Safer Return Updates for Fall and Spring Semesters
Date: 11/17/2020
From: Safer Return at Cal Poly Pomona
Subject: Safer Return Updates for Fall and Spring Semesters
Dear campus community,
Over the past nine months, we have navigated through new and unprecedented situations because of COVID-19, completely changing the way we live, learn and work. As we enter the holiday season, infection rates in California and across the country are reaching record levels, and public health officials are strongly urging people to wear a mask in public settings, avoid nonessential travel, limit in-person gatherings, and reduce contact with people outside of their household.
LA County Public Health recommends that we observe a “stay-at-home” Thanksgiving celebration this year, and those who must travel should quarantine for 14 days after returning. There is convincing evidence that informal gatherings, especially those that take place indoors, are a significant driver of record-high transmission rates.
As we wrap up the fall semester, we want to share a few reminders and updates about our campus’ Safer Return operations.
We are virtual for fall and spring. Nearly all classes, exams and finals are virtual/remote for the 2020-21 academic year. Meetings, events and activities should be held virtually, unless they have received pre-approval to be in-person.
If you feel sick or receive a positive test for COVID-19, seek care immediately from your medical provider. This applies if you have a fever and a cough or trouble breathing OR had close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last 14 days. Students can contact Student Health (909-869-4000) or their healthcare provider. Do not attend in-person activities or come to campus. Students, faculty, staff and managers should follow the Safer Return protocols for reporting a confirmed positive test.
If you are approved for on-campus activities, you must complete a Health Screener each time prior to physically coming to campus. For students living in university housing (including the Village), you must complete the screener daily. Once on campus, individuals must adhere to the on-campus safety protocols by properly wearing a face covering, maintaining proper hygiene and practicing physical distancing.
Information for Students
- Classes are predominantly virtual for spring semester 2021. General registration for spring classes continues through Dec. 2, and fees are due 3.
- Virtual advising and academic resources are available to all students.
- Your health and wellbeing are very important, especially in this virtual environment. Visit the Online Engagement and Support page for information on basic needs, counseling, and health and wellbeing resources.
- The Bronco Bookstore is open for your course material and technology needs, and most items are available online for pickup or delivery.
- To increase awareness of COVID-19 risks and safety precautions, we encourage all students to take the Safer Return online training. For students coming to campus for in-person instruction, work or other essential activities, the training is required.
Information for Faculty
- If faculty need to come to campus for work or to access your office, contact your HEERA Manager for pre-approval (upon consultation with the dean and provost). Review the Safer Return checklist before coming to campus.
- If a student reports a positive COVID-19 test, faculty should notify the chair or dean, who will then notify the Safer Return Incident Investigation Team. Faculty should not conduct an incident investigation or request a diagnosis from the student. Details on the incident process protocols are on the Safer Return page for faculty.
- To increase awareness of COVID-19 risks and our Safer Return protocols, all employees will be assigned the COVID-19 online training through SumTotal. While the training is required to work on campus, it does not serve as authorization to go to campus. Faculty who need to go to campus will still need to contact their HEERA manager for pre-approval and follow the Safer Return checklist.
Information for Staff
- If you need to come to campus for work or to access your office, contact your HEERA Manager for pre-approval (upon consultation with the divisional vice president). Review the Safer Return checklist before coming to campus.
- If an employee reports a positive COVID-19 test, staff should notify their HEERA Manager, who will then notify the Safer Return Incident Investigation Team and Human Resources/Employee Labor Relations. Staff should not conduct an incident investigation or request a diagnosis from an employee. Details on the incident process protocols are on the Safer Return page for staff.
- To increase awareness of COVID-19 risks and our Safer Return protocols, all employees will be assigned the COVID-19 online training through SumTotal. While the training is required to work on campus, it does not serve as authorization to go to campus. Staff who need to go to campus will still need to contact their HEERA manager for pre-approval and follow the Safer Return checklist.
- Visitor protocols are now posted on the Safer Return website. These apply to vendors, visitors and other guests to the campus.
Protecting the health and safety of our campus requires preparation, patience and teamwork. The Task Force continues to work to assure that we are responding to current health challenges and restrictions while planning in earnest for a time when the campus can begin repopulation efforts. As always, our plans will be guided by local and state public health guidelines, including California’s tier system that reflects the risk level in each county and reopening procedures. We look forward to updating you on those plans soon. Thank you for continued commitment to our Safer Return to Cal Poly Pomona.