Return to Campus planning group
More than 50 faculty and staff members met regularly to prepare campus for a safe reopening. This page lists the subcommittees and the questions and tasks each addressed.
Residence Halls and Dining
Scope:
- Addressing physical distancing and cleanliness protocols in the residence halls, Robs Dining Hall, and retail dining establishments
- Planning resident student move-in
Key questions/tasks:
- Execute a plan to address residence hall capacity to meet state regulations and CDC guidance
- Developing a plan for a quarantine and isolation space
- Address residence hall cleaning protocols
- Develop a plan for student move-in
- Determine take out and reservation options for the dining hall
- Determine food delivery and pick up services on campus
- Determine residence hall visitation policy
- Address residence hall computer labs, laundry facilities, study/social lounges
- Create an online residence hall orientation program
- Developing safety protocols for residence hall student staff
- Developing a plan for engaging students once they move-in
Contributors:
- Melinda Grove, Residence Life and Housing
- Alison Doehring, ZipAssist
- Andrew Henry, Physical Facilities
- Anne Bruno, Student Life/Student Union
- Billy Bernard, Student Life
- Christin Seher, Nutrition and Dietetics/EXL Center
- Emily Starkey, Student – Undergraduate Student Government
- Heather Piper, Aramark
- Katelyn Price, Office of Academic Retention & Success
- Ken Holmes, Physical Facilities
- Kevin Strub, Aramark
Labs & Studios
Scope:
- Work with deans and chairs/director to prepare classes that must meet face-to-face for pedagogical reasons
- Identify affected skills-based labs, studio classes, field-based courses and other classes
Key tasks:
- Identify labs/studios and other skills-based labs that require at least some face-to-face instruction
- Determine limitations to conducting those classes when adhering to social distancing requirements
- Determine room capacities for those classes
- Identify strategies to maximize on-site student participation while maintaining a safe learning environment
Contributors:
- David Steer, Natural Science
- Amy Stevens, Nutrition and Dietetics
- Anne User, Music
- Barbara Scherer, Nursing
- Cecilia Mainzer, Student– Undergraduate Student Government
- David Payne, Marketing
- Ed Evans, Chemical, Biological, Corrosion Engineering
- Eric Green, Environmental and Occupational Health
- James McKelvey, Marketing
- Jarrod Tudor, Dean - Wayne College
- Jim Haskell, Capital Planning and Facilities Management
- Lori Kraft, Engineering and Science Technology
- Marcia Belcher, Engineering and Science Technology
- Melissa Dreisbach, Sports Science and Wellness
- Robert Schwartz, School of Counseling
- Stanley Smith, Disaster and Emergency Planning
- Sue Ramlo, Engineering and Science Technology
- Terri Cutright, Civil Engineering
- Tianbo Liu, Polymer Science
Messaging and Communication
Scope:
- Communication to UA community related to Return to Campus
- Streamline communication needs from Fall 2020 Planning Team to audiences
Key tasks:
- Determine mechanism for collecting communication needs from Fall 2020 Planning Team
- Determine how to disseminate messages
- Establish a process and timeline for messaging
- Develop a Return to Campus website
- Work alongside University Communications & Marketing to organize and deploy content
Contributors:
- Alison Doehring, ZipAssist
- Anne Bruno, Student Union/Student Life
- Brianne Bucks, University Communications and Marketing
- Carly DeBord, New Student Orientation
- Jacob Farrar, Direct Marketing
- Jon Dent, Student Recreation and Wellness Services
- Joni Allen, Student
- Julia Neal, Student Recreation and Wellness Services
- Kevin Feezel, Student, Undergraduate Student Government
- Laura Carey – Career Services
- Lisa Craig, University Communications and Marketing
- Mary Rossett, Veteran Services
- Mike Szczukowski, Materials Handling
- Mindy Grove, Residence Life & Housing
- Tammy Ewin, University Communications and Marketing
- Thad Doyle, Student Life
Health
Scope:
- Identify best practices for a safe phased in approach to return to campus activities in the Fall 2020 semester that meet CDC, state, campus, and IUC recommendations.
