COVID-19 Faculty Guide
PNW faculty, see everything you need to know about COVID-19 and working and teaching at Purdue University Northwest as we plan a safe return to campus.
PNW Announces Plans for Fall Semester
Following months of work from PNW’s Safe Return to Campus Task Force, the university has shared with students, faculty and staff plans for welcoming students back, in person and virtually, for the fall 2020 semester.
What can you expect on campus today? Find out with the table below.
| Phase 2 (Current) |
|
|---|---|
| Social Distancing Standards in Effect | Yes |
| Mask Usage | Required Indoors, Your Office Excepted - See the Protocol |
| Courses | Each Course Assigned a Delivery Mode: 100% Online, Virtual Classroom, Hybrid or Face to Face - See Fall 2020 Plans |
| Library and Lounges | Open with appropriate distancing guidelines in place. |
| Fitness Centers | Phase 2 Plans in Effect - See the Plan |
| Dining Services | Grab and go only |
| Size Guidelines for All Gatherings | 250 people or fewer |
| Essential Employees Work Location | On-campus |
| Non-Essential Employees Work Location | Student-facing services will have an on-campus presence during business hours. |
| University-Sponsored Travel | Limited essential travel with SLT approval. |
| COVID-19 Screening | Refer students, faculty and staff to local county options |
See PNW’s full timeline for our safe return to the classroom below.
| Phase 0 (Previous) | Phase 1 (Previous) | Phase 2 (Current) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Distancing Standards in Effect | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mask Usage | Required Indoors, Your Office Excepted - See the Protocol. | Required Indoors, Your Office Excepted - See the Protocol | Required Indoors, Your Office Excepted - See the Protocol |
| Courses | All Courses Delivered Remotely - See Fall 2020 Plans | All Courses Delivered Remotely - See Fall 2020 Plans | Each Course Assigned a Delivery Mode: 100% Online, Virtual Classroom, Hybrid or Face to Face - See Fall 2020 Plans |
| Library and Lounges | Remote | Remote | Open with appropriate distancing guidelines in place. |
| Fitness Centers | Temporarily closed | Opened July 13 - See the Plan | Phase 2 Plans in Effect - See the Plan |
| Dining Services | Grab and go only | Grab and go only | Grab and go only |
| Size Guidelines for All Gatherings | 0 (On-campus gatherings not allowed) | 150 people or fewer | 250 people or fewer |
| Essential Employees Work Location | On-campus | On-campus | On-campus |
| Non-Essential Employees Work Location | Remote | Remote (for most) On-campus (with approval or upon request from supervisor) | Student-facing services will have an on-campus presence during business hours. |
| University-Sponsored Travel | Not permitted | Not permitted | Limited essential travel with SLT approval. |
| COVID-19 Screening | N/A | TBD | Refer students, faculty and staff to local county options |
Remote Resources
Whether you’re looking to work off campus or teach classes remotely, our tech experts have guides to help!
Fall 2020 Learning Experiences
PNW will offer four “types” of courses in Fall 2020, ranging from fully remote learning to face-to-face courses deliver with precautions including social distancing, face coverings and deep cleaning.
100% Online
Fully Remote
All course learning objectives can be achieved and assessed through a variety of remote-teaching methods. Remote methods in the 100% online courses are based on the idea that students will learn the same material even if they are working at different times and locations.
Virtual Classroom
Fully Remote with Live Lecture
All course learning objectives can be achieved and assessed through a variety of remote-teaching methods. Remote methods in this environment are based on students learning at the same time, with a commitment to a specific “virtual classroom” time.
Hybrid
Combination of On-Campus and Online
Course learning objectives can be achieved and assessed through a combination of remote delivery and face-to-face interactions between student and faculty.
Examples: Lab-based courses; some clinical experiences.
Face-to-Face
In-Person Experiences
All course learning objectives can only be achieved and assessed through a variety of on-site face-to-face teaching methodologies.
Show Your Pride. Share Responsibility
Help keep our community safe! These simple steps limit the spread of COVID-19.
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
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
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
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.
COVID Announcements for Faculty
Spotlight Profile: Kay Rowberg
In designing courses for fall 2020, Associate Professor of Chemistry Kay Rowberg worked with the goal of ensuring students could engage wherever they were.
Spotlight Profile: Bankole K. Fasanya
PNW professor Bankole Fasanya promotes a flexible approach to learning, incorporating lab activities, real-life experience and convenient remote lectures.
Faculty Profile: Maged Mikhail
A self-proclaimed life-long learner, Maged Mikhail enjoys finding innovative ways to keep students interested in course content. That passion is especially important during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Frequently Asked Questions
On 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
- When you are in a building, hallway, classroom, laboratory, washroom, common area, you must wear a face covering.
- 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.
- If you are outdoors, you do not have to wear a face covering, but social distancing still applies.
- If you are at an outdoor event, with multiple participants, you must wear your face covering.
The libraries and computer labs on both campuses are open for limited 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.
The intercampus shuttle and PNW campus shuttle have been discontinued due to health and safety concerns.
PNW faculty or staff who are considering inviting vendors, collaborators or other guests (those not employed by or attending PNW) to campus need to follow the university’s official guest protocol.
Employment
See FAQs for important employment information for faculty and staff regarding Covid-19.
Flexible work arrangements, including working remotely, have become essential in our efforts to de-densify campus to keep our PNW faculty, students and staff safe and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Supervisors and employees work together to assess flexible work options, manage workload, set expectations, maintain open communication and ensure continuity of operations.
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.
PNW is following guidelines from the Indiana State Department of Health as to when a student, faculty or staff member can return to school after developing symptoms, receiving test results or coming into close contact with someone with confirmed COVID-19.
PNW employees can request the loan of university equipment to facilitate an enhanced remote-working experience. Submit the “University Property Loan Agreement” for your supervisor’s approval, and be sure to properly clean loaned equipment before returning it.
Health and COVID-19
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.
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.
Have questions about campus reopening? Contact safereturn@pnw.edu.