Updated January 18, 2021
What You Need to Know
- Do Your Part to Help BW Maintain a Healthy Campus and Work Environment
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In order to maintain a healthy and safe campus environment for us all, we ask that members of the BW community follow campus protocols and care for each other. As we work to minimize the potential public health impact of COVID-19 on the BW community, protocols and guidance may change. The University cannot remove all risk, but, by following the public health advice in the Responsible Restart Ohio plan for higher education issued by the State of Ohio Governor's Office, the risks to individuals can be mitigated significantly.
To that end, every member of the BW Community has the responsibilities to:
- Follow COVID-19 Community Standards.
- See that your fellow members are adhering to the guidelines.
Respect for our community shown through a commitment to each other and awareness of personal practices will guide us through this pandemic.
- Guests and Group Meetings
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- Reduce in-person group meetings by utilizing virtual tools and reduce sharing of work materials.
- When a meeting is necessary and cannot be conducted virtually, individuals may be scheduled in a space where capacity where 6-foot physical distancing can be maintained. Masks are required.
- Off-campus guests are not permitted on campus in residence halls, classrooms or dining facilities (except Starbucks). Guest speakers, instructors, vendors or admission guests will be scheduled and required to follow BW protocols while on campus. Guests are permitted at the Durst Welcome Center.
- Guests to campus will be informed prior to their arrival that masks are required on campus. Drop-in guests are required to wear masks and informed by signage or requested by personnel to wear masks. BW will supply single-use, disposable masks for areas where drop-in guests may need protective equipment.
- Personal Health and Clean Environments
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- Daily health check-ins via a smartphone app is a commitment we all make to each other.
- Any BW community member who becomes symptomatic while on campus should immediately isolate and seek medical care. Contact BW Health Services at (440) 826-2178 and your professor, resident hall advisor or supervisor so they can coordinate with the Health Department on any necessary response.
- Enhanced cleaning protocols across campus are based on the CDC's "Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces" and require the use of U.S. EPA-approved disinfectants for use against SARS-CoV-2.
- The overall disinfection and cleaning of surfaces is completed by BW custodial teams on a scheduled basis, with frequently touched surfaces (e.g., door handles, sink handles, drinking fountains, grab bars, hand railings, bathroom stalls) cleaned at least daily or between uses as much as possible.
- Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to use disinfectant wipes to wipe down shared desks, lab equipment and other shared objects and surfaces before use.
- Classrooms and some common areas have been provided CDC-approved disinfectant and roll towels to facilitate the increased frequency of wiping high touch points during the day. In addition, the custodial staff has increased the frequency of restroom cleaning to twice daily in residence halls and academic buildings and three times daily in the student union and recreation center.
- Bottle filling water fountains may be used to fill personal water bottles only. Traditional water fountains will not be in use.
- Being a Good Neighbor in Berea
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Because the city of Berea serves as an extension of campus life, it's important to understand, respect and follow the city's COVID-19 regulations, which mirror the State of Ohio's requirements. We should also respect the protocols of the Berea businesses we patronize as well as the health and safety of our neighbors. Berea requires masks inside and outside whenever you encounter others. In all bars and restaurants, masks are required to be worn while entering, ordering, waiting for food and beverages and exiting. You may take them off only when eating or drinking. Berea updates its COVID-19 information webpage at least weekly.