Current State and Planned Changes 

If you haven't checked recently, our campus COVID numbers have remained low since the middle of the semester. Seeing a significantly reduced number of cases across the state, counties surrounding Northwestern, as well as our internal cases has been a blessing and has allowed us all to give attention back to other important matters at Northwestern. Looking forward, we are optimistic about being able to create a "new normal" together as we appear to be moving out of COVIDland. With this in mind, the RAT and ACT have recently propose a timeline and approach for sunsetting our COVID monitoring, mitigation strategies, published data, signage, and other communications.  

the following timeline and recommendations as we see a significantly reduced number of cases remaining constant in the State of MN, counties surrounding UNW, and internal cases reported. As we move toward summer and close out our spring semester, 

The RAT will continue to monitor cases reported and transmission levels (high, substantial, medium, or low) in our state, surrounding counties, and internally. Mitigation protocol will be revisited should numbers increase in the future.  

Going forward, all community members and guests will be welcome to continue wearing face coverings should they choose.  

Appreciation for COVID Teams

RAT

Sarah Arthur
Sandi Baty
Deb Bender
Jerod Cornelius
John Day
*Marla Dennison
Carrie Francis
Ruth Fries
Jane Goedeke
Tim Grosz
John Hyttsten
Deanna Loehlein
Joel Johnson
Randy McGrew
Tim McKinney
Angle Moin
Kirk Moss
Anna Mukaria
Ben Paulson
Alison Putz
Brian Scherrer
Pete Sola

ACT

Sarah Arthur
Dan Crane
Carrie Francis
Ruth Fries
Todd Harmening
*Joel Johnson 
Susan Johnson
Nathan Lentfer
Joel Light
Kirk Moss
Andy Simpson
Janet Sommers
Ann Sorenson

P6

*indicates the lead facilitator of the group

Planned Changes

The SLT reviewed and approved this approach as we look toward the summer and the close of our spring semester. 

Week of 5/16/22

Update Website & theROCK 

theROCK 

• Any areas that focus specifically on COVID will be hidden
• Move any Any COVID related policies or communication that remain will be moved to department specific areas that need to be maintained – (e.g., Purple Button may be retained by health services, however moved to their location on theROCK, housing may have policies related to COVID, etc.)

 Reporting and Reports  Reports  

• Employee Reporting -
  • HR will publish a
  journal
  • Daily Journal announcement about discontinuing employee reporting
  (
  • via the purple button
  ) – staff
  • on theROCK
  • Staff and faculty will no longer report COVID illness to
  health services
  • Health Services, but will communicate with their supervisor (as with any other illness)
  • Supervisor guidance on how to appropriately handle illnesses will be available
  • HR will be informed of any
  student
  • employee outbreaks on campus and surrounding community transmission levels to determine if centralized reporting is required
• Student reporting (Reporting
  • The purple button
  )
  • can continue through
  health services
  • Health Services over summer
  , health services will
  • Health Services will continue to track internally but will not publish cases
• Constituent Reports - Remove public
  • Public and internal
  dashboards 
  • dashboards will be hidden

 Remove Campus Signage  Removed 

• All COVID-related face - covering signs will be removed from outside doors/buildings 
• Signage will remain in place on medical locations Summer course classroom (such as Health Services)
• Classroom signage will remain in place for summer courses until 6/27/22, all others will be removed

 Sanitation Baskets/Hand Sanitizer Stations Stations 

• Remove sanitation Sanitation baskets in classrooms and various office locations , will be removed (these baskets will be available by request from facilities if desired.)
• Retain hand Hand sanitizer stations in general or commons areas will be retained

 Testing 

• Testing of students and employees can will continue by appointment only at Health Service as available throughout the summer (noting limited hours)

Week of 6/27/22

Remove Remaining Classroom Signage Signage 

• Remaining classroom signage will be removed after summer courses are complete 
• Signage will remain at medical locations, such as Health Services, as required

 Remove remaining barriers  barriers  

• Remove remaining Remaining barriers/sneeze guards will be removed by Facilities and place placed in storage

 Faculty Option to require face-coverings in classrooms classrooms 

• Faculty will have the option through the end of summer semester to require face coverings in their classroom 
• The option for faculty to require face-coverings coverings will cease in for the fall semester unless MN/County transmission MN/County transmission level warrants adjustment to this policy (substantial or high transmission)- to
• This will be revisited during the summer and going forward if needed

The RAT will continue to monitor cases reported and transmission levels (high, substantial, medium, or low) in our state, surrounding counties, and internally. Mitigation protocol will be revisited should numbers increase in the future.  

Going forward, all community members and guests will be welcome to continue wearing face coverings should they choose.  

Appreciation for COVID Teams

RAT

Sarah Arthur
Sandi Baty
Deb Bender
Jerod Cornelius
John Day
*Marla Dennison
Carrie Francis
Ruth Fries
Jane Goedeke
Tim Grosz
John Hyttsten
Deanna Loehlein
Joel Johnson
Randy McGrew
Tim McKinney
Angle Moin
Kirk Moss
Anna Mukaria
Ben Paulson
Alison Putz
Brian Scherrer
Pete Sola

ACT

Sarah Arthur
Dan Crane
Carrie Francis
Ruth Fries
Todd Harmening
*Joel Johnson 
Susan Johnson
Nathan Lentfer
Joel Light
Kirk Moss
Andy Simpson
Janet Sommers
Ann Sorenson

P6

Nina Barnes
Jerod Cornelius
John Day
Marla Dennison
Pearl Ferrin
Matt Hill
Greg Johnson
Joel Johnson
Tim McKinney
Anna Mukaria
Tim Sawyer
*Janet Sommers
John Sommerville

*indicates the lead facilitator of the group

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