REDHAWKS REUNITED
Health and Safety Plan for La Roche University (Updated 08/11/22)
INTRODUCTION
For 2022-23 academic year, La Roche University will continue to adhere to COVID-19 safety measures that align with guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and the Allegheny County Health Department.
This plan details key aspects of La Roche’s on-campus learning and operations effective Aug. 22, 2022.
Updates to this plan are ongoing and will be noted.
VACCINATION REQUIREMENT
Based on guidance from state and federal public health authorities, La Roche will require all enrolled student-athletes and resident students to be vaccinated for COVID-19, effective this fall semester.
The University will accept medical and religious exemptions, including ethical and moral beliefs. Resident students and athletes who want to file an exemption must submit their waivers before the start of the semester. Visit my.laroche.edu/housingportal to complete and submit your exemption form.
While not required for commuters, we strongly encourage all students to be vaccinated for COVID-19. Please consider getting vaccinated before the Fall 2022 semester. Once you are vaccinated, please show proof of immunization by uploading your COVID-19 Vaccination Card to this secure site on the La Roche intranet. This information will help the University determine the vaccination rate on campus.
For unvaccinated students who test positive, all associated costs such as for testing, quarantine and/or isolation and medical treatment will be their sole responsibility. Students who must leave prior to the end of semester due to COVID-19 sickness, and who have not provided the University proof of vaccination, will not be eligible for refunds on housing and dining fees.
For Resident Students
In order to provide proof of your COVID-19 vaccine, you must submit a photo of your Vaccination Card to the Housing Portal. Follow the instructions below:
- Visit my.laroche.edu/housingportal.
- Log in to your housing Self Service with your University username and password.
- Select Applications on the left side of the screen.
- Click COVID-19 Vaccination Record (Fall 2022).*
- The website will prompt you to sign a COVID-19 vaccination acknowledgement form. You also will need to answer a series of questions.
- Upload the photo of your Vaccination Card using this file name: COVID_19_Vaccine_Card.
- Click Submit.
*If you do not see the COVID-19 Vaccination Record (Fall 2022) option on your Self Service screen, or if you have any additional questions, please contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life: 412-536-1195 or reslife2@laroche.edu.
Contact the Student IT Help Desk at 412-847-2300 if you do not know your La Roche log-in credentials.
For Commuters
In order to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccine, commuter students must upload a photo of their own Vaccination Card via the form to this secure page on the La Roche intranet.
MONITORING AND SURVEILLANCE
As the pandemic continues to shift due to new variants, monitoring and surveillance are crucial to the health and safety of our campus community.
Students, faculty and staff who develop COVID-19 symptoms will be referred to their primary health care provider as appropriate to discuss options for testing and necessary treatment. Centralized outpatient testing is offered at various UPMC locations. The UPMC Southside testing facility is the closest in proximity to La Roche University.
When notified of a confirmed case on campus, the Emergency Response Team will coordinate with local health officials to determine the course of action.
Students, faculty and staff must notify the Chief Pandemic Safety Officers of a positive COVID-19 test result. This cannot be a home test – it must be a verified PCR test. If you are experiencing symptoms, please get a PCR test from a local pharmacy or your health care provider. You are responsible for all fees associated with testing.
La Roche recommends that all residential students and athletes undergo COVID-19 testing 3-5 days prior to move-in. Anyone with a positive COVID-19 test result must notify the Chief Pandemic Safety Officer immediately.
Any person who has symptoms (fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion, runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea) should get tested.
If you are a close contact of someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to quarantine, but you must wear a mask for 10 days and test for the virus on the fifth day. Do not eat or drink in public.
In the event of an outbreak or resurgence of the virus, the University will assess and adjust operations in a manner that is consistent with the current and evolving situation. This process will be executed in accordance with the University’s existing Emergency Response Plan. An appropriate course of action ultimately will be based upon preventing further spread of the virus and protecting lives.
HEALTH PROTOCOLS
Even though La Roche is mask optional at this time, people can wear a mask based on personal preference and personal level of risk. People with symptoms, a positive test or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
Please note that faculty or staff may still require a mask during their class and/or program. As such, students and employees will be required to comply and should therefore have a mask with them at all times.
Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds after public place exposure, after touching an item or surface that may be frequently touched by other people, after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, and before preparing or eating food. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol when soap and water are not available. Use available hand sanitizers in all classrooms, labs and public areas.
Follow proper sneeze or cough etiquette by using a tissue or in the inside of your elbow. Used tissues should be thrown in the trash and hands washed immediately.
If you take your temperature and the reading is above 100.9 degrees or above, stay home and monitor symptoms. If symptoms exist after 24 hours, call your health care provider or visit the UPMC urgent care center for further evaluation.
CLEANING GUIDELINES
In addition to our pre-existing protocols, La Roche will continue to add additional protocols to clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces routinely in accordance with CDC guidelines. The main cleaning product for all areas will be 3M 40L disinfectant. Below are COVID-19 cleaning protocols for a variety of La Roche’s buildings.
Before move-in all residence hall rooms will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Walls will be patched and painted. During the semester, the residence halls’ common areas will be cleaned twice daily.
High-use restrooms will be cleaned four times daily and twice on weekends; others will be cleaned twice daily. Antimicrobial soap and paper towels will be in bathrooms with trash cans placed by the doors.
Hand-wipe stations for self-use will be available in common areas, including computer labs, the dining hall, Zappala Campus Center Square, Wright Library, fitness centers and weight rooms. Additional stations with hand sanitizer, gloves and masks will be at entry/exit points and multiple other locations. High-use touch areas will be cleaned four times daily and twice on weekends. Shields will be installed in public office spaces, classroom podiums and where applicable.
La Roche Facilities Management and an industrial disinfection contractor will treat areas for COVID-19 as needed.
GUIDELINES FOR RESIDENTIAL HOUSING
If you are a close contact of someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to quarantine, but you must wear a mask for 10 days and test for the virus on the fifth day. Do not eat or drink in public. Limited rooms with private bathrooms are set aside on campus for students who need to self-isolate throughout the semester because of positive COVID-19 tests. Students needing to isolate who live within a two-hour drive of campus, and are able to return home, are asked to do so.
Students who violate the COVID-19 policy will face disciplinary proceedings and may be removed from housing.
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
La Roche will follow a traditional academic calendar. View the online academic calendar to see full semester course dates, accelerated sessions, add/drop periods and graduation application deadlines.
DINING HALL OPERATIONS
La Roche’s food service partner, SAGE Dining, is committed to providing a variety of nutritious and appealing meals in a cost-effective manner. Students will experience a welcoming environment with visually enticing foods. SAGE Dining is incorporating safe tableside practices at catering events, and keeping product availability and cost in mind for menu design for the upcoming semester. Meeting student needs in this environment will include various levels of services and enhanced communications.
Food service will remain fully focused on safety and sanitation.
- SAGE Dining Employees.
- All employees will complete ServSafe COVID-19 training before returning to work.
- Employees are required to disclose a positive COVID-19 test or exposure to a person who tests positive.
- All employees will work in a safe manner and follow COVID-19 guidelines.
Food services will meet regulatory guidelines, and adjustments will be made to ensure the safety of guests.
- Meals will be available for takeout during regular operational hours. Available only with participation in the LRU Go Green reusable container program. One box per guest.
- During operational hours, SAGE team members will be dedicated to cleaning and sanitizing of tables and frequently touched surfaces.
- Hand-sanitizing stations will be available in the dining hall.
Touchless payment is available through the kiosk and the Touch of SAGE app.
STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
All student clubs, organizations activities and events will resume at 100 percent capacity, and masks are not required for gatherings.
ATHLETICS
- The Kerr Fitness & Sports Center hours are:
- Sunday: 3 p.m. to midnight.
- Monday-Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to midnight.
- Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- La Roche will follow all NCAA and AMCC policies in regard to the sports season for 2022-2023.
- Vaccinations with boosters are required for all student-athletes and coaches.
- Spectators are permitted at athletic events.
CONCLUSION
The precautions and scenarios outlined in this plan are designed to mitigate risks while maximizing safety.
La Roche will move forward, together, with consideration and concern for the wellbeing of everyone.