University of Alabama issued the following announcement on Aug. 13.
The University of Alabama’s plan to return to full operations is updated to include policies and directives designed to protect the health and safety of students and employees as classes and activities resume this fall.
“Our goal is continuing our mission and the value of the UA experience, while mitigating risks, protecting the community, safeguarding the vulnerable, and supporting the campus community to achieve at its highest level,” said UA President Stuart Bell. “The latest update to our evolving plan reflects the efforts of dedicated professionals and provides the necessary health and safety rules to guide our return.”
UA, part of the University of Alabama System, released its return plan in June. Governed by the UA System Comprehensive Health and Safety Plan, UA’s plan paves the way for the University to resume its fundamental mission of teaching, research and service through a careful and measured reopening.
The policies and directives define procedures and steps taken by the University to help ensure a safe return while also outlining how students, student groups, faculty and staff can best support a safe learning and social environment on campus. Those measures include mandatory face coverings on campus with limited exceptions, required physical distancing and personal hygiene.
Among the policies are mandatory testing, online training and use of the UA Healthcheck system by students and employees. Before returning to campus, faculty, staff and students must present a negative COVID-19 test, complete a training series through their myBama accounts, and daily monitor their health status and exposure history through a 30-second online form, the UA Healthcheck.
Based on reported symptoms and exposure, UA Healthcheck generates a risk assessment and a passport for campus activities. Instructors and event organizers must use the passport to facilitate access to classes and campus events. Also, visitors, vendors and attendees at athletic, fine arts and other on-campus events must present passport clearance for admission.
The update to the plan encourages students and employees in vulnerable populations or those with individual concerns to contact the University to request accommodations. The update also points interested employees to emergency sick leave and expanded family medical leave available through federal law passed since the pandemic.
Included in the policies and directives are procedures needed for student groups to hold an event on or off campus. Large events are prohibited, and size limits will be enforced.
Steps of accountability are also defined in the update, laying out University actions to be taken when students or employees do not adhere to the University’s health and safety guidelines. Stringent sanctions and discipline will be administered for violations, and repeat offenders will face increasingly greater sanctions.
Original source can be found here.
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