COVID-19 Updates and Communication
November 5, 2020
With the close of fall semester rapidly approaching, we wanted to provide information and updates for the end of the semester and details on the University’s plans for spring semester.
Completion of Fall Semester after Thanksgiving
As you are aware, COVID cases have significantly increased in the last few weeks nationally, within Ohio, and in Franklin County. The Capital community continues to do an excellent job adhering to health and safety protocols, which has limited the impact of COVID at the University; however, we too are experiencing increases in COVID positive diagnoses and COVID symptoms within our community.
To be proactive and provide options to safely finish out the fall semester, the University will:
- Switch to all remote instruction for the remainder of the semester after the Thanksgiving break for the undergraduate program;
- Keep University offices open through the semester until winter break;
- Keep residence halls open through the end of the semester for any students who need or want to remain on campus as their home of choice to finish the semester. Residence Life will communicate later this week with details on making this choice.
Students are encouraged to consider remaining in University housing during the Thanksgiving break based on guidance from local and national health agencies. Holiday-related travel and associated gatherings increases the likelihood of contracting and spreading the virus. University housing and dining services will be open to support students who elect to stay on campus over the Thanksgiving break and through the end of the semester.
Academic Calendar for Spring Semester
After careful review and consideration of alternative options, the University will maintain the published academic calendars, keeping the current start date of January 11 and maintaining the scheduled breaks, including the midterm/spring breaks scheduled for each program – Undergraduate, Graduate, Law, and Seminary.
- All residential students will be tested for COVID at the beginning of the semester and after the midterm break.
- For the undergraduate program, instruction will begin in remote format for the first two weeks of the spring semester and the first two weeks after spring break to allow for a quarantine period when students return to campus.
Office Staffing
Our Return to the Workplace protocols are mitigating work-related spread of COVID cases. Therefore, for spring semester we will continue following the in-office work schedules approved by supervisors and vice presidents, which include staggered work schedules, alternating days, and some continued remote work. The goal continues to be consistent staffing with approximately 50 percent of employees on campus at any given time to lessen the threat of COVID exposure while maintaining a high level of service.
University Events
The current protocols for University events will continue through spring semester. Virtual events should continue to be conducted when feasible, as the health and safety of our community remain our top priority. Events should include registration or attendee lists that include participant contact information to facilitate contact tracing, if needed. The size of in-person events should be limited based on the room’s COVID occupancy limits that provide for physical distancing, with indoor events limited to a maximum of 50 and outdoor events limited to a maximum of 200, unless there is prior approval by the President’s Cabinet.
University Travel
All non-essential University-related travel within the United States and internationally will continue to be suspended through spring semester, including travel for study abroad programs. Essential University-related travel includes admission recruiting, advancement travel, and athletic-related travel.
Health and Safety Reminder
Our community is doing so much to stay safe! Please continue to remain vigilant about following all University COVID restrictions including:
- Complete the online daily symptom-monitoring survey.
- Wear face coverings and other PPE as required.
- Practice physical distancing of at least 6 feet.
- Frequently wash hands at least 20 seconds and/or use hand sanitizer.
- Regularly clean your personal workspace and other commonly used areas.
COVID Response Team
The COVID Response Team, led by Dr. Tanya Poteet, vice president and University counsel, is continuing its work to support the health and safety of our University community. Dr. Renee’ Dunnington, dean of the School of Nursing, is our COVID Response Team coordinator and health advisor, leading the team focused on health protocols and isolation/quarantine decisions and implementation. Erin Delffs, associate vice president for Business and Finance, is our COVID Response Environment and Safety coordinator, heading the team focused on environmental safety and cleaning protocols and decisions.
To help us make decisions on isolation, quarantine, contact tracing, and enhanced cleaning, which are necessary for limiting the spread of COVID within our community, the team asks for your help in the following ways:
Thanks to the superior teamwork of our faculty, staff, and students, we have created an exceptionally safe environment. Our plans will be modified as necessary to ensure the physical and mental health of the Capital community. We appreciate your consideration and understanding.