothroughMay31,withreevaluationattheendofthemonth.
o Employeeswithoutchildcarewhoeithercannotworkremotelyorcannotworkremotelyandcarefortheirchild/childrenalsohaveFamiliesFirstCoronavirusResponseAct(FFCRA)available,whichmayneedtobeusedshouldthesituationcontinue.
• Notwantingtosendchildrentochildcareisnotthesameasnothavingitavailable;theFFCRAleaverequirestheemployeetocertifythattheydonothaveapersontocareforthechild.
June1,2020–BacktoNormalOperationswillbeimplemented,providedthebenchmarksforreturntoworkaremet.Procedureswillincludephasedreturntoworkplanningthroughstaggeringschedulesofemployeeswhilecoordinatingschedulestoensurephoneandofficecoverage,dependingontheemployeesandtheofficeworkingconditions.
SPECIALCONSIDERATIONS
• Visitorrestrictionsshouldremaininplace.• Workrelatedin-statetravel,byasingletravelerorcohort,mayberesumedonalimited
basiswhereitiscrucialtotheexecutionofprojectsanddeliveryofservices.However,employeesshouldevaluatethepandemicsituationinthecountyorcountiesbeingvisitedandanyrestrictionsinplaceforfacilitiesinwhichtheworkwillbedonebefore
12
traveling.ProperPPEshouldbeusedthroughouttravel.Out-of-statepersonalorwork-relatedtravelshouldbeapprovedonlyifdeemedessential.
• When/ifemployeestestpositiveforCOVID-19,whilethecaseisactive,theywillbeincontactwithpersonnelfromtheSouthDakotaDepartmentofHealthforhealthcaremanagement.EmployeeswhotestpositivearealsoaskedtocontactHumanResources.Employeeswhotestpositivecanbeaccommodatedthroughremoteworkwhiletheyquarantineorwillbeeligibleforemergencysickleaveiftheyaretoosicktowork.
• Employeeswithsymptomsshouldnotifytheirsupervisorandstayhome.• Employeesexhibitingsymptomsatworkwillbesenthome.• Anyemployeewithsymptomsshouldcontacttheirhealthcareprovider.• SickemployeesshouldremainhomeasdirectedbytheSouthDakotaDept.ofHealthor
theirhealthcareprovider.• SDMineswillnotrequireemployeestobetestedforCOVID-19toconfirmcallinginsick
ortoreturntowork.• EmployeeswhohavebeenexposedtoapersonwhohastestedpositivetoCOVID-19
maybeabletoworkonsiteorremotely,dependinguponthesituation.
RESIDENCEHALLSANDCAMPUSLIVINGPOLICYANDPRACTICE
Campusresidencehallsandrelatedlivingfacilitieswillbeavailableforstudentsreturningtocampus.Tobestensurethesafetyandhealthoftheresidents,theresidencehallswillonlybefilledtoanapproximate85%capacity.
• Residencehallswillpromotephysicaldistancingbestpracticesinalldesignatedareas.• Residencehalls,diningfacilities,andcommonareasoncampusarenotbeingusedfor
communitypublichealthquarantine,isolation,orpost-acutecareneeds.• Oneormoreresidencehallareasoncampuswillhaveroomsdesignatedforstudents
whodevelopinfluenza-likeorCOVID-19relatedsymptoms,requireisolation,and/orquarantineforothermedicalreasons.
• Increased surface and facility cleaningwill be donewith approved equipment andmaterialsinallcommonareasandresidentialfacilitiesbystudents,residentadvisors,and/orthecustodialservicespersonnelwhoarespecificallytrainedandprotected.
• Residencehallguestpoliciesandprocedureswillbeadaptedtopromotethewellnessofstudentsandmeetsocialdistancingguidelines.
• DesignatedPPEandappropriatetraininginproperusewillberequiredofallresidencelifestaffworkingincampushousingfacilities.
• Aramarkwillworkwiththeresidencelifestafftodevelopandimplementpoliciesandprocedures to maintain physical distancing in all food service and campus diningfacilities. Efforts to increase “take-out” services and spaced dining, as well asresponsibilitiesforsurfacecleansingandwastedisposal,willbeaddressed.
