January 8 Human Resources Memo

This memo goes over what staff should expect when they return to work this spring.

Jan. 8, 2021

Good afternoon,

Please review the information below to learn what to expect as you arrive and go about your day before returning to campus. This information covers important details around getting your temperature scanned upon arrival, health policies that have been put in place, and more. 

We recognize there is a lot of detail below. To remember the key points, we have created a short checklist you can use before each trip to campus.As always, please make sure you’ve read the latest issues of Recap, found here, as well as are regularly checking the Reopening site, found here.

Additional Resources: 

Social Agreement

  • Before heading on campus for the first time, please make sure to read and sign the College’s Social Agreement, which has been sent to every member of the MICA community via email. 

  • This agreement goes over key information and required protocols to help keep everyone on MICA’s campus safe, from wearing face coverings while on campus (both inside buildings and outside on campus property) to hand washing, social distancing, and more.

  • All employees—even those who do not believe they will be regularly accessing campus during the spring semester—are encouraged to sign the agreement. Having the agreement signed now will prevent issues later if you unexpectedly need to be on campus.

#CampusClear app

  • While original plans included pre-testing ahead of campus arrival, MICA will instead test everyone through MICA’s on-campus testing platform. Testing opens the week of Jan.18, and you will be emailed about a timeslot to get tested.

    • Additionally, those on campus will be subject to regular COVID testing and required to receive and document that you received your flu shot.

    • For more information about MICA’s testing plans, please see Recap Issue 05, where two epidemiologists went over questions from the MICA community.

  • You’ll also need to monitor your health every day using the #CampusClear app. In this app, you’ll self-assess your health daily, which means you’ll need to check your temperature each morning and report any symptoms you may have.

  • If you feel sick, do not come to campus, and notify your supervisor that you feel unwell. 

Notification Protocols & Contact Tracing

  • Please refer to this COVID-19 Notification Protocols FAQ to help answer questions about what to do if you or someone you supervise comes into contact with someone who has COVID-19 or becomes infected themselves.

  • MICA will notify the Baltimore City Health Department of any positive cases.

  • MICA will then begin the internal contact tracing process.

  • For positive student cases, Student Health will provide the student with guidelines around isolation procedures.

    • The student will complete MICA's internal contact tracing form

    • MICA's contact tracing team (Rapid Response Team) will outreach to all identified close contacts (Close contact = less than 6 feet for >15 minutes) and provide guidelines around testing and quarantine procedures.

  • For positive faculty/staff cases, the community member will be notified and instructed to contact their primary care physician (PCP) for medical monitoring and guidelines for isolation.

    • The faculty/staff member will complete MICA's internal contact tracing form

    • MICA's contact tracing team (Rapid Response Team) will outreach to all identified close contacts (Close contact = less than 6 feet for more than15 minutes) and provide guidelines around testing and quarantine procedures

  • ,An additional option available to cell phone users is to activate the anonymous “Exposure Notifications” on their individual device to allow state public health resources to notify individuals of possible exposure to COVID-19. Here is more information.

Wristband / Temperature 

  • Once on/moving around MICA’s campus, you will need to get your temperature scanned. 

  • Once Spring Semester begins, temperature scanning stations will be staffed at Lazarus, Station, Dolphin, Main, Meyerhoff, Latrobe, Leake, Gateway, 1515, 1501, Bunting, and Brown by MICA Campus Safety.

  • As long as you register a normal temperature—the CDC defines a fever as 100.4 degrees or greater—you will be given a disposable wristband to wear for the day. 

  • If you register a temperature above 100.4, you will be sent home. Please refer to the COVID-19 Notification Protocols FAQ. If you are an employee working on campus, immediately contact your supervisor: 

    • If you test positive for COVID-19

    • Exhibit COVID-19 symptoms, or 

    • Have been in close contact (within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes) with someone who has tested positive. 

    • Important to note: If you are working remotely, you do not need to inform your supervisor about being exposed to and/or contracting COVID-19, unless you need to be on campus, or become too sick to continue working remotely.

  • The color of the wristband you receive at the temperature scanning station will rotate daily. This helps others know you have already had your temperature checked that day—and allows you to move freely around campus all day after that initial check.

  • As you enter buildings, you will need to swipe your MICA ID and show your wristband to Campus Safety. Swiping your ID will help with contact tracing if that becomes necessary.

    • It is important to note: only those who have signed the Social Agreement and have proof of receiving the flu vaccine or an approved exemption on file will be provided swipe access to buildings for the Spring Semester. 

Signage on Campus

  • Please pay attention to and follow signage throughout campus. This signage will cover a number of topics, including, but not limited to:

    • Laying out traffic flow for buildings in order to help people remain socially distanced

    • Going over capacity for spaces, from bathrooms to elevators and more

    • Helping you stay six feet away from others while waiting in line, like outside Postal & Print and when you get your temperature taken

Following Public Health Protocols

  • MICA’s Building Services team is disinfecting campus buildings before the arrival of students, faculty, and staff and will continue to do so throughout the semester. 

    • Areas that will be cleaned and disinfected by Building Services include: 

      • Public areas, office corridors, conference rooms (public), classrooms, lobbies, kitchenettes (not including appliance interiors, utensils, and dishes) 

      • Additionally, restrooms, stairs, railings, elevators and door handles will be cleaned and disinfected daily. 

    • MICA employees will be responsible for cleaning and disinfecting other areas, including: 

      • Studio lab equipment, office interiors (furniture, display boards) and personal items (computers, screens, phones)

    • Sanitizing wipes in 800 count buckets will be provided to each department from the College.

  • Please remember to wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. 

  • Hand sanitizer is available at each building entrance and guard station. 

    • NOTE: You can pick up a free PPE package from Campus Safety, which will include two face coverings, a thermometer, and a bottle of hand sanitizer that can be refilled at Campus Safety Desks throughout campus. 

  • While on campus, always practice social distancing and maintain a minimum of six feet away from others at all times.

  • Face coverings are required on all of MICA’s campus except in a single-occupancy office with the door closed, regardless of whether you are inside or outside.

  • Face-to-face meetings are not allowed

  • No pets are allowed on campus.  Service animals that fall under the ADA as well as MICA's Student Service Animal Policy and approved emotional support animals that fall under MICA's Emotional Support Animal policy are permitted on campus.  

  • Employees are not allowed to bring their children into buildings