COVID: Fall 2021

What percentage of the campus community has uploaded their vaccine status?

As of the date of the meeting (8/20/21), 80% of the faculty and staff had submitted their proof of immunization, and over 60% of the whole campus community (students and employees) had reported, with about 8,000 submissions that they were still processing.  With each submission, they confirm information to ensure that it is authentic and accurate. They process approximately 1,200 per day, and at that time they were prioritizing immunization reviews for incoming students.  Reporting was very high even before the City’s mandate.

 

One of the biggest challenges in assessing the data is determining the denominator. There are constant changes in the number of people in the campus community, particularly at the beginning of a semester when adjuncts are being hired for the term.

 

Vaccine exemptions and accommodations

The City’s is requiring colleges and universities to offer one or more of these accommodations to those with exemption:

1. PCR testing once per week or antigen testing twice per week, or
2. Those colleges and universities with 90% or more of their population vaccinated could choose to offer those with exemptions the option of double masking and keeping at least 6 feet of social distance in indoor public spaces, or
3. If feasible, colleges and universities may choose to offer those with exemptions a virtual option as their accommodation.

 

Will faculty and staff know whether students they are working with have been vaccinated?

Faculty and staff won’t know this information and the university is advising that they don’t ask.

 

Though you shouldn’t ask a student if they are vaccinated, if someone in a class volunteers that information, have them leave the room and report them to the Student Conduct office.

 

What happens to employees if they don’t vaccinate?

HR is reviewing options, including suspensions and potential termination.

With cloth masks, what is effective?

The administration’s health and safety representatives are recommending a 2 to 3 ply mask as ideal. They will be provided to students and are designed to primarily protect others, not the person wearing them.

 

Will KN95 or N95 masks and other PPE be provided for Temple employees?

Temple’s representatives recognized KN95s and N95s as not just masks, but as respirators.  They are designed protect the person wearing them.  The representatives implied that these masks were overkill, that they need to be fitted, and that they are not worn throughout the day even in clinical settings. 

But there are readily available disposable masks which are NIOSH certified and have simple instructions for wearing (“fitting”) properly.  The College of Public Health at Temple is providing KN95 masks to employees. These masks are worn throughout the day by people in workplaces where there are airborne risks. 

If you would like to purchase N95s or KN95s for protection, look for models that do not have a valve. The valve makes it easier for the wearer to exhale, but it only filters when they inhale, and thus it may may present a risk to others if the wearer has the virus.

 

What if someone isn’t wearing a mask safely?

In the fall, Temple announced “The 5Rs” as guidelines for handling situations where someone is not masking properly.  The following information was published for students here

 

“As we gear up for the fall semester, you might have some questions about how we’re holding each other accountable and enforcing healthy behaviors that are especially relevant in the classroom, such as physical distancing and properly wearing facial coverings. 

All faculty and staff have been trained how to compassionately enforce healthy behaviors using a method we’re calling the Five Rs: remind, request, refuse, reschedule and refer. You, as a student, are never responsible for confronting other students about behaviors you feel are not following safety guidelines. Faculty and staff will take this on, using the Five Rs as their guide. It’s important, though, to know what to expect and what’s expected of you in the classroom and in other spaces across campus. 

When do students need to wear a facial covering? They’ll be reminded. 

First things first: Students are required to wear a mask indoors and in all other areas where physical distancing cannot be maintained. This includes sitting in class, grabbing food from the dining hall or using a study space. Your professors and other staff members will be there to remind you of these guidelines if they see you or other students not properly wearing a facial covering. Remember that your mask must be covering your nose and your mouth at all times. 

Some students and members of the Temple community are not able to wear a facial covering because of a health concern or disability. For students with health concerns or disabilities, check with Disability Resources and Services for remote learning options.

What if a student isn’t wearing a mask? It’ll be requested to put one on, properly. 

If a student isn’t wearing a mask, then the reminder will be changed to a request. Our faculty or staff will formally request that the student put on a mask. As a student, it is your job to worry about yourself—Temple employees have been trained to handle the situation if this issue arises. 

What if a student doesn’t listen? Professors can refuse to move forward with the class. 

Professors cannot effectively teach class without compliance from all students. Your professor could refuse to move forward with the class until everyone present is practicing safe behaviors. Students will have the opportunity to step out of the classroom and come back when they are ready to adhere to these new guidelines. Again, it is your professor’s job to handle this situation.

What if class ends early because students won’t comply? Your class could be rescheduled. 

If students are refusing to comply with the safety guidelines, the professor will have to reschedule the class meeting, whether that be a real-time Zoom meeting or a recording of that day’s content.   

If you are opting for in-person classes, you are valuing the agreement to follow the social contract between you and the university. If one student refuses to wear a mask in the classroom or other spaces, it will negatively impact the experience of other students. If you aren’t comfortable with in-person classes, we are offering alternative online learning methods.

What consequences will students who don’t comply? They could be referred to Student Conduct.  

