Weekly COVID-19 Briefing 9/25/20

COVID-19 Testing Update

Residential student surveillance testing is proceeding well.  We have received questions from students why they are not able to schedule their testing out weeks in advance instead of responding to an invite the day before.  We are continually making adjustments to the testing schedule so that we are getting a good picture of what is happening on campus.  If we had a scenario where a student was placed in isolation, we could focus the testing invitation on those that may have been exposed to the student in areas such a classroom, at an event, or living on the same floor. Flexibility of schedule is key to being nimble to respond to conditions on campus.  If our schedule is already full, we would have a difficult time adapting to needs presented in the community.

So thank you, for your flexibility and your willingness to schedule the day before your testing window.  Your understanding and flexibility is helping us promote the health and safety of the entire ENC campus community.

To view the status of testing and recovery please visit the testing dash board at: https://enc.edu/covid-19-campus-testing/  The dash board is updated weekly.

Please note: We will be reducing the testing hours next week as we onboard a new member of the nursing team.  We plan to return to full hours of operation the following week.  We continue to work toward testing each student weekly, but with the reduced testing hours next week it will take longer to accomplish that goal. Thank you for your understanding.

Employee Accountability Measure for COVID Protocols

As was articulated to students last week, keeping our campus healthy is a community wide effort.  It is imperative that we are diligent in practicing the basic COVID-19 protocols of social distancing, wearing face coverings as directed, and completing our daily symptom screening.  To successfully reach our  goal of healthy in-person learning through Thanksgiving, we need total community participation of these specified protocols. Accountability measure similar to those for students are also in place for employees.  If employees cannot uphold these protocols, the accountability measures proceed as follows:

Employees violating these protocols or facilitating the violation of these protocols will held accountable in the following ways:

1. Coaching discussion with supervisor (1^st offense)
2. Issued a verbal warning that is documented by supervisor (2^nd offense)
3. Issued a formal written warning from Human Resources that will be placed in the individual’s employee file (3^rd offense)
4. Further disciplinary action may be taken up to and including termination of employment (4^th offense)

It is our desire that no employee fail to practice the basic health and safety protocols that we have put in place, but we are committed to follow-up with appropriate disciplinary action to protect the wellbeing of our fellow community members.

Traveling to High Risk Locations

Remember (students and employees) you should eliminate non-essential travel to high-risk states and international locations in compliance with the Governor’s Travel Order.

If you must travel to a high-risk state, you must notify residence life (complete the Travel Form – if a campus resident, including Young and Munro GAs and renters) or your supervisor (if an employee) of your trip so a re-entry plan can be established that complies with the Massachusetts Order.

Please note that a re-entry plan must be established prior to departure.  If you do not have a re-entry plan established do not return to campus and contact Health Services during regular business hours Monday-Friday at (617) 745-3893 to arrange your re-entry.

Not complying with the Massachusetts Travel Order could result in a $500 fine.

Online Resources

The College continues to maintain an active website with timely information related to COVID-19 and institutional response.  This informative site can be found at: https://enc.edu/fall-2020-reopening-plans/

Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire ENC family across the world as we navigate these trying times.  Above all we are grateful for a God who is present in our daily lives and who demonstrates to us how to love and live.

Blessings to you on behalf of the Emergency Response Team,

Jeffrey Kirksey
Vice President for Student Life and Campus Services

23 East Elm Avenue
Quincy, MA 02170-2999
www.enc.edu
617-745-3718