Tigers Care: Return to TU includes guidelines, commitment to public health

Get the latest information as Towson University prepares to return to the campus in the fall.

June 24, 2020

return

As the Towson University community continues to prepare for a gradual return to campus ahead of the August 24 start of the fall term, leaders of the Return to TU Task Force  sent an update to TU faculty and staff Thursday afternoon.

With the intent to provide information about what employees can expect in coming week, the message shared that community health and safety guidelines and protocols all faculty and staff should be prepared to follow when reporting to work on campus.

The communication was part of TU's Tigers Care public health initiative, aimed at protecting the health and well-being of the TU community.

Wednesday's message shared that the Return to TU Task Force will make every effort to allow for the continuation of remote work/telework for those positions whose regular job duties can be consistently performed away from campus with the TU COVID-19 Telework Policy. The low-density model encourages a combination of telework and in-person work to achieve the goal of providing a high-quality campus experience while maintaining safety.

"We anticipate returning you to campus in phases to ensure appropriate physical distancing and to adhere to a low-density model, both of which can help minimize the transmission of COVID-19," the communication from the task force chairs stated.

President Schatzel introduced the Return to TU Task Force in April, charged with developing an effective public health and operations plan for the university that charts a path to the safe reopening of campus and return to classes for the 2020–21 academic year. Updates on plans can be found at Towson.edu/coronavirus.

The communication added that supervisors will contact staff and faculty directly with specific instructions when to return to campus. Essential staff currently on campus will have access to voluntary, pop-up testing sites in coordination with MedStar Health and the University Health Center.

After a pilot of pop-up testing site on campus this week for essential staff, the university is also putting plans in place for free, voluntary, confidential testing sites for employees in coordination with MedStar Health and the University Health Center.

It also shared guidance & protocols for members of the community to adhere to while on campus.

Also, the task force is requesting faculty and staff to take part in a community responsibility commitment to abide by the best practices set forth by global, federal, state, local and USM guidance in order to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Finally, the email outlined some basic safety guidelines that support the Tigers Care initiative, including checking symptoms, wearing masks, washing hands, disinfecting work stations and maintaining at least six feet of physical distances from others.

"We are looking forward to welcoming you back to in-person research, teaching, collaboration, and leadership on campus. Our community is even more vibrant when we’re all working safely together," the leaders of the Return to TU Task Force wrote.

Visit Towson.edu/TigersCare for more information and resources, including some of the signage expected around campus in the coming weeks.