COUNSELING
13
Asthestressfromthepandemichascontinuedtheratesofdepression,anxietyandultimatelysuicidearealllikelytoseeseriousincreases,withanecdotalevidencealreadybeingreported.TomeettheneedsofSDMinesstudents,thecounselingcenterhasandwillcontinuetoworkonthefollowingtoprovideongoingservicesinasafeandeffectivemanner.
• Implementationofanelectronichealthrecordsystem,allowingstudentstoscheduleappointmentsandprepareintakeformsonline.
• Continuetoimplementtelehealthservices,allowingincreasedaccesstoclinicalstaffbystudents;addressessocialdistancing;continuityofcareforstudentsduringinternshipsandcoops;andservicestostudentswhentheyareill.
• ReorganizationofthecounselingofficespaceswillmeetCDChealthrecommendations.• Wellnesspreventionprogrammingwillcontinueandincludevirtualaspectstoreach
morestudents.
CO-CURRICULARPROGRAMSANDCAMPUSACTIVITIESGuidelineswillbesubjecttoconstantchange.Preliminaryconsiderationsareasfollows:
• Allmeetingsandsocialgatheringsshouldbelimitedto10peopleorless,havemadeaccommodationsforappropriatephysicaldistancing,andshouldnotinvolveanyoff-campusparticipantsforon-campusevents.
• Toprovideaccessforindividualsnotabletobephysicallypresent,alluniversity-sponsoredeventsandactivitiesneedtoaccommodateremoteparticipationwhenactivityisotherwisehappeningfacetoface.
• University-affiliatedhousingfacilities,likefraternityandsororityhouses,willbeopensolongasstudentswillbeabletouseallphysicaldistancingbestpracticesinalldesignatedareas.Diningfacilitiesinsidethehouseswillpermitstudentstomaintainappropriatephysicaldistancingandbestpracticesforfoodservicefacilities.
• Allstudentorganization-sponsoredeventsandprogramsmustbepre-approvedbytheorganizationadvisorandtheVicePresidentordesignatedseniorstaffmember.
• Studentorganizationtravelneedstobedeemednecessaryandbepre-approvedbytheorganizationadvisorandtheVice-Presidentordesignatedseniorstaffmember.
• Studentorganizationswillbeprovidedsupporttoconductorganizationalbusinessonline,leveragingtechnology.
• Studentorganizationfundraisersdistributingfoodarenotpermitteduntilfurthernotice(e.g.bakesales,sellingfranchisefooditems).
• Fundraisersshouldleverageelectronicmoneyexchange(e.g.,Venmo)insteadofcollectingphysicalcurrency.
• Studentorganizationgatheringsmustfollowadequatephysicaldistancingforonandoffcampusmeetings.
14
• Campusrecreationandfitnesscenterswillbeopensolongasstudentsandmemberswillbeabletouseallphysicaldistancingandcleaningbestpractices.
• Allfitnessandrecreationalprogrammingsuchasgroupexerciseclasses,clubandintramuralsportscompetitionsshouldbelimitedbasedoncampusphysicaldistanceguidelinesandpre-approvedbyadesignatedseniorstaffmember.
• Allcampus-sponsoredstudent,faculty,andstaffeventsandprogramsmustbepre-approvedbytheVicePresidentordesignatedseniorstaffmember.
• Allcampuseventsandprogramsshouldavoidprovidingfoodserviceuntilfurthernotice.
INTERNATIONALCONSIDERATONS
Students
• Visaserviceshavebeenshutdownworldwide;thismayresumeinJuneorJulyinvariouslocations.
• Internationalstudentsarelimitedintakingonlinecourses,butexceptionshavebeenmadeforonline,hybrid,andface-to-facecoursesforthepandemic,ifitappliestoALLstudents.
• Newinternationalstudentswillprobablybeunabletoobtainvisasforfallterm.Ifallowed,quarantinesiteswillneedtobedeterminediftheyplantolivewithothersorhousingarrangementshavenotyetbeenmade.DurationofthequarantinewillbeinaccordancewithCDCguidelines.
• SomecurrentstudentsinhomecountriesortravelingabroadmaybeunabletoreturntotheUS.
