COVID Restart Plan
Submitted to the State of New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education on August 18, 2020
Pillar College Restart Plan. Submitted to the State of New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education on August 18, 2020
General Safeguarding
The Pillar College safeguards include but are not limited to cleaning and sanitization; requiring face coverings; maintaining adequate supplies, such as personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies; requiring individuals to engage in social distancing practices at all times; and training students, staff, and faculty regarding COVID-19 sanitization and social distancing practices and protocols.
Stage 1: The following protocols and practices are implemented on campus:
- No staff, faculty, or students allowed on campus – Employees will work remotely, Faculty and Students will engage and participate in classes remotely.
Stage 2: The following protocols and practices are implemented on campus:
- Requiring face coverings: All staff, faculty, and students are required to have face coverings while indoor in shared spaces and outside when social distancing is not possible. Signage will be posted at all entry points and throughout the campus regarding this requirement. Proper-use guidelines are communicated to staff and students as updates occur. Enforcement and penalties for non-compliance by on-campus individuals are in place.
- Maintaining adequate supplies, such as personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning supplies: All campus operation staff members will keep stocked and on-hand all recommended products (such as soap, alcohol-based hand hygiene products, cleaning and disinfectant supplies, tissues and receptacles for their disposal). Products will be available on all floors throughout the campus, students, staff, and visitors will be required to ensure social distancing and we have asked that no bodily contact should be made. Hand sanitizer will be made available at all entry points, along with a non-contact temperature reading device. Staff, students, and faculty are required to wash their hands per the guidelines provided by the CDC (www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html
- We are requiring individuals to engage in social distancing practices at all times: Department leaders have been asked to work with HR and Operations to reduce the number of employees onsite within their specific department at a time to ensure social distancing standards of six feet apart. All staff and faculty will be on an A/B schedule (A schedule staff and faculty: on campus Monday and Wednesday, work remotely on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday – B schedule staff and faculty: on campus Tuesday and Thursday, work remotely on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) with all departments will follow this protocol. Employees are reminded often to maintain social distance through official communications, department meetings, and campus signage.
- Administrative controls that are in place include reducing class and meeting size; remotely delivering the majority of academic classes; meeting virtually whenever possible; and allowing identified employees to telecommute. Certain seating is closed to maintain proper social distancing, and markings are placed on floors where people routinely wait or queue in line. Physical barriers are installed, and offices are rearranged as needed. Students and staff are required to sign an acknowledgment form and agree to follow all safety measures.
- Training students, staff, and faculty regarding COVID-19 sanitization and social distancing practices and protocols: Essential employees receive training on PPE use and proper cleaning and disinfecting techniques, as well as COVID-19 training, from Pillar College Operations Staff. All employees and students returning to campus are required to complete training with detailed campus safety protocols and expectations, which includes signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and ways to protect themselves and others and to ensure a safe campus.
- Cleaning and sanitization: An enhanced cleaning protocol and schedule is in place since there are more individuals on campus. This applies to public bathrooms and spaces, all in-use classrooms and meeting rooms, and high-touch areas throughout campus. (Computer labs, the Library, and other common spaces remain closed.)
- Sanitizing wipes are available in all appropriate locations including classrooms/labs, meeting rooms, and offices. On-campus employees are directed to clean and sanitize their workspaces regularly. Cleaning logs are maintained and posted.
Stage 3: Stage 2 protocols and practices are followed, and additional procedures to be implemented on campus include the following:
- Cleaning and Sanitization: Library terminal and computer lab workstation users are encouraged to wipe down keyboards before and after use with College-provided sanitizing wipes. Cleaning logs are maintained and posted.
- Requiring face coverings: No additional protocols or practices are needed – follow Stage 2 specifications.
- Maintaining adequate supplies, such as PPE and cleaning supplies: No additional protocols or practices are needed – follow Stage 2 specifications.
- Requiring individuals to engage in social distancing practices at all times: No additional protocols or practices are needed – follow Stage 2 specifications.
- Training students, staff, and faculty regarding COVID-19 sanitization and social distancing practices and protocols: No additional protocols or practices are needed
SCREENING, TESTING, AND CONTACT TRACING PROTOCOLS
Relevant components of Pillar College Restart Plan are shared with members of the Essex, Union and Middlesex County Health Commission to ensure compliance with public health measures and collaboration with our local health department. As public health guidance and changes in the rate of presence of COVID-19 in the local area occur, the College may revise portions of this Plan.
