Return to Learn Update, July 8, 2020
Last week, we finalized our official procedures for notification when a student, employee or visitor to campus tests positive for the virus. The processes for all employees can be found at the Return to Learn website here. I encourage you to read through that information and become familiar with it.
It’s critical to note that individual privacy is a priority; no one is required or compelled to notify the University about a positive test. However, we hope that individuals will choose to notify us so that we can take the appropriate steps. Because COVID-19 is a public health issue, information is shared on a need-to-know basis. We will follow guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health in the event others need to be notified of a suspected or positive COVID-19 test result.
Please remember that each individual’s health status is a private matter, and no one should publicly declare someone else as sick. This includes NOT notifying classes, office colleagues, student clubs, teams, etc. unless there is specific guidance to do so. Supervisors and instructors do have the right to ask an employee or student to go home if COVID symptoms are present.
In other news related to Return to Learn:
• Q & A on ICE Guidance
The recent guidance from U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) about international students and instructional modes for fall has led to a lot of questions. The Global Education team hosted a question and answer sessions for faculty and staff via Zoom today and has another scheduled for later this week. The date and time, as well as the link to the Zoom meeting, are below:
Friday, July 10, 2020
3 p.m.-4 p.m. https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/91357621652
As always, all faculty and staff are encouraged to submit any questions about Return to Learn here. We will do our best to get back to you with answers as soon as possible.
