Students, Faculty, Residents, Staff and Board Members,
Having resumed limited University operations and clinical instruction during the Yellow Phase of the Process to Reopen Pennsylvania, I wanted to confirm our plans for the fall semester. Consistent with the guidelines promulgated by the Pennsylvania Departments of Health and Education, after a great deal of planning and preparation, we are planning to resume the majority of our on campus operations on August 24th.
Instruction
Laboratory and clinical instruction will be conducted face-to-face either on campus, at our clinical facilities or at externship sites. Didactic classroom instruction will be conducted in alternative formats with individual programs and their students selecting from a variety of modalities including, face-to-face, remote (synchronous and asynchronous) and blended offerings. We are adopting a block scheduling system to allow for enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of spaces and to reduce congestion in common areas. If for any reason, the public health situation dictates otherwise, we are well prepared to pivot and provide remote instruction.
Student Services
The Learning Resource Center (LRC), Café and Student Affairs Office will be open for your use. We are also developing plans to reopen the Hafter Student Community Center.
Operating Protocols
The health and safety of the Salus community remains our utmost concern. The operating protocols that we have adopted for the Yellow Phase will evolve in accordance with CDC and state guidelines. Daily screenings and temperature checks will continue as will the requirement to wear a mask that covers your nose and mouth. For your own convenience, please remember to complete the Salus Sign On. Students and faculty engaged in laboratory and clinical instruction will continue to be provided with personal protective equipment (PPE).
One way traffic in our hallways and staircases will also continue. Laboratories, classrooms, the LRC and the Café will all have reduced capacities to allow for physical distancing. Plexiglass shields are being added to laboratory and clinical equipment and in additional locations as customer service barriers.
To allow for contact tracing, all individuals entering and leaving our facilities will be recorded. Class schedules and assigned seating will provide additional information.
All faculty and staff who can perform the essential functions of their jobs from home will still be encouraged to do so. Those whose essential functions require them to be on site will return to campus and our clinical facilities.
Our protocols are designed to reduce the risk of exposure, but the contagious nature of COVID-19 means we cannot eliminate all risk of infection. Everyone must also do their part by practicing physical distancing, frequently washing their hands, not touching their nose, mouth or eyes, and most importantly staying home if they are sick. Once again, this is where the Salus Sign On comes into play. We have adopted more liberal excused absence policies to accommodate those who stay home because they are or may be sick.
Orientation
Building upon the success of our series of Entering Student Webinars, our new students will be able to conduct their Salus University orientation online and at their own pace beginning in early August. In addition, each individual program will conduct small group orientation sessions virtually and/or in person the week of August 17th.
As we work tirelessly to prepare for the fall semester, additional and updated information, including our protocols and procedures can be found on our updated COVID-19 webpage – salus.edu/COVID-19.
I cannot tell you how excited we all are to welcome you back to campus. You’re returning to campus during an exciting, yet challenging time that presents us with great opportunities to innovate and help to define the next normal that has been necessitated by the pandemic.
We are SALUS STRONG, working together as a singular University team. I can’t wait to see you in person.
Mike
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