Screening Protocols
Stage 1: The following protocols and practices are implemented on campus:
- No staff, faculty, or students allowed on campus – Employees will work remotely, Faculty and Students will engage and participate in classes remotely.
Stage 2 and 3: The following protocols and practices are implemented on campus:
- The completion of daily online self-screening forms will be required by everyone visiting or working on-campus before gaining access to services and resources.
- Each student, faculty, staff, and visitor will be required to have a daily temperature screening on campus in conjunction with the completion of the screening forms. Follow-up will occur with respondents who report symptoms and with those who fail to respond to the survey by the established deadline each week.
- Individuals who are not feeling well, are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, or have had direct exposure to someone who tested positive are directed to stay off-campus and immediately inform their supervisor and Human Resources (employees) or Health Services (students). Symptomatic individuals stay home and seek appropriate medical care, including testing for the virus if indicated. Those who have been exposed to someone who tested positive are advised to self-quarantine and consult with their personal medical provider.
- Staff will be notified of protocols during monthly staff meetings before returning to work.
- Students will be notified via email, and protocols will be posted on the college’s website under the “Pillar College COVID-19 Updates” page.
Testing Protocols
Stage 1: The following protocols and practices are implemented on campus:
- No staff, faculty, or students allowed on campus – Employees will work remotely, Faculty and Students will engage and participate in classes remotely.
Stage 2 and 3: The following protocols and practices are implemented on campus:
- Daily non-touch electronic temperature screening will available and required upon entry to the campus by staff, faculty, and students. We continue to encourage staff and students who are sick or who have had close contact with a person with COVID-19 to stay home.
- If in the case that someone becomes ill and shows symptoms related to Covid-19, that person is required to leave campus immediately and encouraged to seek their personal primary care provider. If Health Services is closed for any reason, students will be directed to the following resources: local urgent care facilities, United Health Care Physician Hotline, Health Services Telehealth. We will notify local health officials if a person diagnosed with COVID-19 has been in the facility and communicate with staff, faculty, and students about potential exposure while maintaining confidentiality as required. We will advise those with exposure to a person diagnosed with COVID-19 to stay home and self-monitor for symptoms and follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
- We will implement flexible sick leave and related flexible policies and practices for staff (e.g., allow work from home, if feasible), and provide requested reasonable accommodation absent undue hardship to individuals with disabilities.
Contact Tracing Protocols
Stage 1: The following protocols and practices are implemented on campus:
- No staff, faculty, or students allowed on campus – Employees will work remotely, Faculty and Students will engage and participate in classes remotely.
Stage 2 and 3: The following protocols and practices are implemented on campus:
- Daily tracking of Students, Faculty, Staff, and Visitors will be implemented via contact tracing forms that will require upon entry each day onto the campus.
- Daily tracking of space utilization will be implemented and required by all departments.
- The Pillar College Emergency Response Team will assist the Health Department by identifying how to reach impacted individuals. Supervisors of all College employees will oversee their work attendance. Faculty will maintain attendance records of their students who are attending face-to-face classes on campus.
- All individuals who are on campus are instructed to pay particular attention to their surroundings and those they come in contact with, in order to make any needed contact tracing efforts as effective as possible. The Newark Department of Health Services coordinates with Pillar College Emergency Response Team any off-campus contact tracing related to anyone who tested positive for COVID-19 and has worked on or physically visited the campus.
Instruction
Although the COVID-19 pandemic required institutions to suddenly transition to distance learning modalities, the College recognizes that students and graduates must learn to navigate successfully in the ever-expanding digital environment to achieve post-graduate success in the workplace.
All courses regardless of the current stage will be supported by Blackboard Ultra, a robust learning management system (LMS) that will be implemented in Pillar’s 15-week programs by August 28, and fully implemented across all programs by October 8. All teaching faculty and adjuncts will be trained on the Blackboard system prior to starting instruction. Additionally, all students will receive an introduction to navigation on Blackboard at orientation.