If class meetings need to be rearranged due to problematic student behavior, faculty and staff will report students to Student Conduct for further review and possible disciplinary action. “

What are common Covid and Delta variant symptoms?

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

 

If someone is experiencing symptoms, what should they do?

Neither students nor employees should come to campus when sick. The protocol if you have symptoms: stay home and leave only to get tested or to get medical care.  From Temple’s guidance

If you are sick—especially with symptoms of cough, difficulty breathing, fever or chills, sore throat, shortness of breath, or loss of taste or smell—contact your healthcare provider, Student Health Services (215-204-7500) or Employee Health Services (215-204-2679). Be sure to tell them your symptoms and inform if you believe you may have been in contact with someone with COVID-19. They can further screen you for COVID-19 and, if needed, help you get tested and recommend the next steps you should take.

It is important to note that a positive test will not affect your standing with the university. Our main goal will always be the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff, so that you can continue to work toward your learning goals.

At the recent meeting, Temple’s representatives suggested that symptomatic people go to the Health Portal or go to the Health Services office on the 4th floor of 1700 North Broad Street. A staff member will reach out to schedule a rapid test at Morgan Hall. 

 

What if I think a student is exhibiting symptoms?

If you are concerned about a student who exhibits symptoms, handle it privately. Pull them aside without drawing the attention of others (classmates, etc.) and ask if they’re not feeling well, suggest they follow the above recommendations.

 

 

TU’s symtomatic and non-sympomatic Covid Testing page,

Testing protocols

Vaccinated people will not undergo regular testing.  

 

Employees and students who do not upload vaccination verification will be contacted via email by Employee/Student health with regard to testing requirements and information on scheduling appointments.

 

Unvaccinated students and employees are required to be tested from day 1. Students are tested twice a week with the exception of students who commute and only come to campus once per week – they are tested once per week. Unvaccinated employees will test once per week. Health and science clinical employees had been tested once per week and are now tested twice.

 

They have the capacity to give thousands of tests a day and are hoping to expand appointment hours into evenings.  For those with lab experience, they are hiring additional lab assistants.    

 

Will faculty and staff know whether students they are working with have been tested positive?

Faculty and staff may be contacted by contact tracers if they have been exposed. The university is advising to not ask students if they have tested positive.

 

Though you shouldn’t ask, if they volunteer that information while in class, have them leave the room and report them to the Student Conduct office.

 

If a student informs you that they have tested positive, they may have tested at a CVS or non-Temple facility.  Let your Covid Liaison know that the student contacted you with this information and that you want to make sure that they are on Temple’s radar so contact tracing and other protocols can be confirmed.

 

If a positive case is detected in a classroom, what happens?

A faculty member will often be notified but not always if a student in their class has tested positive.

 

Unvaccinated people will need to quarantine if they’re in a classroom with a positive case.  Vaccinated “close contacts” will need to be tested but will not need to quarantine.  

 

A whole classroom is not considered a “close contact”. Close contact is defined as being 6’ or closer for 15 minutes or more. Every close contact should be tested and proximate notification will be sent to these people but they do not have to quarantine.  

 

It isn’t always possible to confirm everyone who has been a close contact. In a situation like that people in the class, including the instructor, will be given a proximity notification.  Decisions about notification are made by contact tracers and each school’s Covid Liaison.

Close contacts, defined as an individual who has been 6’ or closer for 15 minutes or more to someone who has tested positive.  Every close contact should be tested and proximate notification will be sent to these people. Vaccinated close contacts do not have to be quarantined.  

 

Tracers can access class registration information and room sizes, card swipes and wifi logins.  The person who has tested positive is interviewed though they don’t always know who they sat next to in class etc.  It’s not possible to chase down every person at times. When that happens, a proximate notification is sent to everyone in the class or  group setting. Decisions about notification are made by contact tracers and each school’s Covid Liaison

. 

If a positive case is detected in a classroom, what happens?

A faculty member will often be notified but not always if a student in their class has tested positive.

 

Unvaccinated people will need to quarantine if they’re in a classroom with a positive case.  Vaccinated “close contacts” will need to be tested but will not need to quarantine.  

 

A whole classroom is not considered a “close contact”. Close contact is defined as being 6’ or closer for 15 minutes or more. Every close contact should be tested and proximate notification will be sent to these people but they do not have to quarantine.  

 

It isn’t always possible to confirm everyone who has been a close contact. In a situation like that people in the class, including the instructor, will be given a proximity notification.  Decisions about notification are made by contact tracers and each school’s Covid Liaison.

Here is the notification sent out by contact tracers to individuals who they have determined should be concerned about exposure:

Dear Student/Faculty/Staff,

Temple University Student Health Services Contact Tracing Unit is providing you notification that on [exposure date] you shared a space [building, classroom, or course name] with a known COVID-19 case during their infectious period. If you were not in this space during this date or time, please disregard this notice.

