Safe Return Plan

Be smart. Be Safe. Be Broncos. Collective selflessness, being gracious with one another and remaining vigilant are our greatest tools for fighting COVID-19. Staying safe requires taking protective measures at all times—not just in class or on campus. Attentiveness is required all day, every day, on campus and off. 

What You Can Do

Masks: Masks are required indoors (see information on expectations for students in residence halls below) and in outdoor spaces where physical distancing is not possible. Wear them inside public spaces whenever you are not alone. Accommodations for individuals who cannot safely wear masks will be arranged. Students who need accommodations should contact Disability Services for Students. Faculty and staff should contact the Office of Institutional Equity. The facial covering (mask) policy is available on the policies webpage.

The University will provide each student with two face coverings upon arrival. Consider bringing additional face coverings because a clean one should be used each day.

For distribution of University-provided masks, tents will be set up at three locations. Masks will also be available at the information desk at the Bernhard Center. The schedule for distribution is as follows:

The success of the health and safety plan, such as our mask policy, relies on the thoughtfulness, consideration and cooperation of each individual. All members of the University community share the responsibility of adhering to mask wearing and encouraging the same in others.  

It is the intent of this policy that enforcement will be achieved primarily through education, awareness and a spirit of cooperation. As we all become adjusted to the new policy, it may become clear that there are repeated reports of non-compliance despite friendly and respectful reminders. We are developing and refining enforcement guidelines.

No-cost testing and monitoring: Testing at Sindecuse Health Center is available to all students and employees with no out-of-pocket costs. Testing claims will be filed with the student’s insurance provider, consistent with federal law requiring insurance providers pay for testing. This means we will charge insurance for those who have it, but there will be no cost to you. Those without insurance will be tested at no charge. We strongly recommend that all students get tested upon arriving on campus through this no-cost option at Sindecuse. 

Monitor your health and watch for symptoms. Do the same for those with whom you come into contact. Get tested immediately upon experiencing the earliest symptoms. Do not go to class or work sick—or if you think you may have been exposed—until you have consulted your doctor. Take care of yourself: exercise regularly, eat well, sleep and monitor your physical and mental health. Make an appointment for your well-being.

• Testing and in-person or telehealth primary care appointments can be scheduled by calling (269) 387-3287. In-person primary care and nursing appointments have fully resumed at Sindecuse. 

• Counseling and psychiatry services continue to be offered to students through telehealth visits. We encourage any student who needs counseling and psychiatry services (crisis or initial) to call (269) 387-1850.

Physical distancing: Maintain 6 feet of distance between you and others at all times: in class, at work, while eating, when meeting up with friends, even at indoor and outdoor social gatherings. Avoid travel that requires close contact with those outside your immediate social circle.

Vigilant hygiene: Wash your hands frequently and correctly. Clean work spaces and high-touch surfaces thoroughly and frequently. Don’t share food or drinks. When sneezing or coughing, cover your mouth with a tissue or sneeze into your elbow.

Bronco Student Pledge: Under the Bronco Student Pledge, students agree to being an active participant in keeping our campus and local communities safe from the spread of COVID-19 by following health and safety protocols specified in this Safe Return Plan and adhering to behavior expectations designed to foster the well-being of all members of the WMU community. The pledge goes live on the GoWMU sign-in page Monday, Aug. 31, for students to affirm their commitment to campus health and safety. 

What We'll Do

No-cost testing and monitoring: Testing is available to all students and employees with no out-of-pocket costs. Testing claims will be filed with the student’s insurance provider, consistent with federal law requiring insurance providers pay for testing. This means we will bill insurance for those who have it, but there will be no cost for testing for those without coverage. Those without insurance will be tested at no charge. We strongly recommend that all students get tested upon arriving on campus. Everyone should get tested immediately upon experiencing the earliest symptoms.

Sindecuse Health Center now offers rapid-result antigen testing, which offers results in 15 minutes, to detect active COVID-19 cases for University students, faculty, staff, retirees and their dependents, along with Kalamazoo College and Kalamazoo Valley Community College employees and students. 

Enhanced cleaning protocols: Custodial staff are on top of cleaning procedures throughout the University. We are using specialized cleaning products such as Clorox 360, Aqueous Ozone (no hazardous odors or toxic chemical residues) and UV light, and we have increased focus and intensity on high-touch areas such as switches and door knobs. We have also upped the number of hand sanitizers across campus. The University is also hibernating some buildings so that cleaning can be focused and intensified.

Building systems and air handling modifications: Facilities Management is implementing 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:

Adjusting applicable HVAC systems to increase the amount of ventilation air brought into a building to improve the indoor environment (two times normal design rates). This can be done by opening air dampeners, temporarily suspending Demand Control Ventilation.

As humidifying the indoor environment has a positive affect 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 will be implemented where possible within WMU building systems.

All building HVAC systems will begin occupancy mode—increased ventilation—two hours before spaces are occupied. The standby mode—less ventilation—will be suspended.

