Dear Carroll Community:
In response to Governor Bullock’s announcement of Phase I of the reopening of Montana, Carroll College’s first priority continues to be to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our students and employees. In harmony with Governor Bullock’s Directives, Carroll has adopted certain procedures to create and maintain a healthy workplace environment for our employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to closely monitor all of the Governor’s Directives and CDC Guidance and will be diligent in following the developments as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.
For Phase I of Governor Bullock’s Directive, Carroll College will continue our current practices of working remotely when possible, online and remote instruction, limiting building access, travel restrictions, food service modifications, cancellation of events and conferences, physical distancing requirements, and other practices from now until Monday, May 11, the beginning of Carroll’s summer session.
In preparation for May 11, department heads have begun making plans to gradually resume on-campus staffing and operations by fall 2020 in a way that protects the health and safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors. These plans will include the continuation of remote work, physical distancing measures, limiting the number of employees in common areas, and keeping sick employees home. Additionally, employees will be urged to use non-medical face masks when physical distancing is not feasible. Here are a few helpful links about masks:
Working in consultation with Human Resources, with the goal of gradually beginning to return to campus on May 11 and being prepared to be fully operational by the beginning of the fall 2020 semester, supervisors will identify reasonable accommodations for employees that have an underlying health condition that makes them, or someone in their household, particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus disease. Supervisors will also work with Human Resources to address the circumstances of employees with childcare needs due to the continuation of school or childcare facility closures.
As of today, Carroll College has been blessed and happy to report that to our knowledge no one in our community – faculty, staff, or student – has contracted COVID-19. But to stay diligent, the college is asking all employees to self-monitor their temperatures at home on a daily basis, and continue to monitor for indicative symptoms. Employees are directed to stay home if they show any symptoms. Employees are reminded to continue to follow CDC guidelines to stop the spread of disease:
WASH hands OFTEN with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
AVOID touching eyes, nose, or mouth
Clean surrounding areas with disinfectants, especially phones
Use an alcohol-based (60% alcohol concentrate) hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available
Avoid close contact with people who are sick
Cover mouth and nose with a tissue or sleeve (not hands) when coughing or sneezing; then wash hands
Eliminate or decrease contact with others and STAY HOME if begin to feel sick
Drink plenty of fluids, normally about 72 ounces per day
Stay active
Eat nutritiously
Get good sleep
Manage stress
Your patience, grace, and tolerance during this time of pandemic is noticed and very much appreciated. Doing all we can to protect our community from the possibility of an outbreak is critical for us to return to “business as usual” as quickly and safely as possible.
Most importantly, take care of yourselves. Please remember our valuable resources through Carroll’s Employee Assistance Program, RBH, where all employees receive up to four free counseling sessions. The services are 100% confidential and providers are virtually providing their services. To schedule sessions, call 866-750-1327.
My deepest thanks to each of you for the incredible work you do on a daily basis to serve our students! Be well and stay safe.
Sincerely,
John E. Cech, Ph.D.
President