Health and Safety in University Classrooms
A policy/guideline template to use and share 😷🏫
The fall semester has almost begun. As we gear up for the new academic year amid increasing COVID levels, below is a health and safety policy template that you are welcome to use, modify, and share. Although there may be limitations in what rules we can impose in educational spaces, as an educator and physician, I value the opportunity to share useful and actionable science-based precautions with students and colleagues who I will work with this fall.
This template is geared toward university academic classes and programs. It certainly could be adapted for other settings—feel free to borrow any wording that works for you.
For further reading on multilayered precautions to protect against COVID infection, check out:
People's CDC's Layers of Protection Guide
A scientific consensus article of almost 400 experts supporting multilayered precautions to reduce COVID transmission in a Vaccines Plus approach: Lazarus JV, Romero D, Kopka CJ, et al. A multinational Delphi consensus to end the COVID-19 public health threat. Nature. 2022;611(7935):332-345. doi:10.1038/s41586-022-05398-2
Wishing all of you a happy and healthy back-to-school time. 📚😷🏫
Student and staff health and safety are of the utmost importance in our [course/program]. Now, more than ever, we realize that we are all interdependent. Our health and safety depend on the behavior of those around us, including COVID and other infectious disease risks that we take in our personal lives. Taking effective precautions while on campus and in your personal interactions will help reduce your risk individually as well as for our patients and for the broader campus community. We support you in taking science-based measures in protecting yourself from occupational infectious diseases and other risks.
The following are health and safety guidelines throughout [the semester/year/course/program].
You will not be penalized for taking time away because you are ill or exposed to COVID or other infectious diseases. Staying home when sick is an important way to protect our colleagues, including those who may be a higher risk of severe disease or have household members who are at higher risk.
Do not come to campus if you are ill (including mild illnesses) or if you have tested positive for COVID-19 or any contagious disease. If you are ill, have tested positive, or have been potentially exposed to an infectious disease, contact program staff at [email address] to make alternative class attendance arrangements.
As of 5/30/2023, home rapid antigen testing kits should be covered by health insurance in Wisconsin OCI Insurance Coverage for at-Home COVID-19 Tests (wi.gov). Additional tests may be available from public libraries or through public health locations.
If you would like to request that your instructors mask or physically distance during your instruction, please let our instructors know, and we will make accommodations for a safer option.
[director/instructor] highly recommends wearing a high filtration KN95 or N95 mask covering your nose and mouth is strongly recommended while you are on campus. Masking is especially recommended if you have any symptoms or potential infectious disease exposures. KN95 masks are available from WSLH, or you may wear a mask from home. Project N95 (https://shop.projectn95.org/all) is recommended as a reputable source of masks for your personal or on-site use. Please contact us at [email address]
Ensure that HEPA air purifiers available at student desks are running on the “sleep” or “I” setting at minimum. You may adjust the air flow higher as noise tolerance permits. Ask an instructor if you have questions about the air purifier or its operation.
A minimum of 6 feet of distance is recommended between you and our staff, whenever possible.
Eating and drinking pose a high risk of exposure to COVID and other infectious diseases. You are encouraged to go outdoors for breaks, weather permitting. You may prefer to avoid peak noon-hour times in the break room. Physical distancing is recommended when eating and drinking.
Wash your hands regularly or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (provided). Handwashing is recommended before and after eating, drinking, using the restroom, handling your mask, or touching your face.
Disinfecting wipes are provided, and daily disinfection of your workspace and shared equipment is recommended.
Contact our program staff at [email address] if you have any questions or concerns regarding health and safety while participating in our program.