Protect the Pride - FHU's Return to Campus Plan

It has been great to welcome new students and reunite with returning students on campus this month. We are family, and we love spending time with family. We also want to keep our family safe, and as Lions, we want to “Protect the Pride!” 

Our faculty, staff, administration, and COVID-19 Task Force have worked steadily on plans for us to safely deliver the traditional on-campus FHU experience that our students love and value.

FHU is committed to providing the very best experience for students this fall in a safe environment. It is a blessing that FHU resides in a small town and geographic location that has been impacted in a limited way by COVID-19. Our prayer is that Chester County and Freed-Hardeman University remain a safe place, and FHU is committed to doing its part to make this possible. 

The FHU COVID-19 Task Force, which is composed of administrators, health care professionals, faculty, and staff, have developed the Protect the Pride Return to Campus Plan. Protect the Pride is a framework that allows Freed-Hardeman to operate safely, despite varying levels of risk that may be present on campus and in the surrounding communities. In the event the risk level increases, each area of campus has developed specific plans that govern the steps their area will take to increase the safety of the campus community. 

The following levels of risk, determined by the level of community spread present in Chester County and surrounding communities, will be used to communicate in real-time the risk to our campus community. The Chester County Health Department will be FHU’s primary resource to monitor community risk from COVID-19.

August 10, 2020 - Fall semester begins with the annual Tolling of the Bell ceremony

November 6-8, 2020 - Homecoming

November 6, 2020 - Alumination Day

November 20, 2020 - Fall semester concludes

November 21, 2020 - Commencement

Full Academic Calendar

Has the individual tested positive for COVID-19?

• If yes, the individual must ISOLATE until

  • At least ten days have passed since symptoms first appeared; AND

  • No fever for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications; AND

  • Improvement of other symptoms (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); AND

  • A written Return-to-Work Authorization has been obtained from Human Resources Office (employees) or a written Return-to-Class Authorization has been obtained from the Student Services Office (students)

• If no, has the individual been tested for COVID-19 due to COVID-19 symptoms?

• If yes, the individual should QUARANTINE until test results are known

  • If test results are positive, ISOLATE until

    • At least ten days have passed since symptoms first appeared; AND

    • Resolution of fever for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications; AND

    • Improvement of other symptom (e.g., cough, shortness of breath) AND

    • A written Return-to-Work Authorization has been obtained from Human Resources Office (employees) or a written Return-to-Class Authorization has been obtained from the Student Services Office (students)

  • If test results are negative,

    • A written Return-to-Work Authorization has been obtained from Human Resources Office (employees) or a written Return-to-Class Authorization has been obtained from the Student Services Office (students)

• If no, has the individual been tested for COVID-19 at the direction of healthcare profession due to direct physical close contact (within 6 feet for 15 or more minutes) with someone who has tested positive and the individual is not symptomatic

• If yes, the individual should

  • QUARANTINE until test results are received

  • If the test is positive and COVID-19 Symptoms exist, the individual should ISOLATE until

    • At least ten days have passed since symptoms first appeared; AND

    • Resolution of fever for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing medications; AND

    • Improvement of other symptom (e.g., cough, shortness of breath); AND

    • A written Return-to-Work Authorization has been obtained from Human Resources Office (employees) or a written Return-to-Class Authorization has been obtained from the Student Services Office (students)

  • If the test is positive and the individual is asymptomatic

    • The individual should ISOLATE for 10 day after the positive test; AND

    • A written Return-to-Work Authorization has been obtained from Human Resources Office (employees) or a written Return-to-Class Authorization has been obtained from the Student Services Office (students)

  • If the test is negative, 

    • The individual should QUARANTINE for 14 days after last contact; AND

    • A written Return-to-Work Authorization has been obtained from Human Resources Office (employees) or a written Return-to-Class Authorization has been obtained from the Student Services Office (students)

• If no, does the individual reside with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19?

