Sept 2: Weekly Update from President Nowaczyk
Sep 2, 2020 5:00 PM
COVID-19 Information:
- Return to Work/Class Guidance: We have previously presented guidance for prevention of COVID transmission; daily symptom monitoring; what to do if you have symptoms, tested positive or had extended contact with someone who is positive; steps required for returning to campus following being cleared by a healthcare provider, and more. Attached are two documents that pull this information together in one place, one for faculty/staff and one for students. These are also posted on the website. The employee document is online. The student document is online.
- COVID Testing Results: After reviewing privacy concerns regarding public reporting of our ongoing COVID-19 testing, the concern was raised that reporting for the week when student-athletes were the only ones being tested could identify a single or small number of positive cases as student-athletes, potentially compromising their privacy. As a result, our public reporting throughout the semester will include two weeks of data, to include student-athlete testing, campus-wide surveillance testing, symptomatic testing conducted by Brady Health and verified self-reported tests uploaded to our portal. Look for an update to our dashboard next week. Regardless of our public reporting protocol, any positive test results are being dealt with promptly by the Allegany County Health Department, and our team is monitoring results as they come in to be alerted to any areas of concern and will act accordingly.
- Dining Safely: I encourage everyone visiting the food service locations on campus to carefully follow the guidelines they have set. In particular, remember that masks must be worn at all times except when eating, and, especially since masks are off while eating, you must maintain the 6-foot distance from others. Instructions are posted and you can read the overall Chartwells plan online.
- Don’t Forget to Check-in: Another reminder that everyone to is to do their daily symptom check-in at the FSU COVID Check-In Portal. This is a very important tool for us to monitor the overall health of the campus and provide us with an early alert to potential issues. Faculty may ask students to display their “reduced risk” badge from the check-in site before any class session.
- Mask Up! Most people seem to have gotten the message, but for those who haven't, remember that masks are required to be worn in the presence of others at all times, both indoors when not in your private room or office and outdoors when social distancing is not possible. When in doubt, mask up! If you haven't gotten your FSU-branded mask yet, stop by the Lane Center Information Desk to pick one up.
CARES Act Update: We have made 2,039 awards for $1,833,131.93. Of those awards, 1,715 individual students have received at least one award. Of those 1,493 awards were made for the housing money, totaling $559,875. Students who have not applied for Fall 2020 housing awards of $375 can still apply.