Recovery Framework PHASES

Arkansas Tech University is committed to keeping our community safe. The ATU COVID-19 Task Force developed this framework to help facilitate a safe return to campus.

About The Phases

The ATU recovery framework is structured in a 5-phase plan that allows for a slow transition back to normal operations.

PHASE 0

Phase 0 Criteria

A shelter in place order or recommendation has been issued from the state or local government.

Phase 0 Guidelines

Curriculum would move to a virtual-only environment within 48 hours of the shelter in place order or recommendation being issued.
Staff and faculty will work from home whenever possible. Exceptions to this will need Vice President-level approval.
All events physically held on campus will be canceled while in Phase 0
Essential functions - such as food service, residence halls, and the library - may remain open but will have their offerings modified to comply with state or local guidance.

PHASE 1

Phase 1 Criteria

There is no shelter in place order or recommendation from state or local government
Local health officials have not observed an exponential increase in COVID-19 cases
ATU has not observed a cluster of COVID-19 cases within the campus community
Appropriate testing capability and personal protective equipment exists in the community
Healthcare and public health systems can cope with the volume of current and potential cases

Phase 1 Guidelines

Must be able to maintain at least 6 feet from every person present at locations
Gatherings are limited to 30 persons or fewer. This includes meetings, al physical events, and classrooms. This limit may be fewer if the space hosting the gathering does not allow for 6 feet of spacing between individuals.
Meetings and events should be conducted virtually if possible.
Employees who can continue operations from home are encouraged to continue working from home.
Employees working on campus must submit a Health Screening Form before reporting to work each day.
All students will perform a daily self-screen before coming to campus.
The use of community areas, such as lounges, break rooms, and food service areas, should be limited as much as possible.
Masks are required by all students, staff, and faculty while on campus when in public spaces and when social distancing of 6 feet is not possible.
Vulnerable individuals may still decide to continue self-isolation as much as possible. Human Resources policies will outline vulnerable populations and self-isolation protocol. Students who are vulnerable due to a disability should contact the Office of Disability Services to seek accommodations.
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must remain in isolation until at least 72 hours have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvements in respiratory symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath; and, at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should report their illness to the ATU Health and Wellness Center and assist in a contact tracing investigation to support the health and safety of the campus community.
Individuals awaiting test results should remain in isolation and report the situation to the Health and Wellness Center.
Individuals who learn they were in close contact (defined by CDC as being within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 48 hours before illness onset until the time the patient is isolated) should self-isolate for 14 days and report the situation to the Health and Wellness Center.
All University-sanctioned travel must be approved at the Vice President level if University funding allows.

PHASE 2

Phase 2 Criteria

The state continues to progress forward with their plans to reopen Arkansas.
Local indicators of COVID-19 transmission show stable or decreasing community transmission.
ATU has spent at least 14 days in Phase 1 of this plan with no evidence of community transmission.
ATU has not observed a cluster of COVID-19+ cases within the campus community.
Health care and public health systems can cope with the volume of current and potential cases.

Phase 2 Guidelines

When possible, continue to maintain at least 6ft from every other person at location
Gatherings limited to 50 or fewer. This includes meetings, all physical events, and classrooms. This limit may be fewer if the space hosting the gathering does not allow for 6ft of spacing between individuals.
Masks are required by all students, staff, and faculty while on campus when in public spaces and when social distancing of 6 ft is not possible.
Meetings and events are encouraged to be continued virtually when possible.
Employees working on campus must submit a Health Screening Form before reporting to work each day.
All students will perform a daily self-screen before coming to campus.
Vulnerable individuals may still decide to continue self-isolation as much as possible. Human Resources polices will outline vulnerable populations and self-isolation protocol. Students who are vulnerable due to a disability should contact the Office of Disability Services to seek accommodations.
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must remain in isolation until at least 72 hours have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvements in respiratory symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath; and, at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should report their illness to the ATU Health and Wellness Center and assist in a contact tracing investigation to support the health and safety of the campus community.
Individuals awaiting test results should remain in isolation and report the situation to the Health and Wellness Center.
Individuals who learn they were in close contact (defined by CDC as being within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 48 hours before illness onset until the time the patient is isolated) should self-isolate for 14 days and report the situation to the Health and Wellness Center.
All University-sanctioned domestic travel can resume where social distancing guidelines can be followed and University funding allows.

PHASE 3

Phase 3 Criteria

State is in phase 3 of its own plan to recover from COVID-19.
Local indicators of COVID-19 transmission show minimal or decreasing community transmission.
ATU has spent at least 14 days in Phase 2 of this plan with no evidence of campus community transmission.
ATU has not observed a cluster of COVID-19+ cases.
Health care and public health systems can cope with the volume of current and potential cases.

Phase 3 Guidelines

When possible, continue to maintain at least 6ft from every other person at location.
Gatherings limited to 90 or fewer. This includes meetings, all events, and classrooms. This limit may be fewer if the space hosting the gathering does not allow for 6ft of spacing between individuals.
All employees may return to work.
Employees working on campus must submit a Health Screening Form before reporting to work each day.
All students will perform a daily self-screen before coming to campus.
Masks are required by all students, staff, and faculty while on campus when in public spaces and when social distancing of 6 ft is not possible.
Vulnerable individuals may still decide to continue self-isolation as much as possible. Human Resources polices will outline vulnerable populations and self-isolation protocol. Students who are vulnerable due to a disability should contact the Office of Disability Services to seek accommodations.
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must remain in isolation until at least 72 hours have passed since recovery defined as resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications and improvements in respiratory symptoms such as cough and shortness of breath; and, at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 should report their illness to the ATU Health and Wellness Center and assist in a contact tracing process to support the health and safety of ATU.
Individuals awaiting test results should remain in isolation and report the situation to the Health and Wellness Center.
Individuals who learn they were in close contact (defined by CDC as being within 6 feet of an infected person for at least 15 minutes starting from 48 hours before illness onset until the time the patient is isolated) should self-isolate for 14 days and report the situation to the Health and Wellness Center.
All University-sanctioned domestic travel can continue where social distancing guidelines can be followed and University funding allows.

PHASEOUT: RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATIONS

Phaseout Criteria

The state has continued to see stable or decreased transmission and has continued to progress in its recovery plan.
Local indicators of transmission continue to decrease and are at a minimal level in comparison to previous phases.
Clusters of cases are promptly identified, contained, and do not indicate community spread.
Local health systems can cope with the volume of current and potential cases.
Vaccinations or therapeutic treatments are available for prevention or treatment and have a measurable impact on disease activity and treatment options.

Phaseout Guidelines

Activities may return to normal.
All University-sanctioned travel can resume if university funding allows.
No restrictions are in place for any activities, but some limitations may be imposed on a case-by-case basis.
Very large gatherings (those with more than 300 people) are allowed on a case-by-case basis, depending on specific public health risk and local and state guidance.

CHANGING PHASES

The COVID-19 Task Force and the ATU Executive Council will determine the current operational phase of the framework. This phase will be announced to the community so that the appropriate guidelines can be implemented across the University. Wherever possible, moving from phase to phase will include a 48-hour notice to allow for individuals and departments to prepare.