AMU’S CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE

AMU'S CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE

Our unique ability to weather the storm

Ave Maria University faculty and staff have been working diligently to prepare for a return to in-person, on-campus classes. For months, working groups comprised of staff from various departments, assisted by a newly-created Healthcare Advisory Group, have been meeting to consider the best and safest way to facilitate campus life both in and out of the classroom.

We recognize AMU has a bit of an advantage over other schools in understanding what campus life looks like during a pandemic, as we never closed our campus entirely. We had students, faculty, and staff on campus for the entire semester, albeit in smaller numbers. When AMU made the switch from in-person to online coursework, we did so without missing a single day of classes. While we know the transition back to campus may be different than what we’ve experienced in the past, we expect the transition to be a smooth one.

When the coronavirus first hit the United States, AMU students had already returned from spring break. While churches and schools across the country shut down completely, our community was uniquely blessed in that after a six-day hiatus, we returned to receiving our Lord in the Holy Eucharist. Mass was live-streamed daily out of our St. Sebastian Hall Chapel, and communion was distributed outside, with the added protection of hand sanitizing stations, social distancing cones, and receiving in the hand, which made for a successful and safe distribution.

Weathering the storm is nothing new for Ave Maria University. We follow the Blessed Mother’s example of prevailing in faith through trial and adversity. Recall that just three years ago, during Hurricane Irma, Ave Maria University sheltered in place and returned to classes quicker than any of our neighboring institutions. These facts should comfort fears. While we are certainly not overlooking the threat or health implications derived from this pandemic, we share in the resolve of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who said, “The only thing we have to fear is letting fear overwhelm our sense of purpose and determination.” The students love Ave Maria University, and it is because of them we are determined to return to a vibrant campus life.

This will demand we apply different approaches and precautions when students return. These precautions will coordinate with the Center for Disease Control and Florida Department of Health guidelines. We are devoted to following the recommended best health practices surrounding COVID-19.

New and Returning student arrivals will be staggered. Orientation will also take place in smaller groups to allow for less crowding and proper distancing. The fall semester will begin on Monday, August 24 as originally scheduled.

Here are some preparations and precautions we are planning for the fall:

ACADEMICS

To reduce traffic in traditional academic halls, we will multiply the number of class locations.

All classrooms will have hand sanitizers which must be used before entering and upon departure.

We will seek to use technology to facilitate student access to faculty. Fall break, which was scheduled to take place on October 15 and 16 (Thursday and Friday) will be canceled and classes will be held on these days.

Classes on Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week will be canceled.

The last day of in-person classes for the fall semester will take place on the Friday before Thanksgiving week (November 20).

Classes will resume exclusively online the Monday after Thanksgiving (November 30) for one week and final exams will take place online the week of December 7-11.

SACRAMENTAL LIFE

We will make use of a larger space such as the Student Union Ballroom and O’Bryan Performance Hall for campus liturgies.

We will expand the number of outdoor liturgies when needed for larger groups.

Adoration will have a safe, limited, capacity.

All adjustments will be in coordination with diocesan regulations.

SANITIZATION

We have purchased a professional electrostatic backpack sprayer to disinfect all surfaces. It has a virus kill time of less than three minutes. Collier County school systems (48,000 students) just purchased this same unit.

We will continue the process of pressure-washing bathrooms using a disinfectant. We have done this since the outbreak of COVID-19.

We hired a private cleaning company to wipe all door handles nightly.

We will steam-clean and sterilize all dorm hallway carpets, dorm rooms, classrooms, common areas, and stairwells.

HEALTH

We have formed a Healthcare Advisory Board comprised of medical personnel to advise President Ice on all health, safety, and logistical measures.

We will arrange ongoing COVID-19 testing options.

Every student will be provided a return to campus wellness check.

Personalized plans will be developed for students with underlying health conditions.

There will be a dedicated space and protocols for quarantine should the need arise.

We will follow Florida state guidelines-- Collier County is mandating all persons are required to wear a face mask or face covering whenever social distancing cannot be maintained.

A newly formed partnership has been developed to provide on-campus medical appointments several days a week for students, conveniently located in the residence halls.

The campus will have supplies of Personal Protection Equipment for individuals requiring additional protection if needed.

We have sufficient testing, monitoring, and contact tracing plans in place for students, faculty, and staff.

The University will be providing a starter health kit for each student with their own AMU facemask and a bottle of hand sanitizer.