In occupied buildings, depending on the type of systems and HVAC technology that are in place, general modifications to WMU's general air-handling practices:

•  Disable Demand Control Ventilation where applicable

•  Increase air-change rates for densely occupied spaces

•  Enable the outside air night purge where possible

•  Review humidity levels during winter months

• Due to the pandemic and lack of occupancy, WMU placed several buildings into hibernation status. With the return of students and occupants, there are formerly hibernated buildings that have been gradually reopened and brought back online.  Part of this reopening process includes flushing of the buildings domestic hot and cold water systems.  The thorough flushing is performed to ensure that the water meets safety standard established by the city of Kalamazoo, whom supplies all the potable water utilized on campus.  Adequate flushing helps reduce discoloration caused by non-hazardous sedimentation and also ensures the presence of trace amounts of free chlorine which helps prevent bacterial growth.

Enforce employee self-monitoring: WMU employees must complete a daily online health screening before or upon arriving on campus. The employee screening questionnaire can be found at GoWMU. Log in and you will see the survey in a section titled "COVID-19 information." AFSCME employees will also have a call-in protocol. 

Department-level safety plans: Each unit must submit a return-to-campus safety plan, which includes procedures for utilizing space in a way that limits the potential for novel coronavirus spread and exposure, and allows for required physical distancing;  training in the usage of personal protective equipment; how the unit will receive visitors and related topics. Each plan is being reviewed and approved by the COVID-19 Response Coordination Team.

Remote work for employees when feasible: Working remotely is encouraged whenever it is practical. This strategy reduces the number of people physically present on campus and in offices. Each unit is developing a return-to-work plan. University leaders are also assessing which buildings will and will not be open this fall so that cleaning personnel and resources can be consolidated to provide enhanced cleaning. Preparations for fall return and the adaptations departments have made to accommodate remote work have supplanted the need for limited work schedules in many cases. Employees should consult with their supervisors on how and where they will continue their work through the summer and into the fall. 

Altered academic schedule to limit travel that spreads disease: Following the Sept. 2 start of classes, students will work through the fall without the usual October break, and in-person instruction for most classes will end on Nov. 20, about a week ahead of Thanksgiving. The last weeks of classes and final exams will be conducted remotely for most classes, and the semester will end on Dec. 19.  Forgoing fall break and ending in-person instruction early reduces the public health risk associated with employees and students potentially bringing the coronavirus back to campus after traveling.

Exposure Protocol

In the event someone tests positive for COVID-19, if Sindecuse Health Center performed the test, health center clinicians will notify the Kalamazoo County health department. Staff will work with county health officials to assess the patient's close contacts. As with Sindecuse, any establishment that conducts COVID-19 testing is required by law to report positive cases to the health department. 

A WMU campus community member who has a confirmed case of COVID-19 should isolate at home and not return to campus until informed by a health care provider that it is safe to end isolation. 

If the individual is a student who lives on campus, that student will be asked to isolate. The University will take appropriate precautions to restrict access to the living space of the isolated person. 

Sindecuse clinicians will determine whether those in contact with confirmed cases should be sent home. Those who were in close contact with someone who was positive will be asked to quarantine. Those who test positive will isolate where they live. 

Clinicians also will help determine the need for temporary, full or partial closure of a facility and what cleaning protocol may be needed. Locations impacted by a positive case will be cleaned in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety Administration standards for cleaning and disinfection.

Housing Options

Public health concerns, social distancing requirements and related constraints brought on by COVID-19 required us to temporarily forgo the use of some facilities. Residence halls with community bathrooms are closed for the 2020-21 academic year as a safety precaution. 

Western Heights (WH) has semi-private bathrooms, so the complex remains open. The shower and toilet stalls have three floor-to-ceiling walls and a floor-to-ceiling door. The bathroom is disinfected multiple times a day, including a daily deep cleaning. There is a maximum of 36 residents in each single-gender house.

We have made the following changes to our housing options this year:

• Ernest and Smith Burnhams and Henry Hall will not be open.

• Residents of Ackley, Britton and Hadley Halls in Valley 1 will be meal-plan optional.

• Learning communities have been moved: 

• Aviation House moved to Ackley Hall (Valley 1).

• Fine Arts House moved to Harvey Hall (Valley 2).

• Honors Community has no change.

• Suspended communities: Education Community, Human Performance House, Honors STEM/Health option, Honors subsets in business, engineering and fine arts.

•  Shilling Transfer Community will still have single rooms.

Move-In

We have a move-in plan that is designed to enhance safety. 

Students are encouraged to get tested for COVID-19 with no out-of-pocket expense at Sindecuse Health Center the day they arrive on campus and prior to checking in at their residence hall or apartment. Testing claims will be filed with the student’s insurance provider, consistent with federal law requiring insurance providers pay for testing. Those without insurance will not be charged. Details about tests will be emailed the week of July 20. The email includes a link for students to confirm interest in being tested so appointments can be scheduled. In the event a student tests positive, the student will be provided appropriate guidance from Sindecuse health professionals. Sindecuse will also lead contact tracing for positive diagnoses in coordination with the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department.

