Message from the Dean August 14, 2020

August 14, 2020

Dear Students,

The Fall 2020 semester is quickly upon us.  While many of you have already begun your studies this summer for the academic year, we know that the University will soon see many more students, faculty, and staff on campus as more programs begin their fall courses.  Now more than ever, we must continue to adhere to policies that will ensure the health and safety of our campus community.

In light of the recent email from President McInnis regarding the University’s New COVID-19 Pandemic Health & Safety Policy, I want to highlight some important information.

  • Daily Health Self-Screening: all faculty, staff, and students are required to complete a daily self COVID-19 health screening. For employees who remain at the workplace over 12 hours the screen must be repeated.
    • Students who answer questions to the screen indicating a cause for concern must stay home or in their residence. Students are prompted to contact Student Health Services and must follow their guidelines. Students should also follow instructions from their course syllabus.
  • Testing: all residential students are required to:
    • Complete a COVID-19 PCR test within 14 days of their scheduled arrival.
    • Produce a negative test lab result; and
    • Bring and submit that negative test result on the day of move in.
  • Quarantine: if you are traveling from overseas or from a restricted state inside the US, you must isolate yourself (known as "stay at home") in a non-restricted state for at least 14 days before coming to campus.
  • Public Facial Coverings: must be worn at all times in all buildings and when using campus transit. This requirement helps us to protect one another - especially in instances where it is not possible to maintain social distancing (i.e.: in bathrooms, stairwells, elevators, buses, etc.). When outdoors, individuals should maintain a distance of at least six feet from other individuals and use a facial covering when social distancing is not possible.
  • Social Distancing: 6 feet of distance must be maintained between individuals at all times. However, in rare instances when social distancing cannot be maintained, interactions should be limited to the shortest time possible (15 minutes or less).

We appreciate your adherence to the University’s policy.  Together, we can continue to quell the spread of COVID-19.

The Dean’s Office will begin to transition back its staff on a staggered schedule at the start of the fall semester.  We will not permit walk-ins to the office, and will require you to make an appointment if you need to speak to a Dean’s office staff member.  We will be encouraging phone and zoom meetings in lieu of in-person meetings.  Important phone numbers will be posted outside our office door.  We will also be encouraging virtual academic advising appointments.  Please contact your program for more details.

As the semester begins, we will continue to provide you with important information and communicate with you on a regular basis regarding any policies and procedures that you should be aware of, both at our School level, and University-wide.  

I’d also like to share some news regarding East campus.  There will soon be a newly created East Campus Lactation Room.  It will be located behind Lecture Hall 3 on Level 2 of the HSC.  The space will be equipped with furniture, hospital grade pump, supplies, refrigerator, and microwave.  The space will be available for all students, faculty, and staff on East campus.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us in the Dean’s office.  We look forward to a safe and productive fall semester ahead. 

Sincerely,

Stacy Jaffee Gropack, PT., Ph.D., FASAHP
Dean and Professor 
School of Health Technology and Management