Return to Campus Plan SUBMITTED AUGUST 11, 2020 Message from President Shirley M. Collado From the beginning of the COVID-19 public health Finally, as a result of this process and our ongoing crisis, Ithaca College resolved to be methodical, commitment to safeguarding the health and safety of metrics-driven, nimble, and iterative in our response, our on- and off-campus communities, this plan and to always prioritize the health and safety of our provides for the creation of the Director of Public college and Ithaca-area communities. This Return to Health Emergency Preparedness at Ithaca College. Campus Plan for academic year 2020-21 reflects a This position, held by Christina Moylan, who holds a continuation of this approach and our deep sense of doctorate in public health policy from the Johns responsibility to our students and their families as Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, will be we strive to provide a transformative IC experience responsible for directing the implementation of our in what is undoubtedly an unprecedented time in campus response to COVID-19, monitor our our world and in the history of higher education. compliance with the New York Forward plan, and advise the senior leadership team regarding our We are proud to present this plan to the New York response to the pandemic. Dr. Moylan has been a key State Department of Health—and to our Ithaca part of the formulation of our return-to-campus College community. It is a result of the tremendous plan, serving as a member of the Health and Safety expertise, effort, and diligence of many individuals, Advisory Group, a subset of the college’s Return to particularly the tireless work of the Return to Campus Task Force. Campus Task Force. The heart and humanity of the administrators, faculty, staff, and students who I want to close by reiterating my deep gratitude to comprised this task force ensured that this plan the college’s Return to Campus Task Force, and to reflects the very best of what we can offer our the many faculty, staff, students, families, and students and our community during one of the most community members who shared their thoughts at significant and challenging moments in higher all stages of the development of this plan; our education. Thank you. partners and local officials at the city, town, and county level; members of our regional medical It is important to note that this plan was created at community; and for the strong guidance provided at and for a particular moment in a highly volatile and the state level by the Department of Health and the ever-changing public health crisis. At the time of the Regional Control Rooms. Finally, Ithaca College’s submission of this document, COVID-19 cases are membership in and collaboration with the rising nationwide—most alarmingly as schools institutions that comprise the Commission on reopen—and the number of travelers from states Independent Colleges and Universities in New York who require quarantine upon entry into New York has been critical to our ability to craft a State continues to grow and shift. In keeping with comprehensive, thoughtful framework for our return our commitment to be responsive to ever-changing to campus in the coming academic year. conditions, we reserve the right to amend this plan when necessary as we move toward and through the Sincerely, coming academic year. SHIRLEY M. COLLADO PRESIDENT CONTENTS 2 | REOPENING PLAN 24 | MONITORING J. Testing Responsibility 24 3 | RETURN TO CAMPUS TASK FORCE K. Testing Frequencies and Protocols 25 Designated Personnel 4 L. Early Warning Signs 25 5 | REOPENING M. Tracing 25 A. Capacity 5 N. Screening 25 B. Personal Protective Equipment 9 26 | CONTAINMENT C. Return to Campus Testing 11 O. Isolation 26 D. Residential Living 13 P. Quarantine 27 E. Operational Activity 14 Q. Students Confirmed or F. Restart Operations 18 Suspected to Have COVID-19 27 G. Extracurriculars 19 R. Hygiene, Cleaning, and Disinfection 28 H. Vulnerable Populations 20 S. Communication 28 I. Hygiene, Cleaning, and Disinfection 20 29 | SHUTDOWN T. Operational Activity 29 U. Move-Out 30 V. Communication 32 1 Reopening Plan The Ithaca College Reopening Plan was developed by the Return to Campus Task Force and associated subgroups throughout the late spring and summer of 2020. The task force assessed contingencies and alternative scenarios so that, as this pandemic crisis continues to evolve, Ithaca College would be able to remain nimble and adapt our plans as necessary and prudent. Our goal was to create both a smooth transition back to campus and a positive collegiate and employment experience for our Ithaca College community. This reopening plan reflects our best approximation at the time of plan submission of how campus will operate in compliance with New York Forward guidelines in the coming academic year. It is purposely designed with flexibility in mind so that we can quickly adapt to the unpredictable COVID-19 situation. Ithaca College will amend our approach as needed and will continue to prioritize the health and safety of our campus community members in our decision-making processes. 