WMU Housing and Residence Life has identified isolation spaces for students unable to leave campus. See the FAQ entry below for more information about isolation and quarantine, and what that means for individual students.

New students will receive their assigned move-in time on Aug. 7 by email. Returning students will get an arrival survey that week. The survey results will be used to determine if assigned move-in blocks are needed to ensure social distancing for returning students.

Move-in Procedure

• Local students will be asked to drop off belongings early and return on their Fall Welcome move-in day.

• Residents will be assigned a move-in block that will be capped at 33 students per building.

• Each resident will be permitted a maximum of two move-in helpers who will be required to wear face coverings.

• Masks will be required while outside of one’s own room or apartment.

• An online pre-check-in form and touchless check-in will be provided.

• We will enhance custodial support to intensify cleaning.

Visit housing's website to see the move-in schedule and full move-in details.

Click on the question below to view response:

When will students return in January?

At this time we plan to have in-person instruction for spring semester, which is scheduled to begin Jan. 11, 2021. 

Will Arcadia Flats open for fall move in?

The Arcadia Flats opening is delayed until January 2021. Construction was suspended for six weeks earlier this year due to shelter-in-place executive orders.  Arcadia residents were emailed June 12 with a variety of options. They include:

• Temporary on-campus housing in Zimmerman and Davis until the complex opens. With this option, the Bronco 14 meal plan is included at no additional cost with the temporary housing rate.

• Moving to a residence hall for the academic year.

• Beginning the Arcadia Flats contract upon the complex opening in January 2021.

• Students were also offered the opportunity to cancel their Arcadia Flats contract with no penalty by July 10.

If the complex is ready for move-in prior to January, students will be able to move in at that time.

Will there be housing contract and rate adjustments with students leaving Nov. 20? Will there be options if someone needs to stay until Dec. 18 or later?

Under the University’s revised academic calendar for the 2020-21 academic year, most in-person instruction is ending Nov. 20, 2020. In response to that change, WMU has several options to consider.

If all of your classes will be delivered via distance education and you choose to complete your course work from home, you will be allowed to cancel your housing contract with no penalty if you do so by 5 p.m. on Aug. 3. To cancel your contract, sign into the housing portal, click on Contract/Lease Cancellation Request and then follow the prompts.

Once Housing and Residence Life confirms all of your classes will be delivered via distance education, you will receive an approved cancellation email to your WMU email account and your cancellation will be complete. If you do not cancel by Aug. 3, and you decide to do so later, you will be subject to our regular cancellation policy, which is included in the contract.  If you have any face-to-face classes and you decide to cancel your housing contract, you will be subject to our regular cancellation policy.

Please note that should you decide to move back into on campus housing for the spring semester, there is no guarantee that your space will still be available, as it may be occupied by another resident.

If your classes will be delivered via in-person, hybrid, distance education or a combination thereof, you will be billed for the fall 2020 room and board charges as indicated on your housing contract and at the applicable rate found at wmich.edu/housing/info/rates.

The date that you will move into your residence hall will not change, but you will be provided with two options to complete the semester:

1. You may choose to continue to live in the residence halls through the end of the fall 2020 semester, which concludes Dec. 18. If this is your choice, no further action is required. It is important to consider that many on-campus resources will continue to be available between Nov. 20 and Dec. 18, such as modified dining services.
2. You may choose to move out of the residence halls on Nov. 20, 2020.  If this is your choice, you may be eligible for a housing credit as follows:  

• An $860 WMU account credit for residents with a meal plan during the 2020 fall semester
• A $430 WMU account credit for residents without a meal plan during the 2020 fall semester

Students must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the credit:

• You must complete the early move-out request found in the housing portal. This will be available starting on Monday, Sept. 14 at 1 p.m.
• You must be living in the residence halls during the fall 2020 semester as of Oct. 2.  These credits are not available to students who move out of the halls on Oct. 2 or before.
• You may not be eligible for the credit if you have received institutional funds for room and board, including, but not limited to, student athlete scholarship recipients, resident assistants and room grant recipients.  If you have received institutional funds, your credit may be reduced or you may receive no credit.  If you have questions about the amount of credit that you received, you should contact Bronco Express.

How was the credit determined?

The residence halls were scheduled to be open for 110 days during fall 2020. Students have the option option of moving out of the halls by Nov. 20, missing 28 of those days. About half of the costs of operating a residence hall are variable, and about half are fixed. A variable cost varies from day to day. Examples are perishable food and student staffing. Fixed costs are incurred for the entire year, cannot be liquidated, and make it possible for the facilities to exist and operate. Examples are building debt service, contracted services and building maintenance.

Moving out on Nov. 20 will cause students to miss about 25% of their time in the halls. The variable portion of that loss is approximately 12.5%. Using that calculation, and rounding up, the University arrived at a $860 credit.

About half of the cost of a room and meal plan is the room portion and the other half is the meal portion. The room-only credit of $430 is half of the credit of $860.

Will I need to move out on Nov. 20?

