Faculty and Staff - May 1, 2020
Dear Colleagues,
The first of May, traditionally known as May Day, is often a time of celebration of
the arrival of spring. I understand there was at Winthrop an annual May Day Celebration
begun in 1929 and popular throughout the institution’s years as a women’s college.
For us, May 1, 2020, will be a cause for celebration of another sort – surviving our
seventh (can you believe it?) week away from campus! It is hard to imagine, but another
month of working remotely has begun, and it is a good time to review how Winthrop
is following appropriate guidelines for the health and safety of our campus community.
As you know, the campus is closed until further notice due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, only employees who have been approved to work on campus based on the
essential nature of their jobs are allowed to be working on campus. Other employees
may be approved to briefly come to campus to retrieve items, but in these very limited
situations, approval must be obtained from the divisional vice president or the provost.
It is vitally important that we know who has been on campus and when/where they were.
I expect any employee who comes to campus to be respectful of others and practice
recommended guidelines for the health, safety, and comfort-level of the entire campus
community, but especially for those employees who may have no other choice but to
report to work. To the extent we can, we want to take all appropriate measures to
prevent the potential spread of the virus.
To that end, while on campus, all employees must adhere to the following requirements
that align with the guidelines published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
- Wear protective face masks at all times, except when the employee is working alone
in a private office. Specifically, face masks must be worn when the employee leaves their private work
space and when interacting with coworkers. Winthrop’s supply of face masks is very
limited. Currently Winthrop is supplying face masks for facilities employees based
on CDC guidelines for employees in certain professions. All other employees are required
to wear face masks and to follow the CDC guidelines for the proper use, care, cleaning,
and disposal of face masks. Winthrop has ordered additional face masks, and employees
will be notified when/if they become available for more widespread distribution.
- Follow the CDC protocol for social distancing and self-care.
- CDC Protocol for Social Distancing
- Stay at least 6 feet from other people
- Do not gather in groups
- Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings
- CDC Protocol for Self-Care
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially
important after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; going into the bathroom;
and before eating or preparing food.
- Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer
with at least 60% alcohol, covering all surfaces of your hands and rubbing them together
until they feel dry.
- Soap and water are the best option, especially if hands are visibly dirty.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- There is not a strong recommendation from the CDC that wearing gloves is necessary
while at work (other than for certain facilities employees and for healthcare workers).
However, wearing gloves may provide employees with an additional level of comfort
with regard to exposure. So, while wearing gloves is not a requirement, employees
may do so at their own discretion.
- To the extent possible, employees must avoid close contact with any other employee
or individual while on campus. The CDC definition of “close contact” includes being within 6 feet of another person
for 10 minutes.
- Keep track of physical contact. Employees who are on Winthrop’s campus must be able to provide information regarding
their physical location while they were on campus. In addition, employees must be
able to provide a list of individuals with whom the employee was in close contact
with and a list of individuals with whom the employee was in the vicinity of (interaction
with, but does not meet the definition of “close contact”) while working on campus.
This information will be used to notify others if the employee either suspects they
have been exposed to or has tested positive for COVID-19, and it will be requested
only if the need arises.
- EMPLOYEES MAY NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, BRING CHILDREN TO CAMPUS.
I think you will agree that these requirements are the least we can do as a campus
community that cares about and values each member. I personally appreciate the attention
you will pay to following these requirements if you have to be on campus for any reason.
If you have questions or concerns about these expectations, please let me know. Thank
you for all you are doing for Winthrop during difficult times!
Sincerely,
George
George W. Hynd
Interim President