The following plan addresses all aspects of the Edinboro experience – from academics to housing and dining – and outlines necessary modifications to campus operations. University planning efforts were guided by Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education, the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Adjustments may be necessary as circumstances evolve. Please review the plan and frequently asked questions and provide us with your feedback and questions.
Adherence to CDC and University protocols remains critical to ensuring our semester can proceed without interruption. Each of us plays a vital role in safeguarding the campus community. Whether you are learning on campus or at home, thank you for doing your part.
We are in this together, Fighting Scots!
As a health and safety precaution, the University will continue to limit the number of students on campus for the spring 2021 semester. The number of in-person classes will be increased slightly, and the housing capacity for residential students will be expanded.
Classes offered in-person will be taught using multi-modal delivery, and there will be a limit on the number of students in the classroom at a given time. Classes with an experiential component (e.g., labs) may be offered through a combination of in-person and online instruction. In-person classes will be scheduled in larger rooms, when possible, to ensure physical distancing. Students enrolled in face-to-face classes will be assigned a seat, and attendance will be taken regularly. All students will be required to monitor their own health daily, using the EU Shield App and may be required to show the results of their self-assessment as they enter in-person classroom spaces.
Information Technology Services will provide technical support and guidance for students, faculty and staff throughout the semester.
Clinical Experiences and Internships
Clinical experiences and internships will continue as usual and follow guidance provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Pennsylvania Department of Education and CDC.
Final Exams
The administration of final exams will be dependent on the modality of the course offering. Courses that are offered in-person will have an in-person final and courses offered online will have an online final.
Our academic calendar will align with those of Clarion and California universities.
This page will serve as a hub for official information regarding plans for the spring semester, including campus announcements, FAQs and social distancing guidance.
Mitigation signage that addresses symptoms, face coverings and social distancing has been installed across campus.
Edinboro Athletics is resuming competition in winter sports including Division I MAC wrestling and DII PSAC men’s and women’s swimming. In addition, the Fighting Scots plan to compete in all spring PSAC sports including men’s and women’s outdoor track, men’s and women’s tennis, women’s lacrosse and softball.
Although they won’t be competing, all other fall and winter sports will return to campus and resume strength, conditioning and practices with limited opportunities to scrimmage on a case by case basis.
All student-athletes are being tested for COVID-19 upon return to campus and are quarantining until results are confirmed. Edinboro is adhering closely to all testing requirements and safe return to sport protocols as outlined by the NCAA, PSAC and MAC. Additionally, student-athletes and staff are adhering to all university, state and CDC policies regarding COVID-19 risk mitigation.
Low risk in-person events, activities, specific club sports and recreational sports (e.g. snow shoeing, table tennis, billiards, etc.) will be held on campus for all students in spring 2021. Off-campus club and organization events are not permitted.
All in-person events, activities, specific club sports and recreational sports will be required to adhere to strict mitigation requirements (i.e. COVID self-assessment screenings, attendance tracking, no food service, compliance with updated room capacities, social distancing, mask wearing, reduced exchange of shared items, frequent cleaning/disinfection, proper hygiene) and with the organization’s advisor or a University representative present to oversee the health and safety of the event, activity, or recreational sport for the entire duration.
The Fitness Center in Frank G. Pogue Student Center will be open to all students. Reservations will be required for students wishing to utilize the Fitness Center.
Due to health and safety concerns, on-campus housing will remain at a reduced capacity. However, we will be opening more residence halls to increase the capacity to approximately 550.
All students will still be provided their own room and bathroom.
Priority for on-campus housing was given to students in the following order:
Students who will be living on campus will be subject to a health screening, temperature check and COVID-19 test prior to moving into their residence hall.
Modifications have been made to the residence halls to promote physical distancing as well as other health and safety measures in each building.
Move-in
The move-in process will maximize social distancing by staggering the arrival of students and their families to campus. The Office of Residence Life and Housing has provided move-in time slots, beginning Wednesday, Jan. 20, for families so that they can choose a time that works with their schedules. Students will be limited to two guests to assist them with move-in. Face coverings must be worn outside the student’s room at all times.
