Chowan University procedure follows recommendations from the CDC, the state of North Carolina and local health providers as general guidance.
We are committed to implementing a range of measures to help promote health and well-being among students, employees, and campus visitors and to help reduce risk from potential exposure and spread of COVID-19. Procedures set forth in this document are meant to meet minimum threshold requirements for general campus, day-to-day experiences. Where applicable, more stringent requirements will be communicated via signage or university personnel in areas in which potential risk of exposure or infection of COVID-19 are greater.
Responsibility to follow these university policies fall to individual faculty, staff, students, and campus guests in order to promote a good social order with mutual care and respect for others. The language primarily employed in these policies reference the main campus in Murfreesboro, NC, these policies also apply to off-site locations in which Chowan students learn and employees work.
All members of Chowan community (faculty, staff, students, and approved campus visitors) returning to campus are expected to adhere to these primary responsibilities:
1. Daily health monitoring
2. Practice physical distancing and wearing cloth coverings when appropriate
3. Practicing good personal hygiene
4. Reporting symptoms or possible exposure
Social Distancing
Currently, the CDC reports that the COVID-19 virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person who are in close contact with each other even when symptoms are not present. CDC Social Distancing Guidelines
Masks
Because infection of COVID-19 may not produce symptoms, the cloth covering of the nose and mouth is meant as an added precaution against potentially infecting others. Continue to maintain separation from others of at least 6 feet. CDC Mask Guidelines
Community Spaces
As individuals may be without symptoms of COVID-19 yet test positive for the disease, all persons on campus must maintain at least 6’ of space (physical distance) of separation from others. CDC Social Distancing Guidelines
Health Monitoring Responsibility
Any individual on campus must monitor potential symptoms daily before coming to or interacting with others on campus. According to the CDC, anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:
· Fever
· 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
· Diarrhea
Faculty and staff who have symptoms including a fever of 100 F / 38 C degrees or greater must stay home and contact their primary medical provider and notify Human Resources (hr@chowan.edu). Human Resources guidelines can be found at chowan.edu/hr.
Students with any symptoms including a fever of 100 F / 38 C degrees or greater must call Health Services at (252) 398-6248. Commuting students must not come to campus and residential students must not leave their campus residence. CDC Symptom Monitoring Guidelines
Physical Distancing and Cloth Covering Responsibility
Currently, the CDC reports that the COVID-19 virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person who are in close contact with each other even when symptoms are not present. Limiting face-to-face contact with others is the best way to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Physical distancing, also called social distancing, means keeping space between yourself and other people outside your home. As individuals may be without symptoms of COVID-19 yet test positive for the disease, all persons on campus must:
· maintain at least 6’ of space (physical distance) of separation from others
· limit gathering into groups
· minimize time in crowded places
In some scenarios that involve natural vocal projection (singing, lecturing, etc.) a minimum of 15’ is strongly encouraged. In general, this responsibility applies to all environments on campus (classrooms, offices, library, residence halls, etc.) There are naturally occurring congestion areas in day-to-day life on campus (dining, restrooms, elevators, etc.) that need extra consideration. When physical distancing is not possible (small spaces, entering/exiting classrooms and building, congested areas, etc.) cloth coverings are expected to be worn. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for physical distancing. Because infection of COVID-19 may not produce symptoms, the cloth covering of the nose and mouth is meant as an added precaution against potentially infecting others. Continue to maintain separation from others of at least 6 feet. CDC Face Covering Guidelines
Good Personal Hygiene Responsibility
According to the CDC, handwashing is one of the best ways to protect yourself from getting sick. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. When soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. CDC Handwashing Guidelines
All faculty, staff, students, and campus visitors are expected to follow posted signage regarding use of shared campus spaces and resources. Living in community commits us to consider the needs of others before ourselves.
The University is employing additional cleaning and disinfecting measures in response to COVID-19. However, all who live and work at Chowan are expected to clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily in their areas daily. CDC Cleaning/Disinfecting Guidelines.
Daily Self Monitoring
Students, faculty, and staff are expected to complete their own daily self-checkup to help monitor their own health. Click here for more information.
Self Monitoring and Quarantine Protocol
All students, faculty, and staff who report COVID-19 symptoms or who are exposed to the virus must follow the testing, contact tracing, and quarantine protocols established by Chowan University.
Students:
If you feel ill or experience symptoms of COVID-19:
- AVOID all contact with others. Stay at home or in your room. Do not go to class, work, dining halls, etc.
- CALL to self identify.
- Call the Wellness Center at 252-398- 6248 between 9 am and 4 pm and our health provider will assess you.
- If after hours or the weekend, please call Public Safety at 252-398-1234. Please share your mobile number with them and Public safety will contact our health provider with your phone number and location. Our health provider will call the student and assess.
- TRANSITION to a temporary self-Isolation space if you are directed to by our health provider. If so, Residence Life will coordinate the isolation space with you and the CARES Team will review service available to you while in self-isolation
Remember to protect yourself and others, you must ACT if you have symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19.
If a student tests positive while on campus, and if they are able to travel home by personal vehicle, they will be encouraged to do so. The CDC warns against mass transportation for anyone testing positive. If they are unable to leave campus, they will be relocated to our quarantine residence hall. Our University nurse will provide the necessary care and monitor them daily. Students in quarantine will be provided their meals and access to any services necessary to include, counseling, pastoral care, etc. If a student tests positive we will begin contact tracing to test all persons they may have encountered in conjunction with the local health departments.
Faculty & Staff:
If you feel ill or experience symptoms of COVID-19:
- Employee reports Covid-19 exposure to supervisor
- Employee is sent home immediately if on-campus or remains at home if not on campus
- Human Resources alerted to the situation by the supervisor and responds by contacting our health provider to being the exposure evaluation process.
- Human Resources completes a documented confidential log on the medical event, specifying date/time frame, event details, resolution.
Full Employee details are available at chowan.edu/hr.
Care Commitment
Responsibility to follow the university policies fall to individual faculty, staff, students, and campus guest in order to promote a good social order with mutual care and respect for others. Students will be required to sign the attached community compact, Chowan Strong-Safer Together. The compact is our agreement to care for self, others and this place.