Safe Campus Reopening Plan

Table of Contents

PART 1: OVERVIEW

I. Introduction

Baruch College has developed a Safe Campus Reopening Plan based on the CUNY and New York State guidelines and in alignment with the recommendations of the President’s Task Force for the Future. The recommendation of the task force is that the College should deliver almost all fall classes in distance modality. A small number of classes will be conducted as hybrids—a mixture of distance instruction with some face-to-face interaction. Further, to maintain consistency and instructional continuity, the task force advises strongly against a mid-semester switching in instructional mode from remote to on-site. If there is no instruction on campus, all student services staff should focus their effort on providing their services online, and the majority of the non-instructional staff should perform their duties online as well. As such, our plan is for the entire fall semester to stay in Phase 1, which provides the certainty necessary for efficient planning and operation.

As we will be continuing to deliver almost all instruction in distance modality, only essential staff will work onsite. All other faculty and staff will continue to work remotely unless they need to come to campus to perform specific tasks that cannot be performed off-site. Campus access, except for essential staff, will continue to be by appointment. We will be bringing back some lab research activities onsite. The Research Reopening Committee developed a separate plan for those activities (Appendix F). Moreover, we are creating several quiet study spaces for students that can be accessed via an online appointment system.

While we are planning for only limited onsite campus presence in Fall 2020, we are putting in place preparations and operational protocols that allow us to scale up for more onsite classes and the greater staff presence required to support those classes. Our plans for Spring 2021 and beyond are open pending further decision making but we are laying the foundation necessary to phase in increased physical presence if we determine we can do so in a safe and healthy manner.

Phased Levels of Reopening

Campus reopening will be a gradual, staged process under conditions that are safe and in compliance with CDC, New York State, and CUNY guidelines; we will outline our plan to do so in the following section. Given the physical configuration of our campus, in considering greater physical presence on campus beyond what we currently allow, we must overcome major barriers to expansion.

To begin with, we face significant space constraints for onsite classes given the vertical nature of our buildings and our Manhattan location. The impact is twofold: space for classes, and space for students to transition and congregate in between classes. Additionally, our faculty, staff and students, who are from all five boroughs of New York and beyond, rely primarily on public transportation. We do not have a parking facility. Any move to expand onsite presence would be contingent on the ability of faculty, staff, and students to travel safely back and forth to campus.

Even under normal conditions, we operate under a significant space deficit—a situation clearly identified in our Campus Master Plan. Located between Lexington and Third Avenues, from East 26th Street to East 22nd Street, we conduct almost all of our classes in two buildings: Newman Vertical Campus, a 14-story building, and the Field Building at 17 Lexington Ave, a 16-story building. Each semester, our registrar scrambles to find sufficient classroom seats to accommodate our students. In academic year 2019-20 we enrolled more than 18,500 students; for 2020-21, we are experiencing a 4.5% increase in enrollment, with the preliminary count reaching 19,500.

We have conducted an in-depth space analysis of all instructional spaces on campus. After applying social distancing requirements to classrooms, we are left with a considerably smaller inventory of available classrooms for each period. Specifically, due to the vertical configuration of Baruch’s buildings and the bottleneck created by elevators and narrow hallways, our space analysis indicates that even with staggering class schedules, available physical space suitable for instruction will be very limited (e.g., the narrow hallways make the traffic during class-switching  times extremely difficult to manage safely). Our elevators can safely accommodate 3 or 4 persons at a time, which means they must be restricted to people with special needs, and/or to meet ADA compliance. As such, we could only use spaces on the 5th floor and below for classes, so students could safely use stairways and, in the Newman Vertical Campus, the combination of escalators and stairways.

In sum, our total inventory of feasible instructional space (space below the 5th floor that can accommodate 20 or more students) is approximately 11% of normal capacity for each class period. The effective capacity is even smaller after factoring in the need to implement enhanced cleaning protocols and safe flow/traffic control.

In addition to the availability of instructional space and our ability to accommodate students’ safe movement between classes, we have very limited space for students to congregate between classes. Our students, who typically commute over an hour or more to come to campus, cannot return home between classes. While waiting for a later class, our students crowd the library, dining areas, club spaces, computer labs, lobbies, as well as our building entrances and adjacent public sidewalks. Although we are in the process of creating a one-block pedestrian plaza on East 25th Street, it is currently under construction and will not open until the end of 2020 at the earliest. Our buildings open out onto the public sidewalks shared with the community in a dense, Manhattan commercial neighborhood. There is simply insufficient space for students to congregate under normal conditions and now those students would be limited to areas 5th floor and below, leading to the large, non-socially distanced gatherings that health authorities tell us directly contribute to the spread of the virus.

With this context, we have planned for four phases of reopening prior to normal operations, each dependent on a trend of improving community health conditions, and the ability of the College to control outbreaks. Table 1 illustrates the continuum of reopening phases—from the initial stage of closure, to near-normal site access—and key areas of operation/service that are expected to be available in each phase. The difference across phases corresponds to the degree to which increasing numbers of campus community members can be accommodated onsite, particularly with regard to on-campus instruction. Facilities constraints and health conditions have direct impact on the projected capacity rates summarized in Table 1.

Summary of Phases

• Phase I: Initial Site Access 
  • Limited face to face instruction in hybrid format in three classrooms;
  • Lab science research activities in 17 Lex, and limited census data research needing onsite access in Administration building;
  • Student Health Center limited hours;
  • Mail room/receiving with limited hours;
  • Early Learning Center open with reduced capacity;
  • Limited student quiet study space open;
  • Essential staff necessary to support onsite operations and service building systems, and
  • Campus access by faculty and staff by appointment only to pick up material/documents or perform a task that cannot be performed remotely. Begin fall 2020 semester.
• Phase 2: Low Site Access (up to 25% capacity). With successful implementation of health and safety protocols, up to 25% of campus capacity will be available for access. In addition to Initial Site Access priorities, there will be:
  • Expanded face to face instruction possible in hybrid format, with priority given to lab courses and other priorities identified by Academic Affairs—up to 3% instruction conducted partially on-campus;
  • Expanded lab research presence;
    Faculty and staff access to work on campus, by appointment, up to 25% capacity of departmental work space and overall building occupancy;
  • Expanded student quiet study space if so indicated by demands and operations needed to support these priorities.
• Phase 3: Medium Site Access (up to 50% capacity). After successfully achieving and sustaining a stable record of health and safety under Phase 2 access, up to 50% of campus capacity will be available for access. In addition to Low Site Access priorities, there will be:
  • Expanded face-to-face instruction possible in hybrid format, with priorities identified by Academic Affairs—up to 8% instruction conducted partially on campus;
  • Expanded lab research presence and some library services onsite;
  • Additional faculty, staff, and student access to work on campus, as capacity and elevator usage allows up to 50% capacity;
  • Additional on-campus student and instructional support services as needed and operations needed to support these priorities;
  • While allowing more of the campus community access we will continue to encourage those who can work remotely to do so;
  • Decisions to expand services will be reviewed by the Campus Reopening Committee and will be based on the achievement of stable and improving conditions during Phase 2 and approved by CUNY and governmental agencies as required.
• Phase 4: High (up to 75% capacity) and Normal Site Access. We will not move into this phase unless there is a vaccine that has been widely disseminated and/or the virus transmission has otherwise been effectively contained. By beginning at 75% occupancy and moving to full normal operations, we will allow time for faculty, staff, and students to adapt to normal operations after a prolonged period of remote operations.

