COVID-Related Updates for This Week

Rockhurst Faculty, Staff and Student Companions,

We have now made it through our first week of class during a semester that seems both comfortingly familiar for its patterns and very strange for all its new protocols. As is very fitting for being at a University, we have learned along the way and continue to fine-tune our processes. In the following message, we want to address some of the questions we’ve had – including an explanation of our case management system for students who complete an Illness Report – provide some important reminders and begin reporting the number of positive COVID cases on our two campuses. We realize the message is lengthy and we encourage you to read it in its entirety so you won’t miss anything.

Positive Cases

We plan to report our positive case numbers weekly and anticipate providing this information on Thursdays. A number of people have contributed to tracking this information and we appreciate their efforts. The following information is current as of Aug. 25. It is important to note that the number of student cases on the Troost campus includes only one student in isolation on campus. The remainder of cases are students who live off campus. The number does not include students who are in quarantine, only active positive cases. 

As of Aug. 25

COVID Case Management for Students

Similar to the work being done by Human Resources with employees impacted by COVID, Student Development has developed a case management system for working with students who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus that causes COVID, who are symptomatic, or who are COVID positive themselves.  There are approximately 20 Case Management Leaders for Students (CMLS) who have been trained to conduct contact tracing using a program offered by Johns Hopkins.  A CMLS assists not only with care for our students, but also with identifying areas that might need special cleaning attention. They are also responsible for notifying those who might have been in close contact with a COVID positive person (under six feet for 15 minutes or more). 

CMLS staff come from a variety of offices including Student Development and Athletics, Mission and Ministry, and Student Success.  In most circumstances, students who have been in close contact and are asymptomatic are asked to quarantine in place for two weeks from the date of their last close contact. Students who have COVID symptoms (that don’t represent chronic illnesses such as allergies) for more than 24 hours are often moved to a single room with their own bath (isolation), asked to contact their medical provider, and frequently pursue testing (especially when there are “classic” COVID symptoms such as loss of taste/smell, difficulty breathing, temperature, etc.).  

Students who are COVID positive, if off campus, are asked to isolate for 10 days since the onset of their symptoms; if they are on-campus, they are asked to return home if they are within approximately 250 miles and do not have health-compromised family members at home. If they need to remain on campus, we have two COVID-positive floors where they can isolate and recover. Our isolation facilities for symptomatic and COVID-positive students have been furnished with a microwave and refrigerator – and some basic supplies for the student. Students on the COVID-positive floor also have laundry service (for a fee) if needed.  Meals are brought to on-campus residential students who are in quarantine or isolation.

The CMLS team will send students in the case management system an email with the date their quarantine or isolation period will end. Faculty members can request a copy of the email from the student if they would like confirmation the student is allowed to return to face-to-face classes.

Important Reminders and Points of Learning

• Masks or facial coverings are required when in indoor spaces on campus and when outdoors if you are not able to observe social distancing. This includes faculty wearing masks when teaching and interacting with students. Masks or facial coverings are not required when eating or when exercising outdoors, when alone in one’s residential room or office, or with an approved exemption from the Office of Human Resources (employees) or Disability Resource Center (students).
• Information regarding athletic and recreational facilities and programs is forthcoming.  There will be specific guidance included regarding mask wearing and other safety protocols in this document. Please read it carefully.
• There should be no eating or drinking in classrooms. However, eating or drinking is allowed in common spaces across campus. Please be mindful of those around you and ensure that proper distance is in place before removing your mask and initiating consumption.
• Students, faculty and staff will also be expected to observe six feet of social distance in shared areas, and adjustments will be made to campus furniture to promote observation of these guidelines.
• Off-campus social student gatherings are limited to 10 people or fewer.
• When riding in a car with someone who is not a “family” member, all occupants should wear masks and keep the windows rolled down. 
• Never share food or drinks with another person.
• Are you wondering about making an Illness Report?  Use the Campus Clear app each morning – and it will help you determine whether that is necessary or not. Make the use of Campus Clear a daily healthy habit regardless of whether you will be on campus.
• When gathering for a class or other University-sponsored event, employees and student leaders should consider asking the group to see their “green screens” indicating a positive report from Campus Clear for the day.
• A vending machine has been placed in the Rock Room where you can purchase hand sanitizer, masks and wellness packs. It takes cash, debit cards, credit cards and flex dollars. Masks and hand sanitizer are also for sale at The Market.

We hope that your semester is off to a great start and that you have a wonderful weekend.

Sincerely, 

Matthew D. Quick, Ph.D.  
Dean of Students/Vice President  
Student Development and Athletics  
  
Douglas N. Dunham, Ph.D.  
Provost and Senior Vice President  
Academic Affairs