A Message to Faculty and Staff about the Return to Campus
A COVID-19 Update
To the Bard College Faculty and Staff,We are pleased to announce that Bard has established plans and protocols for remote employees to begin a safe and gradual return to campus. Developed in accordance with New York State and CDC guidelines, our return to campus plan puts the health and safety of our community first and foremost, and enables departments across campus to apply the required protocols to the specific needs of their departments.
Essential employees have continued to work on campus throughout the spring to support ongoing operations and ensure the safety and well-being of the students who remain here. Now, with the state entering phase 3 of reopening, we can bring additional employees back to campus. The initial group of returning employees is relatively small and has already been identified by and in communication with their supervisors. All other employees will continue to work remotely until further notice.
Over the last month, supervisors were educated and trained on health and safety protocols, college policies, and community expectations. Also, in coordination with Bard’s Response Team, supervisors have developed initial return to campus plans for their respective offices and departments that include site assessments, determining capacity levels in buildings, reconfiguring workstations, adding signage and demarcations, and securing PPE, in order to comply with NYS and CDC guidance.
Below is an outline of the key aspects of the Bard return to campus plan and links to relevant information.
Department Plans and Work Schedules
Employees who require access to campus spaces and equipment in order to complete critical preparations for the fall semester have started to return to campus; departments include the library, IT, labs, financial services, and some academic administrative staff. Flexible work schedules have been approved including staggered shifts, alternating days, and a continuation of remote work, when applicable, to allow for social distancing and fewer opportunities for in-person contact. Supervisors will continue to work directly with their staff members on plan implementation and work schedules.
Training & Protocols for Employees
All employees will be required to complete an online COVID-19 training, sign a health pledge by which they agree to abide by social distancing and hygiene protocols, and conduct a daily health screening before coming to campus each day. Employees must also familiarize themselves with college policies and protocols, health and safety guidelines, campus contacts, and external resources, which are available in the college's comprehensive downloadable Return to Campus Guidebook. In the coming days all employees will receive a separate email from Human Resources providing instructions on how to access the online training and health pledge.
Personal Protective Equipment
Face coverings will be required in all cases where social distancing is not possible, and will be provided to all employees who need them with instructions on how to properly use and discard. Bard has an inventory of face coverings, disinfectant, and other PPE that will be made available as needed. More information on face coverings is available in the Return to Campus Guidebook, through the online training, and on signage posted in buildings across campus.
Cleaning and Disinfection
Environmental Services conducted rigorous cleaning and sanitizing efforts in all campus buildings over the past four months. They have now implemented enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocols in public buildings, academic and administrative spaces, and residence hall common spaces (kitchens, hallways, lounges, bathrooms) in accordance with CDC guidelines, using EPA-approved disinfectants, and following health and safety protocols and OSHA guidelines. More frequent disinfecting in public spaces and high-touch areas will also be implemented as the campus begins to repopulate. Over 100 new sanitizing stations have been installed near doorways throughout campus, and all existing sanitizing stations will be maintained with greater than 60% alcohol-containing sanitizer.
In addition, departments will be provided with cleaning and disinfecting instructions and supplies for use in personal work areas, and employees are expected to clean personal desk surfaces, keyboards, phones, and other equipment such as copy machine control panels as necessary. Security will coordinate the procurement, allocation, and replenishment of cleaning products for departmental use as outlined in the Employee Return to Campus Guidebook and communicated by supervisors after site assessments.
Ventilation and Water
Air filters have been cleaned and/or replaced within the past six months, and will continue to be cleaned and/or replaced as scheduled. Units designed for HEPA filters received new HEPA filters. Guidelines for increasing natural airflow in buildings are also included in the Return to Campus Guidebook. An inventory of small office fans has been purchased to assist with airflow in offices upon request.
Buildings and Grounds has flushed water systems in all buildings, checked HVAC systems, and made sure safety systems are fully operational.
As part of our reopening plan, we’re pleased to announce that David Lindholm, Bard’s Associate Athletics Director, and Nancy Smith, Campus Accessibility Coordinator, will be working closely with Human Resources to monitor the daily health screenings of returning staff and respond to COVID-related questions from all employees. We will soon announce details of a live webinar with Response Team leadership and medical experts, to answer employee questions about returning to campus. Next week we will also share more details about the college's plan to reopen the campus for the fall semester, which is being developed in compliance with New York State requirements for higher education that were released four days ago.
We would like to thank supervisors for their work on developing thoughtful, safety-focused return to campus plans for their departments, and employees for their ongoing work as we ready campus for their safe and sensible return. We will continue to adjust our operating procedures as circumstances, guidance, and information evolves.
We look forward to a safe and productive return to campus. For more information on returning to campus, visit the Human Resources website, the COVID-19 website, or email [email protected]. Please also continue to check Bard Connects for a wide array of engagement opportunities, including the opportunity to become a contact tracer for the Mid-Hudson Region.
Sincerely,
Bard College COVID-19 Response Team
[email protected]
Coleen Alexander Murphy, Vice President for Administration
Kimberly Alexander, Director, Human Resources
Jonathan Becker, Executive Vice President and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Barbara Jean Briskey, Director, Health Services
Erin Cannan, Vice President Student Affairs/Dean for Civic Engagement
Deirdre d'Albertis, Dean of the College
Malia Du Mont, Chief of Staff, President's Office/Vice President for Strategy and Policy
John Gomez, Director, Safety and Security
Emily Mclaughlin, Associate Dean of the College
Jennifer Murray, Dean of International Studies
Bethany Nohlgren, Dean of Students
Kahan Sablo, Dean for Inclusive Excellence
Éric Trudel, Chair, Faculty Senate
For more information, call 845-758-6822, or e-mail [email protected].