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 SLT reviewed and approved this approach as we look toward the summer and the close of our spring semester.  Here is an overview of the changes.

Week of 5/16/22

UNW Website and theROCK 

• Any areas or web pages that focus specifically on COVID will be hidden
• Any COVID related policies or communication that remain will be moved to department specific areas that need to be maintained (e.g., housing may have policies related to COVID, the purple button may be retained by Health Services; however moved to their location on theROCK, etc.)

 Reporting and Reports  

• Employee Reporting
  • HR will publish a Daily Journal announcement about discontinuing employee reporting via the purple button on theROCK
  • Staff and faculty will no longer report COVID illness to 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 employee outbreaks on campus and surrounding community transmission levels to determine if centralized reporting is required
• Student Reporting
  • The purple button can continue through Health Services over summer
  • Health Services will continue to track internally but will not publish cases
• Constituent Reports
  • Public and internal dashboards will be hidden

 Campus Signage 

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

 Sanitation Baskets/Hand Sanitizer Stations 

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

 Testing 

• Testing of students and employees 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 

• Remaining classroom signage will be removed
• Signage will remain at medical locations, such as Health Services, as required

 Remove remaining barriers  

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

 Faculty Option to require face-coverings in 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 will cease for the fall semester unless MN/County transmission MN/County transmission level warrants adjustment to this policy (substantial or high transmission)
• This will be revisited during the summer and going forward if needed

Special Notes  

• 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

As you know, the work to bring Northwestern through COVIDland has required the prayer, effort, and collaboration of many people. The three key teams that have guided our institution's response for the past two years are the Resurgence Analysis Team, the Academic Continuity Team, and the P6 Team. I would like to acknowledge the individuals who have most recently been involved with these teams. Please join me in thanking them for their commitment and dedication to serving Northwestern on these teams.

*indicates the lead facilitator of the group

Feedback and Comments

I am always interested in hearing how things are going for you and what you might like to share. The anonymous feedback form remains open and available to you.