State Tech outlines reopening plan

Posted 8/12/20

With each day, more is learned about COVID-19, its ability to spread, and severity of symptoms in a variety of individuals, but with guidelines in place, State Tech President Dr. Shawn Strong is …

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State Tech outlines reopening plan

Posted

With each day, more is learned about COVID-19, its ability to spread, and severity of symptoms in a variety of individuals, but with guidelines in place, State Tech President Dr. Shawn Strong is confident the college can resume near normal operations this fall.

“We’ve spent hundreds of hours preparing to open the college to our students and staff this fall,” said Dr. Strong. “On May 30, we were able to have one of the first in-person graduations in the country. The same characteristics that allowed us to have an in-person graduation are the same reasons we will be on-campus this fall. Our location, size, and delivery methods help ensure we can provide a safe environment for our students. We will do our best to prevent the spread of the virus, but the reality is we know there will be cases. Our goal is to contain the spread as much as possible.”

The college was notified that two students, one recently on campus and the other not on campus, tested positive. State Tech has created a COVID-19 Response Team to manage the virus on campus, with students and staff directed to make notification if they have tested positive, a health care provider indicates they are presumed positive, they have been instructed to quarantine, or if they have been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19.

With many colleges across the state looking into more online courses this fall, State Tech is taking steps to assure that students will complete the fall of 2020 semester on campus.

“We’ve done things a bit differently than other colleges for the last several years, and our enrollment continues to increase, while others are not faring so well,” said Dr. Strong. “We are prepared to offer in-person instruction in a variety of conditions.”

State Tech has built three “flex weeks” into the fall schedule. If none of the flex weeks are used, most programs will end the regular semester the day before Thanksgiving, Nov. 25.

“While we don’t expect to have to close campus as a result of COVID-19 this flexible schedule will allow us to close a program or the campus for a short period of time without losing valuable hands-on education,” said Dr. Strong.

State Tech has reviewed a variety of strategies to ensure that the hands-on class time students receive will not be reduced. Strategies could include eliminating non-instructional days, extending class periods, or additional evening or Saturday labs.

Dr. Strong noted that new projectors and audio equipment have been purchased for use in the Activity Center, Vehicle and Power Center conference hall and the community center, which will allow for classes to be held in each of these locations as needed.

Most State Tech programs use a cohort model, meaning students in a particular program take all of the same classes together, which makes social distancing, contact tracing, and even cleaning fairly straight-forward compared to other colleges.

“When students go to general education classes, they’ll mingle with students outside their cohort, but we have established guidelines to account for that, including assigned seating,” said Dr. Strong. “Masks will be required indoors at all times.”

Major events at the college have been canceled already, with the exception of the annual dinner to be held Oct. 22 at the Activity Center by the Meramec Regional Planning Commission.

Non-sanctioned events scheduled at the Osage County Community Center are excluded since the venue is rented by third-party interests, which will be responsible for their own adherence to COVID-19 guidelines.

The annual Power UP event, scheduled for Aug. 23, will be held outdoors on the quad, with vendors spaced around the campus.

In addition to informational signage around campus, the college has taken proactive steps, some of which began last spring, in preparation for the fall semester.

“When this first started happening, we knew there would be a long lead time, so we ordered supplies to make sure we had what we needed,” said Dr. Strong.

At this time, State Tech has 5,000 large bottles of hand sanitizer, which will be used in the cafeteria and at every entrance, 4,000 small bottles of hand sanitizer, and 15,000 face masks.

State Tech has spent $20,000 to purchase plexiglass screens for the cafeteria, and soon will have individual cubicles for tables, since this the largest area of interaction on campus.

Currently, social distancing has allowed for spacing in the cafeteria, and a second hotline will be added to serve food twice as fast, thereby clearing the cafeteria quickly to avoid unnecessary grouping.

All meals will be served in the cafeteria. A couple years ago, the Orbit Lounge was opened in the Activity Center to provide students an opportunity to eat meals there and take advantage of the activities there.

With the new look due to COVID-19, Dr. Strong said restricting meals to one location will make everything more efficient in the fight against the spread of the virus.

Dr. Strong said an additional 50 tables have been ordered for outdoor use so students can eat outside.

“We’ve got enough supplies to last until December, and we’re placing another order soon to make it through until May,” Dr. Strong added.

