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Phaseout Plan For Summer 2021

INTRODUCTION

Beginning June 1, 2021, the University will move to phaseout of the three-phased Reopening Plan it initiated last year in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This means rescinding or revising a number of policies and procedures, and reorienting our plans and protocols, as we transition over the summer toward an orderly return to full, in person operations for Fall 2021.

As we move forward, we should remain mindful of the guiding principles and public health considerations that have provided a framework for our response from the start. We should also look to leverage technology enhancements and encourage basic health and safety practices that have served us well during the pandemic.

As always, all of the University’s plans, policies, and protocols relating to COVID-19 are supplemental to other University policies and procedures, are contingent on latest conditions and guidance, and are subject to change as deemed necessary by the University. For clarity, unless notified otherwise by the University, the University will continue with its Phase Three (Spring 2021) plans, policies, and protocols until this Phaseout Plan takes effect on June 1, 2021.

Fundamental Health and Safety Practices

The University continues to encourage all employees and students to consider getting vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.

During phaseout, the University intends to modify the following health and safety measures from policy requirements to recommended health and safety practices:

  • Face Coverings – Face coverings are encouraged, but not required. With advance notification to participants, individual instructors and event organizers may require face coverings for specific classes or events held indoors, or held outside in circumstances where social distancing is not possible.
  • Social Distancing – Physical distancing is still encouraged where possible, but not required. Building/room capacities configured for strict 6’ social distancing requirements are rescinded.
  • Staying Home – Individuals are responsible for screening their personal health, staying home if sick, and seeking medical advice as appropriate. Individuals subject to any isolation or quarantine requirements imposed by the local health department remain responsible for complying with such requirements.
  • Cleaning and Disinfecting – Individuals should continue to keep the areas in which they personally work, learn, or study on campus sanitized. The University maintains a significant inventory of cleaning and disinfecting supplies, and employees may contact central purchasing as needed.
  • Practicing Personal Hygiene – Individuals should continue to wash their hands often and use hand sanitizer when washing isn’t practical. Avoid touching your face, eyes, or nose, and use good respiratory etiquette like covering your mouth with your elbow when you cough or sneeze.

Remote Work for Employees

Starting June 1, 2021, the University will return to its pre-pandemic business practice on remote work, which generally requires in person work with limited exceptions. Remote work exceptions will require individualized remote work agreements, which are subject to University discretion and require approval by supervisors, the appropriate vice president, and Human Resources. Remote work agreements may be available to employees with a satisfactory performance review and who are employed in benefits eligible, non-faculty positions (USS and UPS positions). Faculty members should continue to work with their direct supervisors concerning remote work flexibility, per University practices preceding COVID-19.

Accomodations

Employees with accommodation requests should continue to work directly with Human Resources, and students with accommodation requests should continue to work directly with the Student Accessibility Services, per University practices preceding COVID-19.

Physical Spaces

The University plans to continue with enhanced cleaning/sanitizing protocols in offices, workspaces, classrooms, and meeting rooms. Employees continue to be responsible for disinfecting their own workspace throughout the day, cleaning supplies should remain available for use in the classrooms and other meeting or learning spaces, and custodial staff will continue to clean and disinfect common touchpoints and other common areas during their normal assigned schedule.

Current COVID-19 signage will be removed and access to building/suite entrances will no longer be restricted. Physical distancing within office spaces and classrooms is encouraged, but strict 6’ requirements and associated room capacities are rescinded. Physical barriers/sneeze guards may be removed. Having extra hand sanitizer and face coverings available is encouraged.

University-Related Travel

For Summer 2021, domestic University travel will be subject to pre-pandemic approval processes. However, individuals are responsible for monitoring CDC and KDHE guidance, and are responsible for complying with any federal, state, or local mandates or restrictions (e.g., quarantine, testing, etc.) concerning travel, including in their personal travel. Individuals acknowledge that, unless specifically required by the University, travel is at each individual’s own risk and they should plan accordingly. Starting Fall 2021, the University intends to open up international travel with these same parameters.

Decisions and plans regarding travel associated with the University’s international cross-border programs will be handled on a case-by-case basis and communicated accordingly.

