Committment to Your Health & Safety

Beyond the standard daily cleaning schedule, SSC Custodial Staff have implemented a daily disinfecting schedule and are using EPA-approved virucides. High-traffic areas such as elevators and community bathrooms are cleaned at least 2 times per day. Common touch points such as elevator buttons, light switches, handrails, and faucets are being disinfected frequently.

Hand sanitizer, as available, will be located at our information desks and other high traffic areas.

Signage throughout our residence halls, and common areas will remind our residents to maintain appropriate physical distancing and to follow all other recommended guidelines for maintaining the health and safety of our campus community.

In preparation for fall, SSC is taking the opportunity to deep clean our buildings while the majority of students are away from campus.

Common spaces, game rooms and other learning centers have been re-configured to allow for physical distancing and also have enhanced cleaning protocols.

Staff have been working diligently with campus health professionals to refine protocols for dealing with sick and well students should the need arise. Those plans will be made available publicly in outline form and are based on the best public health practices.

Safety Measures Taking Place

With the most up-to-date understanding of COVID transmission in hand, we have built a plan to mitigate the relative risk on campus through multiple, overlapping phases.

Before you show up:

Campus is being deep cleaned and prepared for a reconfigured classroom experience.
COVID-19 Training is required for students through the University.
All students will be certifying their status as COVID19 free/recovered.
- Personal attestment to physical distancing practices.
- Testing done privately before arrival to campus or as part of specific programs.
- Observance of self-isolation in the two weeks prior to coming to campus.
Students are able to choose their own roommates and suitemates. Through matching and requests, students are able to choose roommates and suitemates who they trust and with whom they can communicate and operate.
Roommate Contracts guide students in conversations certifying shared understanding and observance of protocols for safety. Students will be accountable to each other for safe behavior.

When you arrive:

There is a phased move-in to campus, with halls available for item drop-off a month before the beginning of school and full move-in available 24 hours before scheduled events.
- No more than 25 persons will be arriving through the three residence hall desks over a four hour period of time
- Limited-touch check-in with keys made in advance and given to students upon arrival
- Students asked to limit help to 1 or 2 persons to move in
- Mask rule in-place
- Spaced usage of elevators (one family per elevator ride)
Reduced sizes of Salt Camps/Howdy Week

When you are here:

By observing the following guidelines, we are assuming any given student may arrive with asymptomatic infections. As such, the guidelines from move in reflect the intent to enforce a soft quarantine by room/suitemate groups through a window that would limit any spread.

Limited or no visitation through the beginning of the semester
- Overnight guests will not be allowed for the semester.
- Only floor members allowed onto each floor/wing.
- Exceptions must be approved by Housing Staff in writing after move-in.
- *Visitation rules will be evaluated at regular intervals with the intent to relax them if conditions in the community allow it.
Limited or closed common areas
- 25% capacity on study areas and all work-out equipment closed down.
- Kitchenettes and Galley available by reservation and limited to room/suites only.
Enforcement of mask rule (if you are not in your room, you are expected to be wearing a mask or face covering.)
Programming on campus will be robust, and with in-person elements observing physical distancing. Online options will be offered alongside most programs and whenever possible. This allows us to offer an even more creative and diverse slate of programming for community building and enrichment (Curricular Approach) that makes up the essence of the Aggie Experience.
- Virtual desk/office hours: students can meet with CL&L staff from their rooms or homes
- Many basic services have gone online.
  - Online work orders: if your lightbulb goes out, you can submit a work order through your phone and skip the front desk visit.
  - Internet/Cable help: 100% available online through text, tweet, email or phone
- Virtual floor members: students unable to participate in the physical elements of living on campus will have the opportunity to participate virtually as a member of each floor -with access to floor meetings, community meetings and any programming with a virtual component.
- Virtual One-on-Ones Chats: intentional interactions and mentoring with the floor’s Community Leader.
Contact Tracing
- After hours access to buildings on campus now requires residents to use their card access at external entrances.
- Through use of our all digital access control system, entry through doors to the building, hallway, and student room is tracked for a period of time.
- All campus events outside of the Residence Halls will make use of tracing through the TAMUG App already in use.
  - QR codes will be placed at each seat or area.
  - Students will check-in and check-out via the QR code reader in the app.
Monitoring and testing
- Continuous certification of health by students: Students will periodically take temperature and check in to observe for symptoms and general health
- Robust partnership with UTMB where students can make appointments, get medical assistance and testing if needed.
- Best practices and updates will be continuously assessed and implemented where appropriate to improve upon environmental safety.

Response to Exposure

If an On-Campus Resident Tests Positive for Covid-19 or is Considered a “Close Contact”:

On-campus residents should inform their hall staff as soon as they are aware they have tested positive for COVID-19 or are considered a “close contact” and are required to self-isolate. On-campus residents should also self report their health status using the COVID-19 Report Form.

On-campus residents will follow the same healthcare guidelines as published by the University including any requirements to self-isolate for a designated period of time per CDC, university, and Galveston County Health District guidance.

On-campus residents who test positive for Covid-19 must complete required self-isolation at one of the following:

an off-campus location
at home with parents/guardians
a temporary designated isolation room on campus

Non-infected “close contact” roommate(s) of an on-campus resident who tests positive for Covid-19 must complete required self-isolation at one of the following:

their permanent assigned on-campus room
an off-campus location
at home with parents/guardians
a temporary designated isolation room on campus

On-campus residents determined to be a “close contact” by healthcare providers or a contact tracing team must complete required self-isolation at one of the following:

their permanent assigned on-campus room
an off-campus location
at home with parents/guardians
a temporary designated isolation room on campus

SSC will clean and disinfect the permanent room assignment where a student testing positive for COVID-19 has been living unless the residents of the room/suite/apartment object to SSC entering the space to clean and disinfect.

Dining Services is able to provide food delivery as needed to students who are self-isolating.

Campus Living & Learning staff will conduct daily welfare checks on isolating students during their entire isolation period and provide information and assistance where needed.