Colleagues,
I am writing to follow up on my July 6 email regarding PSU Fall Term Instruction: Fall Flex. Though a large number of our classes will be remote, many of you considering some in-person instruction (whether as an entire course or as a hybrid component or as Dual Delivery) have written to me asking good questions about what we are doing to prepare classrooms so that we can minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission. I appreciate your questions and want you to know that we are doing everything we can to ensure that those who participate in in-person activities this fall will be as safe as possible. 

To that end, I am sharing with you today the multiple steps that we have planned to meet the state's and our own expectations for classroom precautions.

General Physical Distancing Practices
  • General physical distancing practices, such as maintaining six feet of distance between people, must be followed by everyone on PSU property.
  • PSU is adding signage about space occupancy (e.g. meeting rooms, break rooms, etc), spacing between people when waiting in line, and other social distancing measures.
  • PSU Facilities teams will modify classroom furniture arrangements; faculty will not be responsible for this.
  • PSU will modify common spaces such as seating areas, lounges, and study spaces across campus.
  • PSU is installing sneeze guards at service counters and reception desks.
  • As we learn more about classroom utilization, we may also add HEPA filters as needed.

Face Coverings
  • Face coverings will be required indoors and in shared spaces on campus. This includes both students and faculty in in-person classes.
  • Face coverings are recommended outdoors when on PSU property and when physical distancing (at least six feet apart) cannot be maintained.

Sanitation and Hygiene 
  • Hand sanitizer and cleaning wipes will be available throughout campus, including in classrooms.
  • Enhanced custodial services will continue, including cleaning high-touch / high-traffic areas more frequently.
  • PSU is upgrading ventilation systems to make it the safest environment possible.

In-person Maximum Room Capacity
  • No class gatherings over 25 people (e.g. 24 students and 1 instructor).  
  • PSU is modifying furniture layouts in classrooms for physical distancing.
  • Courses that occur in-person will be assigned a room large enough to allow for appropriate physical distancing.

Reporting COVID-19 Exposure, Test Results, or Diagnosis
  • PSU asks all community members to report COVID-19 exposure, test results, or diagnosis. If you suspect you might have COVID-19, are awaiting test results, or have been diagnosed, please do not come to campus. Contact your supervisor about your absence and please complete the COVID-19 Reporting Form. A representative from The Center for Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) will be in contact with you. Informing SHAC of COVID-19 exposure, positive test results or diagnosis is strongly recommended in order for PSU to initiate responses to protect students, staff, and faculty during COVID-19.

Testing and Contact Tracing 
  • Any PSU community member—including students, instructors of all types, and staff—can access COVID-19 testing through SHAC, at no cost. Call SHAC first at 503-725-2515 to speak with a medical provider about your situation or symptoms to determine if a COVID-19 test is necessary.
  • In coordination with Multnomah County Public Health, PSU will take an active role in contact tracing for positive COVID-19 cases with exposure on campus

Technology in every classroom 
  • All general purpose classrooms will be set up as Zoom-capable classrooms, enabling students to connect remotely in real-time, in addition to capturing recordings of class sessions that can be viewed later. Our goal is to outfit every general pool classroom by the start of fall term. IT is available to provide training to utilize these classrooms if needed. 

You may be concerned about your individual liability in the event that a student believes they have contracted the virus from classroom attendance. Those concerns are understandable, but please be assured that you will not be held individually liable. The University itself is legally accountable for any claims arising from our return to campus, which is why we are all relying on the expertise and guidance from the members of the Incident Management Team.

I hope that this information is helpful as you consider your own engagement with fall term instruction. If you have further questions about details of any of these preparations, please see the university's Flexible Fall at PSU webpage or email FALLFLEX@PDX.EDU (this email account is co-managed by staff of the Incident Management Team, OAA, and University Communucations).

Thank you again for your patience as we continue to adapt to this evolving situation. I am grateful for your continued commitment to our students and to the health of the entire campus community.

Susan Jeffords
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs 

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