OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — Creighton University says they’re finalizing community standards for the campus that will set expectations for students, faculty, staff and visitors.
The university will reopen its buildings on the Omaha and Phoenix campuses and return to in-person courses for the fall 2020 semester. Classes start on August 17.
While plans are still being finalized, the new director of Student Health Education and Compliance, Carrie Hoarty, MD, shared the approach her department plans to take to promote safety and well-being on campus.
She urges those who feel ill to stay home rather than "dig deep and work through an illness," adding that it will help the community stay healthy by preventing germ spread.
"Community standards also are being finalized that will set campus expectations for students, faculty, staff and visitors, including requirements around face coverings, social distancing, hand hygiene, screenings, testing and flu shots. In turn, Creighton will enhance cleaning and disinfecting efforts and provide spaces where individuals are socially distanced to help reduce the spread of coronavirus," said Hoarty in a July 6 letter on Creighton's website.
Those who are coming to campus will be required to complete a daily COVID-19 symptom and exposure checklist as well as a temperature check.
Faculty and staff will have to check-in at the COVID-19 Screening Station located at the Hixson-Lied Science Building atrium from Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Those with a temperature reading of 99.9 (F) degrees or higher will not be allowed to stay on campus.
Creighton also announced the following:
- Our focus is on providing in-person classes.
- However, we are prepared to provide hybrid and online instruction should situations warrant.
- Our campus will promote and support a culture of health and safety.
- Our Jesuit, Catholic mission emphasizes care and concern for others.
- A COVID-19 testing strategy is being developed. There will be daily screenings and all-you-can-eat, to-go dining.
- Face coverings will be required for everyone in public spaces.
- Classrooms will be arranged for social distancing.
- Cleaning and disinfecting will be increased.
- Under our phased approach, requirements will change as incidence of local and campus COVID-19 infections decrease or increase.
Additionally, Hoarty mentioned that Creighton has been working with Ivy.ai on rolling out an app called #CampusClear.
See more information here.