Internationaltravel
• Internationalflightavailabilityiscurrentlyseverelylimited.• Self-quarantineafterarrivalcouldapplytoALLstudents,faculty,andstafffor
internationaltravelandtraveltodomestichotspots.• Travelrestrictionsinothercountriesincludebarringallentryorrequiringself-
quarantine,includingforcitizensofthatcountry.TheCDClistsrestrictionsat:https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/from-other-countries.html
• Otherresources:o https://www.fragomen.com/file/newcoronavirustablefornewspage512v30pdfo https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-
notices.htmlo President’sAllianceonEducationandImmigration
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18E7osk_Z3KfOfxQevaB9n1S1JfPMviIv
15
RESEARCH–LABORATORYANDFIELDProceduresforRequestingLaboratoryAccessWiththerapidlyevolvingcircumstancesregardingCOVID-19andafocusonsocialdistancingandthehealthandwell-beingofthecommunity,theOfficeofResearch,inconsultationwiththeSDMinesExecutiveCommitteehasissuedthesestandardsrelatedtolaboratoryresearch.Specifically,PrincipalInvestigatorsshouldbeinamodeforallon-campusresearchtobereducedtoessentialresearch-relatedactivitiesonly.
Theunderlyingprincipleistohelpensurethatourhealthcaresystemsdonotbecomeoverwhelmed.Together,weneedtodoeverythingwecantocurtailcampusactivitiestothebarestminimumlevels.
Limitedaccesstolaboratorieswillbemaintainedsothatessentialresearch-relatedactivitiescancontinue.
Thebestthingyouandyourstudentscandonowiswritepapers,processdata,andwritegrantproposals.Thisactivitycanallbedonefromremotelocations.
ESSENTIALRESEARCH-RELATEDACTIVITIES
• Activitythat,ifdiscontinued,wouldresultinimpedimentstofulfillingcontractualgrantrelatedobligations.
• Activitythat,ifdiscontinued,wouldimpedetheprogressofgraduatestudentstowardcompletionoftheirresearchprograms.
• Activitythat,ifdiscontinued,wouldgeneratesignificantdataandsamplelossnecessitatingatotalrestartofanongoingproject.
• Activitythat,ifdiscontinued,wouldposeasafetyhazard.• Activitythatmaintainscriticalequipmentinfacilitiesandlaboratories.• Activitythatmaintainscriticalsamples,reagents,andmaterials.• Activitythatmaintainscritically-neededplantpopulations,tissuecultures,bacteria,
archaea,andotherlivingorganisms.• COVID-19relatedactivitythathasatimelinefordeploymentthatcouldaddressthe
crisis.
Ifyouareunsureifyouractivityisconsideredessentialresearch,pleasecontactRalphDavis,VicePresidentforResearch.
Asareminder,facultymembersandprojectprincipalinvestigatorsshouldstrivetominimizetimeinthelaboratorybyallpersonnel,maintainsocialdistancingwhenlaboratoryaccessisnecessary,followPPEguidelines,andpracticerecommendeddisinfectionprocesses.
16
PleasecontactRalphDavis,VicePresidentforResearchtodetermineifyourpersonnelcanaccessthefacilities.
Thefinaldecisiontorequestlaboratoryaccessforresearchpurposesisatthediscretionofthefacultymemberinchargeofeachindividuallaboratory.Thesedecisionsshouldbemadewiththebestinterestsofthefacultymember,theresearchscientists,thepost-doctoralscientists,andthegraduatestudentsasparamount.
SCOPEThisguidanceappliestoresearchersinallcampusfacilities,includingthoselocatedoffcampussuchastheCAPElaboratoryatTDL,theAMPlaboratoryatAscent,andotheroff-campusfacilities.
NEXTSTEPSFORINVESTIGATORS
• Requestforessentialpersonnelinlaboratories:thiswillincludethefollowinginformation:
o Facultynameo Researchscientisto Postdocso Graduatestudentso Undergraduatestudentso Reasonaccesstothefacilitiesisessential
• Accesstolabswillbeavailableonlyforpersonnelwhoconductessentialresearch-relatedactivities.Adeterminationofessentialresearch-relatedactivitieswillbemadeonacase-by-casebasis.
• Essentialworkinlabsshouldbestaggeredsothatminimallaboratorypersonnelarepresentatanyonetime.InnocaseshouldthenumberofpersonnelinaspaceexceedtheCDCguidelineforgroupsof10peopleorfewer.
• SocialdistancingshouldbemaintainedevenwhengroupsareinthesamespaceinaccordancewiththeCDCguidelines.
• Maintaincontactinformationforalllabmembers(students,postdocs,staff)andreviewcontingencyplansandemergencyprocedureswithinyourgroup.
