July 17 update from the Ready & Resilient Committee for faculty and staff

By Owen Covington, staff

July 17, 2020

Melissa Scales, assistant professor of physical therapy, teaches first-year students in one of the Francis Center’s labs.

The Ready & Resilient Committee provides details to faculty and staff members on a range of topics related to Fall semester.

Colleagues,

This week’s Ready & Resilient (R&R) update includes specific details about a number of processes and topics:

    • R&R Web Page Listing All Requirements
    • Required COVID-19 Testing
    • Required Schar Center Health Check-In
    • Required Training, Healthy Elon Commitment, & Disclosure Statements
    • Isolation & Quarantine
    • Technology Update
    • Student Accommodation Process
    • Expectations of Students
    • Help Us Get Textbooks On Time & Sent to Student Homes
    • Cultural Programs This Fall
    • Campus Events
    • Updated Posters & Signage
    • Ongoing R&R Work and Future Updates

    R&R Web Page for All Required Testing, Training, Check-Ins, Health Screening

    Click here to see the R&R page listing all required trainings and testing details, as well as links to the healthy screening app, the Schar Center Health Check-In and more. Each of these processes will go live by next Thursday, July 23.

    Required COVID-19 Testing

    Although COVID-19 testing, and pre-semester testing in particular, is not perfect and will not shield us from becoming infected, we believe it is an important part of our multi-pronged strategy.

    To participate in fall semester at Elon, all students, faculty and staff must complete Elon’s pre-semester PCR COVID-19 testing prior to classes beginning. Elon is preparing an extensive program of screening, testing and tracing that all members of the Elon community will be required to participate in before the semester and throughout the fall. Students, faculty, and staff who are already on campus at this point must also participate in testing.

    Visit the COVID-19 Testing page to find detailed explanations on the following topics and the link to the testing site (live July 23):

    • COVID-19 Testing Prior to Fall Semester
      • Which Test Qualifies for the Required Pre-Semester Testing
      • Finances/Insurance
      • When to Order and Submit Your Test Sample
      • Testing Process
      • If You Receive Positive Test Results
      • If You Have Already Tested Positive for COVID-19
    • COVID-19 Testing throughout the Fall Semester
      • If You Feel Ill or Experience COVID-19 Symptoms
      • Who Will be Selected for Ongoing/Random Testing Throughout the Semester
      • When and How Will the Random/Ongoing Testing Occur?

    Required Schar Center Health Check-In

    All students, faculty, and staff will participate in the Health Check-In. Before classes begin on Aug. 19, please drive to the Schar Center for your Ready & Resilient Health Check-In. A map and full details can be found here.

    At the Schar Center Health Check-In, you will be:

    • Required to bring and wear a face covering while you have your temperature checked
    • Receive your Ready & Resilient Kit (Elon face covering, hand sanitizer, tissues, information, thermometer, etc.) and board markers/eraser.

    Staff on Site will Verify Your:

    • Completion of Elon’s required PCR COVID-19 testing
    • Completion of required health training & signature of the Healthy Elon Commitment

    Faculty and staff should plan to participate during one of the following times:

    • Monday-Thursday, Aug. 10-13
      • 8-10 a.m. (faculty and staff only)
      • Noon-2 p.m. (faculty and staff only)
      • 4-7 p.m. (students, faculty, and staff)
    • Tuesday, August 11 (additional early hours)
      • 6-8 a.m. (faculty and staff only)
    • Tuesday, August 18
      • 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (backup day for students, faculty, and staff)

    Required Training, Healthy Elon Commitment, and Disclosure Statements

    On July 23, the required training will be released to students, faculty, and staff. These brief modules will include key information to support a healthy campus this fall, including training on face coverings, health, hygiene, the Ready & Resilient Health Screen, cleaning protocols, COVID-19 testing, the Schar Center Health Check-In, and the Healthy Elon Commitment. Look for additional details and links to the trainings on the R&R website next week.

    As part of the required training:

    • All students, faculty and staff will sign the Healthy Elon Commitment, a collective commitment to act each day to safeguard the health and well-being of all community members. Read the text of the Healthy Elon Commitment here.
    • The required training includes a university disclosure statement for employees and a similar statement for students. As part of the process, students will acknowledge they have read the statement. You can read the two disclosure statements here. These documents explain basic facts and conditions related to fall semester, Elon’s response to COVID-19 and expectations of everyone in our community.

    Note: This training is different than the required Return to Work training staff that participated in during the early summer.

    Isolation & Quarantine

    Click here to read an overview of campus isolation and quarantine procedures, which includes details about isolation/quarantine spaces, testing and tracing for those needing to quarantine, meals, classes, check-ins from staff, and a quarantine supply list for students. The site also links to guidance for those in isolation and quarantine, which is a site under construction by Student Care and Outreach staff.

    Technology Update

    • Zoom: As announced previously, an institutional license for Zoom was purchased for all students, faculty, and staff. Zoom is now available. We expedited your access due to demand, so please note that there will be limited support of this product initially. Bear with us as we develop our internal support processes, documentation, and more. Please do not purchase Zoom licenses on your own for Elon.
    • Please do not spray technology equipment. Currently, we have seven copiers that are no longer working due to being sprayed. This is a disruption to work, as our machines cannot be repaired immediately and there is cost associated with repair. We encourage users to wash or sanitize their hands after use. If you feel the need to clean a device, please use a sanitizing wipe.
    • Adobe Creative Cloud: An institutional license has been purchased for Adobe Creative Cloud. All students, faculty, and staff will have access to the software prior to the start of the semester.  More information is forthcoming. Please do not purchase Adobe Creative Cloud on your own for Elon.
    • Digital Learning Days: Learn about blended learning environments and maximizing face-to-face instruction. The first three days were successful this week, and the second offering for DLF will be on Aug. 5-7. We are also planning for drop-in times for users to receive hands-on training for classroom technologies around Aug. 5-7. More information to come.
    • New Moodle template: A new Quick Start Template has been created based on research-supported practices for quality course design. This optional template provides a consistent structure for course content that benefits both instructors and students. Visit the Technology Knowledge Base site for additional information, including the request process.