• If yes, the individual should 

  • ISOLATE until the person that resides with the individual has 

    • No COVID-19 symptoms for three days: AND

    • Resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications for three days; AND THEN

    • The individual must 

      • QUARANTINE an additional 14 days; AND

      • Must be fever free for 3 days with no fever-reducing medication; AND

      • Must obtain a written release to return to work/school by the FHU Health Clinic

      • In lieu of an additional 14 days of isolation, the individual may provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test to the Human Resources Office (employees) or Student Services Office (students)

      • Written Return-to-Work Authorization must be obtained from Human Resources Office (employees) or a written Return-to-Class Authorization has been obtained from the Student Services Office (students)

• If no, is the individuals experiencing one of the following symptoms?

  • Fever (at or above 100.4°F – without having taken any fever-reducing medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen)

  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

  • Cough

  • Loss of smell or taste

  • Muscle aches

  • Sore throat

  • Chills

  • Fatigue

  • Congestion or runny nose

  • New or unusual headache

  • New GI symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite

  • Rash

• If yes to any of the listed symptoms, the individual should 

  • QUARANTINE until additional information is provided by a healthcare provider

• If no, the individual should 

  • Continue to monitor your symptoms

  • Practice social distancing 

  • Wear a mask

  • Practice good hygiene

  • Follow CDC guidelines (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html)

Based on the latest guidance from local, state, and federal public health officials, these are the protocols Freed-Hardeman University will follow when an exposure or infection of COVID-19 takes place on campus.

DEFINITIONS

Quarantine

Quarantine separates and restricts the movement of individuals who were exposed to COVID-19 to see if they become sick, individuals who have COVID-19 symptoms, individuals who are awaiting COVID-19 testing results, or individuals who have traveled internationally. These individuals may have been exposed and do not know it, or they may have the disease but do not show symptoms.

A student will be required to quarantine at home or in a designated location when 

• The student has been tested for COVID-19 and the results are not yet known; OR

• The student has had direct physical close contact with someone who has tested

  positive and is awaiting test results; OR 

• The student has traveled internationally

   

  For those choosing to quarantine on campus, the student service coordinator will notify the student of the location where they need to quarantine.

  An FHU student awaiting a COVID-19 test must quarantine at home or in a designated location until the results of a COVID-19 test are known. While awaiting test results, the student should do their best to keep six feet of distance with any others in their quarantine environment, limit contact to as few individuals as possible (as few as 1-2), and use antibacterial disinfectant after each restroom use, especially for shared restrooms. The amount of time spent in quarantine will be dependent on the outcome of the test, presence of symptoms, and medical provider’s guidance.

   

  Isolation

  Isolation separates sick people with a contagious disease from people who are not sick.

  A student will be required to isolate at home or in a designated location with zero public contact when a student has tested positive for COVID-19 test, with or without active symptoms. The amount of time spent in isolation will be dependent on the length of illness, presence of symptoms, and medical provider’s guidance.

   

  Direct Physical Close Contact

  Direct physical close contact is defined as being within 6 feet of an individual for 15 or more minutes.

   

   

  QUARANTINE AND ISOLATION PROTOCOLS

  The following protocol will be coordinated by the student services coordinator once it has been determined that a residential student chooses to quarantine or isolate on campus.

  The student services coordinator will contact the student requiring quarantine or isolation to determine if the student will isolate or quarantine on campus or at home. Students who quarantine or isolate on campus can expect the following.

• The student services coordinator will inform the student of their temporary housing assignment, if required.
• The student services coordinator will inform the residence hall director that the student will be temporarily reassigned to another housing location.
• The Office of Academics will inform the faculty who teach the student’s classes. The notification will includean approximate length of time the student will be quarantined or isolated.

• MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND MONITORING

  Non-Emergent Medical Assistance

  Non-emergent, medical assistance will be available for students placed in isolation or quarantine through the Rogers, Conger, Dodd Health Clinic, which is open between 8:00am - 5:00pm. Students in quarantine or isolation may contact the Health Clinic by calling 731.989.6680.

   

  After-hours and Weekend, Non-Emergent Medical Assistance (non-emergent)

  When the Rogers, Conger, Dodd Health Clinic is not open, students who are in quarantine or isolation and who require non-emergent, medical assistance should contact Dr. Wayne Scott (731.608.2540). If Dr. Scott is unavailable, students should contact campus security (731.989.6911).