In-Person Courses and Social Distancing and Other General Safeguarding Measures For Classrooms
Stage 1: There are no in-person classes held on campus.
- All instruction is online through these delivery models:
- Online SYNC: A fully online instructional delivery with synchronous class sessions scheduled weekly for either 5-week (accelerated)or 8-week modules.
- Online ASYNC A fully online instructional delivery without scheduled class sessions and where students pursue their work independently in 8-week modules.
- There are no in-person classes taught on campus while in Stage 1.
Stage 2: The following accommodations are in place:
- Online SYNC and Online ASYNC delivery models remain available for classes where faculty are immunocompromised or at-risk for COVID-19.
Prior to resuming in-person instruction, all staff, faculty, students, and participants must complete a virtual orientation regarding the institution’s safeguarding policies and procedures. Participant attendance will be documented and filed accordingly for tracking purposes: Staff and faculty training will be documented with the Human Resource Department. Student training documentation will be filed with the institutions’ Student Information System – CampusVue.
- A limited number of courses will be offered in the Hybrid Flex delivery model where faculty are willing to teach onsite. In all cases, students will have the option to remain in remote learning.
- _*Hybrid Flex* – _**A delivery modality where classes meet face-to-face with socially distanced groups of students at one of Pillar’s campuses or instructional sites and simultaneously stream content online to classmates attending remotely.The following steps are implemented to ensure that Hybrid-Flex classrooms are in compliance with social distancing guidelines and other health and safety regulations:
- All participants of in-person instruction including students, faculty, and campus staff are required to complete a virtual orientation outlining the safeguarding requirements, protocols, and screening measures prior to arriving on site
- In-person enrollment is limited to the maximum number of allowable occupancies under the current guidelines.
- Chairs/desks are positioned at least 6 feet away from each other with all unused furnishings removed from the room.
- Face coverings are required indoors at all times and in any outdoor spaces where 6 feet social distancing is not possible.
- Sanitizing and handwashing stations are available in every classroom, reception area, and student lounge spaces
- All furniture used in the classroom will be wiped down by campus staff personnel prior to class start and after each class is dismissed.
- Attendance is taken at every in-person class for contact tracing, as needed.
In all cases, faculty and students who present COVID19 symptoms or a positive diagnosis must not participate in on-campus instruction. Engagement in the classroom through streaming content online is the recommended accommodation for students to maintain participation in the coursework.
Stage 3: The same guidelines outlined for Stage 2 remain in effect but applied on a large scale to match the maximum occupancy restrictions allowed in Stage 3.
Accommodating Immunocompromised, or At High-Risk For COVID-19, or Have Received A Positive Diagnosis Of COVID-19, and Are Unable To Attend Classes In-Person
The integration of technology will be incorporated in every course at Pillar College. Faculty and students who are immunocompromised, or at high-risk for COVID-19, or have received a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 and are thus unable to attend classes in-person will have the option to continue coursework via remote learning.
Stage 1:
- All instruction is offered online and therefore faculty and students who are immunocompromised have the opportunity to participate in learning activities remotely. Students who have received a positive diagnosis of Covid-19 are accommodated by allowing extended time to complete coursework.
Stage 2: The following accommodations are in place:
- Faculty who are immunocompromised or at high-risk for COVID-19 are approved to teach remotely through virtual or online classes and will not be required to report to campus.
- Students who are immunocompromised, or at high-risk for COVID-19, or prefer the remote learning experience may do so by notifying the Registrar’s Office.
- Hybrid-flex courses offer a combination of in-person and online participation. Classrooms that accommodate the hybrid-flex modality will be equipped with large-screen HD TV with a high-definition camera that enables a visual interface with the instructor, online students, and students in the classroom and has a view of the whiteboard and/or monitors that display visual presentations for learning. Additionally, all class sessions will be video recorded and available for playback for any students who were unable to participate in the live class session.
Stage 3:
- The same guidelines outlined for Stage 2 remain in effect but applied on a large scale to match the maximum occupancy restrictions allowed in Stage 3.
Ensuring High-Touch Areas and Shared Surfaces In Classrooms Are Cleaned and Sanitized After Every Use
Stage 1:
- N/A as all instruction is remote and no activities are offered onsite.
