The following precautionary procedures are in place for the Spring 2021 semester. They may be subject to change as we respond to the latest information from local and state officials, medical professionals, the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH), and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Spring semester classes will begin on Wednesday, January 20. Due to the delayed start of classes, there will be no Spring Break, but we will celebrate Easter Monday, April 5 (no classes and administrative offices closed). The spring semester will end Thursday, April 29, with Commencement on April 30, 2020.
All students, faculty, administrators, staff, and guests of the College are required to wear face coverings that always cover both the nose and mouth. Face coverings should be worn in classrooms, labs, communal office spaces, at gatherings, and in any campus setting where physical distancing of six feet between persons is difficult to maintain. Facial coverings will need to be worn in all indoor classroom and lab spaces, even when students are seated or distanced six feet from one another.
Face coverings are not required in the following locations: in one’s dorm room or suite, in one’s enclosed office, in one’s library study carrel, in one’s personal vehicle, in the dining hall when one is eating, or in outdoor settings where physical distancing of six feet between persons can be achieved. Exceptions to this policy may be considered by the Vice President for Student Life.
The College is adjusting the seating of classrooms to allow for six feet between persons. Some classes with higher enrollments are being moved to larger spaces to accommodate for improved physical distancing of six feet between persons.
Judson College has partnered with Sage Dining, its food service provider, to offer meals in a safe and healthy manner. Accommodations in dining services include the following:
Sage staff will greet and serve students from behind glass barriers and will wear appropriate PPE.
Plexiglas shields will be in place at cash registers, and check-in and payments will be contactless.
Sage staff will serve all food, eliminating self-service (with the exception of prepackaged items).
Dining areas will be staged for physical distancing of six feet between persons with signage reinforcing physical distancing and appropriate traffic patterns.
All students, faculty, administrators, staff, and guests of the college are required to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth while entering, being served, and exiting the dining hall. Facial coverings should be removed in the dining hall only during the time when a person is eating his/her meal.
Hand sanitizing stations will be available throughout the dining hall.
All condiments will be in individual packaging.
No personally refillable containers will be used.
Rigorous sanitation protocols will be in place between each meal/event.
Doors to the dining hall will be locked between food service periods, and no visitors will be allowed to enter the dining hall between food service periods.
Resident students will receive information concerning COVID-19 precautions and guidelines prior to move-in and will undergo symptom screenings and non-contact temperature checks prior to moving into residence halls.
Students are encouraged to take personal responsibility for sanitation of personal living spaces as well as classroom spaces. This effort includes frequent disinfecting of commonly touched surfaces such as light switches, doorknobs, and bathroom fixtures.
Students and employees are encouraged to develop the following habits to reduce exposure and exposing others to COVID-19:
Practice good hygiene: cover coughs and sneezes, don’t touch face, and wash hands often.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside living spaces.
Maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others.
Wear face covering when outside of living space.
Clean and disinfect frequently used items and touched surfaces often.
Avoid the use of shared objects – computers, writing utensils, phones, etc.
Monitor symptoms closely.
Report symptoms to Resident Assistant, Director of Residence Life, or Vice President for Student Life.
Limit trips off campus and wear face masks when out in the Marion community and beyond.
Students are encouraged to self-monitor by taking their own temperature daily. Additionally, the College will randomly conduct non-contact temperature checks at various times and locations around campus. Students are asked to report any symptoms, which may indicate COVID-19, to their Resident Assistant, Director of Residence Life, or Vice President for Student Life.
Judson strongly encourages students, faculty, and staff to participate in weekly random COVID-19 testing each Monday. Participation requires creating an account at https://healthy.verily.com/. Once your account is created, then you will receive notification if you are selected to participate in the weekly testing. Once selected, you will need to login to your account to schedule your appointment time. Those who comply with testing will receive incentives including Starbucks gift cards and t-shirts.
Students who begin experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 must inform a member of the Student Life Staff, either their RA, RD, or Vice President for Student Life. We have a limited number of test kits available, or a student will be referred to a local clinic for testing.
Following CDC guidelines, students will be asked to return home for the duration of isolation. If unable to return home due to extenuating circumstances, students will be assigned to designated isolation rooms. Missed classes will be an excused absence.
Following CDC Guidelines, students who have been in close contact or have been sharing a room or suite with someone diagnosed with, or showing symptoms of, COVID-19 will be asked to return home for the duration of quarantine. If unable to return home due to extenuating circumstances, students must quarantine in room/suite.
Following CDC Guidelines, employees are asked to report any symptoms related to COVID-19 to their supervisor. Employees with personal health concerns or risk factors should also consult their supervisor.
Chapel services and other large group assemblies will be held in Alumnae Auditorium to allow for appropriate physical distancing of six feet between persons.