COVID-19 Response Update | June 12, 2020

TO: The Gustavus Community
FROM: COVID-19 Response Leadership Team
SUBJECT: COVID-19 Response Update
DATE: June 12, 2020

This week, the College’s 12 COVID-19 Action Teams are completing the first draft of their preliminary recommendations for how to safely welcome students back to campus, which will be delivered to the COVID-19 Response Leadership Team and President’s Cabinet early next week.

In preparation for welcoming students and staff back to campus this fall, the COVID-19 teams have developed safety phases that will determine what expectations and procedures the College puts into place to help ensure the safety of our community members. These guidelines were developed using emerging best practices and guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health for institutions of higher education.

Please see the safety phases document (sent via email to students, faculty, and staff) for a high-level overview of our phased approach and the gating criteria that will dictate how the College decides when to elevate or reduce what phase we are in. For each of the color-coded phases, requirements will exist for things like mask use, social distancing, gathering size, etc. At this time, the College anticipates opening in “Phase Orange,” though the COVID-19 Leadership Team and President’s Cabinet will continue monitoring conditions and guidelines throughout the summer and make adjustments as necessary.

Next week, the COVID-19 Leadership Team and President’s Cabinet will review preliminary recommendations from the action teams. Details on the fall opening plan will be available to students, parents, and employees in early July.

If you have any questions, please contact the chair of the appropriate action team or email g-covidresponse@gustavus.edu.