SU Announces COVID-19 Preparations

SALISBURY, MD---Salisbury University is making preparations as the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread in the state, nation and world.

“While we hope the impact of COVID-19 on our campus is minimal, we are following directives from the University System of Maryland (USM) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to take precautions and mitigate risk,” said SU President Charles Wight.

An SU COVID-19 Task Force is meeting regularly to coordinate SU’s response. Following USM guidance, SU is discouraging students, faculty and staff from national travel and strongly discouraging international travel. Those traveling to countries with any level of travel advisory issued by the CDC or U.S. Department of State will not be allowed on campus until 14 days have passed following their departure from those countries. According to the CDC, symptoms of COVID-19 may not appear for up to 14 days once the virus is contracted.

Earlier this week, the University recalled students studying abroad in Italy and South Korea, where U.S. Department of State travel advisories reached Level 3: Reconsider Travel, as is SU’s policy for any country designated Level 3 or higher. SU’s Center for International Education is working with students recalled from study abroad experiences to ensure opportunities to complete the credits they began overseas.

On campus, a heightened cleaning and sanitation regimen has been implemented, including the daily sanitation of all door knobs, hand rails and other commonly touched surfaces. SU also has purchased Protexus cordless electrostatic spraying devices for infection control. These will be used daily in Maggs Physical Activities Center and in Student Health Services, and placed into a rotation that also includes residence halls, as well as academic and administration buildings.

The University is discussing updates to its teleworking policy and investigating best practices for distance learning and online courses to allow classes and essential functions to continue should the campus need to shut down for an extended period, as has been done in other countries.

“¬If COVID-19 does pose enough of a threat in our area that members of the SU community are not able to gather in the same physical space to conduct regular activities, it is important that we have alternative systems in place,” said Wight.

“This virus has proven to be a challenge globally, but we cannot let it disrupt the education of thousands of students or the livelihoods of our faculty and staff. We also must consider how to best accommodate our international students, some of whom may not be able to return home immediately.”

For now, most academic and extracurricular activities will continue as scheduled as the University keeps monitoring the virus’ progression. A new SU COVID-19 webpage provides a one-stop resource for information about SU’s preparation and the virus, in general.

Currently, no members of the SU community have been diagnosed with COVID-19. In January, Student Health Services launched a campus-wide educational campaign to provide basic tips for guarding against that virus, as well as seasonal influenza:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol. (Hand sanitizing stations are located in all campus academic, residential and administration buildings.)
• Avoid contact with those who are ill, if possible.
• Clean high-touch surfaces in your room and/or office with anti-bacterial cleaner. (Bleach wipes are very good.)
• Cough into a sleeve or a tissue, not directly into hands, and wash hands immediately.
• Avoid touching the face.
• Avoid sharing food, utensils, cups and water bottles.
• Get a flu shot.

These precautions are recommended not only to help protect members of the SU and greater communities, but also their fellow students and co-workers.

“Together, we are our own best source of prevention,” said Wight.

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU website.