The Northern Vermont University administration has released a new email and urges all students to be diligent in reading campus wide changes to meet state guidelines for reopening in-person for the fall 2020 semester. NVU has been keeping up-to-date with all state policies and Center for Disease Control recommendations day by day. The goal isn’t just to meet CDC guidelines but exceed them–students should be prepared to participate in ensuring a successful semester for everyone.
Jonathan Davis, Dean of Students, wrote in his email to the student body on Friday, “NVU is working on many fronts to ensure a safe and healthy to return to campus.” This includes analyzing classroom spaces, class schedules, faculty preparation and flexibility, and even installing tents to provide outside meeting spaces. Davis emphasized that it is especially important that students familiarize themselves with the College Restart Plan released by the state of Vermont. To note, every student will be signing a pledge that states they understand and have taken the necessary measurements to be vigilant for the return to campus.
A few things to especially take away from the College Restart Plan include:
- These state documents highlight the necessary steps for quarantining students who wish to live on campus but live out-of-state. There will be expectations that students will remain within state borders. Testing and health screenings will be conducted for all participants on campus, including faculty and staff, upon arrival. Colleges are expected to verify off-campus lodging for all participants which includes short and long term residences.
- There will be reductions in on-campus events that would normally include outside speakers or community members. Events that normally have large crowds will also be reduced or not take place at all as the state suggests.
- There will be heightened cleaning and disinfecting protocols, which include hand hygiene, residence hall density reduction, and encouraging physical-social distancing. Athletics and performing arts will be asked to evaluate their programs and events to meet sports specific college guidelines.
These are just bullet points. We at The Critic encourage everyone to read and review these very simple state guidance restart plans in full. It is especially important students check their school emails regularly, and be sure to ask the staff coordinating and organizing our return to campus any questions.
While these changes will at first take a moment to adjust to, they will be entirely worthwhile to get back to our home away from our homes. Davis concluded in his email, “We cannot wait for your return to our campuses.”
Feature Photo by Sabra Anne Snyder || The sunrise over President’s Hill at NVU-Lyndon in July 2019.