Stage 2 and 3: The following protocols are in place:
- Virtual orientations are required for all staff, faculty, and students prior to returning on-site to campus or instructional site. The orientation will train attendees on the required protocols for sanitizing furniture, equipment, and entrances/exits.
- Campus operations staff will ensure that each location is fully stocked with sanitizing materials for each check-in-area and classroom
- Signage will be posted at entrances and in each classroom outlining the protocols for safeguarding practices.
- Faculty and students will be instructed on wipe-down protocols at the beginning and end of each class.
On-Campus Residential Housing
- Pillar College is a commuter-based institution and as such does not offer residential housing or related services.
Libraries and Computer Labs
(and other facilities as needed)
Operating the Computer Labs and Library
Stage 1:
- All Pillar College libraries and computer labs are closed. All research services and academic resources are available remotely through online servicing. Pillar Staff work remotely from home and connect via the internet to meet with students virtually, or support students by email or phone.
- Students without access to computer devices are directed to the IT department for a possible loaned device such as a laptop or chrome book (pending availability).
Stage 2 and 3:
Prior to resuming in-person access to the Library or computer labs, all staff, faculty, students, and participants must complete a virtual orientation regarding the institution’s safeguarding policies and procedures. Participant attendance will be documented and filed accordingly for tracking purposes: Staff and faculty training will be documented with the Human Resource Department. Student training documentation will be filed with the institutions’ Student Information System – CampusVue.
- Computer labs and libraries operate during posted hours. Employees will be required to wear protective face coverings at all times. Adherence to occupancy restrictions will be strictly observed with stations positioned with at least six feet distance between each station.
- Faculty and students will be required to make appointments for in-person visits to labs or libraries. If capacity is reached in the space, lab staff will create a waitlist and direct individuals to a safe room or waiting area and will be notified when entry is available. The Resource Coordinator will monitor the safe room and waiting areas to ensure that occupancy does not exceed maximum in-person limits.
- Students must schedule appointments for curbside pickup of instruction materials and must wear protective face coverings and maintain 6 feet social distancing.
- A survey will be administered to every new or returning student to determine accessibility to devices and the internet. Students who demonstrate a need for either or both will be instructed on protocols for utilizing a computer lab, including scheduling appointments. In all cases, students will be encouraged to utilize remote services so as to limit the necessity of accessing information resources on campus.
Social Distancing Measures and Cleaning Protocols in The Computer Lab and Library
Stage 1:
- The Campus Library and computer labs are closed and unable to be accessed in person.
Stage 2 and 3:
- Computer labs and libraries operate during posted hours. Employees will be required to wear protective face coverings at all times. Adherence to occupancy restrictions will be strictly observed with stations positioned with at least six feet distance between each station.
- Computer labs and libraries will only offer seating to accommodate the maximum in-person limit for indoor gatherings. Desks and chairs will be spaced 6 feet apart with all extra furniture removed.
- Academic Resource Staff will be provided cleaning and sanitation materials and will be trained and required to wipe down desks, devices, and furniture within the lab or library before and after each use.
Occupancy Restrictions for The Computer Lab and Library
Stage 1:
- Library and computer labs remain closed with no options for occupancy of facilities.
Stage 2 and 3:
- Computer labs and libraries will only offer seating to accommodate the maximum in-person limit for indoor gatherings. Desks and chairs will be spaced 6 feet apart with all extra furniture removed. All students and guests will be required to check in at designated reception areas. The receptionist and academic resource center staff will maintain communication regarding occupancy limits and if the limit is reached, the receptionist will direct any overflow students to a designated, social-distanced waiting area.
- Advanced appointments will also be encouraged with time slots that adhere to the occupancy limits of the lab and library.
Student Services
Pillar College identifies the following units as Student Services for the purpose of this plan:
- Admissions
- Career Services
- Enrollment Services
- Financial Aid
- Student Accounts
- Student Events (including clubs and social activities)
- Student Service Center
- Registrar’s Office
The Institution’s Plan for Student Services
Stage 1:
All student services are delivered remotely via email, phone, and virtual individual appointments, and virtual group meetings. No face-to-face meetings or on-campus sessions are conducted.
Stage 2 and 3:
Student Services continue remote delivery and students are encouraged to utilize the following channels as the primary means for accessing service: email, phone, and virtual appointments.
