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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:

  1. Addressing physical distancing and cleanliness protocols in the residence halls, Robs Dining Hall, and retail dining establishments
  2. Planning resident student move-in

Key questions/tasks:

  1. Execute a plan to address residence hall capacity to meet state regulations and CDC guidance
  2. Developing a plan for a quarantine and isolation space
  3. Address residence hall cleaning protocols
  4. Develop a plan for student move-in
  5. Determine take out and reservation options for the dining hall
  6. Determine food delivery and pick up services on campus
  7. Determine residence hall visitation policy
  8. Address residence hall computer labs, laundry facilities, study/social lounges
  9. Create an online residence hall orientation program
  10. Developing safety protocols for residence hall student staff
  11. Developing a plan for engaging students once they move-in

Contributors:

  1. Melinda Grove, Residence Life and Housing
  2. Alison Doehring, ZipAssist
  3. Andrew Henry, Physical Facilities
  4. Anne Bruno, Student Life/Student Union
  5. Billy Bernard, Student Life
  6. Christin Seher, Nutrition and Dietetics/EXL Center
  7. Emily Starkey, Student – Undergraduate Student Government
  8. Heather Piper, Aramark
  9. Katelyn Price, Office of Academic Retention & Success
  10. Ken Holmes, Physical Facilities
  11. Kevin Strub, Aramark

Labs & Studios

Scope:

  1. Work with deans and chairs/director to prepare classes that must meet face-to-face for pedagogical reasons
  2. Identify affected skills-based labs, studio classes, field-based courses and other classes

Key tasks:

  1. Identify labs/studios and other skills-based labs that require at least some face-to-face instruction
  2. Determine limitations to conducting those classes when adhering to social distancing requirements
  3. Determine room capacities for those classes
  4. Identify strategies to maximize on-site student participation while maintaining a safe learning environment

Contributors:

  1. David Steer, Natural Science
  2. Amy Stevens, Nutrition and Dietetics
  3. Anne User, Music
  4. Barbara Scherer,  Nursing
  5. Cecilia Mainzer, Student– Undergraduate Student Government
  6. David Payne, Marketing
  7. Ed Evans, Chemical, Biological, Corrosion Engineering
  8. Eric Green, Environmental and Occupational Health
  9. James McKelvey,  Marketing
  10. Jarrod Tudor, Dean - Wayne College
  11. Jim Haskell, Capital Planning and Facilities Management
  12. Lori Kraft, Engineering and Science Technology
  13. Marcia Belcher, Engineering and Science Technology
  14. Melissa Dreisbach, Sports Science and Wellness
  15. Robert Schwartz, School of Counseling
  16. Stanley Smith, Disaster and Emergency Planning
  17. Sue Ramlo, Engineering and Science Technology
  18. Terri Cutright, Civil Engineering
  19. Tianbo Liu, Polymer Science

Messaging and Communication

Scope:

  1.  Communication to UA community related to Return to Campus
  2.  Streamline communication needs from Fall 2020 Planning Team to audiences

Key tasks:

  1. Determine mechanism for collecting communication needs from Fall 2020 Planning Team
  2. Determine how to disseminate messages
  3. Establish a process and timeline for messaging
  4. Develop a Return to Campus website
  5. Work alongside University Communications & Marketing to organize and deploy content

 Contributors:

  1.  Alison Doehring, ZipAssist
  2.  Anne Bruno, Student Union/Student Life
  3.  Brianne Bucks, University Communications and Marketing
  4.   Carly DeBord, New Student Orientation
  5. Jacob Farrar, Direct Marketing
  6.   Jon Dent, Student Recreation and Wellness Services
  7.    Joni Allen, Student
  8.   Julia Neal, Student Recreation and Wellness Services
  9.   Kevin Feezel, Student, Undergraduate Student Government
  10.   Laura Carey – Career Services
  11.   Lisa Craig, University Communications and Marketing
  12.  Mary Rossett, Veteran Services
  13.   Mike Szczukowski, Materials Handling
  14.   Mindy Grove, Residence Life & Housing
  15.   Tammy Ewin, University Communications and Marketing
  16.  Thad Doyle, Student Life

Health

Scope:

  1. 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:

  1. Recommend campus practices for facial coverings and health assessments 
  2. Develop campus testing procedures
  3. Outline contact tracing process and related community support
  4. Review mental health services availability to all students
  5. Outline case management process related to COVID-19
  6. Support academic and campus best practices related to the health of the campus community

Contributors:

  1. Hazel Barton, Biology
  2. Carolyn Behrman, EXL Center
  3. Rusty Caldwell, Student Recreation and Wellness Services
  4. Scott Campbell, Office of General Counsel
  5. Melissa Dreisbach, Sport Science and Wellness Education
  6. William Droddy, Sports Medicine
  7. Eric Green, Environmental Health and Safety
  8. William Lyons Jr., Political Science
  9. John MacDonald, Student Recreation and Wellness Services
  10. Grant McConnell, Student - Undergraduate Student Government
  11. Donna McDonald, Counseling and Testing
  12. Alan Parker, Purchasing
  13. Lisa Ritenour, Health Services
  14. Barbara Scherer, Nursing 
  15. Roy Thurman, Student - Undergraduate Student Government

