Campus plans for a healthy fall

 e grizzly bear statue on the University of Montana campus wears a face mask.

Tom Bauer/Missoulian

University of Montana presents ‘Healthy Fall 2020’

Missoulian Staff

Wear a mask. Wash your hands. Avoid mass gatherings. Be socially distant.

You’ve heard the advice to help stop the spread of COVID-19, and the mask requirement and other recommendations are part of the University of Montana’s plan for how to allow students, faculty and staff to learn, teach and live on campus this fall.

“Face masks or face coverings are required for all students, employees and visitors working on campus when in the presence of others and in public settings where other social distancing measures are dif cult to maintain (e.g., common work spaces, meeting rooms, classrooms, etc.),” reads the plan. “Appropriate use of face masks or face coverings is critical in minimizing risks to others near you. You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.

“The mask or cloth face covering is not a substitute for social distancing. The University will provide two reusable cloth masks to students and employees and have disposable masks available for visitors.”

The evolving plan covers instruction, food services, athletics, and more, and it’s available online at https:// www.umt.edu/coronavirus/healthy-fall-2020/default.php.

“This plan represents thoughtful and collaborative efforts to incorporate the best medical information about COVID-19, the current guidelines for workplace safety, instructional design for a variety of delivery modalities, protocols for campus living, procedures for research and important considerations for facilities, campus safety, transportation, housing, dining, athletics and events.”

Here are some highlights: Instruction

This planning area refers to all classroom-related policy. It is the longest section of UM’s plan, clocking in at 20 pages.

Every UM student will receive a kit at the beginning of the year with re llable hand sanitizer, surface disinfectant spray and two reusable cloth face masks.

Students will sit 6 feet apart, and the classroom layout will re ect such social-distancing. Classrooms that can be

recon gured will be, and classrooms that can’t, such as lecture halls with  xed seating, will have seats marked as off-limits.

UM will establish traf c  ow in classrooms, labs and outdoor sidewalks.

Professors will continue to track attendance and will enforce a consistent seating arrangement in classes.

Courses are recommended not to exceed an enrollment of 30, and courses of more than 50 students are encouraged to use a “blended” format — a mix of in-person and online instruction. Enrollment for activity classes is limited to 10.

Classes with more than 50 students may be held in nontraditional places such as the University Center ballroom, UC theater or the Dennison theater.

The timeline in UM’s plan says students will  nd out what kind of class setup they will have (in-person, online or hybrid) by July 22. Students who are at a higher risk for COVID-19 complications must request remote-attendance accommodation through Disability Services by July 31.

Faculty have been instructed to prepare for the possibility of a mid-semester case spike and thus the need to transition online.

Research and Labs

UM designated  ve levels (0-4), to dictate lab activity on campus. Students will maintain social distance and wear masks when possible.

Housing

UM housing has 35 locations that can be used as quarantine and isolation facilities for people exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, waiting for test results or who have tested positive for coronavirus. Campus Dining will coordinate meal delivery.

The number of people per dorm  oor will be reduced, and every student has the option to opt into a single room.

Common bathrooms will be cleaned daily and sanitized three additional times. There will be a restricted guest policy and lounge capacities will be lowered. No guests from outside a speci c dorm will be allowed into that dorm’s lounge area. Dorm residents will be expected to maintain social distancing when possible.

Students living in residence halls will not be allowed to have guests in their rooms for the  rst two weeks of school. After that, guest access will be phased back in over time.

To request housing accommodations, immunocompromised students should work with Disability Services.

Food Services

The Food Zoo cafeteria will close for 30 minutes during each mealtime, when counters, handles, tables, chairs and surfaces will be sanitized.

The Food Zoo will monitor occupancy of the cafeteria and hold students at the door if the cafeteria is getting

too crowded. At that point, a student will be admitted as soon as another student leaves.

The buffet and self-serve food stations will all be replaced with staff-served meal options.

Events and Welcoming Students/Visitors to Campus

Organizers will be asked to be ready to modify, scale back or cancel their event should the need arise. Social distancing will be encouraged. Organizers will ensure oneway traf c  ow and maximum capacity limits. Athletics

Student athletes will be required to complete a health assessment survey before the start of workouts and training, and will sanitize individual machines after use.

The health assessment survey will be completed daily, and will include a temperature reading with an infrared thermometer.

Social distancing regulations will be enforced to the best possible extent. Student Support Services

All UM student service options will provide in-person and remote access options. Plexiglass barriers have been installed at nearly all reception areas in student services. Students will be asked to wear masks upon entry.

Curry Health Center will remain open, with online options for student care. The health center will have a separate wing for COVID-19-related issues. Staff Campus Operations

Social distancing, plexiglass and traf c  ow measures will be in place in all campus open-of ce, cubicle or common areas (such as stores like The Market). Employees will be phased in upon the start of fall semester 2020. Maintenance

UM will use a disinfectant that has been pre-approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for use against COVID-19.