IT IS BECAUSE OF OUR STUDENTS WE ARE DETERMINED TO RETURN TO A VIBRANT CAMPUS LIFE.

HOUSING AND MEALS

We will continue the protocol of adapting space in the dining hall by separating tables and chairs.

Dining hall staff will continue to serve students, rather than allowing students to self-serve.

Fortunately, every dorm room at Ave Maria University has a private shared bathroom, negating some of the issues encountered with communal bathrooms.

The Residence Hall Guest Policy will not allow non-student overnight visits (until further notice).

Appropriate isolation and quarantine spaces have been identified in Xavier Hall if needed for residential students including meal, health care, and other support services.

The residence hall move-in process will be spaced out over a six-day period Each residence hall will have thermometers in their first aid kits.

Students will also be encouraged to bring their own thermometer for personal use.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Student events and activities will abide by physical distancing recommendations meaning smaller groups and/or larger venues. Hand sanitizer will be provided.

Student Life is working with local businesses in Naples to provide more outdoor activities for students (i.e. kayaking, paddle boarding, drive-in movies, Naples Botanical Gardens, etc.), taking advantage of the beautiful Southwest Florida weather.

AMU has invested in new, upgraded fitness equipment to promote healthy living and allow for students to work out in smaller groups for proper social distancing.

Our study abroad program in Rome will continue, as we work with Thomas More staff to take into account any restrictions put in place by the US and Italian governments regarding travel, social distancing, and the wearing of masks and other PPE.

Electrostatic backpack disinfectant sprayer

ATHLETICS

The NAIA has announced that fall sports practices will begin Saturday, August 15. Ave Maria will bring its fall student-athletes back to campus August 12 to engage in conditioning in order to begin the acclimatization process.

The Sun Conference and the Mid-South Conference have released revised fall schedules to eliminate or minimize overnight trips. Football, for example, will have an eight-game conference schedule with no games outside the state of Florida.

Daily temperature checks will be performed on every athlete prior to participation in a practice or competition.

Each sport will follow the protocols established for its sport by the conference and the NAIA.

Weight room sessions for athletic teams will be spaced out to allow for proper disinfecting.

SECURITY

There will be enhanced security precautions, including revised building access hours, combined with public access restrictions.

We will increase patrols to monitor interaction between non-university members.

Sensible travel restrictions will be implemented in accord with state policies.

WE ARE EXCITED AND PREPARED FOR A POSTIVE NEW CAMPUS EXPERIENCE WHERE WE ARE ALL TOGETHER ONCE AGAIN.

BUILDINGS & SPACING

We will stagger August move-in and orientation in order to space-out arrivals.

Only students, employees and approved guests can have access to the campus and campus facilities.

Any member of the university community physically coming to campus should formally agree to participate in a manner to protect the health and safety of the university community.

Whenever possible, larger spaces will be reimagined for alternate uses to provide more space for all area needs.

Before

After

COMMUNICATIONS

We will make a renewed effort to update contact information upon check-in to ensure students and parents are easily reachable through multiple mediums (mobile phone, email address, physical address), providing updates in the manner in which you wish to receive them.

All members of the community must follow guidance and take responsibility for their health and safety and the rest of the community. Faculty, staff and students will be provided guidance for shared personal behavioral change, which will include taking measures and precautions when they are feeling ill or believe they may have a contagious illness. Students will be asked to bring their own thermometers and take temperature checks under various conditions and scenarios including prior to event gatherings and athletic or club practices and competitions.

Student culture changes will continue to be evaluated and developed in accordance with CDC and local government agency guidelines. Those areas include:

» Social/physical distancing guidelines

» Gathering limits

» Visitation/access to campus

» Personal protective equipment (facemasks)

» Cleaning protocols

» Expectation regarding COVID-19 reporting and quarantining Travel restrictions

Expectations for individual behavior should include, at minimum: use of face coverings where required, maintaining social distancing and good hygiene, as well as adherence to expectations for testing, contact tracing, isolation, and/or quarantine. There will also be the expectation all members of the University community keep track of and report contacts if they test positive for COVID-19.

Despite some unique challenges in the world today, we are excited and prepared for a positive new campus experience where we are all together once again. — Kimberly King, vice president of student affairs, kimberly.king@avemaria.edu

by: Kimberly king

vice president of student affairs - kimberly.king@avemaria.edu