The University requests that all students who are returning to campus reduce contact with others outside of their family and follow CDC guidelines, such as wearing face coverings outside of their home, reducing non-essential travel and increasing handwashing two weeks prior to move-in.
Upon arrival to campus for move-in, students and visitors will be subject to a health screening and temperature check. Students will also receive a COVID-19 test.
Visitors
With the exception of designated move-in and move-out times, there will be no visitors permitted in the residence halls.
The Celtic Court in Frank G. Pogue Student Center will operate in the spring 2021 semester in accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Health requirements. The Marketplace in Van Houten Dining Hall will remain closed during the spring 2021 semester in an effort to streamline operations and bolster mitigation efforts.
Additional mitigation measures include:
When using any type of transportation, follow these general principles:
Public transit
Follow the general principles listed above, plus the following:
Personal Vehicles
Follow the general principles listed above, plus the following.
Academic support services will be available during the spring semester. Virtual methods will be utilized when possible.
In addition, peer tutoring and fully online tutoring, through Smarthinking, will be available throughout the semester.
The Baron-Forness Library will be open again to visitors for the spring semester.
In order to minimize use of elevators and reduce foot traffic in the stairwells and stacks, we are strongly encouraging library users to take advantage of the “Request” feature in the library catalog. This will allow library staff to retrieve requested items and prepare them for pickup at the circulation desk or at curbside.
Librarians will be available through Zoom, email, chat and telephone to provide research assistance.
Study rooms remain available (four on the first floor, two on the second) but are currently limited to single-person occupancy.
Computers remain available for general use in the lab, but numbers have been reduced to create social distancing.
Library patrons/visitors are required to wear a face covering with two or more layers at all times while in the library, unless in a private office or study room.
Other mitigation measures include:
Additional information is available on the Library’s COVID-19 help guide at: libguides.edinboro.edu/covid19
The University’s COVID-19 response strategy employs preventative measure stacking in order to create the greatest possible protection against COVID-19 exposure.
Know how it spreads
According to the CDC, COVID-19 spreads primarily through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks or sings. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs. Research has suggested that the virus may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms. The risk of contracting the virus increases the more closely a person interacts with others and the longer that interaction.
Wash your hands often
Avoid Close Contact
Cover your mouth and nose with a face covering when around others
Cover coughs and sneezes
Clean and disinfect
Monitor Your Health
When used in conjunction with other preventative measures—including social distancing and proper hygiene—cloth face coverings can be an effective method of source control. Emerging evidence from clinical studies shows that cloth face coverings reduce the spray of respiratory droplets when worn over the nose and mouth. Face coverings help to protect those around you, including those who are at higher risk of severe illness.
Until further notice, students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus must wear a face covering with two or more layers to enter campus buildings and in hallways, meeting rooms, common spaces, elevators and all other areas where social distancing is not possible. Changes regarding face covering requirements will be made by the University’s Emergency Response Team based on guidance from local, state and national health experts.
Individuals who are unable to wear a face covering due to a documented health condition or disability must request an exception through the Office for Accessibility Services. Employees must request an exception through Human Resources and Faculty Relations.
Face Covering Considerations
Types of Face Coverings
Students
Students are required to wear a face covering in all public spaces on campus, including classrooms, dining areas and outdoors when social distancing is not possible.
Residential students are not required to wear a face covering in their personal room; however, face coverings are mandatory while in community spaces such as shared living rooms, hallways, stairways, elevators and laundry rooms.
Students are permitted to wear their own face covering as long as it meets CDC guidelines.
Employees
All employees working on campus (regardless of frequency) are required to wear a mask while working, except when the employee is eating or drinking, driving alone in a vehicle or working alone in an office. Employees are not to ride together unless it is absolutely necessary and it is for a duration of less than 15 minutes. Face coverings are required to be worn for the entire duration of the trip.
Employees who do not have a face covering should contact Safety & Risk Management to receive one at no cost to them.
Employees are permitted to wear their own face covering, subject to approval by their supervisor, as long as it meets CDC guidelines.
Visitors
Contractors, vendors and other visitors to campus must wear a face covering at all times while on University property. Face coverings will be supplied by the visitor or service provider.
