Southern Arkansas University Tech

Southern Arkansas University Tech (SAU Tech) developed this plan through a committee planning process to respond to the situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines are reflective of the recommendations for higher education institutions set forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), guidance from the American College Health Association, and the Arkansas Department of Health. SAU Tech is following the Arkansas Department of Health Directive for the re-opening of businesses that was posted on June 15, 2020.

Prevention starts with recognizing the signs and symptoms of the virus. The College acknowledges the (CDC) Centers for Disease Control's List of Symptoms for COVID-19: Most frequent symptoms associated with COVID-19 (other signs and no symptoms are possible) that develop 2-14 days after exposure:

• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Muscle or body aches
• Headache
• New loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Congestion or runny nose
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

Some people may experience some or all of the listed symptoms, and some of the population will exhibit no symptoms (asymptomatic). The CDC also states that other signs may present in addition to the ones listed above.

Prevention – Stopping the Spread of the Virus

Prevention efforts by SAU Tech include:

1. Health Assessments for employees, students, and campus visitors
2. Masks
3. Social Distancing
4. Sanitation of work and classroom high-touch areas, and personal hygiene

Employees

• Health Assessments: Employees will report each morning to a designated area in their building, take their own temp and record it and sign their name. Building Captains are designated to maintain the list. Employee Screening Procedures Download

• Masks: All employees wear masks in common areas and in their offices when they cannot ensure 6 feet of social distancing. 

• Social Distancing: Employees make every effort to social distance during the workday. 

• Sanitation of Workspaces: Employees sanitize work areas in addition to regular janitorial cleaning. Employees serving students clean their desk areas in between appointments with students.

The faculty clean classroom areas between classes in addition to door handles, and any high touch areas. Typical office and classroom areas include door handles, glass doors, desktops, copiers, printers, keyboards, mouse, etc. Employees also practice good personal hygiene by cleaning their hands multiple times a day.

Students (Prospective and Current)- Please make an appointment before coming to the campus for assistance in Financial Aid, Admissions, Advising, or taking an exam. Go to www.sautech.edu for further instructions.

 Student Screening Procedures:

• Each day students will have temperature checks before going to class. Please arrive early to class to allow time for the checks. Each building (Tech Engineering, Shumaker Hall, (formerly Business Bldg.), Rocket Success Center, Manufacturing Bldg., Welding Academy, Aviation Maintenance, and the Administration Bldg. will have someone taking temperatures. Each day has a designated color dot that is given for you to wear once you complete the check. These dots indicate to your instructors that you have passed your temp check for the day. Student Screening Procedures Download
  • Monday-Red
  • Tuesday-Green
  • Wednesday-Yellow
  • Thursday-Blue

• Masks: Students are asked to wear masks in classrooms, common areas such as hallways, bathrooms, and when visiting offices on campus. 

• Social Distancing: Students are required to stay at least 6 feet apart from other students in hallways, classrooms, and other campus spaces. Housing students follow the COVID-19 guidelines set forth in their housing manuals.

• Sanitation: Students practice good personal hygiene by cleaning their hands multiple times a day and using hand sanitizer available in offices and on the campus. Housing areas, student life areas (gym, activity center, and other spaces) are cleaned multiple times a day. Housing students are expected to sanitize their living spaces on a regular basis. 

Campus Visitors

• All visitors must enter the campus through the Administration Building and take a health assessment before proceeding to offices or other buildings on the campus.

• Persons visiting SAU Tech or providing services to or at the College must wear a mask when entering buildings.

• Visitors are asked to call first before coming to the campus to ensure that social distancing can be maintained. The main number for the campus is 870-574-4500. Individual office numbers are provided at the end of this document.

TECH DINER-SAU TECH STUDENT CENTER 

The SAU Tech Diner is following the requirements by the Arkansas Health Department for restaurants. Everyone must wear a mask except when eating. When eating, diners must sit 6 feet apart. Diners do not have to complete a health assessment when dining at the SAU Tech Diner. 

