The safety, health, and well-being of Alcorn State University’s students, faculty, staff and the broader community are paramount. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, President Felecia M. Nave established the ASU Safe Start Task Force, co-chaired by the University’s Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Keith A. McGee and Mrs. Dorothy Davis, Director of Health and Disability Services. President Nave charged the committee with developing a comprehensive protocol that would support a safe and effective campus restart for Fall 2020.
A Brave Start is an operational guide that captures the collective input of the campus community. The campus restart plan was developed with a shared governance approach by way of subcommittees made up of faculty, staff, students, and healthcare professionals. The following subcommittees were established in order to assist the co-chairs with the University’s restart plans: Academic Continuity, Finance and Business Operations, Health and Safety, Communications, Campus Life, Research Continuity, and Athletics. The subcommittees reviewed a series of questions developed by the committee and analyzed various reports, external articles as well as state, local and national data to help inform their recommendations to the President and the Executive Leadership.
On July 1, 2020, all employees returned to campus to facilitate the activities required to prepare for the return of students. Alcorn aims to open campus for instruction, through both face-to-face and online delivery. Our goal is to ensure the academic integrity of our degree programs and continue to provide a high-quality educational experience inside and outside of the classroom. This is a shared responsibility. The University understands that these dates and plans are fluid as we collectively monitor the COVID-19 situation while continuing to follow all state and federal guidance. The A Brave Start plan articulates how we anticipate realizing this goal.
Residential students will return to campus in stages. Both new and returning students will move into campus by scheduled appointments in the week leading up to the start of classes. Continue to monitor the Student Housing webpage for the most up-to-date information. We have set aside a designated number of rooms to serve as quarantine/isolation location for students who may test positive for COVID-19. Additionally, policies have been updated in the Student Code of Conduct Handbook that address our new living and learning environment. These policies include but are not limited to prohibiting loitering in residential spaces, limiting visitation, and restricting social gathering activities.
We strongly encourage all students to self-isolate for two weeks before returning to campus. Once on campus, those who test positive will be quarantined at their personal home or in designated residence hall facilities on campus. Contact tracing of those testing positive will be done by the Health Service Center. We are exploring the purchase of a contract tracing platform (i.e. Everbridge SAFETY CONNECTIONS) to assist in these efforts.
Face coverings and social distancing will be required in all indoor spaces (except bedrooms) with more than one individual and in outdoor spaces in accordance with state and MSDH guidelines. We will monitor the health environment of the campus with a daily self-screening tool that will allow for quick, effective response. Hand sanitizers and other disinfecting tools will be distributed throughout the main campus as well as the Natchez and Vicksburg campuses.
The academic calendar has been modified with a start date of August 17, 2020. After Thanksgiving, we will move to distance delivery of all final exams. We are acquiring several instructional and academic support technologies including but not limited to Zoom and Microsoft Teams to support video communications, Respondus which includes Lockdown Browser, quiz and testing support and proctoring services, Upswing virtual assistant provides coaching, online tutoring, etc. among others in support of this new teaching and learning environment. We are also exploring implementation of a laptop policy for all students.
In order to mitigate the risk of COVID-19 transmission among communities, travel related to Alcorn business or academic programs will be limited. Out-of-state and international travel will continue to be suspended. Residential students will be allowed to remain on campus during Labor Day and encouraged not to travel on weekends.
We are in continuous dialogue internally and externally to determine the number of positive confirmations of COVID-19 at one time that would trigger a thorough review of whether ASU can safely continue to offer face-to-face instruction. We may consider alternative thresholds and implement additional protective measures as we monitor the health environments of the campus and the local Alcorn community.
In conclusion, we must all commit to maintaining the health and safety of the Alcorn community, our families, and our neighbors. We are excited to welcome people back to campus this Fall, but participating in on-campus activities will require complying with new policies and protocols. As our plan for the Fall semester continues to evolve, we will continue to update faculty, staff, students, families, and community partners. Please continue to monitor regularly www.alcorn.edu/abravestart for updates.