The University of Cincinnati announced in an open letter from President Neville G. Pinto to the UC community its tentative plan to return to campus for the fall semester. This Return to Campus (RTC) plan is subject to change dependent on the Ohio Department of Health’s (ODH) directives.
“If our medical experts identify new or different ways to safeguard our community, we will follow the science. If something is not working as well as originally intended, we will correct our course. If your ongoing feedback enables us to upgrade this plan, we will integrate the input,” Pinto wrote. “In short, we will learn every step of the way and adjust our efforts accordingly with your safety and health in mind.”
The RTC requires the university’s implementation of the following safety protocols, effective until further notice:
- All employees must complete an online information session administered by University Health Services to ensure awareness of CDC and ODH guidelines.
- All supervisors and lab leaders must complete a health safety assessment of their workplace setting.
- All employees must complete a self-administered wellness check based on CDC and ODH guidelines.
- All employees must wear facial coverings on campus, except while eating or alone in a private space.
- All employees must adhere to social distancing requirements
- All must clean and sanitize their workplace settings throughout the day.
- All employees must continue to abide by restrictions on travel.
- All employees who meet the CDC’s definition of individuals at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 may continue to work remotely.
The RTC plan will be split into four phases, outlines as follows:
Phase one: Beginning on June 1, researchers will begin a gradual return to campus.
Phase two: Beginning on July 1, dependent on the results from phase one, some employees will return to campus.
Phase three: Beginning on Aug. 3, dependent on the results from phase one and two, the remaining employees will return to campus. Employee groups will work alternating schedules to effectively manage the density on campus.
Phase four: The final phase will coincide with the start of fall semester on Aug. 24. However, no final decision has been made regarding how fall semester will be structured for students on campus. A decision is hoped to be made by late June.
“When it comes to planning for your safety, we will err on the side of caution,” Pinto wrote. “And, yes, we know it is critical for us to pursue our mission, vision and values the best way we know how— on campus and in person. Our leadership imperative is to build a safe and nimble framework to accomplish both.”
For questions, ideas for more information, email publichealth@uc.edu.
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This article appears in May 6 – Jun 14, 2020.