SAU Tech Bookstore (BBA) Procedures for COVID-19

SAU Tech Sanitation Procedures 

General Buildings/Custodial Staff:

• Cleanse building entryway door handles, all doors, each morning
• Empty all trash containers each morning and afternoon and replace all trash liners (containing trash) daily 
• Vacuum classrooms and high volume traffic areas each morning, as applicable
• Thoroughly cleanse all restrooms each morning and afternoon 
• The Student Center and Tech Diner area is cleaned thoroughly twice a day including being wet mopped and vacuumed
• Wipe the front of all vending machines daily
• Wet mop hallways daily
• Check and clean air return vents at least monthly

NOTE: When cleaning, clean from cleanest areas to dirtiest areas. The most soiled areas should be cleaned last. Wear gloves to disinfect surface areas. The use of checklists may help ensure tasks are performed as scheduled.

Classrooms/Faculty:

• Cleanse all high touch areas after each class. This includes but is not limited to the following-Door Knobs, Desk Tops, Chairs (Cushioned chairs can be sprayed with an aerosol disinfectant), Study Carrels, Keyboards, and Mouse
•  Aerosol disinfectants should be used after class, especially when students have respiratory signs and symptoms.
• The following options are implemented, when necessary: Move desks six feet apart or seat students apart in auditorium areas, Have classes outdoors, temporarily suspend group activities
• Encourage student hygienic practices: Keep hand sanitizer available and encourage its use, Have tissue available and encourage its use, Discuss with students how to appropriately cough/sneeze, Talk to students about hand washing and using hand sanitizers

This section of the plan is for students who are planning to attend SAU Tech and who are already attending SAU Tech. This section covers general prevention measures and policies, housing and student activities policies and procedures, and class attendance policies. 

Students (Prospective and Current)- Please make an appointment before coming to the campus for assistance in Financial Aid, Admissions, Advising, or taking an exam. Go to www.sautech.edu for further instructions.

 Student Screening Procedures:

• Each day students will have temperature checks before going to class. Please arrive early to class to allow time for the checks. Each building (Tech Engineering, Shumaker Hall, (formerly Business Bldg.), Rocket Success Center, Manufacturing Bldg., Welding Academy, Aviation Maintenance, and the Administration Bldg. will have someone taking temperatures. Each day has a designated color dot that is given for you to wear once you complete the check. These dots indicate to your instructors that you have passed your temp check for the day.
  • Monday-Red
  • Tuesday-Green
  • Wednesday-Yellow
  • Thursday-Blue

• Masks: Students are asked to wear masks in classrooms, common areas such as hallways, bathrooms, and when visiting offices on campus. 

• Social Distancing: Students are required to stay at least 6 feet apart from other students in hallways, classrooms, and other campus spaces. Housing students follow the COVID-19 guidelines set forth in their housing manuals.

• Sanitation: Students practice good personal hygiene by cleaning their hands multiple times a day and using hand sanitizer available in offices and on the campus. Housing areas, student life areas (gym, activity center, and other spaces) are cleaned multiple times a day. Housing students are expected to sanitize their living spaces on a regular basis. 

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE THE SEMESTER BEGINS- Student Screening Procedures Download

• Bring masks with you to the campus and wear them as directed above.
• You will be required to have a temperature check before going to your first class of the day. Each building on campus has a designated area for temp checks. Each day has a designated color dot that is given for you to wear once you complete the check. These dots indicate to your instructors that you have passed your temp check for the day.
  • Monday-Red
  • Tuesday-Green
  • Wednesday-Yellow
  • Thursday-Blue
• All students are required to get a student ID and wear it on a lanyard while on the campus. Get your student ID in the Rocket Success Center/Library.
• If you live on campus, the housing director will provide more instructions before your arrival. Check your school email.
• Any changes in meeting times in your classes or change in locations will be communicated to you by your course instructor. Check your emails frequently.
• SAU Tech is going to start the semester with a normal class delivery. This may change at any time. The changes will be communicated through your SAU Tech student email, the College's website, and by your course instructors.
• Sign-up for RAVE alerts. This is the system we use for emergency communications (weather, campus incidents, electrical outages, etc.) Use your school email to set-up your account. We share the system with SAU Magnolia, and your email identifies you as an SAU Tech student so that you receive the correct messages.
• The SAU Tech Bookstore (Managed by BBA) has a plan in place for protecting customers (students, visitors, and staff).