Other steps to help minimize the spread of the virus through contact include motion-sensor lights in each classroom and lab, along with hands-free operations in all restrooms.

The college has also purchased charged backpack-foggers, which will deliver disinfectant after-hours to ensure rooms are properly cleaned.

Dr. Strong further noted that staff will disinfect equipment before and after each student’s use, sanitize facilities nightly and high-touch areas regularly throughout the day. State Tech will also enforce state and local health policies for student well-being.

While the college will not prescreen students prior to the start of the fall season, there will be checks if symptoms warrant such action.

“Most of our students will be asymptomatic,” said Dr. Strong. “We will encourage them to regularly wash or sanitize hands, follow any social distancing guidelines, and self-quarantine if COVID-19 exposure is determined or is likely. We’re strongly urging students to take care of themselves and do everything they can to prevent the spread of the virus. If they have to be quarantined, we’ll enforce it, which means they will be stuck in a room for at least 10 days.”

State Tech has rented two local apartments for use in the event of quarantine, with food delivery to be scheduled. “We can pick up food and leave it outside the door,” said Dr. Strong. “The hard part is going to be what students do away from campus. If they want to stay in school, and not go into quarantine, they’re going to have to do their part by avoiding large off-campus gatherings and following health department guidelines.”

COVID-19 symptoms include a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. Additional symptoms will be listed if updated by the Centers for Disease Control.

Once school resumes, State Tech has planned for the following situations. Currently, the college is following Scenario 2.

Scenario 1: The risk of exposure to COVID-19 is minimal, and large group congregation without social distancing is acceptable.

— The campus operates as normal.

Scenario 2: The risk of exposure to COVID-19 is minimal, but large group congregations are not recommended.

— Classes operate normally.

— Social distancing and other guidelines may apply.

Scenario 3: The risk of exposure to COVID-19 is moderate. Active case(s) of COVID-19 might be found on campus but spread can be managed.

— Everyone on campus will be required to wear face masks while indoors. Social distancing or face masks will be required outdoors. Exceptions include: private offices, personal vehicles, while eating, within residence rooms, and in offices where a protective barrier is between the employee and non-employee.

— Social distancing and other guidelines may apply.

— Classes held on campus and may follow modified schedule. Student will sit in assigned seating for every class.

— Individual programs may be modified to reduce risk.

— Employees will work on campus. Employees should attempt to have meetings outside their offices or via Teams where social distancing is easier to accomplish.

— Employees and students should consider limiting travel and large scale events.

— The cafeteria will be open and partitions will be used to separate occupants. The Orbit Lounge will be closed. Food service will adapt to best practices in place.

— Activity Center and Golf Course will be open regular hours.

— Events that are planned by outside partners will be limited. State Tech reserves the right to cancel at anytime.

Scenario 4: The risk of exposure to COVID-19 is likely, and strict social distancing and face covering guidelines necessitate that a progressive approach is required to keep campus open. That would mean scenario 3 in addition to the following.

Increasing number of COVID-19 cases and guidelines necessitate that a progressive approach is required to keep campus open. In this example, the college will use scenario 3, with the following changes.

— The Activity Center will be closed.

— Offices will be open virtually.

— General education and non-hands-on classes may be taught online, hybrid, or at student’s home building. Students will be responsible for technology resources needed for remote learning.

— Employees and students will be asked to travel only to certain areas while on campus. Classes or lab sections may be split to maximize social distancing.

— Faculty who have at-risk family at home may self-quarantine in Linn. State Tech may provide housing. Staff in similar circumstances will be allowed to work virtually.

— Employees and students will be asked to limit non-essential travel. Students will be asked to stay in Linn (or wherever their home is during the week) during weekends.

Scenario 5: COVID-19 is being spread across campus and risk is high.

— Contact tracing will determine how much of Scenarios 3 and 4 are implemented.

— In the case of evidence of community spread, campus may be closed or moved to remote teaching as required.

Visitor Guidelines

All visitors to the State Tech campus are asked to comply with social distancing, hygiene, self-monitoring, and symptom checking, and practice the following guidelines.

— Visitors will self-monitor before visiting.

— Visitors while on campus will social distance, meaning each person must remain at least six feet from others.

— Visitors will wear face masks when the college is in Scenarios 3-5

— Visitors can verbally greet anyone on campus, but no-handshake practice is preferred.