University Events/Activities

For Summer and Fall 2021, the University will return to its pre-pandemic approach to planning and approving events and activities held on campus and in other University facilities. 

For events occurring on or after June 1, 2021, event planners are no longer required to submit an event planning form/request to VPs or CIPG for approval of such events, starting April 12, 2021. (Note: For events occurring prior to June 1, 2021, planners should continue to submit their event planning forms/requests to VPs in accordance with Phase Three (Spring 2021) protocols.) 

Although not required, event planners are still encouraged to explore appropriate remote participation options and promote health and safety practices, like encouraging face coverings, physical distancing where possible, personal health screening, washing hands, etc., for events occurring on or after June 1, 2021.

FHSU Athletics will continue to be subject to guidance or restrictions provided by the MIAA conference or NCAA.

Academic Affairs

For Summer and Fall 2021, Academic Affairs is planning to return to its pre-pandemic approach to delivery of online and in person classes. Faculty members can continue with some basic health and safety protocols in the classrooms (e.g., encouraging physical distancing, wearing face coverings, and cohorting; limiting shared equipment/materials and common touch points, etc.).

Any additional information regarding health and safety protocols in specific courses on campus should be made available to students on or before the first day of their classes.

Decisions and plans regarding the University’s international cross-border programs and public facing services within Academic Affairs will be handled on a case-by-case basis and communicated accordingly.

Residential Life

For Summer and Fall 2021, Residential Life is planning to return to its pre-pandemic approach to campus housing and dining. Individual community directors and residential life staff retain the ability to utilize technology enhancements and continue with some basic health and safety protocols in living spaces (e.g., encouraging physical distancing and wearing face coverings, modifying room configurations/capacities, etc.)

Plans for Testing, Tracing and Isolating

The University will continue to work with its local health partners and monitor state and federal guidance concerning future plans for COVID testing, contact tracing, and isolation and quarantine.

Testing

Free testing is available in the community and is expected to continue to be available for the foreseeable future. The Student Health Center’s testing program will be suspended during the Summer 2021. For the Fall 2021, it is anticipated that the Student Health Center will be equipped to test patients who present with symptoms of COVID-19 or have been identified as a close contact through contact tracing. Surveillance testing may resume, as determined by the University.

Basic protocols for those who are symptomatic and/or test positive for COVID-19 are expected to continue. Anyone who is symptomatic or does not feel well should stay home and stay away from others except to get medical care, calling their medical provider in advance. 

Symptomatic individuals who are tested may be required to isolate until the results are final. Individuals that test positive or are asked to isolate or quarantine should continue to follow the advice of their healthcare provider, the instructions provided by healthcare providers and local health officials, and guidance provided by ECHD, KDHE and CDC.

Employees are required to contact their supervisors to report their anticipated absence from work and are encouraged to contact Human Resources for questions concerning leave and benefits. Students are encouraged to contact their instructors to notify them of their absence from classes, and may contact Student Affairs to assist with this process.

Contact Tracing

Protocols relating to reporting of positive cases and contact tracing are expected to continue to evolve based on guidance and direction from ECHD, KDHE, and CDC. Positive COVID test results from any laboratory in Kansas are expected to continue to be reported to KDHE, which then informs the local health departments. In Ellis County, the ECHD is responsible for contact tracing, with possible support from the Student Health Center.

The FHSU Student Health Center will continue to serve as the main point of contact for purposes of responding to specific COVID-19 case concerns or reports.

Isolation and Quarantine

Isolation and quarantine protocols will continue to be based on guidance and direction from ECHD, KDHE, and CDC.

Individuals instructed to isolate or quarantine by public health officials should follow the instructions given to them by such officials, as well as the general guidance provided by ECHD, KDHE, and CDC. Because most employees reside off campus, employees who are subject to isolation or quarantine should expect to isolate or quarantine in their personal residences and be monitored by county health officials. Similarly, students residing off campus that are asked to isolate or quarantine should expect to be provided information to complete their isolation or quarantine at their personal residence and be monitored by county health personnel. Students residing in campus housing may return to their permanent residence to isolate or quarantine, or may isolate or quarantine in any living spaces – on or off campus – the University may designate for such purposes.