CLASS MEETING CHANGES 

All changes in the times or days that classes meet will be communicated to students by their individual course instructors. 

SEMESTER SCHEDULE CHANGES

SAU Tech has shortened the fall semester to end at Thanksgiving. You can see important semester dates for fall at www.sautech.edu/cv.

ATTENDANCE POLICIES FOR STUDENTS & PROCEDURES FOR ILL STUDENTS

• General Student Policy: Students who are demonstrating virus-like symptoms or have direct exposure to COVID-19, are not to report to class. Those diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19 are required to quarantine for 14 days from the day they receive confirmation of a positive test result. 

• Excusing Students from Class & Procedures for Ill Students: If an instructor identifies a student who appears to be ill with COVID-19 symptoms, the instructor will notify Shelley Young and the student will go to a quarantine room in the second floor of Shumaker Hall. Shelley or one of the nursing staff will do a COVID-19 test. If the student lives off-campus the student will be asked to leave the campus and return home to await the test results from UMAS or the Arkansas Department of Health. It is important that students answer their phone calls as it may be a call regarding their test results. The student is asked to quarantine at home for 14 days from the time that tests results are confirmed as positive for COVID-19. Housing students who cannot return home will quarantine in a space provided by the director of student life in one of the housing areas. 

• Reporting Absence from Classes: If a student is absent due to the virus, they should call 870-574-4475. The chair for allied health or designee will complete the College Health Assessment Form on the student. If a faculty member sends a student home from class, he/she must still call the phone number listed above. 

 ADH Quarantine Notice

If a student is absent due to an infected family member (resides in the same household) they will continue learning through all means (online, hard copy, email, etc.) Instructors will ensure students are provided with materials to be successful in their classes. Every SAU Tech faculty member has a continuation of learning plan on file with the vice chancellor of academics and planning.

 At-Risk Students: If you believe you are at-risk to suffer complications from COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions, please provide your instructor with written verification from your medical doctor as to the need for accommodations. SAU Tech will make every effort to accommodate students to continue the learning process. In some college programs, due to outside licensing requirements, accommodations may not be possible. A list of at-risk groups and conditions are located on the CDC's website.

Program Attendance Policies for Programs with External Licensing Requirements

Nursing Program Attendance Policy

• If a nursing student has symptoms of COVID-19 (see the CDC official listing), they must remain in quarantine for 14 days from the day that they receive confirmation of a positive test result. 
• Students who are ill due to COVID-19 will still be able to attend lectures via Zoom if they are physically able to do so. Lecture materials and assignments will be available through Brightspace. Exams missed will be proctored online through Brightspace. Assignment and exam due dates will be followed unless other circumstances arise in which the student must notify the instructor before the deadline for different arrangements.
• Each practical nursing student and the registered nursing student can appeal one absence a year. Practical nursing students can miss up to 18 hours in the fall and spring and 9 hours in the summer. Registered nursing students can miss up to 12 hours in the fall and spring and 8 hours in the summer.
• Time missed due to COVID-19 will be recorded but will not count against the student's regular allowed absences. Students must provide a doctor's excuse stating they are under doctor's care for COVID-19. If a student misses more then the allotted clinical time, they must contact the chair of allied health for possible program dismissal. 