Prior to resuming in-person access to student services, all staff, faculty, students, and participants must complete a virtual orientation regarding the institution’s safeguarding policies and procedures. Participant attendance will be documented and filed accordingly for tracking purposes: Staff and faculty training will be documented with the Human Resource Department. Student training documentation will be filed with the institutions’ Student Information System – CampusVue.
When campus facilities are prepared for reopening with general safeguarding equipment and screening in place, requests for in-person services will be scheduled by appointment request.
Student club and social activities will be hosted in large spaces on campus or outdoors to facilitate 6 feet social distancing. Participants must wear masks indoors at all times, and outdoors if social distancing is not possible. All participants will be required to check-in at designated entrance stations for screening and acknowledgment of all required protocols.
Student Service Plan for Reducing In-person Interactions and Safeguarding Measures
Stage 1:
All student services are delivered remotely via email, phone, and virtual individual appointments, and virtual group meetings. No face-to-face meetings or on-campus sessions are conducted.
Stage 2 and 3:
Student Services continue remote delivery and students are encouraged to utilize the following channels as the primary means for accessing service: email, phone, and virtual appointments.
Seating in service center areas will only accommodate the maximum in-person limit for indoor gatherings. Desks and chairs will be spaced 6 feet apart with all extra furniture removed. All students and guests will be required to check-in at designated reception areas. The receptionist and student center staff will maintain communication regarding occupancy limits and if the limit is reached, the receptionist will direct any overflow students to a designated, social-distanced waiting area.
Employees and students must wear masks indoors at all times. All students will be required to check-in at designated entrance stations for screening and acknowledgment of all required protocols.
Student Service Accommodations For Students, Staff, and Faculty Who Are Immunocompromised, Or Otherwise In an At-Risk Category.
Stage 1, 2 and 3:
All student services are accessible for removal delivery via email, phone, and virtual individual appointments and virtual group meetings via Zoom, Blackboard Collaborate, Google Hangouts, Microsoft Teams, and many other virtual meeting applications.
Transportation
- Pillar College does not provide transportation services to the college community.
Dining
Stage 1:
- All staff, faculty, and students are remote, all campuses are closed.
Stage 2 and 3:
- Pillar College does not provide dining services to the college community. The Somerset Campus café which typically provides snack and beverage items will continue to offer only pre-packaged snack items, much as would be found in a vending machine.
Study Abroad and International Travel
Stage 1 – 3:
- Due to travel restrictions and complications of Covid-19, Pillar College is suspending all programs that involve international travel for its students, faculty, and staff for the academic year 2020-2021.
- A notice of the cancellation of travel abroad programs will be posted on the College Global Learning Experience webpage.
Athletics
Pillar College does not offer any first-tier level sports programs such as those that are sanctioned by one of the collegiate sport governing bodies (e.g. NCAA, NJCAA).
Stage 1 -3:
- Pillar College’s second-tier intramural and recreational sports clubs will be suspended for the Fall 2020 Semester.
Additional Information
- Student engagement activities are at the heart of student life experiences at Pillar College. Online, social media and interactive tools will be utilized extensively to keep the community creatively connected, and robust student services will continue to be available both on-campus and online to offer ongoing support for all types of needs throughout the semester.
Policy Directors
The Policy Directors shall determine all campus-wide policy matters as they relate to the campus emergency or disaster. All decisions, which reference campus evacuations, campus closure or restrictions, postponements and resumptions, and special circumstance personnel policies, are the responsibility of the Policy Directors in consultation with the Emergency Response Team members. Policy Directors shall maintain liaison with the College’s Board of Trustees.
The Policy Directors shall be comprised of the following individuals:
- President
- Chief Operating Officer
- Vice President of Business Development and Operations
- Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Engagement
- Vice President of Institutional Outreach and Marketing
- Campus Director
Emergency Response Team (ERT)
The Emergency Response Team (ERT) shall serve in a direct support capacity to the Policy Directors. The Emergency Response Team (ERT) shall include, but is not limited to the following individuals:
- Chief Operating Office
- Vice President of Business Development and Operations
- Campus Director and Manager
- Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Engagement
- Vice President of Institutional Outreach and Marketing
- Director of Information Technology
Life at Pillar
COVID Restart Plan