    Student Accommodation Processes

    Students requiring medical or behavioral accommodations related to COVID-19 this fall or those with concerns should contact Disabilities Resources (disabilities@elon.edu). This process aligns with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

    Additionally, in keeping with the existing Disabilities Resources policies, a modification review committee (comprised of staff and faculty from all schools and colleges) is being formed to address any other student issues and concerns. The Global Education Center is also assisting with students requiring accommodations related to international travel and visa restrictions. Again, more details will be shared as this process is finalized next week.

    Expectations of Students

    Click here to read the Aug. 16 email Vice President of Student Jon Dooley shared with students  regarding expectations for the fall semester and including the following statement from the Fall 2020 Task Force report:

    “Students who engage in social behaviors that have long been part of the college experience, such as large parties, could spark a widespread outbreak of COVID-19. To those who plan to return to Elon and behave as if they live in a pre-COVID world, the Task Force has a simple message: please stay home.”

    Help Us Get Textbooks On Time & Sent to Student Homes

    Barnes & Noble at Elon is encouraging students to purchase textbooks prior to arriving on campus and receive their textbooks at home (in order to avoid congestion at textbook pickup). Book orders over $25 will ship for free to students’ homes. Please share your textbook adoption information asap at FacultyEnlight. Barnes & Noble is placing current fall orders now to ensure on-time delivery in light of  supply chain disruptions that include book publishers and wholesalers.

    Cultural & Special Programs This Fall

    Cultural and special programs, performing arts, music, and others are planning speakers, concerts, and cultural events this fall:

    Many other events, including dance, theater, and music from Elon’s Departments of Performing Arts and Music will be included on the Cultural Calendar (online) which will be released in early August.

    As suggested in the Fall 2020 Task Force report, students will have first priority to attend events in person. All events will have limited in-person attendance, will require face coverings, and will include online ticketing. Virtual options will be shared with students, faculty, and staff closer to event dates.

    Campus Events

    Departments and programs across campus are actively planning to reinvent how we host campus events for the fall semester. Evening and weekend activities and events are being reimagined with the goal of fostering a vibrant and healthy social climate and providing opportunities for students to build a sense of community and belonging. As the safety and well-being of our community is the top priority, these university-sponsored events will follow guidelines around reduced attendance, physical distancing, wearing of face coverings, high hygiene, and low/no touch environments. In the coming weeks, these events and programs will be finalized and will be shared with our students and campus community.

    Updated Posters & Signage

    Updated R&R and COVID-19 posters and signage are available from Print Services. Use this link to see available signs and find instructions for ordering from Print Services.

    Ongoing R&R Work and Future Updates

    We expect to release final details on a number of processes July 17-24, including:

    1. Links for required training
    2. Link to the daily health screen
    3. Link to the COVID-19 testing portal
    4. Planning Week schedules
    5. Quarantine and isolation policies
    6. Benchmarking and alert levels being developed by the Infectious Disease Committee
    7. Fall events on campus
    8. Plans for international students
    9. Student ambassadors
    10. More on Move-In and Orientation

    Our Requests of You

    • Thank you for your good questions. We need your ideas. Keep reaching out to us individually and through ready2020@elon.edu. We ask that you give us a bit of grace and patience as we work through the many recommendations and help prepare for this fall.
    • As your programs and departments are developing processes and making plans for fall, please share those plans through deans and vice presidents, as well as through Jeff Stein at jstein@elon.edu or through ready2020@elon.edu so we can ensure alignment across campus in this rapidly changing environment.

    We know you need information about fall semester and will continue to provide updates throughout the summer via emails and the Ready & Resilient website – www.elon.edu/rr.

    Sincerely,

    The Ready & Resilient Committee

    • Jeff Stein, Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Assistant Professor of English (Chair)
    • Dan Anderson, Vice President of University Communications
    • Ginette Archinal, Medical Director of Student Health and University Physician
    • MarQuita Barker, Director of Residence Life
    • John Barnhill, Associate Vice President for University Advancement
    • Tom Flood, Assistant Vice President of Physical Plant
    • Jason Husser, Associate Professor of Political Science and Policy Studies, and Director of the Elon Poll (Academic Council Representative)
    • Deandra Little, Assistant Provost, Director of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning and Professor of English
    • Paul Miller, Assistant Provost for Academic Operations and Communications and Professor of Exercise Science
    • Kelly Reimer, Director of Teaching and Learning Technologies (Staff Council Representative)
    • Carrie Ryan, Director of Auxiliary Services
    • Kelli Shuman, Associate Vice President for Human Resources & Chief Human Resources Officer
    • Gabie Smith, Dean of Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences and Professor of Psychology
    • Mary Southern, Project Manager for Provost and Academic Affairs Operations (Project Manager)
    • Mike Ward, Deputy Director of Athletics
    • Randy Williams, Associate Vice President for Inclusive Excellence and Assistant Professor of Education

    Posted in: Faculty & Staff

    Tagged: