Alcorn State University
Where Knowledge and Character Matter ®

Coronavirus


COVID-19

To: Alcorn State University Employees

From: Dr. Wanda C. Fleming, Chief Human Resources Officer

Re: COVID-19 Related Leave

Date: Friday, January 5, 2021

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was instituted by the Department of Labor beginning April 1, 2020 to accommodate healthcare and childcare leave needs of employees. That law expired on December 31, 2020.

Going forward, we recognize that leave related to COVID-19 continues to be an issue confronted by some employees in 2021 and are concerned for the welfare of all.

Given that the FFCRA has expired, existing university leave policy will apply, beginning January 11, 2021.These policies are available in the University Policy Directory, located at https://www.alcorn.edu/discover-alcorn/university-policies/human-resources.

Unfortunately, telework WILL NOT generally be an option. Rather, the following provisions apply:

HEALTHCARE
Positive COVID-19 Test Results
(Self - non-work related exposure) 		Non-paid FMLA & Accumulated Sick /Personal Leave or Leave without Pay
Positive COVID-19 Test Results (Intimate contacts and/or individual employee is caring for) Non-paid FMLA & Accumulated Sick/Personal Leave or Leave without Pay
Positive COVID-19 Test Results
(Self – work related - documentation required) 		Workers’ Compensation (2/3 salary) and Accumulated Sick/Personal Leave (1/3 salary, if approved by insurance carrier). Otherwise, Non-paid FML & Accumulated Sick/Personal Leave or Leave without Pay
Direct Exposure to COVID 19, with legal quarantine or isolation order
(Self - Work related) 		Workers’ Compensation (2/3 salary) and Accumulated Sick/Personal Leave (1/3 salary if approved by insurance carrier). Otherwise, Non-paid FML & Accumulated Sick/Personal Leave or Leave without Pay (Pending approval)
Direct Exposure to COVID-19, with legal quarantine or isolation order
(Self -Non-work related (symptomatic) 		Accumulated Sick and/or Personal Leave or Leave without Pay
Direct Exposure to COVID-19, with legal quarantine or isolation order (Intimate contacts and/or individual employee is caring for – with or without symptoms) Accumulated Sick and/or Personal Leave or Leave without Pay

CHILD CARE (DOCUMENTED SCHOOL CLOSURE)
Caring for Son/Daughter (under the age of 18) because school or place of care has been closed due to COVID-19 Accumulated Personal Leave or Leave without Pay

Employees should continue to self-report in the Faculty/Staff COVID-19 Portal, located at https://www.alcorn.edu/discover-alcorn/coronavirus. Representatives from Health and Disability Services and the Office of Human Resources Management will contact you, as applicable.
Please be mindful of required safety protocol detailed in the Infectious Disease Control Policy (https://www.alcorn.edu/uploaded/files/finadmin/POLICIES/HUMAN_RESOURCES/Infectious_Disease.pdf; COVID-19 Face Covering Policy (https://www.alcorn.edu/uploaded/files/finadmin/POLICIES/HUMAN_RESOURCES/Infectious_Disease.pdf) ; and Enforcement of COVID-19 Face Covering Policy (https://www.alcorn.edu/uploaded/files/finadmin/hr/Implementation_and_Enforcement_Face_Covering-08032020.pdf).

We are all hopeful that the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is on the horizon and will continue to support faculty and staff members as we all navigate these uncharted waters.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at wcfleming@alcorn.edu.

Thank you!

Xc Dr. Felecia M. Nave, President/IEO
Dr. Cornelius Wooten, Senior VP for Finance, Administrative Services & Operations/CFO



To: Alcorn State University Students

From: Dr. Tracy M. Cook, Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

Date: September 1, 2020

Re: Student Enforcement of COVID-19 Face Covering Policy

Alcorn State University has issued a face covering policy for all University personnel, students, staff, contractors, and visitors who are on campus amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy is in accordance with federal and state workplace safety requirements and the Governors Executive Orders 1512, 1509, and 1507.

Alcorn State University requires all students, staff, faculty and visitors to wear a face covering that covers the mouth and nose while anywhere on ASU property (including the Natchez campus and Vicksburg facility). This includes when inside buildings (classrooms, public restrooms, meeting rooms, libraries, Dining Hall, offices and office spaces where two or more gather and six-foot physical distancing cannot be achieved), outdoors and on ASU transportation. Face coverings are also required outdoors when six-foot physical distancing cannot be achieved.

Growing scientific evidence supports that the wearing of face coverings is one of the most effective strategies in limiting the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) recommend wearing cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and to help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others. It is the responsibility of everyone to wear face coverings in order to do their part to minimize risks to themselves, others and the Alcorn community. With that in mind, the university has adopted the following detailed policy on wearing protective face coverings.

Everyone on campus is required to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when indoors. This includes classrooms, public restrooms, open office and common spaces, hallways, meeting rooms, libraries, dining area, bookstore, and other indoor spaces. Face coverings are also required outdoors when six-foot physical distancing cannot be maintained. This includes walking across campus with friends, attending a class or event that might be held outdoors or in a tent, or playing basketball or volleyball on the outdoor courts. Also, everyone should bring at least 5-10 washable masks to campus.

  • Face coverings may be cloth or disposable.
  • Students may remove face coverings in their own residence hall rooms.
  • Students should have a face covering with them whenever they are on campus.
  • Students who enter facilities without a face covering will be asked to leave.
  • Students may remove face coverings when actively eating or drinking. Please maintain physical distance from others while eating or drinking and mask up as soon as you are finished.

Individuals who are unable to wear cloth face coverings due to a medical or behavioral condition or disability may wear an alternate face covering, such as a shield, and maintain a minimum six-foot physical distance at all times. The Provost may grant a waiver to the COVID-19 Face Mask Policy for students in a specific class, if requested by the faculty member and necessary to meet the curricular requirements of the course (e.g., theater, voice, language instruction, etc.). In those classes, a minimum six-foot physical distance must be maintained at all times, in addition to other protocols that may be established by the university. Students who require accommodations must be registered with Student Health Services.

Removing face coverings is not permitted in classrooms, labs, studios which means that eating or drinking will not be allowed during class. Those needing to eat, drink or take medication during in-person class should take a break to do so outside of the classroom, lab or studio.

Dining halls, outdoor seating, and non-classroom tents are good options for eating meals. Large indoor spaces or large building lobbies where physical distancing is possible can be used for eating or drinking, per the face covering policy. Please maintain physical distance from others eating in the same area, stay six feet away from doorways to protect those entering and exiting, and put your face covering back on after eating. Those walking through a lobby or space where someone is eating should continue to wear their face covering.

Public health is everyone’s responsibility. Alcorn State University is relying on members of our community to adhere to and assist with enforcing these standards of behavior.Members of the community should speak up if they encounter someone violating the face covering policy. For example, using an informal, personal intervention with friends and peers, such as saying, “Mask up” or “No mask, no class” may often be a good reminder. Student Organizations should clearly define how they will enforce the mask policy in their spaces. Individuals who fail to wear face coverings as required may be reported for non-compliance to the Office of Judicial Affairs and result in denial of access to designated areas or participation in programs or activities, and/or discipline in accordance with applicable university student conduct policies:

Minor violations – will ideally be addressed in the moment by an active bystander (e.g., offering a forgetful student a mask) and/or through an educational discussion (e.g., student meeting with residence life or other staff). We will encourage peer engagement and bystander intervention by faculty, staff, and students in training programs and other communications, consistent with our broader social norming campaign.

Serious violations – will be routed to the University Judiciary Committee and also evaluated for immediate interim disciplinary suspension by the Office of Student Affairs; through this administrative process, the Office of Student Affairs can suspend a student from in-person learning/activities (i.e., allow them to continue with remote learning) or all enrollment (no remote learning). The interim suspension includes a no-trespass order from Grounds enforceable through the University Police Department. The definition of what is a “serious” violation will be fact-bound, though we expect it will include repeated violations by the same individual or organization, those that constitute a refusal to comply when warned or encouraged, and large events in plain, intentional disregard of size and distance limitations.

Widespread violations – will be a factor in determining whether and when to close the University to students and in-person classes and to request that students return home.

These processes will be updated/modified as needed to comply with guidance from the Center for Disease Control, Mississippi State Department of Health, and Governor Issued Executive Orders.


Tuesday, August 4, 2020

Friday, July 10, 2020

Thursday, June 18, 2020

Thursday, May 28, 2020

Sunday, May 10, 2020

Monday, April 27, 2020

Friday, April 17, 2020

​Friday, April 10, 2020

Sunday, April 5, 2020

UPDATE #14 – Saturday, March 28, 2020

UPDATE #13 – Friday, March 27, 2020

UPDATE #12 – Wednesday, March 25, 2020

UPDATE #11 – Sunday, March 22, 2020

UPDATE #10 – Saturday, March 21, 2020

UPDATE #9 – Thursday, March 19, 2020

UPDATE #8 – Thursday, March 19, 2020

UPDATE #7 – Tuesday, March 17, 2020

UPDATE #6 – Tuesday, March 17, 2020

UPDATE #5 – Tuesday, March 17, 2020

University Communications on Coronavirus (COVID-19)





Flyers, Posters, and Graphics

Preventitive Measures for Coronavirus. Washing your hands is the best protection. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Face masks are recommended by the CDC. Cover your cough or sneeze. Social Distance. Clean and disinfect often.

Coronavirus – Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure and can include: Fever (picture of person with fever); Breathing difficulties (picture of person with lungs); Cough (picture of a person coughing).

Be safe, wear your mask. (picture of a mask. Alcorn logo mark).

CORONAVIRUS 1. Wash your hands as often as possible. When no water is available use an alcohol based hand sanitizer. 2. Maintain a social distance of 6 feet. 3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. 4. No kissing, no hugging, no shaking hands. 5. Cover your mouth with a tissue when you sneeze and dispose of it properly immediately after. 6. If you feel sick, call ahead to Rowan Hall Health Services Center before showing up: 601-877-6460. 7. If you feel sick after hours Dial Campus Dispatch: 601-877-3000. www.alcorn.edu/coronavirus (picture of a coronavirus germ)

Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, we are taking precautions to keep our students, faculty, and staff safe. (Picture of a stop sign with a hand) STOP DO NOT ENTER THE CLINIC. BEFORE ARRIVING, CALL AHEAD TO HEALTH SERVICES, YOUR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER, OR URGENT CARE FACILITY. YOU WILL BE DIRECTED ON HOW TO PROCEED. 601-877-6460 THANK YOU. After hours or in case of a medical emergency, dial Campus Dispatch at 601-877-3000. ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY HEALTH & DISABILITY SERVICES, Rowan Hall Health Services Center.

20 Second Hand-Washing the Alcorn Way...e Alcorn Ode.Beneath the shade of giant trees, Fanned by a balmy southern breeze Thy classic walls have dared to stand A giant thou art in learning’s band; O, Alcorn dear, our mother, hear Thy name, we praise, thy name we sing. 20 seconds = Try singing the first verse of the Alcorn Ode during hand-washing. Singing a song is recommended to help you wash your hands for the proper amount of time.

Tips for Social Distancing and Infection Control at Work. (Picture of two people 6 feet apart) FOLLOW THESE TIPS WHEN AT THE OFFICE: 1. Consider installing physical barriers, such as partitions, and changing workspace layouts to ensure all individuals remains at least six feet apart. 2. Close communal spaces, such as break rooms, if possible or stagger use and clean and disinfect in between uses. 3. Remove magazines and coff ee pots from waiting areas. 4. Avoid using other employee’s phones, pens, staplers, or other work tools and equipment, when possible. Clean and disinfect them before and after use. 5. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap. 6. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces such as workstations, keyboards, telephones, handrails, doorknobs, machinery controls on a regular basis. 7. Replace in-person meetings with video- or teleconference calls whenever possible. 8. Restrict nonessential visitors, volunteers, and activities. 9. Avoid physical contact such as shaking hands and fi st/elbow bumps. 10. Maintain a 6 foot distance while walking and standing in lines. 11. Minimize ridesharing. Wear a mask if unavoidable. 12. Wear a face mask or cloth face covering in public. 13. Keep at least 6 feet distance between yourself and others, even when you wear a face mask. FOR MORE INFORMATION: Department of Health and Disability Services 601-877-6460.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FOR STUDENTS, EMPLOYEES AND COMMUNITY

We recognize that this is a rapidly evolving situation and have begun implementing contingency plans for university operations. As always, our top priority remains the health and well-being of our faculty, staff, students and community.

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