Members of the university community should adhere to the following policies as approved by the Executive Policy Group.
Members of the university community should adhere to the following policies as approved by the Executive Policy Group.
The University of Missouri–St. Louis has implemented a variety of safety measures in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19 on our campus. These efforts include but are not limited to instituting a face coverings policy, promoting social distancing throughout campus, regularly disinfecting high touch areas, promoting personal hygiene practices, and requiring members of the UMSL community to remain home when sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19. However, despite all of these safety precautions, we acknowledge that some members of our community may either test positive for COVID-19 or suspect they may have the virus but have not yet been tested. The procedures set forth below outline what steps will be taken upon campus officials learning of a positive or suspected case of COVID-19.
Reporting Confirmed or Suspected Cases (Students)
Please note – Any UMSL student experiencing a medical emergency should call 911. Students are required to complete the Reporting COVID-19 Diagnosis/Symptoms Form if they are experiencing symptoms, have tested positive or have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or have had contact with a person identified as testing positive. The submission of the form is received by the Campus Health Officer, who is responsible for tracking confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases on campus.
When a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 has been reported, the Campus Health Officer will:
Residential Students
Reporting Confirmed or Suspected Cases (Employees)
Please note - Any UMSL employee experiencing a medical emergency should call 911. Employees are required to complete the Reporting COVID-19 Diagnosis/Symptoms Form if they are experiencing symptoms, have tested positive or have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or have had contact with a person identified as testing positive. The submission of the form is received by the Campus Health Officer, who is responsible for tracking confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases on campus as well as Human Resources who will work with the appropriate supervisor to address departmental needs related to the affected employee’s absence. Employees are also responsible for notifying their supervisor if their health status results in an absence from work. Additionally, Human Resources will be responsible for ensuring that appropriate documentation is completed (e.g., FMLA, work from home arrangements, etc.).
When a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 has been reported, the Campus Health Officer will:
HR-700.I.C provides access to paid leave benefits for employees who are directed to remain off-site because of COVID-19 symptoms as well as asymptomatic employees directed to remain off-campus for quarantine or isolation (for example, if the employee was in “close contact” with an individual diagnosed with COVID-19).
Limited Campus Contact Tracing
Individuals with confirmed or suspected cases of COVID-19 will be asked to provide the campus locations they have visited as well as their close contacts with others since the onset of symptoms. (Close contact is defined as having had contact within six feet for 15 minutes or more, no matter if those in contact were wearing a face covering.) This process, commonly known as "contact tracing," is used to identify individuals who may have been exposed to the virus so that they can self-isolate as appropriate and to identify areas that may need additional cleaning and disinfection. This information also will assist public health officials (for example, St. Louis County, St. Louis City and St. Charles County public health offices) who have the statutory authority by state law to engage in official contract tracing.
Cleaning and Disinfecting Exposed Locations
When appropriate, UMSL Facilities will work the Campus Health Officer to evaluate physical spaces that may require additional cleaning and disinfection following notice of a positive on-campus case. Facilities will communicate with impacted departments and identify alternative space as needed. Cleaning and disinfection protocols are established in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Communicating Reported Cases
The health, safety and well-being of our university is paramount to our community and our shared goal continues to be to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Additionally, the university is committed to protecting the personal privacy of all individuals within our community. The identity of an individual confirmed positive for COVID-19 will be kept confidential and not disclosed to the general public or university community. However, the university may share notifications of positive COVID-19 cases under the following circumstances:
If that condition is met and the reported case involves a community member known to have physically occupied a university owned or managed property and who is known to have been in close contact (physically maintaining less than six feet of distancing for more than 15 minutes) with others within our community:
The university will keep the individual’s identity confidential and will not identify personally identifiable information in notifications. However, specific employees in Health Services, Human Resources and Academic Affairs will have access to this information in order to assist with contact tracing, and providing educational or workplace accommodations.
Human Resources and Health, Counseling and Disability Access Services are responsible for communicating information on confirmed cases. Individual employees, faculty members, supervisors, students, staff and college, school or divisions should not communicate any confirmed cases to respect the personal privacy of individuals in our community. Doing so would infringe on FERPA and HIPPA requirements.
Under state law, local health departments have jurisdiction in all public health matters. UMSL relies on public health officials to determine protocols for how to respond to and communicate confirmed cases to faculty, staff, students and the broader community. These protocols guide campus health authorities’ assessment of positive cases as well as initiation of contact tracing to determine with whom an individual may have come into close contact with. Given these protocols and privacy safeguards, the university may have limited information about those who have tested positive from local health officials and individual health providers.
