Health and Safety

The University has taken steps to ensure hibernated spaces are properly prepared for the July 6 return to campus and the remainder of the academic year. 

Plexiglas Shields

Consult with safety professionals in the Office of Environmental Health and Safety to determine if Plexiglas shields are required. If so, they are available to departments upon request for $50 each through Bronco Fix-it. Costs will be charged to the department’s funding and cost center.

Resuming Custodial and Cleaning

Custodial Services will resume at pre-COVID-19 service levels on July 6. Offices occupied as of July 6 will be cleaned once per week. For an immediate issue, please submit a request to Bronco Fix-It and a member of Custodial Services will respond to resolve it.

Classrooms, restrooms and public areas such as entryways, hallways and lobbies will continue to be cleaned on a daily basis. The custodial team has been asked to provide extra attention to high-frequency touch points when possible to help address concerns about cleanliness and sanitation.

Building ventilation and air quality

Facilities Management is continuing to follow best management practices for building HVAC—heating, ventilation and air conditioning—systems in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and ASHRAE (HVAC professional organization) recommendations. These include:

• Adjusting applicable HVAC systems to increase the amount of air brought into a building to improve the indoor environment (two times the normal rate). 

• As humidifying the indoor environment has a positive effect on the human immune system's performance and also reduces the amount of time airborne pathogens remain suspended, maintaining relative humidity between 40% and 60% reduces the potential for transmission. This is implemented where possible within WMU building systems.

• All building HVAC systems begin occupancy mode—increased ventilation—two hours before spaces are occupied.

Building water quality

As part of the reopening process, Custodial and Maintenance Services thoroughly flush the hot and cold water systems to ensure the water meets safety standards established by the city of Kalamazoo. The departments are also replacing drinking fountain filters and discarding any ice in refrigerator ice bins and ice machines.

To prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

• Stay home when you are sick, except to get medical care.

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

If you are sick or suspect COVID-19:

If you have any COVID-19 symptoms or if you had contact with a person who is a confirmed COVID-19 case, please call (269) 387-3287 before going to Sindecuse Health Center to discuss your symptoms and need for screening.

If one of your close contacts tests positive for COVID-19:

If you have had close contact with a household member, intimate partner or caregiver in a non-health care setting who has tested positive or is under investigation for COVID-19, you should monitor your health. Call your health care provider right away if you develop symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 (e.g., fever, cough, shortness of breath).