Protect the Pride - FHU's Return to Campus Plan

We can’t wait to welcome new students and reunite with returning students on campus next 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 been working 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 been working on 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.

Protect the Pride Risk Levels

Level GREEN

Meaning - No-to-minimal community spread. Evidence of isolated cases or limited community transmission, no evidence of exposure within large communal settings.

Level YELLOW

Meaning - Minimal-to-moderate community spread. Widespread and/or sustained transmission with high likelihood or confirmed exposure within communal settings with potential for rapid increase in suspected cases.

Level ORANGE

Meaning - Substantial community spread. Large scale community transmission, health care staffing significantly impacted, multiple cases within communal settings like healthcare facilities, schools, mass gatherings, etc.

Level RED

Meaning - Substantial and ongoing community spread.

Protecting the Pride

As we consider steps we can take to Protect the Pride, there are several changes that will be implemented this fall regardless of the level of risk to help keep FHU safer. Some of these changes include:

Temperature checks for new and returning students before moving onto campus

Increased cleaning and sanitation processes across campus

De-densifying the number of students in the classrooms

Hand sanitizer available in common areas of campus buildings

Daily self-reported health assessment via the FHU Protect the Pride Health App for students, faculty, and staff

A physician and nurse will be available at the Campus Clinic to provide daily medical support to the campus; the physician is an additional healthcare provider at the clinic.

Social distancing according to the latest recommendations

Masks will be required at certain times and places according to the current level of risk to protect the campus community and to allow the campus to remain open. More detailed information will be provided soon.

FHU has historically been a safe environment, and we are taking precautions for our students, parents, guests, faculty, and staff this fall as they visit, live, and work on campus. Additional information is available below that address specific areas of the FHU experience. As additional details are finalized, more information will be provided in the coming weeks.

David R. Shannon

President

What to Expect for the Academic / Activity Calendar?

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

November 7-8, 2020 - Homecoming

November 20, 2020 - Fall semester concludes

November 21, 2020 - Commencement

Full Academic Calendar

What to Expect on Welcome Home Move-In Day?

The date has changed

Although the Welcome Home event usually brings new students to campus on a single Saturday each fall, this year, to spread out the arrival of guests on campus, Welcome Home will be spread over two days on August 5-6, 2020.

Here are some ways FHU is preparing to meet COVID-19 guidelines during check-in at Welcome Home:

Spreading move-in day for new students across two days. The arrival of returning students will be spread across three additional days on August 7, 8, 9, 2020.

As guests arrive on campus, temperature checks will be conducted before interacting with others.

Faculty/staff members assisting in the drive-through check-in process will be wearing a mask.

Registration will be a drive-through style check-in. You may sign up for a specific appointment time by contacting your admissions representative. If you're a residential student and have all your documents complete, this means that you should only have to get out of your vehicle to move into the residence hall.

Should I arrive early to check-in?

Due to the number of students checking in, it is extremely important that you arrive on campus within 15 minutes of your selected time. Earlier or later arrival will require a new check-in time.

What happens if I'm running late or if I miss my appointment time?

If you're running late or miss your appointment time, please call your admissions representative as soon as possible. We will be checking in approximately 200 students each day, so we may need to move you to a later time.

Where should I go when I arrive on campus?

Information regarding where to go when you arrive on campus, what to expect when you arrive on campus, and other details regarding the day will be shared

what to expect for Interface?

INTERFACE will begin on Wednesday, August 5, for those that move in that day. If you're moving in on Thursday, August 6, don't worry, you won't be missing out. Your group will be waiting to meet you on Thursday night! With the change to an earlier move-in, INTERFACE 2020 may be the best one yet!

All of the qualities that make INTERFACE great will be present this year, but we’re making some adjustments with the health and safety of our students and the FHU community in mind. Some of those adjustments include:

Creating more INTERFACE groups with fewer individuals in each group, allowing for more effective social distancing.
Group activities will utilize open-air spaces as much as possible.

What to Expect for Student Activities?

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.

What to Expect for Classroom / Instruction Experience?

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.

What to Expect for Chapel?

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.

what to expect for dining services?

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.

What to Expect for Testing / Quarantine

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.

Protect the Pride - FHU's Return to Campus Plan

Protect the Pride Risk Levels

Protecting the Pride

What to Expect for the Academic / Activity Calendar?

What to Expect on Welcome Home Move-In Day?

what to expect for Interface?

What to Expect for Student Activities?

What to Expect for Classroom / Instruction Experience?

What to Expect for Chapel?

what to expect for dining services?

What to Expect for Testing / Quarantine

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