Facilities Services will install 360 wall-mounted hand sanitizer dispensers and 160 wall-mounted disinfectant wipes dispensers in academic buildings. Students, staff and faculty are encouraged to use disinfectant wipes from

dispensers to clean classroom spaces they will use. Campus Transportation

Hand-holds, seat backs and other hard surfaces will be disinfected throughout the day using a hospital-grade disinfectant. Bus air  ow will be set to draw fresh air from outside, rather than recirculate it.

Face coverings will be required of all UDASH (the campus bus system) passengers and employees. Hand sanitizer dispensers will be installed at each bus door.

While no formal occupancy limits have been established, UM will deploy additional “tripper” buses to follow regularly scheduled buses during peak times. These tripper buses will allow passengers to spread out between two buses.

Campus Safety and Security

UM of cers will carry personal protective equipment with them at all times, including face masks, latex gloves and disinfecting wipes. Non-emergency calls will be handled by telephone as much as possible.

Fraternity and sorority members will abide by all UM student and campus guidelines.

COVID-19 Risk Index Risk levels for exposure vary based on four main factors:

Enclosed space

Duration of interaction

Crowds Density of people + challenges for social distancing

Forceful exhalation Sneezing, yelling, singing, and coughing

Low

Walking outdoors With or without pets

Staying at home Alone or with members of your household

Picking up takeout food, coffee, or groceries from stores

Running or biking Alone or with another person

Risks: Close contact or potential clustering of people

Outdoor picnic or porch dining

With non-household people and physical distancing

Risks: Potential crowding and activity

High

When near people, wear a mask

Low / Medium

Playing “distanced” sports outside

Ex. Tennis or golf

Grocery shopping

Risks: Indoor, close contact, potential clustering of people, high-touch surfaces

Retail shopping

Risks: Indoor, close contact, potential clustering of people

Medium / High

Exercising at a gym

Medium

Visiting hospital emergency department

Risks: Indoor, potential clustering of people

Medical office visit

Risks: Indoor, close contact, potential clustering of people, high-touch surfaces

Dentist appointment

Risks: Indoor, close contact, potential clustering of people, patient not wearing a mask

Taking a taxi or a ride-sharing service

Risks: Dependency on frequency of cleaning, duration of ride, and number of passengers Risks: Indoor, close contact/ potential clustering of people, high-touch surfaces, difficult to wear a mask, high respiratory rate

Hair/nail salon and barbershops

Risks: Prolonged close contact, difficult to wear a mask

Working in an office

Risks: Indoor, high-touch surfaces, prolonged close contact/potential clustering of people

Museum

Risks: Indoor, close contact/potential clustering of people

Outdoor restaurant dining

Risks: Close contact, potential clustering of people, challenge to wear a mask during eating

Indoor restaurant or coffee shop

Risks: Indoor, prolonged close contact /potential clustering of people, difficult to wear mask while eating and drinking

Bars and nightclubs

Risks: Enclosed space, prolonged close contact/potential clustering of people, high respiratory rate, yelling/projection of voice

Indoor party

Risks: Indoor, prolonged close contact/potential clustering of people Additional risks: alcohol (loss of inhibition), shared joint/pipe (coughing)

Playing contact sports

Football, basketball, soccer, etc Risks: Prolonged close contact/potential clustering of people, high respiratory rate, unable to wear a mask

Air travel

Risks: Enclosed space, prolonged close contact/ potential clustering of people, and high-touch surfaces

Concert

Risks: Enclosed space, prolonged close contact/potential clustering of people, high-touch surfaces, yelling/projection of voice

Movie theater or live theater

Risks: Enclosed space, prolonged close contact/potential clustering of people, high-touch surfaces

Public transportation

Subway or bus

Risks: Enclosed space, prolonged close contact/potential clustering of people, and high-touch surfaces

Religious services

Risks: Enclosed space, prolonged close contact/potential clustering of people, high-touch surfaces, singing/projection of voice

Watching sports

Risks: Prolonged close contact/potential clustering of people, high-touch surfaces, yelling/projection of voice, enclosed space (if indoor)

REOPEN INTELLIGENTLY. REOPEN SAFELY.

Now HiriNg Staff & ENrolliNg CHildrEN for tHE fall SCHool YEar!

Child Start Inc., Head Start is hiring staff and substitutes! It is also one of the best ways to be introduced to the world of early childhood education, begin a rewarding career, and our staff enjoy an excellent benefits package. We have many opportunities and areas where you can make a tremendous impact on the life of a child and their family! Looking for a quality preschool? Give your child a Head Start and discover what Head Start offers! Child Start Inc., Head Start is now enrolling for the fall 2020-2021 School year. Child Start Inc. provides free preschool for low income children 3-4 years old by September 10th. Eligibility is based on families meeting the Federal Poverty Guidelines. A limited number of over income families may be served. Children with special needs are welcome and encouraged to apply. Our program offers comprehensive services and supports learning for children 3-5 years old through play, creative expression, and guided activities. Head Start Services include Child Development & Education, Health & Wellness, Nutrition, Family Support, and Disability Support Services. Applications can be completed by appointment and online, visit our website to pre-apply. Call today or visit our website to apply! (406) 728-5460, www.thechildstartinc.com *Enrollment and Prog ram options are subject to change due to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Phase our community may be in.