Campus COVID-19 Update

Following the requirements from the Federal Government, State of Michigan, and county health departments, and the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and with input from eight University workgroups, Madonna University has prepared the following plan to safely reopen the University’s Livonia and Southfield campuses for the Fall Semester 2020.

Because no college or university, let alone Madonna University, nor any other organization, can guarantee an environment free of COVID-19, it is expected that everyone associated with the University  understand that there is a risk of contracting the virus at the University or anywhere. With that being said, the health, welfare, and safety of Madonna students, faculty, and staff is the utmost priority of the University. To manage the COVID-19 risk factors and to safely resume in-person education for the Fall Semester 2020, Madonna University will take full advantage of the unique benefits of its personalized instruction ethos, large park-like campus, and the expertise of its renowned nursing program.

After careful thought, research into best practices, and consideration of current federal, state, and local requirements and guidelines, it was determined that a campus Health Center would be established to focus solely on COVID-19 activities, at this time, including COVID-19 testing. A Chief Health Officer (CHO) has been appointed to direct and manage all Health Center activities related to COVID-19. The Health Center is located in the DiPonio Building. The phone number is 734-432-5450, and the email is campushealthofficer@madonna.edu.

In addition to health and safety guidelines, this document outlines the University’s reopening plans for academics, athletics and performing arts, events and gatherings, food services, and residence halls.

This plan and each Madonna community member’s commitment to following it will help us continue to keep the Madonna flame of knowledge burning brightly in the safest manner possible during a global pandemic.

The University is determined to monitor and appropriately respond to all potential instances of COVID-19 exposures or outbreaks on Madonna University’s campus. The University will follow all federal, state, and local health department mandates and guidelines to help keep members of the campus community safe. All building entrances and exits will be clearly marked. All common areas and classrooms, as well as frequently-touched surfaces will be disinfected frequently per applicable guidelines and University policies.

All individuals coming to campus must follow these safety measures:

• Self-screen, including a temperature check, and self-identify any symptoms of COVID-19
• Wear a mask/shield
• Practice social distancing
• Wash your hands frequently or use a hand-sanitizer station, which will be available at all entrances, exits, elevators, stairwells and other public areas.
• Avoid gathering in groups that exceed the permitted number of people.
• Enter and exit buildings using the marked doors.

The self-screening surveys are available on the University’s Coronavirus web page – www.Madonna.edu/coronavirus.  At-risk populations, including nursing students and residential students, must self-screen twice daily.

COVID-19 testing will be administered by Health Center personnel upon request. Individuals who report symptoms will be offered a test on campus (billed to insurance), or they may obtain testing from their health care provider and report the results to the Health Center.

Health Center personnel will monitor self-screening surveys and any reports of COVID-19 cases. Anyone on campus who tests positive for COVID-19 will be interviewed and University attendance data will be gathered to determine who may have been exposed, so that they can self-isolate, complete a COVID-19 test and comply with other health and safety measures. Failure to comply with this protocol can result in the person being removed from campus and/or suspended from all University activities.

Faculty and staff who test positive for COVID-19 must leave campus to quarantine/isolate per CDC guidelines, and be cleared by the Health Center to return to campus.

All student-athletes, coaches, and athletics staff members are required to get one nasal swab COVID-19 test 7 days prior to the team’s first competition, per the NAIA guidelines.

Students who self-disclose or are suspected of having COVID-19 symptoms will be required to leave campus and return home to self-quarantine/isolate. Those students who are unable to return home will be reassigned to a designated room on-campus or a nearby location for self-quarantining/isolating. Students will remain in quarantine/isolation until cleared by the Health Center to return to campus.

Meals for students quarantined/isolated on campus will be placed outside the student’s room by a Residence Life staff member at designated meal times.

Faculty will academically accommodate students who are quarantined/isolated

In addition to personal hygiene and social distancing safety measures, students, faculty, and staff should avail themselves of any other treatments or therapies to help lessen their risk of contracting COVID-19 or the severity of the virus if contracted, including getting the flu vaccination as soon as it becomes available, and getting the COVID-19 vaccination as soon as one is available.