If you are planning to go home on Nov. 20 and return to WMU for spring semester, you may leave your belongings, taking home essential items as needed over the break. If you do not plan to return in the spring, there will be a designated date by which to move out.

What if I do not want to live on campus due to COVID-19?

Students wishing to cancel their housing contracts must submit a cancellation request. A cancellation fee may apply, depending on your schedule of courses and when you cancel. 

To cancel your housing, log into the housing portal and click on the "Contract/Lease Cancellation Request" link. Your request will be reviewed, and you will receive an email reply regarding your contract status. 

How will resident's safety be safeguarded?

Our residences are smaller versions of the University community. Therefore, the first step toward protecting yourself and others is to follow the four key safety behaviors. They are presented here with the adapted behaviors that are required in your campus home, including residence halls and apartments.

Masks

Masks are required indoors, except if in one's own room. Wear them inside public spaces whenever you are not alone. Accommodations for individuals who cannot safely wear masks will be arranged. Students who need accommodations should contact Disability Services for Students. Faculty and staff should contact the Institutional Equity. 

The University will provide students and employees with two face coverings. Consider bringing additional face coverings because a clean one should be used each day.

In Campus Housing: Residents will be expected to wear masks in residence hall public areas, including lobbies, lounges, elevators and stairwells and laundry rooms. Masks are not required in your room or apartment. We recommend wearing them in your room if someone from a neighboring room is visiting.

No-cost testing and monitoring

Testing is available to all students with no out-of-pocket costs. This means we will bill insurance for those who have it, but there will be no cost to you. Those without insurance will be tested at no charge. We strongly recommend that all students get tested upon arriving on campus. Testing and in-person or telehealth primary care appointments can be scheduled by calling (269) 387-3287. 

In Campus Housing: Residents are strongly encouraged to be tested before check-in. See move-in procedures for more information. 

Physical distancing

Maintain 6 feet of distance between you and others to the maximum extent possible: In class, while eating, when meeting with friends, even at parties (seriously). Avoid travel that requires close contact with those outside your immediate social circle.

Think of your roommates the way you might think of your family at home. When you protect yourself, you are also protecting your roommates and friends. Keep your roommates in the know about symptoms or exposure so they can take the appropriate testing and contact tracing steps. 

For those Western Heights residents in semi-private bathrooms, students will be encouraged to create physical distance at sinks. The bathroom is disinfected multiple times a day, including a daily deep cleaning. There is a maximum of 36 residents in each single-gender house.

Vigilant hygiene

Wash your hands frequently and correctly. Clean workspaces and high-touch surfaces thoroughly and frequently. Don’t share food or drinks. When sneezing or coughing, cover your mouth with a tissue or sneeze into your elbow.

Residence halls and apartment complexes are cleaned by custodial professionals who specialize in educational and office environments. They are on-site daily. Custodial practices were developed using U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and industry recommendations. Custodial employees wear personal protective equipment, complete a health screening at the beginning of each shift and practice social distancing.

How will residence halls be cleaned?

All high-frequency touch points in residence halls are cleaned and disinfected multiple times each day.

Semi-private and public bathrooms are deep cleaned daily and wiped down (disinfected) multiple times each day along with product stock checks and refills.

Public spaces are cleaned with electrostatic disinfecting equipment prior to fall move-in. This equipment will continue to be used during the semester to disinfect large spaces quickly and effectively.

The high-touch surfaces that are cleaned and disinfected multiple times per day. Those include door handles, light switches, hand sanitizer dispensers, tabletops and counters, seating, water bottle filling stations, stair handrails and elevator buttons.  

In kitchens and house commons, high-touch intensive cleaning includes door handles, light switches, tabletops and counters, seating, appliance exteriors and handles, sink faucets and handles, and telephones (house commons).

In Residence Halls, we will also provide the following: 

• Hand sanitizer dispensers are located in all residence hall lobbies. Stations in residence hall lobbies are checked and restocked daily.

• Plexiglas is being installed at all front desks and in-hall offices to reduce contact between students and staff while still providing needed services.

• Gloves are provided for staff who handle and distribute mail and packages.

• All buildings will have signs and markings as reminders of social distancing requirements.

• When inside buildings, please keep right in stairwells and hallways, and make every effort to maintain social distancing.

How will the apartments be cleaned?

All high-frequency touch points in apartment common areas are cleaned and disinfected multiple times per day.

Bathrooms are deep cleaned daily and wiped down (disinfected) multiple times a day along with product stock checks and refills.

All public spaces are cleaned with electrostatic disinfecting equipment prior to fall move-in. This equipment will continue to be used during the semesters to disinfect large spaces quickly and effectively.

The high-touch surfaces that are cleaned and disinfected multiple times a day. Those include door handles, light switches, hand sanitizer dispensers, tabletops and counters, seating, water bottle filling stations, stair handrails and elevator buttons.

In public spaces, high-touch surfaces are cleaned and disinfected multiple times a day. Those include door handles, light switches, tabletops and counters, seating, appliance exteriors and handles, and sink faucets and handles.

