Dominican University provides updates in addition to plans to reopen campus, with strong emphasis on face covering and social distancing, most campus services are administered through virtual arrangements.
Self-Monitoring and App-Tracing
Dominican University will implement mobile app #CampusClear for monitoring, reporting, and tracking in case of confirmed COVID-19 cases. The app will offer recommendations based on the responses recorded, tracing anyone confirmed with COVID-19 for appropriate cleaning and informing others who was in close contact with the patient.
Campus entrances will have temperature scan system. Anyone with a temperature of 100.4 degrees will need to return to dorm or leave campus.
Able Services, the custodial contractor, will provide deep cleaning of all buildings. Employees and resident students are encouraged to clean working and living spaces. A cleaning kit will be available in every classroom and every hall lounges.
Pick up cleaning supplies in Office Services or by submitting a support center ticket to physical Plant.
The Guide recommends employees to hold virtual meetings, minimize use of shared office equipment (i.e. printers) and refrain from sharing microwaves, refrigerators, kitchen wares.
The university will also improve air flow, install filters for Parmer, Murray Hall, and Fine Arts building. Purifiers are installed in offices and classrooms with larger population.
Face masks are available at Welcome and Information desk and Campus Safety office. Hand sanitizer dispenser and wipes installed near key areas.
Navigation on Campus
Students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to walk on the right side of the hallway. Stairwells will be changed to one-way up or down traffic. Elevator will carry limited passengers, who must go to each corner of the cab to social distance.
Some stalls near sink will be blocked to avoid proximity in restrooms.
Shuttles will be in service between Main and Priory Campus as well as Oak Park Green Line during peak times. The shuttle will also follow a 50% capacity rule and assign seats to its riders. Multiple rides are available as needed. For sanitation purposes, there are leather covers for the cloth seats and copper films for the handrails.
Academic Plan
The fall semester begins on Monday, August 31 with a hybrid of in-person and online classes. On the week of November 23, all classes will be moved online for the reminder of the semester. A decision out of concern for spread of COVID-19 on campus after the travels of Thanksgiving break.
All international travel and study abroad programs are cancelled for fall 2020.
Technology and Computer Equipment
IT has a limited inventory of technology equipment. The Guide suggests having a Webcam, a headset microphone, and a computer for online access. Some WiFi access points can be found at Support Center website.
Resident Life/ Housing
Resident Students are assigned single rooms and limited double rooms in Power and Murray Halls. Seven days before moving in, students are to get a COVID-19 test. Regular move-in days are also extended August 26 to August 29 and August 30 for students who cannot move in on the designated day. Only ten or less students are allowed to move in at the same time. Additionally, students are to bring a thermometer, cleaning supplies, and hand sanitizer. Face coverings are required for common areas and guests are only allowed on move-in days.
The university also claims to reserve isolation rooms in case residents test positive for COVID-19 or come close to a COVID-19 patient. These spaces are reserved to students who cannot quarantine at home.
Dining Services
The university along with Quest Management Services have reduced the tables and chairs in the dining area. Plexiglass shields are also installed. A line control staff will manage the number of people in the serving area.
There is also plans to offer full-meal with multiple stations as well as grab-and-go options. No second helpings are allowed for the diners. Cyber Café will serve only grab-and-go meals. No more “made to order” options will be available. To-go meals are also offered at Priory Campus, but dinner option is currently undetermined.
Student Life
On the third week of classes, Student Club and Organization Week will highlight an online involvement fair with information for students.
University Ministry
University Ministry is partnering with Ministry en lo Cotidiano and Beloved Community programs to create local internships. Prayers, ministries, community-building and faith justice events are all online for fall, with some in-person opportunities.
Sunday Mass will be held 4 p.m. in Rosary Chapel. Social distance is implemented, and attendance are reduced to 45 people. Face covering and hand sanitizer will also be required before entering, during liturgy, after Communion. Weekly times are allocated for personal prayers in the chapel.
Fitness Center and Igini Sports Forum
Fitness Center and Igini Sports Forum are limited to current students, faculty and staff. Users must sign up for work out on Dustars.com for an appointment. The locker rooms will be closed from public access. Patrons will have their temperatures checked, pass a health screening upon entering. Face mask, social distancing and sanitization are also implemented in the gym.
Stepan Bookstore
Stephan Bookstore opens Tuesday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. From August 24 to September 30, the hours are Monday to Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The store capacity is 10 people. Face covering and hand-sanitizer required when entering the store.
Event Services/ Virtual Events/ Fine Arts Building
DUPAC/Events Services will support virtual events. A studio on the Lund stage in the auditorium will service as a live-stream or recording space for online events. Similarly, Arts & Minds events, including Siena Center, Brennan School of Business speakers and Theater Arts fall productions will be hosted online. Lund Auditorium and Martin Recital Hall has also adopted physical distancing measures if meeting and class are to take place there.
Rebecca Crown Library
Rebecca Crown Library opens on August 17 along with the new Learning Commons. The library will open Sunday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Academic Enrichment Center and Disability Support Services relocated on the first floor of the library.
A density capacity will be reinforced, and patrons will need to use their star cards for access to the Learning Commons and the library. Materials returned via outdoor and indoor book drops will be quarantined for 3 to 5 days. No physical reserves are available at the circulation desk. I-Share service availability will be based on the other libraries’ materials and service levels. Dominican community is encouraged to use online database, research consultation request, and library website for online assistance
Guest Registration/ Visitor Management
Visitors on campus must register at the welcome and Information desk to receive a pass for the day. Guest lecturers and invited speakers must obtain sponsorship from program directors or deans.
Wellness Center/ Mental Health
To plan an appointment with a counselor, students are to schedule by emailing wellness@dom.edu or call 708-524-6229. Employees should call 1-800-319-7819 for the Employee Assistance Program to talk to a counselor.
Virtual Town Hall
A virtual Town Hall for students is on Tuesday August 4 at 5:30 (for returning students) and on Wednesday, August 5 at 5:30 p.m. (for incoming freshmen). A townhall for staff is on Tuesday, August 4 at 3:30 p.m. President Donna Carroll, campus leaders, and Rush University Medical Center representative will be present.
The registration detail on the town halls for faculty and students will be sent out later.
