CSU Policy: COVID-19 Health and Safety Policy

Policy Title: COVID-19 Health and Safety Policy Category: Public Safety/Risk Management
Owner: Vice President for University Operations Policy ID#: 6-6021-007
Contact:
Environmental Health Services
Web: http://www.ehs.colostate.edu/
Email: EHS@ColoState.edu
Phone: (970 491-6745
Original Effective Date: 8/30/2020
Print Version: Click Here to Print

SECTION 1.      POLICY STATEMENT

This Policy is intended to mitigate the risks and spread of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”),  help protect the health and safety of the Colorado State University (CSU) community, and minimize disruption to the normal conduct and operations of the University. 

In response to COVID-19, the University may take any action in order to comply with any law, executive order, public health emergency order, and/or public health guidelines or recommendations, including without limitation temporarily closing or limiting access to campus and campus facilities, such as classrooms, offices, and on-campus housing, as well as temporarily closing or modifying University operations and modifying the method of academic instruction from in-person to remote or online instruction, or such other academic modifications as may be reasonable, practicable and necessary in response this public health emergency. 

Although the University takes reasonable steps to minimize the risks of COVID-19 to public health, the University cannot and does not guarantee protection from illness or complications that may result from illness.  Members of the CSU community are responsible for educating themselves regarding all potential risks associated with COVID-19 and are required to take all necessary and reasonable steps to protect their health as well as the health of the CSU community. 

This policy may be updated, supplemented, or modified by the University at any time and for any reason, including but not limited to, complying with revised executive orders, public health orders or public health guidelines. 

SECTION 2.      DEFINITIONS USED IN THIS POLICY

For the purposes of this Policy:

Close Contact is anyone who was within six (6) feet of a person infected with COVID-19 for more than fifteen (15) minutes.  This could include, but is not limited to, living in the same household with a person infected with COVID-19, caring for a person infected with COVID-19, or being in direct contact with the bodily fluids of person infected with COVID-19 (such as being coughed on, kissed, sharing utensils, etc.).  

Contact Tracing is a method of identifying individuals who may have had Close Contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19.  

COVID-19 Symptoms are indicators that a person may be infected with COVID, including the following symptoms that have been identified by the Centers for Disease Control:  flu-like symptoms; a cough; shortness of breath/difficulty breathing; a fever of 100.4 or higher; a sore throat; chills; body or muscle aches; nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea; or a loss of taste or smell.

Employee is any individual employed by Colorado State University including, but not limited to, faculty, administrative professional employees, state classified employees, student hourly employees, non-student hourly employees, and graduate assistants.

Face Covering is a cloth, paper or disposable material, including, but not limited to, a mask or other covering that fits snugly and securely with no gaps over the face and, at a minimum, extends from the bridge of the nose to below the chin and can be safely secured in place (e.g., looped around ears or around the head) while in use.  Face Coverings are not a substitute for surgical masks needed in health care settings or personal protective equipment (“PPE”), such as N95 respirators.  PPE should be reserved for those with job-specific PPE requirements or as otherwise designated by CSU’s Environment Health Services Office.

Physical Distancing also referred to as “social distancing,” means keeping a safe space between individuals who do not live together in a shared living space (e.g., in a dorm room, apartment, house, etc.). To properly practice physical distancing, individuals should stay at least six (6) feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other individuals with whom they do not live.

Public Space is any indoor or outdoor space other than a private office used by a single person, residence including residence hall room or apartment, or personal vehicle occupied by a single person.  Public Spaces include, but are not limited to, classrooms, laboratories, outdoor sidewalks and spaces, lobbies, library, student center, campus buildings, restrooms, cafeterias, hallways, stairwells, elevators, conference rooms, break rooms, common areas, shared vehicles,  or any outdoor space where people are not able to reliably maintain at least six (6) feet of distancing.

Quarantine is separating a person from others based on that person’s possible exposure to COVID-19.  A person may be Quarantined for reasons including, but not limited to, having Symptoms, the person’s own knowledge of a possible exposure to someone infected with COVID-19, or because the person has been identified through Contact Tracing as a Close Contact of person who is infected with COVID-19.  Quarantine helps prevent spread of COVID-19 that can occur before a person knows they are sick or when they are infected with the virus without feeling Symptoms. People in Quarantine must stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directives from the University public health office as well as county or state health departments. 

