COVID-19 Faculty Guide

You must wear a face covering when you are in a building, hallway, classroom, laboratory, washroom or common area. This simple act can help limit the spread of the virus. Face coverings also remind others to continue practicing social distancing.

If you are outdoors, you do not have to wear a face covering, but social distancing still applies.

Related Updates

• PNW Face Covering Protocol for On-Campus Community Members

Another strong step to limit the spread of COVID-19 is to practice social distancing, keeping a distance of about 6 feet from others.

From limiting social gatherings and non-essential workers to pursuing a hybrid approach to Fall 2020 classes, we are building social distancing into PNW’s phased approach to a safe return to campus.

Related Updates

• Revised Pick-Up Locations for Mail and Packages
• COVID-19 Research Guidance
• Restricting Public Access to PNW Buildings

Cleaning and disinfecting will be an important aspect of reducing exposure risks associated with COVID-19.

Remember, clean hands keep you healthy! Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

When the university incrementally reopens, all campus community members will be asked to take part in minimizing risk of exposure and preventing the spread by cleaning and disinfecting the various areas of campus.

Related Updates

• PNW COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols
• Purchasing COVID-19 Related Supplies
• PNW Process to Request Workplace Modifications for COVID-19 Vulnerable Populations

Your health and safety is our top priority. If you are not feeling well, please stay home, immediately contact your medical provider and follow their directions.

To protect the health and safety of all faculty and staff, we have created a task force, with representation from each operating division, to develop appropriate health and safety protocols and procedures with the goal of a partial safe return to campus on July 6. PNW is planning strategically to ensure your safe return to work and into the classroom.

Assuming governmental authorities permit doing so, Purdue University Northwest intends to offer classes on campus this fall, while remaining conscientious about whatever rules and practices are necessary to protect the health and safety of students, faculty, staff and the community. While we are all eager to come back to campus, we must do so in a safe way, which may require hybrid or online courses.

Experts tell us that three things need to be in place to ensure a safe campus environment: appropriate spaces for social distancing; the ability to test for COVID-19; and, contact tracing of those who have the virus. We are seeking information on these three criteria, from our experts here at PNW, as well as the greater Northwest Indiana area and the State of Indiana.

Learn More About Preparation for a Safe Return to Campus

As of July 6, Lawshe Hall and the Student Union Library Building on the Hammond Campus will be unlocked in designated areas and open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Similarly, Schwarz Hall and the Library Student Faculty Building on the Westville Campus will be unlocked in designated areas and open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If you’re coming to any of these buildings for official university business, we recommend contacting the relevant department to learn more about their operating procedures during Phase One of PNW’s Safe Return to Campus.

Staff working in other campus buildings will use their I.D. for access at designated entrances. Students will not have access to other buildings at this time unless arranged for by staff or faculty.

If assistance is needed, please contact Facilities Services at (219) 989-2285.

Until further guidance is received, a face covering should be used as described below. An account has been established for the purchase of COVID19 personal-protection equipment. Please contact your department business manager for details.

PNW Face Covering Protocol for All On-Site Campus Members

1. When you are in a building, hallway, classroom, laboratory, washroom, common area, you must wear a face covering.
2. If you are faculty or staff member, and in your own office, you do not have to wear a face covering. When you leave your office and are in the hallway, your face covering must be on. When you are visiting another Purdue Northwest office, you must wear a face covering.
3. If you are outdoors, you do not have to wear a face covering, but social distancing still applies.
4. If you are at an outdoor event, with multiple participants, you must wear your face covering.

See the Full Face Covering Update

The libraries and computer labs on both campuses will be closed for in-person use. Electronic resources and services are available 24/7 through our website. We also have “Chat with a Librarian” available to help with research questions during regular business hours.

Explore Library Resources

Service on the inter-campus shuttle between the Hammond and Westville campuses will be suspended as of March 12. Service will resume once instructional operations return to normal.

Friday March 27, 2020 will be the last day for the South Shore to Hammond campus shuttle bus service, until further notice.

In accordance with the Indiana State Department of Health’s social-distancing requirements, the PNW Hammond Shuttle will transport only six passengers at a time.

Advanced reservations are required and will be accommodated on a first-come, first-served basis.

See the Schedule and Reservation Process

Employees across PNW are showing impressive flexibility and resilience in continuing to work and support the university and our students during this unprecedented time. The situation has raised a number of questions for employees and supervisors, including definitions of “essential” workers, telework, employee pay, FLMA and more.

Answers to many of these questions can be found in Purdue West Lafayette’s official guidelines for employees during this period (March 25 to June 30).

Explore “Important Employment Information for Employees and Staff”

See PNW’s Memo to Student Workers and Student Worker Supervisors

The university remains operational, with academic instruction provided via online delivery and services provided remotely.

Remote working on a temporary basis is available and encouraged. Any staff member who wishes to work remotely during the spring semester should discuss the options with their supervisor. Please also see the memo from Interim Provost Latif and Vice Chancellor Turner for additional information on this subject.

As a reminder, we ask all faculty and staff not to come to work if you are feeling ill, and to follow the CDC best practice recommendations for preventive actions such as frequent hand washing and avoiding touching your face.

You will also want to practice social distancing, keeping a distance of about 6 feet from others.

In addition, any faculty or staff member who has a fever or other symptoms of coronavirus, who has a family member with symptoms of the virus, or who has been exposed to the virus, must self-quarantine for 14 days before returning to any PNW facilities. You can see guidance for self-quarantining in the “How Do I Self-Quarantine” FAQ on this page.

1. If an employee experiences any COVID-19 related symptoms, they should not report to work, immediately contact their medical provider and follow their directions.
2. If an employee receives a positive COVID-19 test, they should not report to work and should immediately contact Human Resources, who will work with the employee and department on next steps.
3. If an employee is exposed to an individual who has tested positive for COVID-19, they should immediately contact their supervisor, who will work with HR on next steps. If they experience any symptoms they, should not report to work, contact their medical provider and follow their directions.
4. Whenever possible, the university will contact employees who have had direct contact with an individual who has a confirmed COVID-19 positive test.  The university will respect employee confidentiality to the greatest extent possible and will rely on state and local public health authorities to perform detailed contact tracing.

We recommend visiting Purdue West Lafayette’s official COVID-19 travel guidelines.

The treating physician is responsible for notifying local or state public-health authorities of a COVID-19 diagnosis. The public health department performs a detailed interview of any COVID-19 positive patient and then contacts all people with whom the patient had direct, personal contact within the relevant time period.

The university cannot provide any identifying information about or the health condition of a student, faculty or staff member in compliance with privacy laws including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and other applicable laws on health privacy.

While CDC guidance does not indicate that COVID 19 can become a systemic pollutant in a building’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, PNW is taking measures to enhance indoor air quality in facilities.

See PNW’s Air Quality Measures

The CDC recommends several practical things that you can do to protect vulnerable family members from your own work activities. These practices include the basics associated with practicing good social distance practices, wearing a face mask, frequent hand-washing, and avoiding public transportation.

See More CDC Guidelines