Cosmetology Program Attendance Policy

• If a cosmetology student has symptoms of COVID-19 (see the CDC official listing), they must remain in quarantine for 14 days from the day that they receive confirmation of a positive test result. 
• Students who are ill due to COVID-19 will attend lectures via Zoom if they are physically able. Lecture materials and assignments will be available through Brightspace. Missed exams will be proctored online through Brightspace. Assignment and exam due dates will be followed unless other circumstances arise in which the student must notify the instructor before the deadline for different arrangements.
• Time missed will be recorded but will not count against the student's regular allowed absences. Students must provide a doctor's excuse stating they are under doctor's care for COVID-19. Once a student has missed an excessive amount of lab time, they will be required to meet with the program director for possible dismissal from the current program.

Aviation Maintenance Student Attendance Policy & Procedures 

• The attendance policy for SAU Tech's Aviation Maintenance program must meet the Federal Aviation Administration requirements. The program faculty will work with any students affected by COVID-19 on a case by case basis and assist students in obtaining a waiver from the FAA for excessive absences if needed. 

• Masks will be worn at all times. 

HOUSING STUDENTS -PROCEDURES FOR PREVENTION AND ILL STUDENTS

• Before moving into the housing area, students will receive information regarding the proper steps to be taken in the two weeks before moving into housing. 
• All housing residents are required to pass the COVID-19 health screening before moving into SAU Tech's housing.
• Residents receive a health packet that includes hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, face covering, information about the signs/symptoms of COVID-19, and directions for proper handwashing.
• Residents are expected to wear personal face coverings in common areas and while on-campus.
• Educational COVID-19 posters are displayed in all kitchens, bathrooms, individual living quarters, the dayroom, and the laundry room.
• Hand soap is provided in the kitchens and bathrooms of each student housing apartment.
• The SAU Tech nursing staff provides training on preventing the spread of COVID-19 and signs/symptoms of COVID-19 for community assistants (CAs), resident assistants (RAs), and the housing staff.
• The RAs contact housing students by text and phone to remind residents of handwashing, social distancing, and the importance of wearing a mask in social areas.
• Housing residents are not allowed to have visitors, including non-residents, outside guests, non-housing staff, and/others after they move into campus housing. 

Housing Quarantine and Isolation Procedures & Plans

• Residents are required to self-report any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 to the director of student life and housing staff. The director then reports this information to the allied health chair for further assistance.
  
• A quarantine living space is prepared and maintained in the Fire Academy Dorms and is available for students who are unable to return home. 
• Students can leave the campus and return home for the 14-day quarantine period or remain in the quarantine space for a minimum of 14 days or a time approved by a physician.
• If a resident requiring quarantine decides to leave the campus, the resident will be quarantined in the dayroom until a parent or guardian arrives to take them home. After the resident leaves, the dayroom will be cleaned and sanitized. Access to the dayroom will be denied to other residents for a minimum of 24-hours after sanitization. 
• Transportation is provided for residents to and from CABUN Clinic or other health care facilities if needed.
• Delivery of campus meals and counseling services (if required) will be provided to the quarantined residents by staff members.
• All persons entering a quarantine area must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (as per CDC guidelines).
• The housing staff will ensure that students are connected with their instructors to continue their coursework.

In response to the NJCAA's COVID-19 recommendations for returning to campus and regular-season activity (listed below), SAU Tech is requiring COVID-19 screenings for all athletes upon arrival to campus and before participating in any practices. All athletes are required to have their temperature checked and report any COVID-19 symptoms or exposures to the virus. Student-athletes are required to wear masks in common areas on campus, in staff offices, and in classrooms or tutoring/study-hall sessions.

Prevention Procedures: 

• All athletes are required to check and document their temperatures and symptoms for 14 days prior to returning to campus.
• All athletes are required to sanitize hands prior to participating in any activities. 
• SAU Tech athletics has a schedule for coaches to follow for ensuring regular sanitation practices by athletes.
• Athletes are to shower and wash their workout clothes as soon as they return home (dorm).
• Athletes are encouraged to perform voluntary drills and individual practices. 
• Athletes are not allowed to engage in physical contact such as high fives, fist bumps, and hugs are not allowed.
• No spectators will be allowed in practice areas.
• Athletes are advised to work out in groups of the same 5 -10 people to limit exposure to the virus.
• When an athlete leaves campus to go home or to another location, they are screened upon return to the campus.
• Athletes are provided with individual water cups or bottles during practice and sharing is not allowed.
• Coaches and staff temperatures are checked prior to practices.

Safety Protocols for 2020-21 Regular Season Competition:

The NJCAA has safety protocol recommendations for member colleges for the 2020-21 academic year. SAU Tech will be meeting the safety recommendations in the following ways. 

• SAU Tech is following all state and local regulations and guidelines regarding COVID-19 and the re-opening of businesses in Arkansas.
• SAU Tech is requiring temperature checks for all student-athletes, coaches, and game personnel prior to each competition.
• Visiting teams are asked to check temperatures before departing from their home location for SAU Tech home games.
• SAU Tech is providing its athletic trainer with necessary personal protective equipment.
• SAU Tech will limit contact between teams when possible, including the elimination of the pre-game and post-game handshakes.
• SAU Tech will limit student-athlete fan engagement before and after games. 

Safety Protocol Recommendations for Athletic Facilities and Equipment:

The NJCAA has provided safety protocol recommendations for member college athletic facilities and equipment. SAU Tech is following these protocols with the following procedures:

• SAU Tech is following all state and local guidelines as they relate to COVID-19 and the re-opening of businesses in Arkansas
• SAU Tech is cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces on the field, court, or playing surface and a cleaning schedule is in place with the College's physical plant department.
• SAU Tech is limiting the use of shared objects (equipment, etc.)
• SAU Tech does not allow the sharing of water containers, towels, etc. among teammates. 
• The practice and game facilities are restricted according to the guidelines that follow Arkansas's re-opening plan for businesses. 
• SAU Tech is practicing social distancing of players in seating areas. 
• SAU Tech is requiring that all fans wear masks to games that are held indoors where social distancing is limited.

SAU Tech Testing Center:

Only essential exams are offered until CDC restrictions are lifted regarding social distancing. Virtual proctoring is encouraged when possible. In-person appointments are required to ensure adequate seating is available. Work stations will be placed at a minimum of 6 feet apart. Masks are required at all times. Workstations are sanitized between testing candidates. Each testing candidate participates in a health assessment to use the Testing Center. There is no direct contact between the test proctor and testing candidate. Both the proctor and testing candidate will sanitize hands before beginning the check-in process. To make a testing appointment go to http://www.sautech.edu/testing-center/.

Tours for Prospective Students:

Tours for prospective students are available both virtually and in person. Appointments are required. Campus health assessment protocols are necessary. Tours will be limited to parties of 4 and must be from one group. Larger group tours must be scheduled a minimum of 14 days in advance to provide adequate time to provide staff to divide the group into smaller groups. Masks are required for campus tours.

Academic Advising:

Students are encouraged to schedule appointments through the SAU Tech website to meet with an academic advisor. Virtual advising appointments via Zoom, telephone, or email are encouraged. If an on-campus advising session is needed, masks must be worn during the session, and all campus screening protocols will be followed before entering the advising office. On-campus advising sessions will be limited to the student and one guest. To schedule your advising session go to https://www.sautech.edu/advising/.

Career Pathways Services:

Students coming into the CPI office, displaying illness or virus-like symptoms, will be required to go home or to their residence. CPI staff will follow the SAU Tech plan regarding contact with the Allied Health Chair to report sending a student home. EVery effort will be made to serve students in an alternative format, if necessary.

Continuation of Learning at SAU Tech during COVID-19

SAU Tech is continuing to deliver education during the Pandemic through online delivery and in-class delivery while following the COVID-19 prevention guidelines. SAU Tech faculty will make every effort to help students who are experiencing difficulties during this time and provide the students with alternative learning options. Each faculty member has online learning options or learning packets available for students who require alternative methods. Faculty members have developed a continuation of learning plan for each of their courses and a plan to ensure social distancing. The faculty plans are on file with the vice chancellor for academics and planning. 

Individual program attendance policies (nursing, cosmetology, and aviation maintenance) are under the Student section on this page. 

The AETA and the Workforce Training Department will keep our industry partners and public utility partners updated on training methods. When possible, we are doing more training online. The employees in our business and industry training classes displaying any of the COVID-19 virus symptoms will be required to follow the guidelines set forth by SAU Tech.

Limiting the Spread of the Virus: Personnel will follow the sanitation procedures in this plan for limiting the spread of the virus at all training locations.

Action Plan 1
Any workforce student or AETA student showing the symptoms of COVID-19 virus in class will be asked to go home and/or see a doctor, and we will recommend that they drop from the training class and return at a later time at no additional training cost. We will notify all remaining students in the course if an instructor or a classmate is confirmed to have the virus.

Action Plan 2
Our business and industry training classes generally have from fifteen to twenty employees enrolled in each training class. As long as there are at least ten employees remain enrolled in this training class with no COVID-19 virus symptoms, the training class will continue. Once the enrollment drops below that number, the training class will be closed, and a new class start date will be set up at a later time to cover what was not completed, once the employees showing COVID-19 Virus symptoms have fully recovered.

Action Plan 3
At any time during any of our business and industry training classes, the instructor shows any symptoms of COVID-19 virus, the training class will be discontinued immediately and will not start back until the instructor has fully recovered from the COVID-19 virus. All employees that are attending this training class will be notified, as soon as possible, that they were exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

A copy of this COVID-19 virus plan for our Workforce and the AETA will be available to all our partners. The Dean for the AETA and workforce training will notify the Director of Nursing of all cases or suspected cases of COVID-19 with students and employees. SAU Tech's HR office will also be notified of all employee infections.

SAU Tech Adult Education Center has four locations: The Uptown Center in Camden, the Magnolia Adult Education Center, Hampton High School, and Fordyce Middle School. The following action plans will cover all staff and students of SAU Tech Adult Education.

Limiting the Spread of the Virus: Personnel will follow the sanitation procedures in this plan for limiting the spread of the virus at adult education locations.

Action Plan 1:
Employees, whether full-time or part-time, with COVID 19 symptoms, will follow the guidelines set forth by SAU Tech. If most of our teachers are absent because of COVID-19, Adult Education will transition students from the traditional classroom setting to distance learning instruction until the teacher(s) have recovered. For locations in Fordyce and Hampton, the Adult Education Director will find a substitute teacher to fill in until the teacher returns. If the public schools in Fordyce and Hampton close due to the virus, adult education students served in those locations will transition to online learning until those locations are approved to reopen.

Action Plan 2:
Any student that displays the symptoms of COVID-19 will be sent home. The student will be required to call for transportation. Until transportation arrives, the student will be placed in a separate room away from the rest of the students and staff. The student will not be able to return until they have fully recovered. Distance Learning will be available for students who are unable to attend. Students who do not have internet access will be provided AMI packets to allow students to complete their learning.

Since the work done at the SAU Tech Adult Education Center is individualized and can be done at the student's discretion, this should not present a hardship for any student. Students and/or staff who have been near the individual will be notified that they have been exposed to the COVID-19 virus. The center's director will notify Shelley Young of the possible COVID-19 case and provide all health assessment forms to Shelley.

The AFTA will follow the guidelines in this document regarding the sanitation of common areas at the AFTA site. Employees displaying the symptoms of COVID-19 will follow instructions set forth by SAU Tech in this plan.

The Director of the AFTA will notify the Director of Nursing of all cases or suspected cases of COVID-19 with students and employees. SAU Tech's HR office will also be notified of all employee infections.

The following action plans are based on the assumption that the virus could affect the student for 2 to 14 days. The physical capabilities of the student after the infection has run its cycle is unknown. What is known is the Firefighter Standards Course is physically demanding and also very compact in time. Students who become sick with COVID-19 will be asked to withdraw from the class/program and return later to complete.