UMSL will continue to take action to monitor and protect the health and safety of our campus community. We remind everyone to remain vigilant and follow university safety expectations.
UMSL Face Covering Policy
While maintaining physical distancing, practicing good hygiene measures (e.g., frequent hand washing, avoiding touching the face, covering coughs and sneezes), and staying home when ill are the best known protections against COVID-19, the CDC also advises the use of acceptable face coverings as a complimentary measure to slow the spread of the virus by helping people who may have the virus but are asymptomatic from transmitting it to others. Additionally, St. Louis County public health orders currently require the use of face coverings as does university policy.
The University of Missouri–St. Louis requires the wearing of face coverings by all students, faculty, staff and visitors – including contractors and vendors – when entering or occupying a physical building or facility owned, operated or managed by the university. Additionally, face coverings will be required when utilizing campus shuttles or other university-owned vehicles and when a minimum physical distance of six feet cannot be maintained in any outdoor area of the university – or if otherwise required by public health order.
Exemptions include:
Acceptable face coverings:
Face shields:
In fall 2020, the CDC revised its guidance on the use of face shields indicating: “There is currently not enough evidence to support the effectiveness of face shields for source control. Therefore, CDC does not currently recommend use of face shields as a substitute for masks.”
If there are concerns related to this policy, including those who believe they require a health or disability-related accommodation, contact:
Obtaining a face covering:
Signage will be posted to inform individuals of face covering requirements. Signage will be consistent in format across the campus.
Syllabus statements will include notifications of the requirement to wear a face mask/covering in classrooms and other instructional or public areas. Employee return-to-work training documents will also include notifications of the requirements.
All students, faculty, staff and visitors are expected to adhere to this policy. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in denial of access to designated areas or participation in programs or activities, and/or discipline in accordance with applicable university policies.
In classrooms, faculty have the right to deny a student entry into the room if the student is not wearing a face mask/covering without exemption. Violations of this policy by faculty, staff and visitors, including contractors and vendors, should be addressed by the appropriate supervisor, department chair or student affairs professional who should involve Human Resources (staff), Academic Affairs (faculty), or Student Affairs (students).
University Travel Policy – Updated 9/1/20
All university-sponsored international travel – including travel by air or road – remains suspended until further notice. This includes international travel connected to university activities and study abroad/exchange programs for all faculty, staff and students, whether funded by the university, an external grant or any other source.
Until further notice, only essential university-sponsored travel within the continental United States – including travel funded by the university, an external grant or any other source – will be considered for approval. Approved travel may only be by road and no air travel will be allowed. Essential travel will be limited to those activities related to supporting student recruitment and continuing sponsored research and engagement activities; especially those related to the public health crisis.
Requests to engage in essential travel must be submitted at the dean or vice provost level for review and potential approval by the Office of the Provost or appropriate vice chancellor in consultation with Human Resources. Requests for travel must include documentation to qualify it as essential, such as travel required as part of grant compliance. Those engaging in university approved travel must adhere to university, U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and advisories for travel.
Those approved for travel must adhere to university safety requirements, continue to engage in established health and safety measures and follow any regional guidelines. Additional restrictions related to travel include minimizing the travel distance, limited the number of overnight stays, reducing the number of individuals traveling in the same vehicle to allow physical distancing while wearing face coverings, limiting meals to carry out or pick up, and avoiding those destinations experiencing significant community spread. Upon returning from travel, individuals should closely monitor their health and remain off campus if sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19.
While discouraged, there are no restrictions on personal travel. In all cases – whether university approved travel or regional travel – the traveler should monitor for symptoms upon return and if experiencing symptoms should stay home and notify Student Health Services (for students) or your primary health provider and supervisor (for employees) as well as submit a Reporting COVID-19 Diagnosis/Symptoms form.
The university will prioritize the support for internal, university-sponsored events and restrict use of campus facilities for external groups. All external client requests will be denied unless an official exemption request is received and approved.
INTERNAL CLIENT EVENTS
EXTERNAL CLIENT EVENTS
APPROVAL PROCESS FOR CAMPUS EVENTS
All internal events which require an exception to the Foundation Guidelines for Events or external event requests will be reviewed by the steering committee of the Campus Events Task Force. The committee includes: