University Communication to faculty, staff, Campus Laboratory School
Distributed: November 20, 2020
Dear Carlow University Community,
As we move deeper into cooler weather and flu season, we are experiencing an unprecedented spike in COVID-19 cases across our state and country. Not only do we recognize the utmost importance of individually and collectively mitigating spread, we acknowledge that COVID fatigue has become all-too real.
NEW UPDATE: Recent announcement by Governor Wolf Administration
On November 17, Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine announced new mitigation efforts that advance our collective response to this pandemic, which go into effect today, November 20. We strongly encourage you to follow these guidelines.
- If you visit another state, you are required to acquire and receive a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of re-entering the commonwealth. If you choose not to test, you are required to quarantine for 14 days.
- Masks are required to be worn outdoors if you are not able to be 6 ft. away from anyone who is not in your household. Masks also must be worn indoors around people who are not in your household, even if you are able to keep a social distance of 6 ft.
NEW UPDATE: Employee holiday travel
After travel outside of the state, faculty and staff should contact their supervisor and Human Resources to inform them about their COVID-19 testing and/or quarantine plans and to coordinate a scheduled return to work. Remote work will be required unless the employee’s manager identifies the employee as an essential worker.
NEW UPDATE: CDC Recommendations
On November 19 the CDC issued guidelines regarding safe Thanksgiving celebrations, emphasizing that gatherings with family and friends who do do not live with you can increase the chances of getting of spreading COVID-19. We encourage you to take these recommendations into account. If you do gather inside, the CDC advises individuals to always wear a mask.
NEW UPDATE: Allegheny County Stay-at-Home Advisory
To further mitigate spread, on November 18 Allegheny County issued an official advisory urging its residents to limit all activity outside the home to essential activities, where possible. Residents are advised to only leave home to go to work or school or secure essential needs such as medical care or groceries.
NEW UPDATE: Student return to campus after Thanksgiving
All classes, with the exception of essential clinicals and labs, will meet virtually after the Thanksgiving break. Students should speak directly with their faculty if they have any questions.
NEW UPDATE: Self-screening after Thanksgiving
Due to the reduced volume of people on campus after the Thanksgiving Break, the University will transition to a self- screening model on November 30, utilizing a web-based application through our partner Integrated Health 21. Details on this shift will be sent next week and posted on our website.
IMPORTANT: Health and well-being
Your physical and mental health are critically important. Both COVID-19 and the unprecedented holiday season can elicit additional stress to our days. Carlow University has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) called EmployeeConnect – ComPsych, sponsored through Lincoln Financial, one of our insurance carriers. EmployeeConnect offers professional, confidential services to help you and your loved ones improve your quality of life, supports employees’ well-being, and facilitates ways to help individuals resolve issues. Human Resources will soon be disseminating details about these resources.
IMPORTANT: Continued Gratitude
We sincerely thank all faculty and staff members for their hard work, long hours, and dedication to supporting Carlow’s mission and its students. You also are to be applauded for your diligence in engaging in safe practices such as self-screening prior to coming to campus, handwashing, social distancing, and masking over the nose and mouth. Your efforts have made a positive impact; we have a relatively low number of cases at the University. You are making a difference!
We wish you a safe, joyous, and healthy Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
President Suzanne K. Mellon PhD
And
The COVID-19 Re-Entry and Resiliency Implementation Team