Action Plan 1
Students that display the symptoms of COVID-19 will be sent home. The AFTA will request a family member to transport the student. The student will not return to the class of current enrollment but will be allowed to attend the next available class.

Action Plan 2
If a student is displaying the symptoms of the COVID-19 virus and cannot leave the AFTA dorm due to the illness or they are from Canada, the student will be isolated from the rest of the dorm residents in a separate wing and floor of the dorm. Assigned AFTA personnel will ensure the student is provided meals and access to medical care, if needed, for the duration of the isolation. Once the student is well enough to travel on their own, they will return home and be allowed to attend the next available class.

Action Plan 3
If a student is displaying the COVID-19 virus symptoms, cannot leave the dorm, and the dorm is full, the student will be isolated to a room, and the student's roommate will be moved to another room. This may mean temporarily placing three students to a room.

Action Plan 4
If a given number of the students in a class contract, the COVID-19 virus (the recommended number would be five or more), the class will be dismissed. The training class will reconvene once the students are in a condition to attend the course and are released to continue through the course at a normal operating level.

Another alternative for an in-state student with no means of getting home would be for assigned AFTA personnel to transport the student home. Although it is an alternative, this would be the last resort option because of the high probability of the employee being infected by the virus. If a student is displaying life-threatening complications, he/she will be immediately transported to the hospital by ambulance.

All AFTA action plans are based on the student being affected and not at a normal operating level after 14 days. If at any time a student can be cleared and released by a physician in a shorter amount of time, the situation will be weighed on a case-by-case basis to decide if the student should be allowed to return to class.

Employee Attendance Policies & Procedures- Employee Screening Procedures Download

Because this virus transmits through human contact and exposure, the College asks employees who have been directly exposed to COVID-19 to not report to work for 14 days even with a negative test during the 14-day period. This is following ADH guidance and ADH COVID-19 Quarantine Notice.

Employees who are exhibiting COVID-19 are not allowed to report to work. An employee should immediately contact his or her supervisor AND Olivia Clack in the Human Resources Office at ext. 4481 to report sick leave absence.

Excusing Employees from Work & Procedures for Employees Who Become ILL at Work

If a supervisor identifies an employee who appears to be ill with virus-like symptoms, the supervisor will contact Shelley Young and the employee will go to the second floor of the Shumaker Building. Shelley will do a COVID-19 test and ask the employee to go home. The employee cannot return to work until they have a notification from UAMS or the Arkansas Health Department that their test is negative. If they receive a positive test result, they will contact their supervisor and HR and start a 14-day quarantine from the date of the positive test notification. 

Depending on the healthcare provider's advice and availability of testing, some persons with at-risk may be tested to see if you still have COVID-19. In general, the Arkansas Health Department does not do follow-up testing on patients who previously tested positive. 

  At-Risk Employees: If you believe you are at-risk to suffer complications from COVID-19 due to underlying health conditions, please provide your supervisor and HR with written verification from your medical doctor as to the need for accommodations. SAU Tech will make every effort to accommodate employees. A list of at-risk groups and conditions are located on the CDC's website.

Arkansas State Employee FAQs

Feedback from Employees on SAU Tech's Plan 

Each SAU Tech department will be responsible for communicating departmental specific messages to their audiences in addition to the communications from SAU Tech's Communications Office. For example, Student Life will communicate COVID-19 prevention guidelines and policies to housing students and to students involved in student activities. In addition to the information provided in mycollege, at www.sautech.edu/cv, and through the channels listed below, departments and programs will be expected to communicate expectations to their employees and students during this time. 

The SAU Tech Communications Office will provide the following services and communications both internally and externally:

• General emails to students and employees of updates to COVID-19 procedures and policies
• Posters, flyers, email graphics, digital signs, etc. 
• www.sautech.edu/cv
• Social media 
• Employee in-service
• The campus radio station (KC89.5)
• Press Releases and responses to FOI's

Departments and programs can submit requests for support to develop materials and signage for departmental use at https://sautech.formstack.com/forms/communicationssupport.