Table 1: Summary of Operations During Phased Reopening

Transitions Between Phases

• To assure academic and instructional continuity, we will avoid transition between phases during an academic semester.
• We will be guided by the most up-to-date information and guidance about community health conditions as reported by New York State (NYS) and local health officials, including using the key metrics on the NYS Regional Dashboard and wait for a sustained decline in the prevalence of the disease, including transmission rate, before moving to the next phase.
• We will remain in Phase 1 if there are signs of significant community or campus outbreaks of other known influenza illness that may exacerbate the impact of Covid-19. We will monitor signs of such an outbreak using information from NYS and NYC health agencies or campus self-reported cases.
• We will closely monitor reports of any positive cases on-campus during Fall 2020, and assess our ability to manage and contain the risk to others; if we cannot contain, we would remain in Phase 1, and consider rolling back to an earlier phase including no onsite presence except for essential staff. In this regard, we will follow most current guidance from NYS and NYC health officials.
• We will assess our ability to monitor and maintain full compliance with health and safety protocols to mitigate risk; unless fully successful, we will not move to the next phase.
• We will assess our implementation with student quiet spaces, including if there are unmet or unexpected needs, as well as our success in monitoring adherence to health and safety guidelines in those spaces to determine level of activity in the next phase.
• Any move to expand physical presence would not occur unless our faculty, staff, and students can travel back and forth to campus safely; therefore, we will not move to next phase if there is significant public transportation risk.
• We will assess our ability to provide sufficient PPE, enhanced cleaning protocols, and other measures designed to ensure safety of our faculty, staff, and students and will only move to next phase if these measures are in place.
• We will rely on Academic Affairs to determine which classes should be prioritized for return in later phases, giving priority to classes where students would benefit the most from face-to-face instruction and learning assessment. Ideally, plans should be announced by the middle of the prior semester to allow sufficient time for successful implementation.
• During phased reopening phases, the campus will provide necessary accommodation to faculty, staff, and students at high risk for severe illness. See Vulnerable Populations (Section II.C).
• Prior to moving from Phase 1 to later phases, we will go through all necessary physical space preparation necessary for the space to support appropriate social distancing at that time. As we begin to reopen offices and other spaces for later phases, we will prepare for occupancy by using existing hygiene and operational protocols for spaces that have been unoccupied for a long time, including cleaning and disinfecting, ensuring appropriate ventilation, checking water systems, and other actions as appropriate to the space.
• In the case of an outbreak on campus that we cannot contain, or deteriorating community health conditions, the College will be prepared to roll back to an earlier phase including no presence on campus except for essential staff. In determining whether to reclose, we will follow most current NYS guidelines. See Reclosing Plan (Section IV).

Governance

The Campus Reopening Committee is chaired by the Coronavirus Campus Coordinator, Katharine T. Cobb, (VP Administration & Finance). Serving on the Committee are: James McCarthy (Interim Provost/SVP Academic Affairs); Lawrence Manganello (AVP Campus Facilities); Andrea Caviness (Director of Human Resources); Jim Kaznosky (Environmental Health and Safety Officer); and Samuel Johnson (Chair Faculty Senate). Vincent DiGirolamo (PSC Baruch Chapter chair), with Olga Dais (AVP/Executive Counsel &Labor Designee), and Mary Finnen (AVP Finance) serve as advisors. Christina Latouf (VP Communications, External Affairs & Economic Development) and her staff are our partners on communication. We have consulted Arthur Downing (VP Information Services/Dean of the Library) and Mike Richichi (AVP BCTC) for library and technology issues. Art King (VP Student Affairs/Dean of Students) and his staff have worked on plans for activities in student affairs, the residence hall, and Early Learning Center. We used the results of a student survey on types of support needed in distance learning. We consulted students on protocols for the student quiet study spaces. We also sought and received input from those with direct knowledge of a particular area of operations.

We reviewed the guidance for higher education on Covid-19 health and safety measures from the NYS Department of Health for higher education and other materials located on the New York Forward website and CUNY guidelines on the CUNY website, including “Guidance for Academic Continuity.”

This will be a dynamic and evolving plan. We will adapt based on our experiences and as external conditions and CUNY, NYS, and NYC guidelines and mandates change. As the CUNY Guidance for Academic Continuity directs, we will “ensure that [our] decisions be guided, first and foremost, by our commitment to equity and our obligation to protect the health and safety of all students, faculty, and staff, along with our commitment to facilitate the maintenance of academic momentum and the achievement of learning outcomes” for our students.

We will continue to solicit and welcome input from the campus community. You may send questions and comments to Katharine.cobb@baruch.cuny.edu.

Part 2: Guidelines for Campus Reopening Plans

II. People

A. Physical Distancing

Distancing and Masks

• All building occupants are required to maintain at least 6 feet distance from each other unless the nature of the task (moving furniture for example) requires a shorter distance.
  • All occupants must comply with any distance markers in the building.
• Anyone coming on-site will be required to wear an acceptable face mask or covering and must wear the face mask or covering while onsite unless alone in their office. [See Section III: Protective Equipment for more details on face coverings.]
• In certain instances where there are face-to-face encounters like at security desks and other areas, we have provided Plexiglas or other similar protective shields between the parties.