Campus Functioning and Safety, Emergency Operations Group

Scope:

  1. Plan for a safe physical return to campus

Key Questions:

    1. What supplies will be needed to insure a safe return
    2. How can physical space be manipulated to insure a safe return
    3. How can employee and student schedules be adjusted to allow on-campus programming while lowering campus density
    4. What cleaning methods will be utilized to create a safe campus

Contributors:

    1. Dale Gooding, University of Akron Police Department
    2. Mark Beers, Emergency Management
    3. Douglas Brumbaugh, Chief Audit Executive
    4. Aimee DeChanbeau, University Libraries
    5. Newt Engle, Coach
    6. James Garcher, Student - Undergraduate Student Government
    7. Melinda Grove, Residence Life and Housing
    8. James Haskell, Capital Planning
    9. Neal L’Amoreaux, Information Technology Services
    10. Laurel Rooks,  Office of Academic Affairs
    11. Katherine Selzer, College of Business Administration
    12. Melanie Smith-Farrell, University Libraries

Student Well-Being and Support

Scope:

  1. Identify critical functions for student support
  2. Ensure student support and services are accessible in multiple scenarios
  3. Provide guidance for campus activities and student support services

Key tasks:

  1. Determine how units deliver support, services, and engagement
  2. What do units need to deliver student support?
  3. Collect information and assist with distribution to UA community
  4. Determine how campus activities will be delivered

 Contributors:

  1. Dr. John Messina, Vice President, Student Affairs
  2. Aaron Brooks, Student Recreation and Wellness Services
  3. Alison Doehring, ZipAssist
  4. Andrea Snell, Psychology 
  5. Anne Bruno, Student Union/Student Life
  6. Brittany Ferguson-Mike, Student Life
  7. Charles Oldfield, School of Law
  8. Chris Painter, Student Recreation and Wellness Services
  9. Galen Karriker, Music
  10. Lisa Ritenour, Health Services
  11. Natacha Keramidas, Counseling and Testing Services
  12. Nate Meeker, eSports
  13. Premala Jones, Counseling & Testing Services
  14. Stevie Allen, Student, Undergraduate Student Government
  15. Thad Doyle, Student Life
  16. Todd Hough, University of Akron Police Department

Course Delivery and Scheduling

Scope:

  1. To adjust Fall 2020 schedule for socially distanced instruction.
  2. Prioritize health and safety, with faculty and students having as much choice as possible about in-person or online instruction
  3. Ensure academic integrity of courses
  4. Focus on enrollment, retention, degree completion

Key tasks

  1. Determine social distancing capacity of classrooms
  2. Define course delivery models and communicate them to faculty
  3. Determine what appropriate mix of course delivery
  4. Adapt schedule
  1. Janet Bean, Office of Academic Affairs
  2. Jim Haskell, Capital Planning and Facilities Management
  3. Robyn Brown, International Center
  4. Neal L’Amoreaux,IT Support Services 
  5. Paul Hammond, Athletics
  6. Ron Bowman, Registrar
  7. David Bird, Registrar
  8. Aimée deChambeau, University Libraries
  9. Dane Quinn, Acting Dean - Williams Honors College
  10. Jenny Hebert,  Office of Academic Affairs 
  11. Lauren Garcia-Duplain, English
  12. Pat Gaughan, School of Law
  13. Emily Janoski-Haehlen, School of Law
  14. Heather Howley, Wayne College
  15. Adel Alhalawani, Engineering
  16. Bob Veillette, Engineering
  17. Michele Zelko, Nursing
  18. Al Daviso, Education
  19. Rauslynn Boyd, Business & Info Technology
  20. Katie Cerrone, Applied General & Tech Studies                      
  21. Jennifer Lillard, Engineering & Science Tech
  22. Toni Bisconti, Psychology
  23. Alej Zenata,
  24. Kevin Kern, History
  25. John Cheh, Accountancy
  26. Bill Lyons, Dean’s Office
  27. Melissa Dreisbach, Sport Science & Wellness Educ
  28. Josy Kirila, Student
  29. Jonah Pichette, Student - Undergraduate Student Government   

 

Classroom Maintenance

Scope:

  1. Provide ongoing custodial and physical maintenance
  2. Prepare physical space for return to campus

Key Questions or Tasks:

  1. Establish adjusted classroom occupancies regarding distancing
  2. Identify non-traditional space within the University portfolio for use as classrooms
  3. Reset classroom furnishings by removing and redeploying surplus furnishings
  4. Identify areas within buildings that distancing guidelines cannot be obtained
  5. Remove and redeploy common area furnishings relative to distancing guideline
  6. Establish a plan for performing maintenance services