Unless otherwise required to comply with federal, state and local health department mandates and related guidelines, the University will be conducting on-campus class sessions for Fall Semester 2020. Courses will be delivered on-ground, online, and in the hybrid (online/on-ground) format by adhering to the aforementioned safety measures, as well as to the measures listed below:

• On-ground class attendance will be limited to the size of the room in order to comply with the 6-ft. social-distancing guidelines. Furniture in all rooms will be arranged to enable proper social distancing.
• Building occupancy will adhere to the federal, state and local mandates and guidelines.
• For on-ground classes, faculty and students are required to self-clean their learning station and/or teaching area at the beginning and end of class.
• All computer and lab equipment are required to be self-cleaned before and after use, with supplies available in the room.
• A synchronous remote option (i.e., ability to simultaneously view the class via video) will be available to students, if they are unable to attend in person.
• The library will be available, although the number of patrons will be limited to ensure compliance with social-distancing guidelines. A maximum capacity will be posted at the library entrance.
• Faculty shall review the University’s COVID-19 policy with students at the beginning of each class. Students who exhibit COVID-19 symptoms will be directed to go to the Health Center, immediately.
• All students will agree to take the Madonna Cares Pledge.

Athletics

All athletic staff members, coaches, and student-athletes will follow the guidelines and policies set forth by the NAIA, the WHAC and the University including, but not limited to the following:

• Comply with the home team’s fan policies and procedures
• Wash all practice gear/ uniforms/equipment after every use
• Limit the number of student-athletes and staff on the bench
• Limit the number of people in the weight room at one time
• Discontinue handshakes, high fives, the use of water bottles, and sharing of equipment or towels
• Wear face masks/shields when not actively engaged in practice or a game

Performing Arts

Faculty and students involved with Madonna’s many performing arts ensembles will follow federal and state guidelines for social distancing, wearing face masks/shields, and audience limits, and will relocate practices outdoors or to larger spaces as appropriate. Other measures that will be taken to ensure the health and safety of performers and faculty include:

• Offering virtual performances or video streaming of live performances
• Reducing the number of performers in and the number of performances of each production
• No partnering (physical contact) or sharing of instruments, props or ballet barres

Students living in the residence halls are required to wear masks/shields and maintain social distancing in hallways, common areas, and fitness rooms. Because roommates and suitemates will be treated as a family unit, face coverings and social distancing is not required in their rooms.

The common cooking locations are limited to no more than two people at a time.

International students arriving from an international location will be tested and may be required to self-quarantine/isolate per CDC guidelines before coming to campus.

Aside from Move-in Day, no guests will be permitted in the Residence Halls, except under special circumstances.

Move-in Days

Move-in Days are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, Aug. 27, 28 and 29.  To help ensure a safe Move-in Day for students and their family members, students are being invited to move-in day in groups of approximately 30 students, spread over broad blocks of time, and across the three different buildings.

Students may bring two family members to help with move-in and face masks/shields must be worn during move-in.

Prior to coming to campus, students and their two family members must complete the COVID-19 Self-Screening Survey online (www.madonna.edu/coronavirus), including a temperature check.

Check-in at the Franciscan Center, upon arriving on campus. Family members can go to the Franciscan Center Lecture Hall for light refreshments while the student completes the check-in process. Masks/shields and social distancing will be in effect. 

During check-in, Residence Life staff will provide each student with COVID-19 educational materials and a Madonna face mask. They also will answer any questions about move-in, and assist students in finding their new campus residence.

Madonna’s Health Center staff will have a tent set up near the Residence Halls and will be available to answer questions and provide safety information.

If a student happens to arrive early or late for their move-in timeframe, the Residence Life staff will still be ready to provide assistance.  If you find that you might be early or are experiencing a delay, simply call 734-432-5520 to let our Residence Life staff know when they might expect you.

Food service for students in the dining hall includes contactless, delivery, grab-and-go, and reserved table options, where the capacity is limited to 75 people, with the potential for increase.  Faculty and staff may utilize the grab-and-go option, unless capacity is available. Beverages will no-longer be self-serve. Online menus will enable customized, advance ordering. Food service staff will maintain a sterilized environment.

Event regulations may change at any time, based on the Governor’s Executive Orders, local health department regulations, and/or CDC guidelines. As much as possible, events/gatherings will be held outdoors, and will only be held indoors in compliance with guest limits. As necessary, several small events will be held in place of one large event. Virtual event options should be offered for events as needed. Food and beverages served at events will be individually pre-packaged, single-serving items. Guest screening for COVID-19 will align with current guidelines.