• Disinfectcommonlaboratoryareasandtouchpoints(e.g.doorknobs,sinkhandles,freezerdoors,telephones).Thisshouldbedoneuponenteringthefacilityandleavingthefacility.
• Eachfacilitywithemployeeaccesswilldevelopandimplementacleaning/disinfectionprotocolandinformallpersonnelenteringthefacilityabouttheirresponsibilitiesbasedonthisprotocol.Posttheprotocolinthelaboratorywhereitisclearlyvisible.
• Beawarethattheseguidelinesmaychangeonshortnotice.Giventhis,itisimportanttoplanaheadsoyourfacilityandexperimentscanbeshutdowninatimelymannershouldtheneedarisetobecomemorerestrictivewithlaboratoryaccess.
17
RESEARCHSPACE
LaboratoryandField
• IdentifyfacilitycoordinatorsforimplementingCOVID-19guidelines,addressingissuesandevaluatingfacilityimpact.CoordinatorsshouldincludethedepartmentheadorapersonidentifiedbythedepartmentheadwhowillreportissuestotheVicePresidentforResearchandtheDirectorofFacilities.
• Maintainopportunitiesforhybrid,fullyremoteandtraditionalresearch,discoveryandcreativeactivitycombinations.Faculty,staff,andstudentsassociatedwithresearchprojectsshouldworkremotelytothegreatestextentpossible.Minimizetimeinthelaboratory,followsocialdistancingpracticeswhileinthefacilityorinthefield,defineandimplementaPPE(PersonalProtectionEquipment)plan,andfollowanestablisheddisinfectionplanwhenenteringandexitingthefacility.
• Ensurestudents,staff,andfacultyworkcloselywithaccessibilityservicesstafftomanagespecificaccommodationsrelatedtooncampusorremoteresearchlaboratoryengagement.Continuecurrentapprovalchainandtrackingsystemforstudents,faculty,andstaffworkinginresearchlaboratories.ThisapprovalincludesarequestforpersonneltoaccessthefacilitywithreviewandapprovalbytheVicePresidentforResearchwithfinallistingprovidedtoDirectorofFacilitiesandtheProvost.
• Implementwaystosupporthighrisk“vulnerable”students,faculty,andstaffandmaintainremoteopportunitiestoenhancetheirsafetyrelatedtotheirresearchprograms.AttheVicePresidentforResearchlevel,wehavenotidentifiedhighrisk/vulnerableresearchers,butisadiscussionthatmusttakeplacebetweenthefacultysupervisoroverseeingtheresearchandpersonnelconductingtheresearch.Faculty,staff,andstudentsinhighrisk/vulnerablecategoriesshouldfeelfreetobringtheirconcernstothefacultylaboratorysupervisor,departmenthead,and/ortheVicePresidentforResearch.
• Transfergrantsandsponsoredprograms,grantsaccounting,andthehostofregulatoryrequiredaspectsofsponsoredresearchprogramstoanonlinesetting.AllOfficeofResearchstaffarecurrentlyworkingremotelyanddoingsosuccessfully.Wehavebeenaccessingtheofficeindividuallyonanas-neededbasis.PersonnelaccessingtheofficehavefollowedsocialdistancingguidelinesandfollowedPPEanddisinfectionprotocols.Whenofficesarerequiredtobeopen,wewillmovetoaminimalstaff(oneortwo)whocanadequatelysociallydistanceinourofficecomplex.Theremainderwillcontinuetoworkremotely.Wehaveseveralemployeesinhigh-riskcategoriesandtheseemployeeswillcontinuetoworkremotely.
• Requirethatallfaculty,staff,andstudentscarryavalidcampusspecificIDinresearchlaboratoryfacilities.
• Cross-trainemployeestoperformessentialfunctionstomaintainlaboratoryoperations.Suchtrainingistheresponsibilityofthefacultyand/orlaboratorydirector.
18
• Implementaplanforhumansubjectsresearchprogramsthatreflectbestphysicaldistancingpractices,includingconsiderationsforthemost“vulnerable”individuals.SDMineshasverylimitedhumansubjectsresearch,butourresearcherswillfollowthisguidance.
• Discouragepoliciesandpracticesthatmayincentivizestudents,faculty,andstafftocometoworksick(e.g.,extrafoodatendofshift,bonuspay,etc.).