Guidelines such as those published by the Pennsylvania Department of Education will be used as a basis for classroom design and capacity on physical distancing. Students and faculty should not enter a classroom until the room is completely vacant. Students and faculty should not arrive at the classroom early and should wait at a reasonable distance away from the doors.
Buildings
Ventilation
There are many types of HVAC systems located on the Edinboro campus. While these systems are numerous and varied, they were professionally designed to the standards in place at the time. Because of the variance in the systems and their modes of operation, the adjustments that can be made to the systems in response to COVID-19 will vary as well.
This operations plan was developed based upon the current guidance and recommendations available and will be adjusted as new information becomes available. Sources and guidance used in developing this plan:
Edinboro University’s Facilities Department will take the following actions per the current guidance to reduce the risk of airborne transmission of COVID-19:
Facilities does not recommend opening windows, doors or other openings to the outside. Doing so could:
Classrooms
Residence Halls
Baron-Forness Library
Bookstore
The Campus Bookstore has partnered with Barnes and Noble to supply textbooks to Edinboro University students. Textbooks can ONLY be ordered online. At checkout, you will be offered the choice to have your textbooks shipped (off-campus) or to be picked up in the bookstore (during limited hours). No direct sales of textbooks will occur in the bookstore. All orders must be placed online. Please check the bookstore website for store hours.
The sales of art supplies will be done by appointment only. Please check the bookstore website for store hours.
Student Health Services will conduct appointments through telehealth, Zoom health, and limited in-person visits. For the safety of our students and staff, walk-in appointments will not be accepted. Students should call ahead to schedule an appointment at (814) 732-2743. Any medical concerns that cannot be addressed through a virtual visit will be scheduled for a face-to-face visit at Ghering Health Center.
Prescreening of all face-to-face visits will be completed in advance, and individuals with respiratory concerns will be separated from those requesting well visits such as TB tests and physicals.
Employees will be encouraged to continue to telework where appropriate. Directors should consider staggering employees or alternating daily schedules to limit interactions.
As noted in the System framework, faculty and staff who do not have a disability as defined under the ADA may seek a flexible work arrangement if the employee is at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 as defined by CDC guidelines.
As a proactive measure to keep our campus community as healthy as possible, we are asking for your help to ensure the good health of all students and employees.
Please self-report for any one of the following situations:
Quarantine
Diagnosis
How to Self-Report
Students:
Employees:
Monitoring Student Health and Class Absenteeism
The University and all of its employees play an important role in controlling the spread of COVID-19. Their observations and reporting of student attendance and symptoms, consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) will be key. Everyone will be asked to:
All testing will be conducted at no cost to students. Testing will be funded by the University, the student’s insurance, or CARES Act funding.
Entry Screening
All students living in on-campus housing will be tested upon return to campus during the check-in process. ROTC cadets as well as students with clinical or student teaching assignments will also be tested.
Surveillance Testing
Surveillance testing will begin the second week of the semester. Weekly surveillance testing will be conducted as follows:
Athletic Testing
Student-athletes and coaches will be tested in accordance with NCAA and PSAC recommendations.
Symptomatic and Exposure Testing
Testing will still be available from Student Health Services for any student who is symptomatic or has been identified as a close contact to someone that has tested positive for COVID-19, regardless of whether they live on or off campus. Students must contact Student Health Services at 814-732-2743 to schedule an appointment for testing.
If you had close contact, meaning you were within 6 feet of a person with COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more over a 24-hour period, or if you are experiencing a fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, new loss of taste/smell, headache, muscle or body aches, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, congestion or runny nose, please call SHS at (814) 732-2743 to speak with a medical staff member.
Asymptomatic and Non-Exposure Testing
Students and employees who are not experiencing symptoms and have not been identified as a close contact may request only one test. The tests will be included in the 10% surveillance testing total.
Edinboro University is partnering with members of the Erie County Department of Health to establish contact tracing procedures for our campus. Contact tracing will be utilized to identify and inform members of the Edinboro community who may have had close contact with someone on campus who has been diagnosed with COVID-19. University personnel have undergone contact tracing training to prepare them to assist the DOH with contract tracing if needed.