In Spindler Hall, we will also provide the following:

• Hand sanitizer dispensers located in the lobby. They are checked and restocked regularly.
• Plexiglas is being installed at the front desks to reduce contact between students and staff while still providing needed services.
• Gloves are provided for staff who handle and distribute mail and packages.
• The building will have signs and markings as reminders of social distancing requirements.
• When inside the building, please keep right in stairwells and hallways, and make every effort to maintain social distancing.

What are the Western Heights bathrooms like?

Each WH house (floor) has two fully enclosed bathrooms as well as a large shared bathroom. In the shared bathroom, shower and toilet stalls have three floor-to-ceiling walls and a floor-to-ceiling door. The bathroom is disinfected multiple times a day, including a daily deep cleaning. There is a maximum of 36 residents in each single-gender house.

What happens if I develop symptoms for COVID-19?

Get tested immediately at the earliest symptoms. Sindecuse Health Center has rapid-result testing available. Call ahead for a telehealth appointment and familiarize yourself with their COVID-19 information online.

What happens if I test positive for COVID-19?

Students who test positive for COVID-19 should follow the recommendations of their health professional. Contact tracing for all positive diagnoses will be conducted by the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department in coordination with Sindecuse Health Center professionals.

WMU Housing and Residence Life has identified isolation spaces for students unable to leave campus. Food will be delivered to rooms of those isolated or quarantined using no-touch measures.

What is the difference between isolation and quarantine?

"Isolation" is required for a student on campus who has tested "positive" for COVID-19. These students will move to the designated isolation hall(s) for 10 days and must remain in isolation for the entire 10-day period. If requested, these students will receive food delivered to their room. Isolation can also be achieved by relocating to an off-campus address.

A student living on campus will be directed to "quarantine" if they have been exposed to COVID-19, requiring removal from contact with the campus community for a period of 14 days. Quarantine may be achieved by relocating to an off-campus address, relocating to the quarantine-designated hall(s) or quarantining in the student's present living space, depending on how the student was exposed. Students must remain in their quarantine space for the entire 14-day period. Food will be delivered to students in quarantine, if requested.

• If a student's roommate or suitemate has tested positive, the student may remain in quarantine in their existing room; the positive student will move to isolation housing or relocate to an off-campus location. 
• If a student was exposed to a positive COVID-19 case outside their room or suite, the student will need to relocate to the quarantine hall(s) or an off-campus address. Their roommates or suitemates would remain in their room or suite.

If a quarantined student develops systems, they will have access to a telehealth appointment with Sindecuse Health Center. They will also receive written follow-up instructions from Sindecuse, which are also available in the Sindecuse online health portal. Students who have been directed to isolate or quarantine are required to follow the guidelines above and those provided by Sindecuse Health Center or their treating health professional. 

What happens if my roommate or suitemate has been exposed to COVID-19?

If your roommate or suitemate is notified by a contact tracer that they have been exposed to COVID-19 and you have not, they will move to WMU's quarantine housing or to an off-campus address, and you will remain in your existing room or suite. 

If both you and your roommate or suitemate have been exposed to COVID-19, you may remain in your existing room for quarantine.

What happens if my roommate or suitemate tests positive for COVID-19?

If your roommate or suitemate tests positive for COVID-19, they will move to isolation housing or to an off-campus location. Once this happens, you will be required to quarantine and avoid contact with the campus community for 14 days. You can quarantine in your existing room or suite, and food will be delivered to you, if requested.

What are my responsibilities as a resident?

You are responsible for following all safety and public health guidelines as provided in this plan and by housing staff. Your room or apartment will be cleaned and disinfected before you arrive. Once here, it is your responsibility to regularly clean and disinfect your room, including the exterior door handle. Suitemates should work together to clean the bathroom. We will be providing suggested cleaning guidelines.

Click here for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for cleaning your home.

When will I know information about my roommate?

We will email you July 24 with your roommate's name and contact information.

Can I change my room or hall?

Residence hall students can change their room in the housing portal July 27 through Aug. 6. After move-in, room changes will be limited and prioritized based on space availability and reducing the risk of transmitting COVID-19.

Will guests be allowed in the halls and apartments?

Guests, defined as anyone not living in your current residence hall or WMU apartment, are not allowed. Students may have one visitor, meaning someone who lives in your current residence hall or WMU apartment, in their room or apartment. Visitors may not spend the night. Roommates and suitemates should consent to a visitor prior to them coming into the room or apartment. Hosts and visitors are encouraged to wear a mask when in the room or WMU apartment. Click here to see the full guest rule.

Will common areas be open?

Yes. We want you to be safe and be social. New occupancy limits for lounges will be posted so physical distancing can be maintained. Furniture in lounges will match the maximum number of occupants.

Will laundry rooms be open?

Yes. Each hall and apartment complex, other than Western View, has a laundry room. New occupancy limits for laundry rooms are posted. Students should wipe down machines before and after use. You can use the WaveVision laundry app to check machine availability before going to the laundry room to see how much time is left until your laundry is done. You can also sign up to get a text message when your laundry is done.

For more information about housing, visit the Housing and Residence Life webpage.

