Draft:Take precautions during classroom meetings

	FREQUENT UPDATES: This article contains guidance related to COVID-19 that is subject to change. Check the COVID-19 Response at WSU site for the latest information and direct all questions about this article to TLT (tlt@winona.edu).

If you plan to meet with students in person this fall, you will need to take precautions during class meetings to reduce the chance of virus transmission. This includes managing physical distancing, mask usage, respiratory etiquette, hand sanitization, and surface cleaning as needed.

Face coverings

On August 4th, 2021, WSU implemented a face covering mandate for all students and employees in all classrooms regardless of vaccination status. Faculty have the option of removing their face covering while teaching if a six-foot minimum distance can be maintained between themselves and the students. They can also opt to use a face shield without a mask under that condition. Consult this article for more information about teaching with face coverings.

Face coverings provided

One university-branded cloth mask will be provided to each WSU student and employee. Additional face coverings, including branded, clear masks and face shields can be requested from TLT (tlt@winona.edu). Spare, disposable surgical-style masks will be stocked by Facilities (facilities@winona.edu) and available in all classrooms and other locations on campus for anyone who needs one. Read more about teaching and face coverings.

Additional PPE

If you have questions about the use of additional personal protective equipment, such as Plexiglas shields, in your classrooms, please contact Facilities (facilities@winona.edu) to discuss your needs.

Refusal to wear a mask

Our face-covering guidance has been established to maintain the health and safety of the WSU community, which may be at higher risk for the spread of COVID-19 due to the university setting, larger population, and shared living environments. Students and instructors are expected to behave responsibly and with respect for themselves and others. Any student or instructor who fails to follow this guidance may be asked or directed to leave university property. However, please understand that some members of our community may be exempted from this requirement. We ask that you practice patience and kindness as we work together to make our community safe, healthy, and accommodating for all. If a student refuses to wear a cloth face-covering in your classroom and cannot provide evidence of a university-approved accommodation, you can report the student using the Mask Refusal form and the incident will be addressed using the Student Conduct Code. Responses could include sanctions like disciplinary probation, community service, or suspension. Consider communicating this to your entire class to set expectations.

Respiratory etiquette

Students will receive guidance through multiple channels on exercising proper precautions when coughing or sneezing during in-person class meetings. This guidance will be delivered to them through campus signage, email, text, and social media messaging, and in common online locations (e.g., the Brightspace homepage). All of your students should be aware of this guidance prior to your first in-person class meeting.

Sanitization

Hands

Facilities is making hand sanitizer available both inside and immediately outside all classrooms. You and your students are free to bring your own hand sanitizer to class meetings, but it will be available and replenished throughout the semester. Contact Facilities (facilities@winona.edu) with any related questions.

Equipment

Contact Facilities (facilities@winona.edu) if you have questions or would like assistance sanitizing lab or classroom equipment. Facilities staff will sanitize all learning spaces once per day. You can certainly sanitize your own equipment if you wish and Facilities will provide cleaning supplies.

Classroom surfaces

Daily

Facilities will sanitize all classroom surfaces (e.g., tables, desks) once per day. Contact Facilities (facilities@winona.edu) with questions or instructions.

Just-in-time

Paper towels and disinfectant spray will be available in all learning spaces and will be replenished by Facilities (facilities@winona.edu) for you to use as needed.

Managing symptomatic students

If students present or report symptoms during a class meeting, they should be excused immediately. Students experiencing symptoms should contact the WSU Ask A Nurse message line. Students will receive instructions through multiple channels about what to do in this situation.

Assigning seats

Although contact tracing is coordinated at the state level, one thing that instructors can do to help is use assigned seats and keep a seating chart wherever possible. Contact TLT (tlt@winona.edu) for help using technology to accomplish this.

External links

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