Limit Occupancy and Congestion

• Almost all classes will continue in distance modality this fall (Phase 1). For those classes that are held on campus, we have ensured that the time, days and locations minimize congestion by analyzing traffic flow and space capacity with social distancing requirements
• We determined that only spaces accessible by stairs or escalators would be feasible to use for classes given social distancing requirements that limited elevator capacity to at most 3-4 persons. Based on that requirement, Campus Facilities conducted a space audit of all six of our buildings, looking at classrooms and other spaces currently not in use as classrooms from fifth floor on down. Using building floor plans, Campus Facilities determined capacity of each space per CUNY Guidelines of 6 feet distance between occupants. Using 36 square feet for each desk allows total of 6 feet between each occupant.
• Campus Facilities added capacity information to each space so the College can use as a planning tool for assigning classrooms and ensuring traffic flow is feasible with social distancing.
• Campus Facilities did actual fit outs to test capacity assumptions made using the floor plans to refine the numbers.
• On the fifth floor and below, Campus Facilities identified a limited number of spaces that they could reconfigure with appropriate physical distancing. See attached chart.
• We used this analysis to assign space to the onsite classes. The analysis and process will be adapted if social distancing rules change, reducing distancing required, and will be the foundation for planning for more onsite classes in future phases.
• We will limit physical interactions on campus by taking the following steps:
  • Onsite presence will be permitted for faculty teaching a class on campus and the students in the class; essential staff; lab research faculty and staff; students who have made an appointment for quiet study space.
  • We will restrict onsite presence to locations necessary for the task and unnecessary movement between work areas, building floors and buildings will be discouraged.
  • All other faculty and staff will be permitted access by online appointment only, using the campus access request form, and only as necessary to retrieve materials or to do a task that can only be performed onsite. The appointment will be for specific location(s) only. For the form and guidelines for all those coming to campus, visit the Request Campus Access page.
  • The Public Safety Director, who will receive the campus request form when the requestor clicks “submit”, will manage campus access appointments. This process will continue in Phase 2. In later phases departments will create access plans based on permitted capacity that will be reviewed and approved by the Campus Reopening Committee.
  • Visitors will be permitted on-campus by invitation only by College senior leadership and with advance notice to Public Safety. All visitors will be required to download and complete the Everbridge health screening questionnaire application the day of the visit and be cleared for admission. This process will continue until normal operations begin.
  • As we will require advance appointments for campus access by faculty, staff, students and visitors, Public Safety will monitor and reschedule as needed to minimize congestion and occupancy that exceeds social distance capacity.
  • Under our normal protocols, we require College identification cards for campus entry with either card access turnstiles or swipe card devices. We will continue this requirement.
• Departments will schedule essential staff and create work assignments with the goal of reducing congestion and allowing for social distancing to the extent feasible given the nature of the task, (e.g. moving furniture). Departments will also manage egress and exits from shifts to reduce contact.
• Non-essential common areas including the gym, pool, game rooms, and lounges will remain closed until later phases (see Table 1).
• Campus Facilities has determined occupancy limits for bathrooms in use for the fall, posted signage and blocked access to stalls and sinks to encourage safe physical distancing.
• We will encourage use of stairways and escalators rather than elevators.

Reconfigure Floorplans

• Campus Facilities set up classroom furniture to create 6 feet distance between occupants and use floor markings to indicate appropriate location and remove unused furniture, prior to the restart of any classes or use of any other spaces.
• At this point, with certain exceptions for lab scientists and staff and essential workers, most workspaces will remain unused. For those that are in use, for example the public safety entrance desks and mail room, workstations have been set up to maintain physical distance.
• Spaces that are not in use will not be accessible.
• In later phases of reopening, we will reopen additional workspaces as needed. At such time, we will take all necessary steps to encourage physical distancing including removing furniture, blocking chairs/tables with tape or in some other manner to preserve recommended physical distancing. For details on preparation for workspaces, see “Offices Spaces” in Section I.B.

Signage

• We have posted signage throughout campus to remind all personnel of the CDC guidelines for Covid-19 safety in the workplace. These signs include reminders to remain socially distant where possible and are consistent with NYS Department of Health language. At a minimum, signage shall be used to remind individuals to:
  • Stay home if they feel sick
  • Wear face coverings in the building
  • Cover nose and mouth with an acceptable face covering
  • Properly store and when necessary, discard PPE
  • Adhere to social distancing instructions
  • Report symptoms of, or exposure to Covid-19 and how they should do so.
  • Follow hand hygiene and cleaning and disinfection guidelines
  • Follow respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette.
• We will post additional signage to reinforce physical distancing measures including occupancy limits, traffic flow and emergency egress routes.
• Floor markers will be used where appropriate to reinforce recommended social distancing, particularly in areas where lines are likely to form and for furniture placement in classrooms.

B. Gatherings in Enclosed Spaces

General Guidance for Enclosed Spaces

• We will limit to the extent possible in-person gatherings in closed spaces. We will continue to make use of video-conferencing for meetings. We will continue this practice in Phase 2. We will conduct some in-person classes but with all appropriate health and safety measures.
• We have closed all non-essential spaces including our conference center, performing arts center, gym, pool, conference rooms and other communal areas, unless they can be used for College needs such as classrooms or quiet study spaces. We will only reopen for use by internal or external groups, if and when, we determine the space can be used with strict compliance with NYS and CUNY guidelines, likely at the earliest in Phase 3, with some consideration for use of gym and pool by student athletes in Phase 2. For further discussion on phased staged reopening and factors to be considered, see “Staged Reopening” Section I.
• Almost all staff will continue to work from home in Phase 1 except for essential staff. Limited access will be allowed by appointment only.
• Library (Details appended)
  • The library has adopted the phased reopening approach endorsed by the OAA’s Office of Library Services and posted as “Continuity of Library Services: A Service Stage Approach.”
  • Library will remain closed for physical use during the first phase, i.e., through fall.
  • Online services will be available.
  • Any material not available online will be retrieved by staff and mailed to the requestor. In cases of emergency need, the requestor will arrange a time for pick-up in the lobby of the Library building. A contactless social distanced hand-off process will be used.
• Cafeterias/Dining Halls
  • We will not be operating any food services in the fall, including vending machines; we will consider some self-service options in Phases 3 and 4 if there is a need.
  • The dining area located on the first floor of the Newman Vertical Campus will be used for student quiet study space. Campus Facilities has set up the space for that purpose, adding floor markers to the space to indicate placement of furniture for social distancing.
• Computer Labs
  • For fall semester (Phase 1), computer labs will remain closed as they are all located above the 5th floor. Students will be able to access all the software that is on the lab computers remotely.
  • Since computer labs are located on floors above the fifth floor elevator access and current social distancing is an obstacle to reopening. If conditions of Phase 3 are met, we will consider limited re-opening the labs by appointment at which time, BCTC will physically mark stations to maintain appropriate physical distance and implement cleaning protocols before use. We will consider procuring keyboard covers.
• Conference Rooms
  • Conference rooms are closed until Phase 3 at the earliest, depending on ability to maintain social distancing.
• Dorms/Housing
  • See specific plan appended.
• Research Labs
  • See specific plan appended.
• Early Learning Center
  • See specific plan appended.
• Student  Health Center
  • See specific plan appended.
• Elevators
  • In Phases 1 and 2, elevators are only being used by essential staff and those with physical limitations.
  • We are encouraging use of stairs and escalators and will continue to do so in Phase 3.
  • Only 3-4 individuals allowed in elevator at a time; Campus Facilities has applied markings on the floor appropriate social distance and post signage indicating capacity. Public Safety will monitor.
  • To ensure Individuals waiting for the elevator stay 6 feet apart, Campus Facilities has marked the floor. Public Safety will monitor.
  • Custodians will clean high touch surfaces 2x a day on a daily basis in Phase 1 and 3x a day on a daily basis in Phases 2 and 3.