 Contributors:

  1. Mark Beers, Environmental Health and Occupational Safety
  2. Marchelle Bobbs, School of Law
  3. Anne Bruno, Student Life/Student Life
  4. Steve Brusso, Audio Visual Services
  5. Cathy Faye, Psychology Archives
  6. Eric Green, Environmental Health and Occupational Safety
  7. Paul Hammond, Athletics
  8. Jim Haskell, Capital Planning and Facilities Management
  9. Brian Humm, Student Recreation and Wellness
  10. David Musser, Physical Facilities
  11. Laurel Rooks, Office of Academic Affairs
  12. Barbara Scherer, Nursing
  13. Katy Selzer, Business Administration
  14. Ben Swanson, Student - Undergraduate Student Government

Athletics & Recreation

Scope

  1.  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.
  2. Create an efficient process, addressing control costs, details, and added safety value for the campus community.

Key tasks

  1.  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.
  2. 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.
  3. Identify and assist Classroom Delivery Subgroup for potential use of larger venues for classroom and testing locations.
  4. Develop recommendations for the return of Athletics’ sports teams to campus for practice and competition.
  5. Propose student activities and logistics for Recreation and Wellness, Intramurals, Club Sports, Marching Band and Sports Science and Wellness Education.
  6. 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:

  1. Paul Hammond, Office of Athletics
  2. Doug Brumbaugh, University Auditor
  3. Melissa Dreisbach, Sport Science and Wellness Education
  4. Newt Engle, Office of Athletics
  5. Brittany Ferguson-Mike, Student Life
  6. Andy Feyes, University Bands
  7. Mike Gentithes, School of Law
  8. Allan Hoon, Office of Athletics
  9. Kerry Jackson, University of Akron Police Department
  10. Anne Jorgensen, Office of Athletics
  11. Mary Jo MacCracken, Sports Science and Wellness Education
  12. John MacDonald, Student Recreation and Wellness Services
  13. Brian Peresie, Office of Athletics
  14. Ray Thurman, Student - Undergraduate Student Government
  15. Nick Weber, Student Recreation and Wellness Services

International Education

Scope:

  1. Provide guidance and support to international students and scholars
  2. Provide guidance to members of the UA community regarding international travel

Key tasks:

  1. How can we provide comprehensive support international students and scholars inside the U.S.?
  2. How can we support and engage our international students who are unable to resume classes in person due to difficulty obtaining U.S. visas?
  3. Ensure students are aware of which course delivery options may be successfully completed from their location (inside or outside the U.S.).
  4. Determine to what extent is UA-sponsored travel restricted for faculty, staff, and students.

 Contributors:

  1. Robyn Brown, International Center
  2. Nicola Kille, International Center
  3. Denise Wilson, International Center
  4. Heather Pollock, International Center
  5. Jolene Lane, Inclusion & Equity
  6. Natacha Keramidas, Counseling & Testing Center
  7. Megan Nichols, Student Health Services
  8. Scott Campbell, Office of General Counsel
  9. Marnie Saunders, Graduate School
  10. Toshi Miyoshi, Polymer Science
  11. Jamal Feerasta, Business & Information Technology
  12. Julie Zhao, Engineering
  13. Brian Peresie, Office of Athletics
  14. Arnob Banik, Graduate Student - Graduate Student Government
  15. Wan Yu, Student - Undergraduate Student Government
  16. Khaliunaa Baasankhuu, Student

Student Focus

Scope:

  1. Provide representation on sub-groups
  2. Serve as a focus group
  3. Collaborate on campaigns
  4. Represent student voice in planning and execution

Key tasks:

  1. Work through the 2020-2021 academic year to provide direction
  2. Lead social norming campaigns and peer education
  3. Generate content for publication to peers

Facilitators:

  1. John Messina, Vice President, Student Affairs
  2.  Anne Bruno, Student Life/Student Union

 Contributors:

  1. Kevin Feezel, Undergraduate Student Government
  2. Joni Allen
  3. Jonah Pichette, Undergraduate Student Government
  4. Cecelia Mainzer, Undergraduate Student Government
  5. Ben Swanson, Undergraduate Student Government
  6. Stevie Allen, Undergraduate Student Government
  7. Emily Starkey, Undergraduate Student Government
  8. James Garchar, Undergraduate Student Government
  9. Grant McConnell, Undergraduate Student Government
  10. Nick McFadden,  Undergraduate Student Government
  11. Roy Thurman, Undergraduate Student Government
  12. Wan Yu, Undergraduate Student Government
  13. Arnob Banik, Graduate Student Government
  14. Khaliunaa Baasankhuu
  15. Lauren Zidones, Student Bar Association
  16. Oliver Huffman, Student Athletic Advisory Committee
  17. Andrea Fischer, Student Athletic Advisory Committee
  18. Rebecca Spencer, Student Athletic Advisory Committee