Incident Management and Assessment Team (IMAT) details plans and COVID-19 positive case thresholds for on-campus space closures, complete online class format, and activity cancellations.
As of Oct. 30, 4:10 p.m., Albin-Hill, vice president for Technology & Operations, says in an email reply that Dominican University has 27 active COVID-19 cases.
The university’s 2.5 % threshold is 37 cases. Albin-Hill says the intent is to avoid full movement to online format.
“Basically 2.5% is our first threshold and 5% is the high-point, as advised by WHO,” Albin-Hill explains in an email to Associate Professor Carrielynn Reinhard, who asked the total active cases at Dominican University so far.
The IMAT Documentation, updated on Aug. 4, details COVID-19 thresholds that will cause residence hall closure, class conversion to online, building closures, and other cancellations.
Threshold for Moving Classes Online/ Building Closures
If the university community reports 5% positive rate, or 75 positive cases, in the on-campus population, face to face class will move online and buildings will close.
The same procedure follows if Illinois’ return to work plan calls for school closure.
A total of 37 positive cases, or 2.5% positive rate on campus, will lead to consideration on the length of classes being converted to online format. Rush and Illinois Department of Health are the university’s points of consultation in the decision.
The same procedure applies if Illinois returns to shelter in place.
Emails, texts, media communication, and emergency broadcasts are IMAT’s planned communication strategies to inform the community.
Threshold for Residence Hall Closures
The university will close Residence Hall if a total of 5% of the dorm population test positive for COVID-19.
IMAT will also review closure policy and move all residents to interim quarantine, secure funding for housing refunds, and communicate the closure to residents through email and Resident Life.
Threshold for Activity Closure
Activities will consider cancellation if one participant in the event is part of the contact tracing or test positive for COVID-19.
The same procedure applies if the athletic team has positive cases and has not engaged in testing and contact tracing. The same cancellation if the opposing team has reported any positive cases.
According to Albin-Hill, some athletic practices were suspended last week when positive cases are reported from one team.
IMAT Planning Strategies for COVID-19
Another part of threshold planning is the awareness of DU students’ locations and the impact of COVID-19 in these communities.
In Albin-Hill’s email to faculty and staff on Oct. 30, she notes that “the prevalence rates of surrounding communities” will drive COVID-19 cases on campus.
Albin-Hill also recommends adherence to safety measures (i.e. mask wearing, social distancing, and hand washing) in homes and off-campus gatherings.
Added checkpoints at the Lewis North entrance and closure of Parmer South entry are efforts to increase Campus Clear monitoring.
Campus Clear Reinforcement Plans
RSA (Resident Students Association) and CSA (Commuter Students Association) will have a #CampusClear social media campaigns this week. Screenshots of “Good to Go” will get entered into a prize-winning raffle on Nov. 6, Nov. 13, and Nov. 20, according to Albin-Hill.
Albin-Hill encourages Dominican community to remain committed in efforts to contain the spread, especially during holiday seasons.
“We understand that pandemic fatigue is setting in—this is a challenging time for all of us—but the choices we make now will have an impact on our families, friends and the campus community” Albin-Hill says in the email.
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