 

Student health has evaluated your exposure, and you are considered LOW RISK at this time. This notice means you do NOT have to quarantine at this time. If you are identified as a close contact, you will be contacted by the University separately and provided with guidance.

 

What do you need to do?

 

1.       Monitor your symptoms daily regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. If you develop new, worsening, or continuing symptoms associated with COVID-19, immediately isolate, and contact the appropriate health service for guidance. 

a.       Student Health Services at 215-204-7500 if you are a student to receive testing. 

b.       Employee Health Service at 215-204-2679 for screening and guidance on testing if you are an employee.

2.       Upload your vaccine information to the student health portal to ensure you are following Temple University policy.

3.       Continue to wear a mask when in high risk transmission settings.

4.       Wash your hands frequently.

 

We must work together and follow these instructions to limit the spread of COVID-19 and keep our community safe and healthy.  Student Health Services can be reached at 215-204-7500 and Employee Health Services can be reached at 215-204-2679 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm). Visit the Temple University Student Health website to stay updated.

Thank you for your cooperation.

 

There will be no distancing, though the City recommends an option to accommodate those with medical or religious vaccine exemptions. At colleges and universities with 90% or more of their population vaccinated, those who are exempt have one option to double mask and keep at least 6 feet of social distance in indoor public spaces.

 

HVAC systems have been optimized/maximized for over a year now, and those that have  central filter banks have been equipped with MERV 13 filters. Fresh air intake has been increased to the maximum possible without over-taxing the system. 

 

The upper floors in Anderson/Gladfelter are not being used for classrooms. The building specialist felt that elevator rides are short and the only individuals allowed into the buildings will be vaccinated and masked. “It’s as safe as we can make it and use an elevator at this point.”

 

Due to construction in Ritter Annex, people will not have access to stairwells and will need to use elevators. There are classes taking place throughout the building. 

 

The CDC has stated that in environments where everyone is vaccinated, masking and distancing are not required.,

What responsibility do faculty have to students who miss class because they are not vaccinated?

The Temple representatives stated that faculty have the same responsibility now as any other time when a student is sick, and students have the same responsibility as well.

 

The university isn’t using the attendance tracker that was developed last year. It is now up to faculty to accommodate students who are sick. Faculty who have strict attendance policies should consider whether it will encourage students to come to class when they are sick. Talk with your school’s Covid Liaison when questions come up.

 

Does Temple consider it a violation of HIPAA to ask students about vaccination status?

 While not a technical HIPAA violation, Temple’s legal counsel believes that asking students to identify their vaccination status could result in claims under the ADA and other laws, risking complaints internally and to outside agencies. 

 

Can faculty or staff ask students they are working with if they have been tested or are vaccinated?

Faculty and staff won’t know if someone is vaccinated and the guidance from the administration is that students shouldn’t be asked about their vaccine or testing status.  

 

Employees may be contacted if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.

 

Though you shouldn’t ask a student if they’ve tested positive if they volunteer that information and are not quarantining, putting others in risk for exposure, have them leave the room/building and report them to the Student Conduct office.

 

If a student reports to you that they have tested positive, they may have tested at a CVS or non-Temple facility.  Let your Covid Liaison know that the student contacted you with this information and that you want to make sure that they are on Temple’s radar so contact tracing and other protocols can be confirmed.

 

If someone is experiencing symptoms, what should they do?

Neither students nor employees should come to campus when sick.

 

If a student exhibits symptoms you’re concerned about, handle it privately. Pull them aside without drawing the attention of others (classmates, etc.) and ask if they’re not feeling well. 

 

Common symptoms for the Delta variant are

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

 

Symptomatic people should go to the Health Portal or go to the Health Services office on the 4th floor of 1700 North Broad Street. A staff member will reach out to schedule a rapid test at Morgan Hall. Protocol if you have symptoms: stay home and leave only to get tested or to get medical care.

 

Can an employee decide to hold office hours online instead of in-person without having to ask a supervisor for permission? 

Faculty should check with their chair/dean to find out what the school or departmental policy/requirements are regarding office hours.

HR has a page on their website dedicated to workplace accommodations for information. Temple is considering accommodations based on an individual’s job responsibilities and their disability, what a doctor’s note says and how it’s supported.. They seem to be primarily following ADA, which does not take into account the concerns of individuals or their families with covid vulnerabilities, such as individuals who are immunocompromised, over 60 or those who are caretakers for vulnerable individuals such as seniors or unvaccinated children.  We were told “There have been many things that don’t fall under ADA.”

 

What about employees with unvaccinated children at home or who are caregivers for vulnerable individuals?

Talk to your supervisor/chair/dean.  It is ultimately a dean’s decision and needs to be considered on a case by case basis.  Though the union strongly disagrees, HR feels that it is the same as dealing with a sick family member at home in a non-covid situation..

The timeline for a response to an ADA request varies, as at times there can be a lag in additional information they need from doctors, etc.