Safety requirements

The transit authority has taken the following steps to address ridership capacity and social distancing:

• Face coverings are required for all riders.
• Passengers will enter and exit from the rear door of the bus.
• A hand sanitizer dispenser is installed inside the rear door for passengers to use.
• Seating on the bus has been designated to promote social distancing. No standing is allowed.
• As weather permits, drivers will operate their bus with the hatches open and the windows open to facilitate the greatest air flow through the bus.

Cleaning

• Buses and vans are sanitized daily. This entails spraying sanitizer on all touchable surfaces in the passenger and driver compartments.
• Buses and vans are being detailed on a weekly basis. This includes wiping down all handrails, straps, wheelchair tie down strap ends and ratchets, seat control handles and seat belt ends, radio mics and knobs, and all dashboard knobs and controls.
• Additionally, aerosol disinfectant foggers are used weekly in buses and vans.

Route information

To view updated route information for buses navigating to and from WMU's campus, visit the Busing webpage.

For employees:

When I return to campus for work, what information will I have to disclose to the University? 

Each day prior to coming to any campus facility or participating in any University activity, employees must complete a brief questionnaire found in GoWMU. The survey has a series of basic questions, such as whether you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 or are experiencing symptoms. The information sought is just enough to determine whether the survey taker needs to be assessed at Sindecuse Health Center. Sindecuse will be automatically notified of any “yes” answers. 

Once at Sindecuse, you enter a HIPAA-protected process wherein health information is not shared beyond your health care providers and those you specify. However, if you test positive for COVID-19, the University is required to report that information, including your identity, to county public health officials. This is necessary so the county health department can conduct contact tracing. The University will also issue a notice to those with a “need to know,” e.g., health care providers, supervisors and close contacts. 

Who will have access to any health-related information I disclose, and how will the University protect it? 

Only those with a “need to know,” e.g., health care providers, supervisors and close contacts, will have access to your COVID-19-related health information. Individuals outside of Sindecuse with a "need to know" will only know whether you are positive for COVID-19. They will not have access to other medical records or information. 

HIPAA and other confidentiality rules are relaxed during instances of public health emergencies, which is what we are experiencing with the current pandemic. 

What do I do if I need an accommodation to address either having to wear a mask or working on site?

You and your supervisor must reach out to the Office of Institutional Equity—IE—to begin the interactive process. 

Do I have to wear a mask/facial covering at my work location? 

Yes, unless you are alone in an enclosed area, you do not expect visitors and your door is closed. The University's facial covering (mask) policy is available here. 

Is the University allowed to ask me if I have COVID-19 or any related conditions? 

The University may ask you if you have COVID-19 and/or COVID-19-related symptoms, and will do so via the questionnaire found in GoWMU. 

The University may not ask you if you have underlying conditions that would increase your risk if you are exposed to COVID-19. 

If you do have underlying conditions that place you at a higher risk for COVID-19, you and your supervisor must contact IE to discuss whether your situation is appropriate for a reasonable accommodation. 

Is the University allowed to ask me if I or a family member fall into a high-risk category for purposes of COVID-19? 

No, but you will have to provide information about yourself if you are seeking an accommodation. 

If you are seeking an accommodation, you and your supervisor must contact the Office of Institutional Equity to evaluate whether a reasonable accommodation is available. 

What do I do if my supervisor is not following the mask policy or other COVID-19-related policies, procedures or protocols? 

Reports should then go to your next level supervisor and, ultimately, to your dean, vice president, or the Office of the Provost, as appropriate in your area. No act of retaliation from supervisors for such reporting will be tolerated. 

If you are non-academic affairs bargaining unit staff, report to the director of labor relations. 

Who determines whether I can telecommute? 

Your supervisor determines if the essential functions of your position require that you be in the office. 

By University request and governor’s order, it is strongly encouraged that any work that is capable of being performed remotely (i.e., without employees leaving their place of residence) be performed remotely. However, the ultimate decision whether an employee can effectively work remotely is determined by your supervisor. 

For faculty, instructional delivery methods on courses have been determined for fall semester based on their selections earlier in the summer and are on record with the registrar. Deviation from the registered method for the fall semester requires an accommodation from Institutional Equity. 

Can a supervisor discipline an employee or send them home if they will not wear a mask or facial covering? 

Yes, unless you have requested and been granted a reasonable accommodation or fit under one of the other exceptions stated in the mask policy. 

Do I have to come to work if I have a medical diagnosis that places me in a high-risk population? 

Yes, unless you have requested and been granted a reasonable accommodation based on your disability. 

If you have a medical diagnosis that places you in a high-risk category, you and your supervisor must contact Institutional Equity to evaluate reasonable accommodations. 

You may also take annual leave, COVID-19 leave or other medical leave options (FMLA, EFMLA, etc.) with supervisor approval, consistent with Employee Handbook Section 11. 

Do I have to come to work if I am over 65, which puts me in a high-risk population? 

Yes. Age alone is not a disability, so it does not fall under the reasonable accommodation framework of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

If I work in a cubicle or other open workstation, do I have to wear a mask? 

