Meredith COVID-19 Updates for May 13, 2020

This news roundup will be a regular feature in Campus Connections until the College resumes its typical face-to-face teaching and working schedule. Items are either of interest to faculty/staff or on topics about which students may ask questions.

On May 5, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper announced plans to modify the state’s stay-at-home order and begin Phase 1 of a reopening plan, effective at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 8 through May 22, 2020.

Meredith’s Incident Response team has been working on a phased reopening timeline for the College, with the ongoing health, safety and well-being of our community as our top priority.

In light of Governor Cooper’s executive order and his decision to ease restrictions across the state, we wanted to provide some details on what you can expect at Meredith from May 11 through May 22.

The following protocols, which are in keeping with CDC guidelines and NC Phase 1 orders, will be in effect at Meredith from May 11 through May 22:

• Employees already working remotely should continue to do so to the extent possible for the next two weeks to allow housekeeping and facilities to continue preparing the campus for a gradual re-opening. Individual departments should use this time to finalize plans for reopening office spaces with rotating schedules and social distancing protocols in place.
• Some College facilities are being readied for reopening during this timeframe on a limited basis with new access and use protocols.
• As previously announced, Summer School will remain online for all sessions.
• Residential students should continue moving out according to the times scheduled through the Residence Life office.
• The Faircloth gate will remain closed, and individuals should continue to check in at the gatehouse with Meredith or another form of ID before coming onto campus.
• Members of the Class of 2020 will be able to schedule appointments through Campus Events for individual, outdoor photo shoots as long as social distance is maintained between the graduate and photographer. No group shots are allowed at this time.

The College’s full reopening plan will be shared in the coming weeks. If you have specific questions about your work arrangements between today and May 22, please contact your supervisor.

Academic Ad Hoc Working Group: This ad hoc group was formed by the provost to help plan for the fall semester. Members are Laura Davidson, Shelly McMahon, Kristin Watkins (Academic Council vice chair),  Beth Mulvaney (current Faculty Council chair), Jim Waddelow (incoming Faculty Council chair), Kelly Wilder, Ned Robinson, Lori Brown, Monica McKinney, Francie Cuffney, Cindy Edwards, and Alex Davis. The group will recommend scenarios to campus leadership by June 15.

For more updates on Meredith’s response to COVID-19, visit the coronavirus information section of meredith.edu, which includes key points, regularly updated FAQs, an archive of community messages, and more. Visit the site at meredith.edu/coronavirus.