• Gyms and Fitness Centers, Including Pools
  • Gyms, fitness center and the pool are closed during the fall semester (Phase 1).
  • Though the pool is closed in this phase, all routine water testing and pool water maintenance will continue.
  • The Committee will assess whether reopening for Phase 2 or 3 is feasible for students and College athletic personnel based on NYS guidelines for gym facilities.
  • Prior to allowing any type of reopening of athletic facilities in Phase 2 or 3, the Committee would require the Athletic department to submit a compliance plan including preparations and protocols to establish physical distancing measures, signage, cleaning protocols, and strict capacity limits. The plan must be in line with the latest recommendations of American College Health Association at the time of requested reopening and relevant NYS and CUNY guidelines.
  • The Committee would allow resumption of use by external groups, including pool and gym rentals and athletic center memberships in Phase 4.
• Hallways and Stairwells
  • We will institute one-way traffic flow as feasible with appropriate signage.
  • We have scheduled classes in a manner to minimize hallway congestion.
• Lecture/Classrooms
  • See discussion in “People” Section II.A.
  • If classes meet face-to- face, a remote substitute will be made available for high-risk students.
• Student Quiet Study Spaces
  • College will provide students access by appointment, using an application currently in use by Academic Advising, Appointments will be in four-hour blocks of time. For further details see Appendix D. Campus Facilities will use the dining hall and multi-purpose room located on the first floor of the Newman Vertical Campus.
  • We will maintain physical distancing of 6 feet between occupants by using floor marking for tables and chairs set at the required distancing.
  • Students will bring their own devices.
  • We will use the CUNY Student Conduct rules for the space. All staff and students on campus will be required to comply with social distancing requirements, wear a mask or face covering unless alone in an office and other health and safety requirements.
  • We will communicate those rules by announcing when we open the space and by posting a sign in the space.
  • There will be two hours between each block of time so that custodians can clean the space and the adjoining restrooms and so that students ending their time will not encounter students coming into campus for their appointments. Custodians will disinfectant each space immediately after each use consistent with the cleaning protocols in Section III “Places” under “Hygiene, Cleaning and Disinfecting”
• Lobby and Common Areas
  • We will discourage seating in lobby areas and waiting areas by blocking chairs.
  • Custodians will clean and disinfect any lobby in use daily with particular attention to high touch surfaces.
• Office Space
  • During the fall semester, almost all most staff will be working remotely and offices will not be in use.
  • During later phases, we will only bring back faculty needed to provide instruction and staff needed to provide on-site support for the increase in on-site instruction for students and faculty on site. We will determine capacity based on CUNY’s guideline for social distancing in effect at the time for per person maximum occupancy on maintaining social distancing and will post maximum occupancy signs in all occupied spaces. To maintain the appropriate capacity for staff, we will use strategies such as staggered work shifts, combined onsite and work from home, and compressed work weeks. Prior to start of later phases, we will do necessary physical preparations to prepare the space by removing furniture or blocking chairs and tables to discourage use and establish workspace cleaning protocols for staff use consistent with portions of the cleaning protocols in Section III “Places” under “Hygiene, Cleaning and Disinfecting.”
  • Because of our reliance on elevators to reach many faculty and staff offices, we will have to impose significant capacity restrictions to reduce back-ups at the elevators, entrance and egress points, and hallway congestion.
  • Prior to the start of later phases, we will prepare offices and work spaces for occupancy by using airless disinfecting spraying machines to coat the entire space in CDC- and NYSDOH-approved disinfectant after each use and for spaces that have been unoccupied for a long time. In addition to cleaning and disinfecting, we will ensure appropriate ventilation in Field Building (17 Lexington Avenue) by opening windows, allowing more fresh air through our HVAC systems, and the use of portable HEPA units where available; in other campus buildings, modifying our HVAC systems  to allow more fresh air. For water systems, we will  add more frequent treatment and maintenance using bleach where applicable other actions as appropriate to the space consistent with the cleaning protocols in Section III “Places” under “Hygiene, Cleaning and Disinfecting.”
• Restrooms
  • We will only open restrooms in areas that are occupied.
  • Campus Facilities has reduced capacity in open restrooms by closing every other stall, blocking off every other urinal and taping over every other sink and post signage with capacity limits.
  • Where feasible, doorways will be propped open so users will not need to touch door handles.
  • All restrooms have signage on proper hand washing hygiene.
  • We are disabling hand dryers in restrooms and provide adequate supply of paper towels and soap.
  • Restroom cleaning will be consistent with the cleaning protocols in Section III “Places” under “Hygiene, Cleaning and Disinfecting” and conducted 2x a day, 5 days a week in Phase 1, and 3x a day, 5 days a week in Phases 2 and 3.

C. Operational Activity

• Operational Considerations Involving Staff Scheduling and HR
  • We will continue to take measures to reduce interpersonal contact and decrease campus density by limiting the physical presence to only those staff who are necessary to be at the institution.
  • Departments will create schedules and work assignments that will take into account measure to reduce interpersonal contact.
  • In order to maintain appropriate social distancing in work spaces in future phases, we will implement flexible work arrangements including staggered work schedules, compressed workweeks (e.g., 4 days with longer hours) and various on-site and telecommuting work arrangements (e.g., 2 days onsite, 3 days remote or alternating remote or onsite weeks).
  • See Section II on Vulnerable Populations.
  • We will continue to provide training to employees virtually.
• Operational Considerations for Course Scheduling
  • As stated, this fall (Phase 1), we are offering all but a handful of classes in an online modality
  • We have created a corresponding course schedule to allow international students to receive some degree of in in-person classes to respond to respond to any requirements/rule changes in Student Exchange and Visitor Program.
  • We have l scheduled classes to minimize density and allow for physical distancing.
  • We are using various course design tools, including use of cohorts or sections to reduce density as needed.
  • We have coded classes to indicate which ones are fully remote or include hybrid components. We will use “Guidance on Academic Continuity” which provides detailed guidance and recommendations and is updated often.
• Operational Considerations Involving Individuals on Campus
  • All staff and students returning to campus will be required to take the health and safety Covid-19 training available on Blackboard.
  • All staff and students coming to campus will be required to download and complete the Everbridge health screening application the day that campus access is desired, and only those who are cleared will be admitted to campus on that day only.
  • Individuals completing the questionnaire must certify to the accuracy of the responses
  • All staff and students on campus will be required to comply with social distancing requirements, wear a mask or face covering unless alone in an office, and comply with other health and safety requirements.
  • For the most part, we will rely on the campus community to comply with requirements. Individuals seeing someone violating requirements should make a report to Public Safety. Public Safety or other staff observing the non-compliant behavior will verbally remind any non-compliant individual of the rules. If the individual fails to respond to the reminder or violates the requirements a second time, Public Safety will be notified and will report the behavior to the individual’s supervisor, or in the case of a student to the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students will review and take appropriate disciplinary action. If a faculty or staff member violates requirements a third time, Public Safety will report the individual to the Campus Reopening Committee to receive authorization to restrict the individual’s access to campus.
• Operational Considerations for Vulnerable Populations
  • For fall semester, almost all classes will be delivered remotely and almost all staff will continue to work from home.
  • Any student unable to attend an onsite class because they are at higher risk for severe illness will have the option to the class take remotely. They will notify their instructor if they wish to exercise this option.
  • For future phases, with more classes on the campus, we will continue to offer virtual learning opportunities for vulnerable students.
  • During future phases, when additional staff return to campus to work, Human Resources will work with faculty and staff who self-report to Human Resources that are they are at high risk of severe illness if required to work onsite, on options for telecommuting and other feasible accommodations.
  • Student Affairs Disability Office will actively engage with students with disabilities to identify issues they may be experiencing with remote learning and identify resources and possible solutions in partnership with BCTC.
  • We will continue to offer the same service to vulnerable population that we have delivered prior to Covid-19 adapted to a virtual format.
  • We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations and academic adjustments to allow qualified individuals the opportunity to participate in programs, activities and employment. The College will grant reasonable accommodations to students, faculty and staff related to Covid-19, and streamline the process, as needed, to handle the volume of Covid-19 related accommodations consistent with the CUNY policy.
• Operational Considerations for Mental Health and Welfare
  • The College partners with Mount Sinai to provide onsite health services for students and the Health Center remains open. See specific plan appended.
  • Student Affairs continues to offers psychological counseling virtually.
  • Human Resources partners with an employee assistance program, Corporate Counseling Associates, which provides a wide array of free mental health and welfare services and referrals for faculty and staff.
  • The President’s Task Force for the Future has a sub-committee charged with the task of focusing on staff needs, including those working onsite as well as those working remotely. The Committee will be conducting an employee survey to identify staff needs and develop programs and initiatives to support including developing workshops with Corporate Counseling Associates.
  • The Staff Sub-Committee, in partnership with Human Resources, will publicize and encourage staff to access any workshops and training provided by CUNY.
  • All services provided to students prior to Covid-19 will continue in a virtual format.
• Operational Considerations for Grading Policies and Academic Support
  • We will comply with CUNY guidelines.
• Operational Considerations for Student Life
  • Student activities and engagement will be continued but in a virtual modality.
  • We will not allow large public gatherings on campus until Phase 3.
• Operational Considerations for Technology
  • Faculty training on online instruction will be ongoing and led by the Center of Teaching & Learning
  • Baruch Computing & Technology Center (BCTC) is adding equipment, as necessary, to the classrooms that will be used for onsite instruction to support new requirements, including class discussions between a mix of onsite and remote students.
  • BCTC is augmenting the capacity of the help desk by reassigning part-time staff and student assistants who would have worked in campus labs.
  • The equipment distribution program is prepared to supply an additional 2,000 devices to students.
  • The Deans of each of the schools surveyed their faculty to identify needs for equipment, software and support needs for online instruction; each request is being addressed.
  • BCTC, working with departments and the Staff Sub-Committee, will continue to identify and support needs of staff working remotely.
  • BCTC is working closely with CUNY CIS to manage the College’s security requirements and assess vulnerabilities.
• Operational Considerations for Facilities and Grounds
  • AVP of Campus Facilities has developed and implemented physical, operational and cleaning protocols that will be needed in accordance with Section III. B. “Hygiene, Cleaning and Disinfection” of this plan.
  • We have established cleaning regimens for custodial staff for Phases 1-3; we will monitor effectiveness and adapt as needed. See details in Section III Places “Hygiene, Cleaning and Disinfection.” We will continue to properly protect and provide training,
  • We have established work tasks and schedules for Building & Grounds trades. We will continue to properly protect them and train them on all health and safety protocols.
  • We will adjust energy and utility usage according to building usage  to continue to reduce expenses and use.
• Operational Considerations for Reclosing in the Event of an Outbreak
  • The College successfully moved to remote operations in a matter of days in March with no prior experience and little interruption in service. We have been delivering instruction, student services and all other campus operations remotely since that time, and have adapted and improved with experience. If required to return fully remote, we could do so rapidly.
  • We will continue to function mostly remotely with some small exceptions identified in this plan. This will allow us to carefully monitor onsite activities and move them off campus if necessary for health and safety reasons. Phase 2 would involve only a slight increase in physical presence over Phase 1.
  • We are prepared to return to remote learning for any of the onsite classes in later phases. In fact, both onsite and remote instruction will be given of the same class. If either an instructor or student tests positive, and the student/instructor had contact with other members of the class within 14 days of testing positive, the instructor will change the class to a remote format.
  • We will continuously monitor the local health situation by using NYC and NYS health agency resources for signs of a community spread in areas affecting our faculty, staff, and students by referring the key metrics on NYS Regional Dashboard.
  • If we see such an outbreak, we will consult with CUNY and healthcare agencies for guidance on whether to reduce physical presence on campus and to what extent.
  • We will use our Everbridge data to track any individual who has tested positive and follow the “Tracking and Enhanced Cleaning” protocols in Section IV. B. to determine areas that will need to be closed off until the area had been cleaned and disinfected. If occupants and activities in those areas cannot be re-located, the occupants will return to conducting those activities remotely.
  • Using our Everbridge application data, we will monitor for spread on campus and if there are trends, i.e. individuals with positive tests were engaged in the same activities or interacted with each other. This data will inform next steps.
  • We will monitor signs of community or campus outbreaks of any other known influenza-like illnesses that may exacerbate the impact of Covid-19. We will use information from NYS and NYC health agencies or campus self-reported cases.
    • We will monitor faculty staff and student compliance with physical distancing, mask wearing, and health screening requirements if on-campus. Failure to comply after a reminder of the rules will result in closing down activities.
    • If local and state authorities determine that based on a community outbreak, the College must decrease our physical presence or shut down completely, we will make adjustments to essential staff schedules and return to level of onsite presence during the pause.
    • If we take any steps to close down some or all onsite activities, we will advise the campus community through multiple modalities. See Section III. C Communication Plan.
    • See Residential Hall Reopening plan for reclosing plan.
    • See Research Reopening plan for reclosing plan.
    • See Early Learning Center Reopening Plan for reclosing plan.
    • In the future phases, we may deliver more onsite instruction; however all faculty will be prepared to switch to remote learning if necessary, for example in the case where a class member tests positive or the College shuts down all or part of their activities.