   

  Emergency Medical Assistance

  Students in isolation should seek emergency treatment (CALL 911) if any of the following symptoms occur:

• Trouble breathing
• Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
• New confusion
• Inability to wake or stay awake
• Blueish lips or face

A student experiencing these symptoms or other symptoms that are perceived as life-threatening or that cause extreme pain or discomfort should call 911.

PROVISIONS FOR FOOD SERVICE

A paper or electronic form with daily menu options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the following day will be provided to the quarantined or isolated student. The form will allow the student to choose what they would like to eat the following day. 

Lions Pride Dining Services will deliver meals to students in isolation or quarantine via take out containers. Meals will be delivered on days and at times consistent with operating hours for Lions Pride Dining Service. The meals will be dropped off at the room door. All meals will be served with disposable products (plates, cups, utensils) so that nothing will need to be picked up and cleaned.

PROVISIONS FOR OTHER NEEDS

A student may have need for other items or assistance that are beyond the scope of the provisions that have been noted. Such as snacks, phone charger, etc. In such instances, the student may contact the student services coordinator (studentservices@fhu.edu or 731.989.6790) to discuss how to make arrangements for those items. The student should not contact other individuals and ask them to bring the items to their place of isolation or quarantine.

CLASSES

The Office of Academics will inform the faculty who teach the student’s classes when students are placed into quarantine or isolation. The notification will include an approximate length of time the student will be quarantined or isolated

Instructors will provide students with information and direction on how to continue their classes while in quarantine or isolation.

Students are also encouraged to reach out to another student in each of their classes to establish a Protect-the-Pride Informant who can provide peer-assistance during the period of quarantine or isolation.

The Freed-Hardeman campus experience is very important to our student body. Although some activities may look a little different, we are working toward having all of our great activities (intramurals, social clubs, Interface, UPC events, campus movies, Makin’ Music activities, etc) for the fall. We expect to do most of the same activities we have in the past, just with a few guidelines to help keep us healthy and safe. 

• FHU will offer traditional classes in the classroom when students arrive this fall. 

• Classes will be located in classrooms that increase the distance between students 

• Classes will be dismissed in such a way as to decrease the number of students exiting a classroom at the same time. 

Chapel is a cherished part of the FHU experience and will take place this fall, although it will look different than in years past. This fall there will be two daily chapel services to allow for social distancing in Loyd Auditorium. These changes are being made to allow for a meaningful time of worship, edification, and fellowship in a safe setting.

• Class schedules will not be affected by the addition of the second chapel service.

FHU’s dining services team is committed to safely providing the high-quality food service experience students have come to appreciate. More details will be provided soon.

As a key component of the Protect the Pride prevention measures, the University will employ appropriate symptom screening, testing, and contact tracing.

• Symptom screening will be conducted daily using the Protect the Pride Health Screening app

• The University will monitor the need for testing of students, faculty, staff, and guests. This may include testing before arriving on campus, upon return to campus, or during a student’s or employee’s time on campus.

• Key personnel will receive training in COVID-19 contact tracing by completing an approved course

If needed, separate facilities for men and women have been designated as quarantine locations on campus. 

The mental health of students at Freed-Hardeman is extremely important. This semester, COVID-19, along with many other things happening across the country has the potential to negatively impact student’s mental and emotional well-being.  

As a resource available to all FHU students, FHU has licensed, professional counselors on staff in the University Counseling Center. The UCC stands ready to help students navigate through the stress and difficulties they may encounter this semester. More information is available on the FHU University Counseling Center Services webpage.

Where is the University Counseling Center located?

• The University Counseling Center is located in the Butts Family Suite on the second floor of Loyd Auditorium.

What are the hours for the University Counseling Center?

• The University Counseling Center is open on campus Monday – Friday from 8:00am - 5:00pm

• Mental health crisis services are available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week.  

Is there a cost to use the University Counseling Center?

• No, there is no cost for enrolled students to use the services provided by the University Counseling Center.