• Maintainonlyessentialresearchpersonnelinlaboratoryspaceatalltimes.
FIELDWORKFieldworkwillbereviewedinthesamemannerasanyotherresearchperformedatSDMines.Thesameaccessformistobeused,buttheresponsetojustifymustincludethefollowing.
• Doesthefieldworkmeetthedefinitionofessential,i.e.,theresearchcannotbeputonholdbecause:
o theopportunitytocollectdataisseasonalorsite-specific,ormustbedoneonasetschedule?
o isirreplaceableiftheresearchcannotbedoneataspecifictimeataspecificsite?
o cannotbedoneinanotherway?• Isthesiteand/orfacilityaccessible?• Howmanypeoplewillparticipateandwhataretheirroles(faculty,student)?• Isfieldworkpartofaclass?• Doestravelincludeovernightstaysorisitdaytraveltoandfromthesite?• Whatisthesafetyplan(includesocialdistancingprotocols,safetypractices,
decontaminationofitems,traveltoalocation,andtraveltoandfromfieldsiteonroutinebasis)?
• Actionplansshouldinclude:o Listofallpersonnel,theircontactinformation,andanemergencycontact.o Justificationastowhydelayingtheresearchwillhaveadetrimentalimpacton
theresearchprojectorthestudent’sprogressiontowardsadegreethatareengagedintheresearch.
o Descriptionoftheresearchactivitiesthatrequireinteractionoflessthan6feetandwhatprecautionsarebeingundertakentolimitpotentialdiseasetransmission.
o Contingencyplanforcarryingonresearchifoneormorepersonnelbecomessickorisnolongerwillingtoriskconductingtheresearch.
• Researchbeingconductedatnon-SDMinessitesmusthavewrittenpermissionforthefieldworktoproceedfromthefundingagencyandfromthosethatcontrolaccesstothefieldsite.
• Ifnon-SDMinesagenciesorresearchpartnersareactivelyengagedintheresearch,theresearchshouldbeconductedusingtheguidelinesthatarethemoststringent,unlessexpresslypermittedbythepartneragencies.
19
• Beforeconductingresearcheachday,allSDMinesparticipantsintheresearchprojectmustself-reporttheirsymptomstotheirsupervisor.
• Nooneshouldparticipateinanyfieldworkiftheyarefeelingillorifanymembersoftheirhouseholdareexperiencingflu-likesymptoms.
FALL2020TEACHINGGUIDANCEFORDEPARTMENTSANDFACULTY
ASSUMPTIONS:1. Semesterwillbeginandendon“normal”dates(+-oneweek).2. Semesterdurationwillbenormalat15weeks.3. Generalsafetyandcleaningprotocolswillbeinplacebeforethesemesterbegins.4. SocialdistancingrecommendationsfromCDCwillnotberelaxedbyfall.5. HRpolicieswillbedevelopedasnecessary.6. BORwilldeveloptemporarypoliciesasnecessary.
GUIDINGPRINCIPLES:1. There cannot be a one-size-fits all solution, as every department and every class are
different. Departments and faculty are encouraged to think creatively about how toconductinstructioneffectivelywithintheassumptionsandguidingprinciples.
2. We need to prepare for any scenario from semi-normal instruction to fully onlineinstructionandweshouldbepreparedtoswitchbetweenscenariosonshortnotice.
3. Weneedtoaccommodatetheneedsoffacultyandstudentswhoareinvulnerable,at-riskgroupsorwhoarequarantined.
4. In-classinteractionsareanintegralandvaluablepartofon-campusinstructionandshouldbeprovidedtoon-campusstudentstotheextentpossible.
5. Classroom and laboratory capacity will be set based on meeting social distancingrecommendationspertheCDC,whichwilllikelyresultina50-to75-percentreductioninthenumberof students thatcanbeplaced ina room. To thatend, thereare facility,scheduling, and workload limits to overcome through means such as adding moresections during the day, adding evening or weekend sections, requiring additionalsanitizing, etc. Reducing in-person contact hours where feasible will help preservecapacityforcoursesandlaboratorysectionswherein-classactivitiesarecritical.
6. Use of “hybrid delivery modes” that combine face-to-face interaction with onlinecomponentsinthecourseand“mixeddeliverymode”inwhichsomestudentsattendthecourseinpersonwhileothersattendviadistancemustbestronglyconsidered.