Key tasks:
- Recommend campus practices for facial coverings and health assessments
- Develop campus testing procedures
- Outline contact tracing process and related community support
- Review mental health services availability to all students
- Outline case management process related to COVID-19
- Support academic and campus best practices related to the health of the campus community
Contributors:
- Hazel Barton, Biology
- Carolyn Behrman, EXL Center
- Rusty Caldwell, Student Recreation and Wellness Services
- Scott Campbell, Office of General Counsel
- Melissa Dreisbach, Sport Science and Wellness Education
- William Droddy, Sports Medicine
- Eric Green, Environmental Health and Safety
- William Lyons Jr., Political Science
- John MacDonald, Student Recreation and Wellness Services
- Grant McConnell, Student - Undergraduate Student Government
- Donna McDonald, Counseling and Testing
- Alan Parker, Purchasing
- Lisa Ritenour, Health Services
- Barbara Scherer, Nursing
- Roy Thurman, Student - Undergraduate Student Government
Campus Functioning and Safety, Emergency Operations Group
Scope:
- Plan for a safe physical return to campus
Key Questions:
- What supplies will be needed to insure a safe return
- How can physical space be manipulated to insure a safe return
- How can employee and student schedules be adjusted to allow on-campus programming while lowering campus density
- What cleaning methods will be utilized to create a safe campus
Contributors:
- Dale Gooding, University of Akron Police Department
- Mark Beers, Emergency Management
- Douglas Brumbaugh, Chief Audit Executive
- Aimee DeChanbeau, University Libraries
- Newt Engle, Coach
- James Garcher, Student - Undergraduate Student Government
- Melinda Grove, Residence Life and Housing
- James Haskell, Capital Planning
- Neal L’Amoreaux, Information Technology Services
- Laurel Rooks, Office of Academic Affairs
- Katherine Selzer, College of Business Administration
- Melanie Smith-Farrell, University Libraries
Student Well-Being and Support
Scope:
- Identify critical functions for student support
- Ensure student support and services are accessible in multiple scenarios
- Provide guidance for campus activities and student support services
Key tasks:
- Determine how units deliver support, services, and engagement
- What do units need to deliver student support?
- Collect information and assist with distribution to UA community
- Determine how campus activities will be delivered
Contributors:
- Dr. John Messina, Vice President, Student Affairs
- Aaron Brooks, Student Recreation and Wellness Services
- Alison Doehring, ZipAssist
- Andrea Snell, Psychology
- Anne Bruno, Student Union/Student Life
- Brittany Ferguson-Mike, Student Life
- Charles Oldfield, School of Law
- Chris Painter, Student Recreation and Wellness Services
- Galen Karriker, Music
- Lisa Ritenour, Health Services
- Natacha Keramidas, Counseling and Testing Services
- Nate Meeker, eSports
- Premala Jones, Counseling & Testing Services
- Stevie Allen, Student, Undergraduate Student Government
- Thad Doyle, Student Life
- Todd Hough, University of Akron Police Department
Course Delivery and Scheduling
Scope:
- To adjust Fall 2020 schedule for socially distanced instruction.
- Prioritize health and safety, with faculty and students having as much choice as possible about in-person or online instruction
- Ensure academic integrity of courses
- Focus on enrollment, retention, degree completion
Key tasks
- Determine social distancing capacity of classrooms
- Define course delivery models and communicate them to faculty
- Determine what appropriate mix of course delivery
- Adapt schedule
- Janet Bean, Office of Academic Affairs
- Jim Haskell, Capital Planning and Facilities Management
- Robyn Brown, International Center
- Neal L’Amoreaux,IT Support Services
- Paul Hammond, Athletics
- Ron Bowman, Registrar
- David Bird, Registrar
- Aimée deChambeau, University Libraries
- Dane Quinn, Acting Dean - Williams Honors College
- Jenny Hebert, Office of Academic Affairs
- Lauren Garcia-Duplain, English
- Pat Gaughan, School of Law
- Emily Janoski-Haehlen, School of Law
- Heather Howley, Wayne College
- Adel Alhalawani, Engineering
- Bob Veillette, Engineering
- Michele Zelko, Nursing
- Al Daviso, Education
- Rauslynn Boyd, Business & Info Technology
- Katie Cerrone, Applied General & Tech Studies
- Jennifer Lillard, Engineering & Science Tech
- Toni Bisconti, Psychology
- Alej Zenata,
- Kevin Kern, History
- John Cheh, Accountancy
- Bill Lyons, Dean’s Office
- Melissa Dreisbach, Sport Science & Wellness Educ
- Josy Kirila, Student
- Jonah Pichette, Student - Undergraduate Student Government
Classroom Maintenance
Scope:
- Provide ongoing custodial and physical maintenance
- Prepare physical space for return to campus
Key Questions or Tasks:
- Establish adjusted classroom occupancies regarding distancing
- Identify non-traditional space within the University portfolio for use as classrooms
- Reset classroom furnishings by removing and redeploying surplus furnishings
- Identify areas within buildings that distancing guidelines cannot be obtained
- Remove and redeploy common area furnishings relative to distancing guideline
- Establish a plan for performing maintenance services
Contributors:
- Mark Beers, Environmental Health and Occupational Safety
- Marchelle Bobbs, School of Law
- Anne Bruno, Student Life/Student Life
- Steve Brusso, Audio Visual Services
- Cathy Faye, Psychology Archives
- Eric Green, Environmental Health and Occupational Safety
- Paul Hammond, Athletics
- Jim Haskell, Capital Planning and Facilities Management
- Brian Humm, Student Recreation and Wellness
- David Musser, Physical Facilities
- Laurel Rooks, Office of Academic Affairs
- Barbara Scherer, Nursing
- Katy Selzer, Business Administration
- Ben Swanson, Student - Undergraduate Student Government
Athletics & Recreation
Scope
- Identify best practices for a safe phased in approach to return to campus activities in the Fall 2020 semester that meet state, campus and IUC recommendations.