The State System is also working with both the Pennsylvania Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Department of Health on the issue of contact tracing. We will adapt contact tracing protocols as necessary.
The Erie County Department of Health has protocols for confirmed cases. Information will be shared in accordance with the Erie County Department of Health’s guidance. Each situation will be unique and will be evaluated on what notifications will be necessary based on the current situation to ensure the confidentiality of the student or employee.
Quarantine and isolation measures are critical to mitigating further spread of the virus on our campus. Individuals who are feeling unwell or are experiencing the following symptoms should stay home and seek medical attention.
Quarantine
Quarantine is used to keep an individual who might have been exposed to COVID-19 away from others.
Based on CDC guidance, individuals who have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19 will be directed to stay home for 10 days after their last exposure, separate themselves from others, monitor their health and follow directions from their state or local health department. If you live with someone that has been diagnosed with COVID-19, you will be required, by the Erie County Department of Health, to quarantine for the duration of their recovery and additionally 10 days after they are symptom free.
What counts as close contact?
Residential students should remain in their residence hall room and separate themselves from others. Students in quarantine should contact Student Health Services to arrange meal delivery, receive academic accommodations and to be monitored.
Isolation
Isolation is used to separate people infected with the virus (with or without symptoms) from people who are not infected.
Residential students will isolate in their residence hall room, be monitored, have meals delivered and receive academic accommodations.
Non-residential students should isolate themselves in their current housing location, separate themselves from others, monitor their symptoms and follow directions from the Erie County Department of Health.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania utilizes a three-color scheme (red, yellow and green) that corresponds to specific mitigation actions.
In the event that Erie County returns to the yellow or red phase of Gov. Wolf’s COVID-19 reopening plan, Edinboro University will follow guidance outlined by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education.
Employee/Student Return to Campus
Communications with students, employees and parents will be ongoing and clear to ensure that these key stakeholders understand what is expected of them and what they can expect from the University as they return to campus. In addition to email, we will post all relevant information to the spring planning webpage. Questions posed directly to the President’s Office, Marketing and Communications and other University offices will be answered as soon as possible. We will emphasize the fluidity of the situation as we work to manage expectations.
Communications to the campus community regarding COVID-19 cases will be done in accordance with Erie County Department of Health’s protocols, as the authority having jurisdiction. We also will ensure compliance with FERPA, while at the same time ensuring that we are as transparent as possible with the campus and broader communities.
The Clery Act and its implementing regulations require institutions to notify the campus community upon the confirmation of a significant emergency or dangerous situation involving an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or staff occurring on campus. The DOE does not interpret the statutory language as requiring institutions to give regular, on-going updates on COVID-19 or to proactively identify positive COVID-19 cases within the campus community. The department also does not interpret the statutory language to apply to positive COVID-19 cases among individuals who are not attending classes, working or residing on campus or to require notifications to such individuals.
An institution may satisfy the emergency notification requirements of the Clery Act as follows: (1) provide students and employees a single notification through the regular means of communicating emergency notifications informing them about COVID-19 and necessary health and safety precautions, as well as encouraging them to obtain information from health care providers, state health authorities, and the CDC’s COVID-19 website; or (2) create a banner at the top of the institution’s homepage containing that same information, including a statement about the global pandemic and a link to the CDC’s website.
All media inquiries will be managed by the Marketing and Communications division, which will ensure a timely and clear response. Where possible, we will engage in proactive media relations to ensure information is shared up front clearly and concisely.
In addition to following guidelines established by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the CDC, Edinboro University has worked closely with the Erie County Department of Health since the spring of 2020. We have a well-established, positive relationship with these agencies, and we will continue to coordinate with them through the life of the pandemic.
Edinboro University will follow Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education's University Operational Framework closely as we implement plans for spring 2021. The document outlines expectations for employees, students and visitors to campus.
Resources |
Internal Resources |
Office of Safety and Risk Management
1st Floor Lawrence Towers
150 Perry Lane
Edinboro, PA 16444
Phone: 814-732-2709
Fax: 814-732-2228
Jim Dahle
Director of Safety and Risk Management
Email: jdahle@pennwest.edu
Phone: 814-732-2709
Fax: 814-732-2228