Yes, unless no one else is in your workspace and you do not expect others to enter your workspace. Social distancing must be maintained. 

If I work in an office with a door, do I have to wear a mask? 

No, as long as you are alone in the office and the door is closed. 

Is the University providing masks for employees? 

Yes. Your supervisor will make two masks available for you. 

You may also bring your own face covering as long as it meets the requirements set out in the mask policy. 

Do I have to get a COVID-19 test to return to campus for work? 

Not unless you have symptoms and/or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. 

Yes, if either of the above conditions are true. 

May I report that I believe a co-worker may have COVID-19 symptoms? 

Yes, as long as Michigan remains in a public health emergency due to COVID-19, you are encouraged to report anyone whom you believe may have COVID-19 symptoms and who is not taking the proper precautions. 

This information should be reported to your supervisor. 

May I report that I believe a co-worker is not wearing a mask/facial covering? 

Yes, it is strongly encouraged. Report first to your supervisor. 

If you see a student who is not following the mask policy, report that information to the Office of Student Conduct. 

Employees may elect to ask anyone they see not wearing a mask to do so. If the person is a guest on campus (not a student, faculty or staff member) and does not comply, then contact the WMU Department of Public Safety. 

Will workers' compensation cover my testing if a co-worker is positive and I decide to/am encouraged to get tested? 

Not unless you have been granted Workers’ Compensation benefits for COVID-19.

If you think you were exposed to COVID-19 at work, follow the standard University process for evaluating and processing workers’ compensation claims. You may be eligible for no-cost testing at Sindecuse Health Center. 

May the University tell my co-workers that I have tested positive for COVID-19? 

The University may disclose the existence of a positive COVID-19 result to prevent a serious or imminent threat or to prevent the spread of disease. 

For employee cases, the University will issue warnings to buildings indicating that there has been a positive test result. The identity of the individual with the positive test result will be released “on a need-to-know basis,” as determined by safety needs as necessary to prevent the spread of the disease. 

Can the University require me to stay home if I have a positive COVID-19 test? 

Yes. The University may require that you stay home until you are no longer infectious according to your health care provider and/or the latest Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention guidelines. 

Are there specific rules that apply to research laboratories?

Yes. Contact the Office of Research and Innovation for more information. 

Do I have to pay to have a COVID-19 test? How does workers' compensation apply? 

Maybe. Sindecuse will be conducting free COVID-19 testing for all non-temporary employees and students who are symptomatic or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. If you are asymptomatic and have not been exposed to someone with COVID-19, Sindecuse will cover one test. See Sindecuse’s website for details. 

Insurance information will be collected and insurance will be billed. For eligible employees and tests, the University will cover co-pays, deductibles or co-insurance. c. If you think you were exposed to COVID-19 at work, follow the standard University process for evaluating and processing workers’ compensation claims.

For supervisors and managers:

If an employee refuses to wear a face covering, what options do I have? 

If the employee is refusing to wear a mask, saying he or she has a condition (medical, disability, etc.) that prevents the use of a mask, you must work with that employee to find a reasonable accommodation. Do not ask the employee if he or she has a disability that prevents the individual from wearing a mask. Contact the Office of Institutional Equity—IE—for assistance in the interactive process to develop a reasonable accommodation for that employee. Supervisors should not provide informal accommodations without going through the process. All requests for accommodation must go through IE. 

If the employee is refusing to wear a mask for reasons unrelated to a disability that makes wearing a mask difficult, you may send them home until the employee is willing to comply. Both the governor’s orders and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention require that masks be worn inside. You may require an employee to use personal leave for any time away from work because of refusal to wear a mask. COVID-19 Allowance Leave may not be used for this purpose. If necessary, an employee may be disciplined for refusing to wear the mask. 

The governor's executive order prohibits retaliation against anyone for not reporting to work if they are “at particular risk of infecting others with COVID-19.” May I require employees to report to work? 

Yes. The E.O. applies only to individuals “at particular risk of infecting others.” 

This order protects those who test positive for COVID-19, display one or more of the principal symptoms, or come in close contact with an individual who fits into either of those categories. 

An employee who has been exposed to COVID-19 may return to work if all of the following have occurred: 

• Twenty-four (24) hours have passed since the resolution of fever without the use of fever-reducing medications; 
• Ten (10) days have passed since their symptoms first appeared or since they were swabbed for the test that yielded the positive result; and 
• Other symptoms have improved. 

An employee who has been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 or displays one or more of the principal symptoms may return to work if one of the following occurs: 

• Fourteen (14) days have passed since the last close contact with the sick or symptomatic individual and there are no symptoms; or 
• The individual displaying COVID-19 symptoms receives a negative COVID-19 test.

Is a medical diagnosis that places an employee in a high-risk population a legitimate reason to not report to work? 

Yes, but they need medical documentation of such a diagnosis. Recognizing that many medical professionals are extremely busy, new approaches may be necessary, such as reliance on local clinics to provide a form, a stamp or an email to certify that an individual does not have the pandemic virus. 