Recent Exposure refers to close contact or exposure to an individual who is COVID-19 Positive in the previous fourteen (14) days.

Self-Isolation is separating someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 from others. People in self-isolation must stay home, separate themselves from others, monitor their health, and follow directives from the University public health office as well as county or state health departments.

Symptom Checker is a form, paper or electronic, that all Employees and Students who are working or attending classes in-person on any CSU campus or CSU property, must use to log symptoms before reporting for work or class.  The Symptom Checker can be accessed https://covidrecovery.colostate.edu/daily-symptom-checker/.

Visitor is any individual visiting any University property including, but not limited to, members of the public, guests, visitors, affiliates, volunteers and vendors, agents, contractors and subcontractors. 

SECTION 3.      JURISDICTION & APPLICABILITY

This policy applies to all members of the University community who are subject to the jurisdiction and authority of the University with respect to matters of behavior and conduct, including Employees and Students.  Visitors are subject to this policy while on University property.  All University business units, wherever located, are covered by this policy. 

SECTION 4.      COMPLIANCE WITH THIS POLICY

Compliance with this policy is required of all Employees, Students, and Visitors.  Failure to do so endangers the health and welfare of the CSU community as well as the communities in which CSU’s Employees and Students live and serve. Any Employee or Student who knowingly and intentionally violates this policy is subject to University discipline, including but not limited to, disciplinary action pursuant to the Academic Faculty and Administrative Professional Manual, HR Manual, State of Colorado Personnel Board Rules, or Student Conduct Code.  Any visitor to campus who knowingly and intentionally violates this policy will be asked to leave University property and may be excluded from University property.

SECTION 5.      EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

All Employees, Students and Visitors shall meet the following expectations and requirements:

    1. Public Health Orders:  In addition to complying with this policy, Employees and Students are required to comply with all federal, state, and county public health orders related to COVID-19. 

    2.  Public Health Guidelines, Directives, and Instructions:  In addition to complying with this policy, Employees and Students are required to comply with all federal, state, and county and University public health guidelines, directives, and instructions related to COVID-19, including, but not limited to:
      1. wearing a Face Covering in Public Spaces (see Section 5, Part 4)
      2. washing hands regularly with soap and water for at least twenty (20) seconds or, if soap and water are unavailable, clean hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least sixty-percent (60%) alcohol;
      3. avoiding close contact with people who are sick;
      4. engaging in Physical Distancing;
      5. covering coughs and sneezes;
      6. cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces as often as possible but not less than daily, including but not limited to, doorknobs, light switches, desks, countertops, handles, phones, keyboards, and faucet handles.
    3. Symptom Checker:  Before reporting in-person for work, all Employees are required to log their symptoms by utilizing the Symptom Checker, regardless of whether they are experiencing Symptoms.  Before attending in-person classes, Students are also required to log their symptoms by utilizing the Symptom Checker, regardless of whether they are experiencing Symptoms. Students who live in University housing should complete the Symptom Checker before leaving their room.  If Students do not have any Symptoms, but do not have access to technology, they should self-report using the Symptom Checker immediately after arriving on campus, prior to attending any classes, study sessions or other academic activity.  If possible, the Symptom Checker should be completed before entering a building.  Any Student who believes they have had a Recent Exposure to COVID-19 or is experiencing Symptoms should report this through the Symptom Checker and remain at home or in their residence hall room. The Symptom Checker can be found at https://covidrecovery.colostate.edu/daily-symptom-checker/. If, based on their responses, an Employee or Student receives a notification that they should not attend work or classes, they must comply with the notification.

    4. Face Coverings:  Face Coverings shall be worn in all Public Spaces while on University property.  A Student or Employee who may need an adjustment or exemption from the Face Covering requirement due to a medical condition may request one by contacting the Student Disability Center at (970) 491-6385 (Students) or the Office of Equal Opportunity (970) 491-5836 (Employees).  Children under ten (10) years old are not required to wear Face Coverings.  Face Coverings are not required when:
      1. working or spending time alone in a personal office with the door closed; meetings should not occur in this office for several hours after a person without a mask has occupied the space even with masks, however, as virus may remain aerosolized for several hours;
      2. operating a single occupancy vehicle;
      3. teleworking (i.e., not reporting in-person to a University work location);
      4. inside a private on-campus residential unit;
      5. eating or drinking, however, at least six-feet physical distance between people is required. 