D. Mail and Campus Deliveries

• Mail and campus deliveries come to the first floor Mailroom and Receiving Office on the ground floor of the ITB/Library Building. The Office is open Tuesday and Thursday with from 10 am until 3 pm.
• Our Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Officer established health and safety processes and protocols for the staff for contactless delivery and other practices to minimize interactions between individuals; EHS Officer trained the staff on those practices and protocols.
• Departments arrange to pick up mail or accept deliveries from Receiving by appointment.

III. Places

A. Protective Equipment/Masks

• We have provided essential staff currently working onsite with personal protective equipment (PPE) and have trained them as to the proper use.
• All entrants to College buildings will be required to wear a mask and must wear the mask at all times while onsite unless alone in an office. We will provide disposable masks to any individual arriving without a mask, or if they request one, at the entrance points to the buildings, by Public Safety.
• Individuals may use their own acceptable masks or face covering but will not be required to provide their own face covering. Acceptable face coverings include but are not limited to cloth (e.g. homemade sewn, quick cut, bandanna, commercially available), surgical masks, and face shield (with a face covering underneath). Users should consult the guidance below for these types
• Cloth, disposable, or homemade face coverings are not acceptable for workplace activities that typically require a higher degree of protection for PPE due to the nature of the work (e.g. if working with flammable materials or chemicals, ensure face coverings are flame-resistant). If contact with hazardous materials require protection that is more stringent, the Environmental Health and Safety Officer will conduct a hazard assessment of the hazardous agent will be used, where the hierarchy of controls will be employed to eliminate, substitute, engineer control, administratively control, and/or create protective barriers for workers.
• All staff who are using disposable face coverings provided by the College must be trained in properly wearing these. The following instructional video demonstrates how to wear a disposable face covering. Additionally, the CDC offers the following guidance on properly wearing face coverings.
• Individuals choosing to wear cloth or other acceptable face coverings should consult the guidance below for additional information on cloth face coverings and other types of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as instructions on use and cleaning and disinfection. When masks, both disposable and reusable, are visibly soiled, moist, and damaged, they should be appropriately disposed of (disposable and/or cloth) or cleaned (cloth). The CDC offers the following guidance on care and cleaning of reusable face coverings. Additionally, individuals should follow care directions for commercially purchased face coverings from the manufacturer.
• Individuals should not share disposable masks.
• Disposable masks are considered single use and should be placed in the trash after your shift or if it is soiled, damaged (e.g., stretched ear loops, torn or punctured material), or visibly contaminated.
• Staff performing cleaning and disinfection must use disposable gloves, clean hands immediately after discarding glove, and wear eye protection when there is a potential to splash or splatter to the face. New face shields, face coverings, and gloves will be provided to each custodian for each shift they work.
• Any individual expected to collect or distribute materials throughout the workplace will wear disposable gloves and wash hands or use hand sanitizer after removing.
• We have analyzed projected need, based on planned physical presence, and will maintain sufficient supplies to accommodate. Our EHS Officer, in collaboration with Public Safety and essential staff supervisors, manages the distribution and inventory management of PPE as follows:
  • Supervisors for essential staff distribute face coverings to staff at a rate of one per staff per day.
  • The inventory of needed PPE is calculated by the estimated days or schedule of essential workers and total number of essential workers.
  • The management of each essential group provides a weekly report of actual PPE distribution to the EHS Officer. The EHS Officer then compares actual with projected usage and makes a determination of when additional PPE is needed to maintain  a minimum 3 months of inventory. Currently we have sufficient inventory for essential staff, based on our calculation.
  • We have sufficient inventory for the rest of the calendar year based on planned staffing schedules and above usage rate.
  • As noted, we will provide any requested face covering to faculty, staff, students and visitors prior to entering the building. Public Safety will distribute at entrance points and keep track of PPE distribution to determine trends for future procurement and maintaining inventory.
  • This information is logged and sent to the EHS Officer who is charged with inventory management and distribution to supervisors and Public Safety.
  • We will draw upon current inventory to satisfy entrant’s requests; EHS Officer will replenish inventory, based on tracking information on requests to replenish inventory as needed to maintain a minimum three-month inventory.

B. Hygiene, Cleaning and Disinfection

• We will continue to follow CDC and NYSDOH cleaning and disinfection requirements.
  • AVP for Campus Facilities, working with Chief Superintendent has developed cleaning regimens, including frequency, areas to be particularly addressed and products to be used. Building and Grounds will maintain a log of completed activities.
  • Building and Grounds conducts regular and frequent cleaning of facilities and spaces, with particular attention to occupied spaces; they will adapt cleaning regimens in response to changes in occupancy. High touch areas will receive special attention.
  • Custodial staff will use recently purchased high capacity airless disinfectant equipment for major spaces and hand held airless disinfectant machines for smaller areas as needed.
  • Disinfectant used in the airless machines shall be Foster First Defense Disinfectant 40-80 or equal, a CDC and NYSDOH approved disinfectant in the treatment of Covid-19.
  • Additionally, detailed cleaning will be completed using single use cleaning towels, approved disinfectant and bleach.
  • Custodians conduct regular and frequent cleaning and disinfection of restrooms and determine frequency by usage.
    • Refer to “Guidance for Specific Spaces” Restrooms Section II.B, including physical/operational preparations for the space itself.
• We will maintain hand hygiene stations in the occupied areas of the College.
  • For hand washing: soap, warm water, disposable paper towels, and a lined garbage can. Staff are reminded that hand washing with soap and water for 20 seconds is more effective than the use of hand sanitizer through various communications strategies by the posters displayed in each restroom (training, signs, campus virtual messaging).
  • Stations for hand sanitizer (when available) will be placed at building entrances and exits and other locations where restrooms are not conveniently available.
• Occupants of the campus will be responsible for cleaning their own workstation. We will provide workspaces with single use disinfecting wipes and/or multi-surface spray cleaner to support self-service of touch points, including copiers.
• Campus discourages sharing of supplies, equipment, workstations and food.
• See “Enhanced Cleaning Protocols” Section IV in space where an individual who has tested positive has been.
• Cleaning protocols and frequencies for occupied areas for the Fall 2020 semester shall be adjusted by occupancy. Below is a plan for Phases 1, 2 and 3; it will be assessed for effectiveness and adapted as deemed appropriate. The plan assumes that routine cleaning will continue.

Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) and Other Air Quality Measures

• Consistent with the guidelines set forth by the New York State Department of Health in Interim Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfection of Public and Private Facilities for Covid-19, Baruch College will increase the flow of outdoor air to indoor workspaces by opening windows (at 17 Lex) and propping open doors to the greatest extent possible. For instances where there are known ventilation concerns, those labs, offices, rooms will be equipped with additional free standing HEPA units that will assist the existing systems in meeting the minimum fresh air requirement.
• In addition, the College has upgraded filters to MERV 13 minimum, where applicable.
• Implement more frequent filter changes.
• Continue to run and maintain all HVAC systems 24/7 in all buildings . Reduce load consistent with occupancy to minimize energy consumption and costs.
• Add supplemental microbial filtration systems (UV, catalytic), where applicable.
• HVAC system maintenance and filter replacement during the Covid-19 pandemic will abide by the following procedures:
  • Workers performing maintenance and/or replacing filters on any ventilation system with the potential for viral contamination will wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including a properly fitted respirator (N95 or higher), eye protection (safety glasses, goggles or face shield) and disposable gloves (to be disposed of immediately upon completion of task and before touching any eye protection or respirator PPE).Filters should remain snug in their frames.
  • When feasible, filters will be disinfected with a 10& bleach solution or another appropriate disinfectant, approved for use against SARS-CoV-2, before removal.
  • Filters (disinfected or not) will be bagged and disposed of in regular trash.
  • Once maintenance tasks are completed, maintenance personnel are expected to immediately wash their hands with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer with greater than 60 percent alcohol.

Water Treatment

• Our toilet water systems are flushed more frequently and treated with bleach including each water closet, urinal and sink.
• All utility water systems including cooling towers are maintained regularly by internal engineering staff and inspected and tested yearly.

C. Communications Plan

• An indexed version of the Campus Safe Reopening Plan has been posted on Baruch Forward website. In addition to the Reopening plan, this website provides an up-to-date, one-stop shop for information about all aspects of College services in the Covid-19 environment. The site provides easy access to a variety of resources, support, and services for the campus community to navigate our virtual campus.
• The President created a “Task Force for the Future” which issued its initial report that included recommendations for fall 2020 as well as more long-term recommendations. The work will continue. The Task Force report is posted on Baruch Forward website.
• The President held a Town Hall on August 4 for faculty and staff to address questions about the fall semester and will hold another Town Hall this fall.
• We will collaborate with VP for Communications and her staff to develop an effective multi-platform communications strategy for providing information to faculty, students, and staff including emails, social media and other modalities.
• Student support services have implemented communication plans, and will continue to improve those plans, to engage, support and advise all current and prospective students.
• Human Resources sends out a regular newsletter, which will contain relevant updates and benefit information.
• We will post signs as indicated in this plan with reminders on proper hand and respiratory hygiene, social distancing rules, mandatory mask rules, and room occupancy rules if applicable.
• For mandated reporting and notices when an individual who has been on campus tests positive for Covid-19. See “Processes” Section IV.
• The College will collaborate with building management at the Student Residence and the Annex on a communication plan concerning building protocols and plans.
• If we determine it is prudent to shut down or return to an earlier phase, we will
  • Notify all onsite staff of schedule change immediately.
  • Notify all students and faculty in on-site classes immediately.
  • We will use email, CUNYalert, our webpage, social media, and text messages.
  • In addition to general campus-wide communications, faculty will notify students in onsite classes; supervisors will notify staff.

IV. Processes

A. Screening and Testing Roles

• The Coronavirus Campus Coordinator (VP for Administration & Finance) is responsible for compliance with the plan and may delegate responsibilities depending on the activity, location shift, or day.
• The Public Safety Director will oversee screening of faculty, staff, students and visitors.
• The Coronavirus Liaisons (HR Director) will review, complete and report Covid-19 exposures

Coming to Campus

• Before coming to campus for the first time, faculty and staff must take the Covid-19 health training on Blackboard.
• All faculty, staff, students and campus visitors who are sick must stay home or return to home if they become ill while on campus.
• Any faculty, staff or student diagnosed with Covid-19 by their health care provider must notify the Coronavirus Liaison.
• Before return to campus, faculty, staff or students who have been sick with Covid-19, tested positive for Covid-19, or have been potentially exposed to someone with Covid-19 must follow CDC guidance to self-isolate or stay home.
• Faculty, staff or students who have traveled must follow CDC guidelines and NYS Department of Health guidelines which require quarantine when returning from certain locations before coming to campus.
• Faculty, staff or students who have traveled must follow CDC guidelines and NYSDOH guidelines, which require quarantine when returning from certain locations before coming to campus.

Screening

• The College has mandated the use of the Everbridge application for health screening. An individual must complete the application on the day of visit, prior to coming to campus. Based on the responses to the questions, the person will receive either a “green token” granting access or a “red token” denying access.
• Employees reporting to work on-campus will required to complete the application and be cleared the day of their scheduled shift.
• Faculty, staff, and visitors who are granted campus access by appointment to retrieve materials or to perform a task that cannot be performed at home will complete the form the evening or day of visit. Based on the response, the individual will be either granted or denied access.
• Students attending classes will be asked to complete the application as well the day of each visit.
• Students coming to campus by appointment to use the quiet space or for any other reason must complete the application on the day of the visit. Based on the response, the student will be granted or denied access.
• Faculty, staff, and students will be asked to show the access response to gain admission.
• Any individual who is denied access based on responses to the health questionnaire will be advised to consult their healthcare provider for assessment and testing, and notify the Liaison if they are diagnosed with Covid-19.
• If responses to questionnaire indicate that the individual has been diagnosed with Covid-19, Liaison will initiate protocols in Section IV.B  Tracing and Tracking.
• In addition to the daily screenings, individuals will be directed to inform their supervisor and report using the application if their answers to any of their questions change. [Note: An example would be if someone becomes ill onsite or while onsite receives information about a previously unknown positive test or contact with someone who tested positive.]
• All faculty, staff and students will need a valid College identification card and will use it to swipe in at turnstile or card swipe device.
• Public Safety Director will refer any confirmed Covid-19 cases to Liaison for follow-up and Coordinator for review.
• Records of all screening and the results (cleared or denied access and no other information) will be maintained by Public Safety and secured when not under review.

