COVID-19 PANDEMIC Special Considerations for 2021-2022 due to the COVID-19 Pandemic The 2021-2022 academic year will certainly prove to be another unique year as we continue to deal with the pandemic including the COVID-19 Delta Variant. McMurry University is striving to create an environment that is conducive to safe and effective interaction within the daily activities associated with academics and campus living. Providing a safe campus environment during the pandemic will require each War Hawk community member to follow and adhere to recommended guidelines so that we can protect each other. The phrase you see at the end of many University communications (Safety First. Protect Each Other.) reminds us that by following guidelines, you are doing your part to protect our McMurry community. Expectations for the Campus Community Our return to the campus in fall 2021 is very deliberate and coordinated in a manner that creates an environment that results in as low a COVID-19 infection spread as possible, coupled with rapidly identifying and isolating any positive cases. All McMurry community members including students, faculty, staff, and vendors, as well as campus guests, are expected to abide by policies, protocols, and guidelines, hereafter grouped and referred to as campus policies, in this plan. Failure to do so places others at risk and may bring harm to the campus community. Faculty, staff, and students who fail to follow the campus policies will result in student disciplinary action being taken or employee disciplinary action being taken. Expectations and Consequences: •
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Students, faculty, and staff are expected to adhere to University guidelines intended to minimize risk of exposure to COVID-19 consistent with health and safety guidance, including, but not limited to, McMurry’s Personal Safety Measures and Campus Health Polices. Students agree that if they test positive for COVID-19 or they receive notice/contact from any public health department, agency or medical professional about possible exposure to COVID-19 and/or instruction to quarantine or isolate, they will immediately disclose such information to the Director of Health Services & University Nurse in the Health Services Clinic (President Hall), the Dean of Students & Campus Life or Residence Life Staff. Faculty and staff agree that if they test positive for COVID-19 or they receive notice/contact from any public health department agency or medical professional about possible exposure to COVID-19 and/or instruction to quarantine or isolate, they will immediately disclose such information to their supervisor, vice president, or the Office of Human Resources. Students, faculty, and staff agree to comply with University direction requiring isolation and quarantine. Students are required to comply with all health and safety law, orders, ordinances, policies, regulations, and guidance adopted by the University as it relates to COVID-19, including, but not limited to the policies, protocols, and guidelines outlined in this document, and failure to do so may result in conduct referral to the Director of Residence Life & Housing or the Dean of Students & Campus Life. This guidance may evolve as circumstances warrant. The University may require a student to leave campus in the event the student’s continued presence poses a health or safety risk to the campus community. Faculty and staff are required to comply with all health and safety law, orders, ordinances, policies, regulations, and guidance adopted by the University as it relates to COVID-19, including but not limited to, the policies found in the Employee Handbook, the Faculty Handbook, protocols and guidelines outlined in this document. Failure to do so may result in referral to the Office of Human Resources and will result in employee disciplinary action being taken. This guidance may evolve as circumstances warrant.
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