Once the employee submits evidence of a medical diagnosis that puts that individual in the high-risk population, the supervisor and employee must contact the Office of Institutional Equity—IE— for assistance in the interactive process to develop a reasonable accommodation for that employee. Supervisors should not provide informal accommodations without going through the process. All requests for accommodation must go through IE. 

Is living with someone who is in a high-risk population and being concerned about exposing that person a legitimate reason to not report to work? 

Maybe. In those cases, if the employee cannot telecommute, such a request should be treated as a request for FMLA, EFMLA or FFCRA. These federal regulations are complex, are assessed on a case-by-case basis and are not easily addressed by FAQs. See HR’s website for handling FMLA, EFMLA or FFCRA requests, or contact HR directly. 

Is being 65 years old or older sufficient to justify not reporting to work during the pandemic? 

No. To be protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act, an individual must have a medical diagnosis or disability. Supervisors may not prohibit someone from coming to work simply because they are 65 years old or older. 

May I request that an employee schedule a telehealth appointment with a Sindecuse Health Center provider if the employee has COVID-19-like symptoms? 

Yes. A Sindecuse provider must clear the employee to return to work. Encourage the employee to use the resources at Sindecuse. All assessment visits to Sindecuse are free to employees at this time. Using Sindecuse enables the University to effectively contact trace and protect our community. 

If necessary, employees may be disciplined if they refuse to comply. 

Under what circumstances should employees telework? 

Until further notice, all supervisors are encouraged to allow employees to telework; however, the decision whether an employee can effectively work remotely is determined by management. If an employee requests telework as an accommodation under the ADA, supervisors must evaluate whether doing so will cause an “undue hardship.” Supervisors and employees should work with Institutional Equity in making this evaluation. 

The University’s current recommendations may change as the COVID-19 circumstances change. Check this resource for any updates. 

Does asking employees for their medical information or informing other employees of positive test cases violate HIPAA and confidentiality laws? 

Not during a Public Health Emergency. So long as those who receive the information have a “need to know” and keep that information confidential, covered entities (Sindecuse Health Center, Unified Clinics, Kalamazoo Autism Center and Athletics) may share COVID-related information when necessary. 

The governor’s executive order requires that we notify others of potential positive diagnoses. Guidance from the federal Department of Health and Human Services explains that the state of emergency and public health concerns outweigh personal privacy concerns as long as the state of emergency continues. 

You should not ask questions about family members, but you may ask if the employee has been exposed to “anyone” with COVID-19 or related symptoms. 

If you know that your employee or someone who was in close contact with your employee has tested positive for COVID-19, but your employee has not accurately reported this information on his or her daily screening, you must notify your employee to make a telehealth appointment with Sindecuse Health Center. Contact either the Department of Environmental Health and Safety or Sindecuse for further resources. 

Is disciplinary action an option for an employee who refuses to answer the questionnaire and/or refuses to have their temperature taken? 

Yes, as long as COVID-19 remains a pandemic. 

You may allow an employee to return home. The employee must use leave to account for such time if they cannot telework. 

May I ask someone who does not have symptoms if they have a medical condition that makes them high risk? 

No. An employee may voluntarily disclose a medical condition. In such a circumstance, the employer may use the information to evaluate whether a reasonable accommodation is necessary. Contact IE for further information. 

Do I need to provide the same, new or different accommodations for employees who already had accommodations? 

Maybe. Circumstances may have changed, so employees may request a review of any existing accommodation or may request a new accommodation. 

Only when an employer can demonstrate that a person with a disability poses a direct threat, even after reasonable accommodation, can it lawfully exclude the employee from employment or employment-related activities. 

You should address these requests as soon as possible; however, the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic may result in delays in discussing requests and in providing accommodation where appropriate. After you and your employee have contacted IE to begin the accommodation review process, supervisors should work with employees to find interim solutions to enable employees to keep working as much as possible. 

Are there documents or cards that employees could have that exempt them from wearing a facemask? 

No. The Department of Justice has issued a warning noting that there are many fraudulent offers for mask exemption documentation. 

The ADA does not provide a blanket exemption to people with disabilities from complying with mandated safety requirements necessary for safe operations. 

May I inform other employees if a co-worker tests positive for COVID-19? 

No. Sindecuse will ensure that the University meets its disclosure requirements in a way that protects the privacy of those individuals involved. 

If you hear that an employee tested positive at a site other than Sindecuse, please inform Sindecuse. 

May I inform my other employees if their co-worker answered yes on a screening question? 

No. Sindecuse is automatically notified if an employee answers “yes” on a screening question and will take the proper steps to ensure the safety of the University community. 

If an employee has no cellphone or internet access, do they still have to answer the screening questions? 

Yes. They should either submit their responses in paper format or use the internet when they report at work to complete the questionnaire. If the employee answers “yes” to one of the questions in a hard-copy report, the supervisor should immediately share that information with Sindecuse.

Note that this information is subject to change as state and federal requirements, local public health official guidance, and best practices evolve.