Summer 2020: Updates and Responsibilities

This message was sent to students living on campus for the summer of 2020.

Good Evening –

We hope this message finds you well! We are writing to share updates with you regarding summer operations and your responsibilities during this period.

As you may be aware, North Carolina entered Phase 2 of Reopening on Friday, May 22 at 5 p.m. and has transitioned to the Safer at Home recommendations.

At this time the University campus remains closed with only essential functions taking place in person and on campus. For the latest on the University’s response to COVID-19 including a communication archive and FAQs please visit coronavirus.wfu.edu.

Summer Occupancy

Originally we had thought you all would be our only residents on campus for the summer, but a small internal group has been approved to occupy Student Apartments Building A. That group will begin arriving on Monday, May 25 and remain with us into July. We are sharing this with you out of a spirit of transparency.

Summer Responsibilities

During the Summer 2020 period, it is the expectation of Wake Forest University that all members of the community will act with the best interests of the community and of public health. There are several new responsibilities for every person approved to live on campus, outlined below, which may change as the public health response changes.

These are requirements that are considered formal requirements and are included as part of the 2019-2020 Undergraduate Student Code of Conduct. Allegations of violations will be adjudicated through the Office of the Dean of Students and may result in immediate removal from University Housing, Interim Action (Suspension), and/or Suspension or Expulsion from the University.

Additionally, please note that all Residence Life and Housing policies as outlined in the Guide to Community Living remain in effect, unless modified by the information explained below. Failure to comply with these policies may similarly result in immediate removal from University housing, Interim Action (Suspension), and/or Suspension or Expulsion from the University.

If you believe you cannot meet or comply with these requirements and responsibilities, contact the Office Residence Life and Housing at 336.758.5185 to discuss your departure from campus housing. You may also contact us with any questions regarding this information.

Guests

Visitors and guests to the residence halls are prohibited. No student living in on-campus housing may invite another person who has not been approved to reside on-campus to their room, common area, or onto campus for any period of time. Events, parties, functions, or other gatherings are prohibited unless coordinated by RL&H. Depending upon the situation and decisions in the interests of public health, non-approved students may be turned away from the front gates of the University. When gates are closed, students living on campus must follow normal processes to allow entry for rideshare drivers, food delivery, and similar.

Public Health Guidelines

All students are required to comply with public health guidelines, as provided by the Wake Forest University Student Health Service, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Students living on campus who create unhygienic situations, who are non-compliant with public health guidelines, or choose not to clean for themselves will be contacted by the Office of Residence Life and Housing or the Office of the Dean of Students and may be removed from on-campus housing.

Social Distancing
Please consult the Health section of Wake Forest’s FAQ on coronavirus for information on social distancing.

Common Area Use

  • Elevators should not be shared. Please wait for an empty elevator.
  • Occupancy limits are posted on the laundry and vending room doors and should be observed.
  • Study rooms and floor lounges remain closed.
  • When using open common areas, residents should wear a face covering and observe a minimum of 6 feet distance from each other.

Illness

If a student believes they are ill, they are required to contact Wake Forest’s Student Health Service immediately by telephone at 336.758.5218. Students who are ill should not go to the Student Health Service without first calling. Any student experiencing a medical emergency (i.e. difficulty breathing) should contact University Police at 336.758.5911. Students should be aware that Wake Forest EMS services are not operational during this period.

Additionally, as we may end up needing to isolate or quarantine students on campus, we want to make sure you understand how COVID-19 spreads:

  • There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
  • The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
  • The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
    • Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
    • Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
    • These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Isolation

Students may at some point be exposed to COVID-19 through travel, through direct contact with an individual diagnosed or suspected to have COVID-19, or through community spread of the virus. If this occurs, the student must comply with all public health recommendations for controlling the spread to others such as isolation or quarantine. Space may be available on campus that would be appropriate for these measures for students who have been approved to remain on campus during this time. However, students may have to find housing elsewhere off-campus based upon medical, public health, and housing factors.

Travel

Non-essential travel off-campus is discouraged. Any person currently living on campus who travels outside of Forsyth County is required, on each occasion, to comply with the University’s travel, reporting, and isolation protocols. The latest requirements will be listed at coronavirus.wfu.edu. Residents who travel to an area that subsequently requires a self-isolation period must complete their isolation period off-campus. There are resources available for those students who cannot come to campus due to isolation requirements.

Additionally, students are expected to follow the following CDC guidelines on how to protect themselves from COVID-19:

Wash Your Hands Often

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid Close Contact

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home. If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
  • Put distance between yourself and other people outside of your home.
    • Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
    • Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
    • Do not gather in groups.
    • Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.
    • Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others

  • You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
  • Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
    • Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
  • The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
  • Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
  • Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

Cover coughs and sneezes

  • If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
  • Throw used tissues in the trash.
  • Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect

  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
  • Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work.

Monitor Your Health

  • Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
    • Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
  • Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.

In Community Staff

Many Resident Advisors, as students, have returned to their homes. Live-in professional staff, including Graduate Hall Directors and Community Directors, are on campus and will be available on a rotating schedule. You will receive an email from your Graduate Hall Director with their phone contact information next week. If you need assistance during business hours, you can contact the Office of Residence Life and Housing at housing@wfu.edu or 336.758.5185. After hours, students can contact University Police at 336.758.5591 to be connected with on-call staff.

Facility Issues or Concerns

Students are expected to report issues in a timely manner to Facilities and Campus Services utilizing their work order system. Students can put in a work order by visit workorders.wfu.edu.

Departure From Housing

During this pandemic episode, students are encouraged to stay in regular communication with their families; should students decide to leave on-campus housing and move elsewhere, they must notify the Office of Residence Life and Housing at housing@wfu.edu. If you choose to leave campus housing, you will not be able to return until the University resumes normal operations or until the University grants permission otherwise. Public transportation should be avoided, and the Office of Residence Life and Housing can provide resources for travel planning as needed.

As always, the Office of Residence Life and Housing remains available to provide care and support for you as you remain on campus. Please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Best –

Tion Taylor, M.Ed.
Assistant Director of Residence Life

D’Najah Thomas, M.Div, M.S.
Associate Director of Residence Life

Wesley Todd, MPA
Associate Director of Housing

Zach Blackmon, Ph.D., MBA
Associate Director of Operations

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