Protect the Dam
What to do for Green, Yellow or Red?
The chart below outlines how Bluffton University will implement a fall campus plan for engaging in campus life while following best practices for keeping our campus community as safe as possible until a vaccine is available for the coronavirus.
This plan includes a three-phased approach, Green for when there are no COVID-19 cases on campus, Yellow when there are some COVID-19 confirmed positive cases on campus, and Red when there is accelerated COVID-19 activity.
Colors will be announced daily on www.bluffton.edu, my.bluffton.edu and in the residence halls.
General guidelines for students
Faculty/staff guidelines can be found on my.bluffton.edu under employment.
Using a screening tool on my.bluffton.edu, all students must conduct a daily entry self-screening, including a questionnaire covering symptoms and suspected or confirmed exposure to people with possible COVID-19, before engaging in the campus community. The use of this tool is required.
We will ensure those who are quarantined or isolated are supported and cared for until a return to day-to-day routine is authorized under medical and public-health guidance. If moving home, students must check out with their RAs and provide a COVID-19 negative test result to return to campus.
Quarantine space for those who have been exposed to COVID or who are waiting on test results, are on two floors of Ropp Hall and includes furniture, access to food services and internet. More than 60 beds are available for quarantined students. While health care will remain accessible and available on campus, students may choose to return to their permanent residence to seek health care per the health plan developed before moving onto campus in fall 2020.
If a student tests positive, he/she will move to one of several designated houses adjacent to campus to isolate until they test negative for the virus. Students may choose to return to their permanent residence to seek health care per the health plan developed before moving onto campus in fall 2020. If staying on campus, grab and go meals will be provided and student health will be monitored.
Create a health plan about what you will do if you test positive for COVID-19. You must submit your plan on my.bluffton.edu by Aug. 1. Be sure to communicate with your RA and family about your plan.
Every faculty, staff and student will be given a facial shield and mask
Students, faculty and staff and visitors through the admissions office will be required to use a facial covering while inside buildings or in the presence of another person outside while less than 6 ft. of distance. Face masks are preferred. Face shields are permitted when a face mask is not an option. A face mask will be provided. Students are encouraged to supplement with their own supply of face coverings.
Campus buildings will include educational signage on floors and walls. Please anticipate that foot traffic in many spaces will be altered to decrease population density, create one-way foot traffic and designate clear entrances and exits to buildings. Facilities will have sanitation resources, modifications and new expectations. It will be crucial for each community member to become reacquainted with familiar spaces.
During this phased approach, students living in residential housing can bring up to two helpers on move-in and move-out days. Students will be assigned specific times to help with social distancing.
Protect the Dam
|
Green |
Yellow |
Red |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| No Covid-19 cases on campus | Some Covid-19 positive cases on campus | Accelerated Covid-19 activity on campus | |
|
Student symptom reporting (residential and commuting students) |
Daily, first thing in the morning use the screening tool on my.bluffton.edu, | Daily, first thing in the morning use the screening tool on my.bluffton.edu, | Daily, first thing in the morning use the screening tool on my.bluffton.edu, leaving residence hall room or coming to campus only when absolutely necessary |
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| Inside buildings | Required (except while eating) | Required (except while eating) | Required (students should be in their rooms as much as possible) |
| Inside residence halls | Required (except when in residence hall room or bathroom) | Required (except when in residence hall room or bathroom) | Required (except when in residence hall room or bathroom) |
| Outside | Whenever you cannot be 6 ft. apart | Whenever you cannot be 6 ft. apart | Whenever you cannot be 6 ft. apart (students should be in their rooms as much as possible) |
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| Academic classes | In-person, socially distanced spacing | In-person, socially distanced spacing | Remote teaching and learning – students are learning from their residence hall rooms |
| Campus dining Guide to dining safety from Sodexo |
In-person, lower density dining (No faculty and staff in-person dining) | In-person, lower density dining (No faculty/staff in-person dining) | Grab and go only – eating outside or in residence hall room |
| Gathering in lobbies | In-person, socially distanced spacing with face coverings | In-person, socially distanced spacing with face coverings (consider virtual) | No gatherings |
| Residence hall restrooms/showers | Maintain social distancing as much as possible; showers should be sprayed down by individual after every use; 10 minutes between each usage. Sinks should be sprayed down and wiped after every use. | Maintain social distancing as much as possible; showers should be sprayed down by individual after every use; 10 minutes between each usage. Sinks should be sprayed down and wiped after every use. | Sign up for scheduled use of showers and sinks. |
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| Visitors on campus |
No visitors on campus (excluding recruitment visits managed by the admissions office.) | No visitors on campus (excluding recruitment visits managed by the admissions office.) | No visitors on campus (virtual recruitment visits only.) |
| Off-campus guests in residence halls | No off-campus guests | No off-campus guests | No off-campus guests |
| Bluffton University student visiting other residence halls | Allowed, with masks and social distancing | Allowed, but consider virtual visits | No visiting between residence halls |
| Leaving residence halls overnight | Avoid leaving campus overnight | Leave only if absolutely necessary; students must check out with RA | If students go home, they must check out with RA and remain home and complete remote learning until campus returns to a “Yellow” zone. |
| Travel | As little as possible; keep as much of a self-contained community as possible for students, faculty and staff. | As little as possible; keep as much of a self-contained community as possible. | If students go home, they must stay home until campus returns to a “Yellow” zone. |
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| Institutional and student events | In-person, socially distanced spacing | In-person, socially distanced spacing (consider virtual) | Cancelled or virtual only |
| Chapel | In-person, socially distanced spacing (no singing) | In-person, socially distanced spacing (no singing) | Virtual Chapel |
| Athletics | Coming soon, in accordance with NCAA and HCAC guidelines | Coming soon, in accordance with NCAA and HCAC guidelines | Coming soon, in accordance with NCAA and HCAC guidelines |
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| All spaces | Open windows for fresh ventilation | Open windows for fresh ventilation | Open windows for fresh ventilation |
| Academic spaces | Upon entering classroom, faculty and students will each take a disinfectant wipe (provided at entry) and wipe down their personal space | Upon entering classroom, faculty and students will each take a disinfectant wipe (provided at entry) and wipe down their personal space | No in-person classes; regular cleaning will continue. |
| Non-academic spaces |
Twice a day cleaning of high traffic public spaces by professionals | Twice a day cleaning of high traffic public spaces by professionals | More intense cleaning in and around the dining hall where students will have staggered times for grab and go meals |
| Residence halls | Increased cleaning of residence halls by professionals | Increased cleaning of residence halls by professionals | Increased cleaning of residence halls by professionals |
| Athletic cleaning | As recommended by the HCAC, NCAA | As recommended by the HCAC, NCAA | As recommended by the HCAC, NCAA |