    5. Events, and Meetings: All in-person events involving persons and/or organizations external to the University are canceled for the duration of the Fall 2020 Semester.  Internal University meetings that support the University’s academic or business and operational functions that cannot otherwise be held virtually may be held in-person as long as the public health guidelines and policy directives detailed herein are adhered to. Unless otherwise permitted by this policy, individuals should avoid congregating on University property, and in no case should a casual gathering of people exceed 10 (ten) people.  For the purposes of this provision, the terms “events,” “meetings” and “gathering” do not apply to in-person classes and/or instruction. 

    6. Testing:  When directed by the University to complete COVID-19 testing, it shall be mandatory for Employees and Students who are working or attending classes in-person on University property in Larimer County.  In certain cases, a person may be tested more than once.  Employees and Students may be exempt from being tested if they assert that they have a medical reason (i.e., a physical condition that is such that COVID-19 testing would endanger the person’s life or health or is medically contraindicated due to other medical conditions) or (2) religious  reason (i.e. a person is an adherent to a religious belief whose teachings are opposed to medical testing). 

    7. Individuals Who Have Tested Positive for COVID-19, Have COVID Symptoms, or Who Have Had Recent Exposure. Any person who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous fourteen (14) days, has COVID-19 Symptoms, is waiting for the results from a COVID-19 test, or has had a known Recent Exposure to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 shall avoid close contact with other individuals and follow all orders, directives, or instructions from campus, county and/or state public health offices, including directives to Quarantine or Self-Isolate.  In addition, to these requirements, the following apply:
      1.  Employees:
        1. shall not report to work or otherwise be in Public Spaces on University property;
        2. shall report symptoms through the Symptom Checker even though they are not reporting to work;
        3. shall contact their supervisor as soon as possible to notify their supervisor that they will be absent from work;
        4. shall contact the CSU public health office (491-4600) to report and receive guidance and direction.
        5. shall fully cooperate and with Contact Tracing by University and/or county public health officials;
        6. shall not return to work until allowed by the CSU Public Health Office or county health office.
      2.  Students:
        1. shall not attend in-person classes, gatherings, meetings or any other events off or on campus;
        2. shall not be in Public Spaces on University property;
        3. shall contact the CSU Public Health Office (491-4600) to report and receive guidance and direction.
        4. shall comply with all directives to relocate housing to Quarantine or Self-Isolate if student is living on campus;
        5. shall fully cooperate and with Contact Tracing by University and/or county public health officials;
        6. shall not return to classes until allowed by the CSU Public Health Office or county health office.
      3. Visitors who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous fourteen (14) days, have COVID-19 Symptoms, are waiting for the results from a COVID-19 test, or have had a known Recent Exposure to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 shall not be on University property. 
      4. No person shall attempt to pressure, coerce, intimidate or otherwise influence an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19 in the previous fourteen (14) days, has COVID-19 Symptoms, is waiting for the results from a COVID-19 test, or has had a known Recent Exposure to a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 to engage in any activity or behavior that may cause the spread of COVID-19, including but not limited to:
        1. violate any University policy, guidance, instruction, or directive;
        2. violate any public health order, guidance, or directive;
        3. report to work in-person;
        4. attend class in-person;
        5. participate in activities, gatherings, or meetings in-person;
      5. No Employee or Student shall attempt to dissuade or prevent another person from participating in Contact Tracing or from reporting COVID-19 Symptoms or Recent Exposure, seeking medical advice regarding such Symptoms or exposure, or otherwise receiving a diagnosis for COVID-19.   

SECTION 6.  RESOURCES

REFERENCES AND LEGAL AUTHORITY 

  • COVID-related Executive Orders Issued by Governor Polis
  • COVID-related Public Health Orders Issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
  • COVID-related Public Health Orders Issued by Larimer County Department of Health and Environment
  • Colorado State University System Board of Governors Policy 131

APPROVALS

Approved August 30, 2020, by Joyce E. McConnell, President.

 

Print Version: Click Here to Print

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