Information for Faculty and Staff
The COVID-19 Task Force released a Campus Protection Guide that introduced three protection phases for campus operations. Oglethorpe is currently operating under the red phase, with campus being closed with limited exceptions and delivering fully remote instruction.
Additional details on 2021 plans will be made available as decisions are finalized.
Employee Access to Campus
Faculty and staff who are able to perform their duties remotely should continue to do so, to reduce the spread of COVID-19 on campus. Campus will only be open to those whose duties require access to campus. Faculty and staff authorized to work on campus are expected to update their Petrel Pass prior to the beginning of the semester. For questions regarding your Petrel Pass, please email petrelpass@oglethorpe.edu.
Faculty and staff returning to campus will be expected to observe the “Petrel Pause” from January 25 – February 22. During this time, you should refrain from participating in social gatherings and other high-risk activities, and strictly limit yourself to essential travel. This period accounts for the two weeks prior to the semester and the first two weeks of the semester. This period of enhanced social distancing is critical in reducing the risk of spread of COVID-19 among the campus community, as the beginning of the semester will be the highest risk period for uncontained spread. Faculty and staff working on campus will be tested for COVID-19 upon arriving to campus and will be tested on a reoccurring basis.
Faculty and staff will also be expected have received a flu vaccination prior to returning to campus and be required to participate in a daily self-health screening through the LifeguardRx mobile app. Details on registering and enrolling in LifeguardRx will be emailed.
The Petrel Pledge is a shared responsibility and commitment to the health and well-being of the Oglethorpe community.
The COVID-19 Handbook outlines the new protocols, policies, and procedures for a COVID-conscious campus environment. Members of the OU Community are expected to adhere to the handbook as part of their “Petrel Pledge.”
Continued physical distancing remains critical to prevent further spread of COVID-19. Zoom or Teams are the preferred method to conduct meetings (even one-on-one sessions) and facilitate group discussions. In-person meetings for essential employees must adhere to all campus protocols regarding masks, social distancing, and adherence to room occupancy limits.
Managers and supervisors will coordinate work schedules and activities to allow at least 6 feet of physical distance between employees, or between employees and other persons (i.e., contractors, visitors, etc.). This also applies to break rooms, conference rooms, and other spaces. For office settings such as cubicles or shared workspaces, distances of at least 6 feet between employees in the office is required at all times. Approved in-office employees will be responsible for cleaning and maintaining their individual workspaces, including desks, chairs and computer equipment.
Contact your case manager and healthinfo@oglethorpe.edu immediately. You will then follow CDC and COVID-19 Handbook guidelines to isolate for the appropriate period based on your case. As a general guideline, be prepared to switch to remote delivery at any point in the semester.
Contact your case manager and healthinfo@oglethorpe.edu immediately. You will then follow CDC and COVID-19 Handbook guidelines to isolate for the appropriate period based on your case. As a general guideline, be prepared to switch to remote delivery at any point in the semester.
Individuals who violate the policy will be given an opportunity to correct their behavior and may be required to attend training. Repeated acts of non-compliance will result in the individual’s removal from campus until compliance is achieved. Continued non-compliance may result in disciplinary action for faculty and staff up to and including separation from the university. Oglethorpe will utilize existing disciplinary action regulations and policies but hopes to achieve compliance through a culture in which everyone on campus is dedicated to protecting each other’s health and well-being.