20
MINIMUMREQUIREMENTS:1. AllinstructorsmustuseD2Ltoprovidecoursematerialstostudents.UseofD2Ltoaccept,
grade,andreturnassignmentsisstronglyrecommended,alongwithitsuseforquizzesandexams.
2. Allcoursesneedtoprovideamechanismforat-riskorquarantinedstudentstoparticipateremotely.
3. Allcoursesneedtobepreparedtomoveonlineonshortnotice,ifnecessary.4. Advisingandofficehoursshouldbeperformedusingremotemeans(i.e.,email,Zoom)
wheneverpossible.5. Limit or eliminate the use of shared items in classrooms and laboratories such as
computerkeyboards,pens,andmice;whiteboardmarkersandchalk;pensandpencils;labsamples;etc.Ifitemsmustbesubjecttoshareduse,arrangeforsanitizingorotherprotectivemeasures.
STRATEGIESTOCONSIDER:There are a variety of strategies that the institution, the departments, and the faculty canconsiderinplanningforfall2020instruction.
INSTITUTIONAL/DEPARTMENTSTRATEGIES:1. Surveyfacultyandcoursestoidentifywhichcouldgocompletelyonline,whichneedto
beofferedpartiallyinperson,andwhichneedtobeinperson.2. Useonlineinstructionforthefirsttwoweeksasaquarantinemeasure.3. Move largest courses online or primarily online, with consideration that these are
typically freshman- and sophomore-level courses. These studentsmay have themostdifficultyinsucceedingonlineandwillneedadditionalsupportstrategies.
4. Movecoursestolargerclassroomstomaintainsocialdistancingguidelines.5. Askforvolunteerstoprovideinstructionoutsidethecoreacademicdayfrom8am-5pm.
Some faculty may find this approach beneficial to their family schedules. Considerpotential impacts on working students. Be aware that rescheduling may create newschedulingconflictsforstudents.
6. Schedulelabsectionsandrecitationsinseparatebutadjacentroomssothatfacultyandteachingassistantscanmovefromroomtoroomratherthanholdingmoresectionsatdifferenttimes.Thesamecohortshouldmeettogethereachweek.
7. Considerwhetheritisfeasibletotemporarilyreducethenumberofcoursesthatrequirelabs,especiallyelectivecourses.
8. Offercoursesonlinewherefeasibleandreserveroomcapacityforlabcourses.9. Swapfallelectivesrequiringmoreliveinteraction/labswithspringelectivesrequiringless
interaction.
COURSE/FACULTYSTRATEGIES:1. Rethinkrelyingonlectureastheprimaryclasstimeactivity.Considerflippingthecourse,
so that students consume lectures and study coursematerials remotely, and in-class
21
activitiesfocusonstudentquestions,problemsets,andapplicationofcoursematerials.https://lesley.edu/article/an-introduction-to-flipped-learning
2. Considercreatingahybrid/blendedcourse,inwhichaportionof“seattime”isreplacedwith guided remote instructional activities. https://ctl.wiley.com/transitioning-to-an-online-class/
3. Considerahybridmodelinwhichthelecturehoursaretaughtremotelyandlabsarein-class.Thelecturecouldbedeliveredsynchronouslysostudentsandfacultystillhavean“in-class”feelandcaninteractwitheachother.
4. Usetheflipped/hybridapproachtorestrictin-personattendanceinaclasstoacertainpercentageofstudents ineachclasssessionandrotatestudentsthroughouttheweek(1/3,1/3,1/3model).
5. Offeramixed-modeclass,inwhichat-riskstudentscanparticipateinmostorallactivitiesremotelywhileotherstudentsparticipateinclassroomactivities.Thisstrategywillalsoease impacts on studentswhowork, have families, are in quarantine or sick, or faceschedulingchallengesduetocoursesbeingmovedoutsidecorehours.
6. Reviewlabactivitiesinacourseandevaluatewhichrequirein-classparticipation,whichcouldbeonline,andwhethersomecouldbetemporarilyeliminated.
7. Structure the course to minimize reliance on exams. https://ctl.wiley.com/authentic-assessment-in-the-online-classroom/
8. Provideadditionaltrainingandopportunitiesforindividualcoachingduringthesummer2020.Encouragefacultytotakeadvantageoftheseresources.