2 Return to Campus Task Force Return to Campus Task Force members included the with the ongoing guidance of state and local officials following: as well as national public health experts. • Co-Chair, Rosanna Ferro, Vice President for TASK FORCE STRUCTURE Student Affairs and Campus Life • Co-Chair, La Jerne Terry Cornish, Provost and The Return to Campus Task Force was guided by a Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs steering committee comprising key leaders from • Tim Carey, Associate Vice President for Facilities, across campus who brought expertise and Finance and Administration experience in areas critical to a safe and smooth • Guilherme Costa, Vice President, General Counsel reopening process. They were accountable for and Secretary to the Board ensuring the committee charge was met. • Odalys Diaz Piñeiro, Chief of Staff, Office of the President SUBGROUPS • Bill Guerrero, Vice President for Finance and Ten subgroups were formed to focus on specific Administration critical content areas and populated by faculty and • Doreen Hettich-Atkins, Director for Strategic staff who brought deep knowledge and subject- Planning and Administration, Student Affairs and matter expertise to their assigned subgroup. Each Campus Life subgroup was guided by a member of the steering • Bill Kerry, Director of Public Safety and Emergency committee, ensuring connectivity and alignment Management, Student Affairs and Campus Life* with the broader goals of the task force. • Christina Moylan, Associate Dean, School of Health Sciences and Human Performance* • Academic and Classroom Planning • Tim Ryan, Assistant Director of Environmental • Athletics and Recreational Sports Health and Safety, Student Affairs and Campus Life* • Campus Dining • Dr. Ellyn Sellers-Selin, Medical Director, Student • Campus Programming, Events, and Student Affairs and Campus Life* Engagement • Bob Wagner, Chief Communications Officer, Office • Communications of the President • Counseling, Health, and Wellness Services • David Weil, Associate Vice President for Information • Educating for Social Responsibility Technology, Finance and Administration • Facilities Management and Operations • Faculty and Staff Return to Work In addition, four members of this task force (*) met • Residential Life and Housing as the Health and Safety Advisory Group. HEALTH AND SAFETY ADVISORY GROUP PURPOSE AND CHARGE The Health and Safety Advisory Group served as a The Return to Campus Task Force was charged with resource to all the subgroups as they developed their ensuring that the appropriate health and safety recommendations and were critical in the final guidelines are incorporated into all aspects of our review for all health and safety plans for the college. college operations as we move ahead. The task force They also played a key role in determining how developed protocols, practices, and guidelines in Ithaca College would collaborate with local, state, accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and federal health organizations; provide testing as that we will implement for as long as is necessary to appropriate for students, faculty, and staff; develop a restore residential and in-person instruction for the plan for testing containment, surveillance, and fall that is as safe as reasonably possible. This contact tracing; assess and treat active illnesses; and included determining the answers to such questions develop a plan for quarantine and isolation as what classes, teaching, work, living, dining, and procedures as needed. other campus interactions might look like in keeping 3 Designated Personnel The primary executive/owner/operator of the higher education institution (e.g., university president), or another party designated by the executive/owner/operator (in either case, the Responsible Parties), shall be responsible for meeting these standards. The designated party can be an individual or group of individuals responsible for the operations of the higher education institution. The college has designated Christina Moylan, Ph.D., to serve as the director of public health emergency preparedness. Dr. Moylan previously served as the associate dean for our School of Health Sciences and Human Performance and holds degrees in public health. Dr. Moylan will direct the implementation of the campus response to COVID-19 as described in this document and any forthcoming addendums that may be required to be responsive to