school of mines & technology rockers return task force

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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• 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.

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• 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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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• 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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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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

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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.