- Create an efficient process, addressing control costs, details, and added safety value for the campus community.
Key tasks
- Identify best practices for a safe phased in approach to return to Athletics, Student Recreation and Wellness Services and Sports Science and Wellness Education venues.
- Coordinate with University support staff facility cleaning and sanitizing schedule, identifying personal protection equipment requirements and access, and logistics set up per social distancing to meet state requirements.
- Identify and assist Classroom Delivery Subgroup for potential use of larger venues for classroom and testing locations.
- Develop recommendations for the return of Athletics’ sports teams to campus for practice and competition.
- Propose student activities and logistics for Recreation and Wellness, Intramurals, Club Sports, Marching Band and Sports Science and Wellness Education.
- Develop a detailed communication plan that will engage Athletics, Recreation and Wellness and Sports Science and Wellness staff and students to comply and buy in to social distancing rules and pandemic related processes the University will enact.
Contributors:
- Paul Hammond, Office of Athletics
- Doug Brumbaugh, University Auditor
- Melissa Dreisbach, Sport Science and Wellness Education
- Newt Engle, Office of Athletics
- Brittany Ferguson-Mike, Student Life
- Andy Feyes, University Bands
- Mike Gentithes, School of Law
- Allan Hoon, Office of Athletics
- Kerry Jackson, University of Akron Police Department
- Anne Jorgensen, Office of Athletics
- Mary Jo MacCracken, Sports Science and Wellness Education
- John MacDonald, Student Recreation and Wellness Services
- Brian Peresie, Office of Athletics
- Ray Thurman, Student - Undergraduate Student Government
- Nick Weber, Student Recreation and Wellness Services
International Education
Scope:
- Provide guidance and support to international students and scholars
- Provide guidance to members of the UA community regarding international travel
Key tasks:
- How can we provide comprehensive support international students and scholars inside the U.S.?
- How can we support and engage our international students who are unable to resume classes in person due to difficulty obtaining U.S. visas?
- Ensure students are aware of which course delivery options may be successfully completed from their location (inside or outside the U.S.).
- Determine to what extent is UA-sponsored travel restricted for faculty, staff, and students.
Contributors:
- Robyn Brown, International Center
- Nicola Kille, International Center
- Denise Wilson, International Center
- Heather Pollock, International Center
- Jolene Lane, Inclusion & Equity
- Natacha Keramidas, Counseling & Testing Center
- Megan Nichols, Student Health Services
- Scott Campbell, Office of General Counsel
- Marnie Saunders, Graduate School
- Toshi Miyoshi, Polymer Science
- Jamal Feerasta, Business & Information Technology
- Julie Zhao, Engineering
- Brian Peresie, Office of Athletics
- Arnob Banik, Graduate Student - Graduate Student Government
- Wan Yu, Student - Undergraduate Student Government
- Khaliunaa Baasankhuu, Student
Student Focus
Scope:
- Provide representation on sub-groups
- Serve as a focus group
- Collaborate on campaigns
- Represent student voice in planning and execution
Key tasks:
- Work through the 2020-2021 academic year to provide direction
- Lead social norming campaigns and peer education
- Generate content for publication to peers
Facilitators:
- John Messina, Vice President, Student Affairs
- Anne Bruno, Student Life/Student Union
Contributors:
- Kevin Feezel, Undergraduate Student Government
- Joni Allen
- Jonah Pichette, Undergraduate Student Government
- Cecelia Mainzer, Undergraduate Student Government
- Ben Swanson, Undergraduate Student Government
- Stevie Allen, Undergraduate Student Government
- Emily Starkey, Undergraduate Student Government
- James Garchar, Undergraduate Student Government
- Grant McConnell, Undergraduate Student Government
- Nick McFadden, Undergraduate Student Government
- Roy Thurman, Undergraduate Student Government
- Wan Yu, Undergraduate Student Government
- Arnob Banik, Graduate Student Government
- Khaliunaa Baasankhuu
- Lauren Zidones, Student Bar Association
- Oliver Huffman, Student Athletic Advisory Committee
- Andrea Fischer, Student Athletic Advisory Committee
- Rebecca Spencer, Student Athletic Advisory Committee