Testing

• The College will not do onsite testing but rely on multiple free Covid-19 testing sites located throughout NYC including within close proximity to campus and the residence hall.
• We will actively encourage faculty, staff and student to utilize NYC free Covid-19 testing centers.
• The Liaison will use the health-screening application to determine if there are any individuals who have been on campus that have tested positive for Covid-19.
• Any faculty, staff or student denied access to campus because of responses to the health questionnaire will be directed to consult their health care provider for assessment and testing.
• Any faculty, staff, or student who has been on campus who receives a positive Covid-19 test must notify the Liaison.
• See Residence Hall, Early Learning Center ,and Student Health Service Plans appended for specific testing protocols for those populations.

B. Tracing and Tracking

• The Coronavirus Liaison is the point person to receive reports of any individual on campus or in the Student Residence, including faculty, staff, students, or visitors who been diagnosed with Covid-19.
• Upon receiving  a report of an individual who has tested positive, the Liaison will immediately notify the Coordinator who will notify appropriate state and local health department and the SVC for Institutional Affairs.
• In the case of an individual who has tested positive, the College will develop plans and with local health departments to trace all contacts of the individuals in accordance with the protocols of the NYS Tracing Program.
• Based on the results of contact tracing, the Coronavirus Liaison will notify those who have had close/sustained contact with an individual diagnosed with Covid-19 and advise the person to stay home and self-monitor for symptoms and follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
• In the case of the students on campus and students in the Residence hall, the Coronavirus Liaison will work with Dean of Student Affairs on tracking contacts and notice to those with close/sustained contact.

Isolate and Transport Those Who are Sick

• We have designated rooms 108B and 108C in Field Building/17 Lexington Ave and room 1-153 in the Vertical Campus as isolation rooms to be used. Current practice is that Public Safety receives all reports of sick individuals on campus. An individual may self-report, an observer may report, such as an instructor in a class or friend of the victim, or Public Safety may observe the person exhibiting signs of illness or injury. Public Safety is responsible for assisting the individual. Public Safety will immediately separate and isolate any individual on campus exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms to the designated isolation until the individual is off campus.
• Public Safety will follow protocols currently in place for handling ill individuals. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the individual will return home or Public Safety will contact emergency medical services to take the person to the hospital.
• See Residence Hall plan, appended for protocols for resident exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms.
• See Early Learning center plan, appended.
• See Student Health Center plan, appended.

Tracing for Enhanced Cleaning

• Once the Coordinator has determined that a campus occupant has been diagnosed with Covid-19, the Coordinator will trace occupant’s behavior and identify areas where the occupant was communicable.
• To determine the time frame to be applied, the Coordinator will assume the occupant has been communicable up to 48 hours prior to the onset of symptoms and that areas may be tainted up to seven days after the positive occupant has been in them.
• Once the Coordinator has identified where the occupant has been, those areas will be closed off for 24 hours before cleaning and disinfecting pursuant to protocols for enhanced cleaning.
• Campus Facilities will work closely with Public Safety, the department impacted and communicate the scope enhanced cleaning and subsequent restrictions on accessing the area. We will post appropriate signage and work with Communications on appropriate campus communications.
• See Residence Hall plan, appended.
• See Early Learning Center plan, appended.
• See Student Health Center plan, appended.

PART 3: Appendices

Appendix A: Baruch Residential Life Opening Plan

Reopening:

Physical Preparation

• Each room will be assigned only one student, regardless the size of room.
• Most common areas will be closed. Essential common areas, such as the kitchen and laundry facility will operation at 50% capacity with half of the stoves/machines offline. Signage reinforcing social distancing will be placed in hallway containing mailboxes. A reservation system will be created by the landlord if students throughout building are unable to comply. Spaces will be cleaned multiple times daily as provided by the landlord.
• Students who test positive and/or need to quarantine will do so in their individual rooms, which have private bathrooms. Students are asked to notify residence staff via email when they travel out of state or to a hotspot. The Residence Life Coordinator will keep a record of those students who travel out of state and add them to the master list of students on quarantine upon their return. This information will be confirmed on the daily health questionnaire.
• An urgent care is located on 97th and Lexington Ave, as well as one on 3rd avenue and 96th street, each one block away from the residence for testing.
• Elevators capacity limited to 4 riders.
• Residential Life will provide PPE to those students who do not have (sufficient) face coverings.
• All public spaces have limited capacity of no more than 50%. Check in has been staggered to ensure limitations within elevators, and in the lobby are observed. Signage promoting social distancing posted in hallways, lobby and entryways. No congregating is permitted.

Operational Preparation

• Signs are posted promoting social distancing and the use of face coverings is mandatory in shared spaces.
• No guests are permitted in the Residence Halls.
• Any programming to occur will be virtual, including floor meetings with RA.
• Check in is staggered with students permitted only one person to assist with moving in.
• Hand sanitizer stations are throughout common areas
• Touch barrier tissue dispensers are available in the elevators
• Plexiglas barriers in place at security station as one enter the building.
• Only one student will be assigned to a room. Each room has a private bathroom inside the unit that is not shared with anyone else.
• Students will be informed of the risks involved in living in a residential building. They will be required to sign documentation accepting the risks, agreeing to conform to social distancing, cleaning procedures, and other safety protocols (e.g. wearing face coverings) when they receive their assignment at check in, and when they sign a form each day disclosing possible symptoms.
• Residents are required to inform the residential staff if they are leaving the state or the country via email. Residents must quarantine for fourteen (14) days if they return to the residence hall from a high-risk location. RA’s will randomly check on students in quarantine to ensure compliance.
  To the extent possible students are strongly encouraged to purchase and pack sanitizing and cleaning supplies and bring them at move-in. Residents may also pre-purchase and have these supplies delivered to the residence hall. Residents are encouraged to bring supplies to support themselves during a mandated quarantine (e.g. extra bed sheets, towels, clean clothing), such as nonperishable items, favorite snacks, cleaning supplies, and toilet paper. Bedding and other bulk items can be sent ahead of time, and packages will be delivered directly to the resident’s room.
• Residents must bring a supply of face masks and a thermometer with them for use throughout the semester. If packages are sent ahead of time, students are to send Student Life Services an email prior to arrival requesting delivering those items to the room. That email address is 1760sls@60guilders.com  
• All community members will wear face coverings (masks) when in public spaces including hallways, elevators and communal spaces. Failure to do so can result in disciplinary action.
• Prior to check-in, students from high risk areas were notified they would need to self-quarantine. At check-in those students from these areas are reminded they must quarantine for 14 days.
• Residents will complete a qualtrics survey daily identifying any symptoms they are experiencing. Questions include (in the last 14 days):
  • Have you experienced any new or worsening symptoms of Covid-19 that are not attributable to another condition? These include fever (temperature > 100.4°F, 38°C), chills, cough, shortness of breath, a loss of taste and/or smell, fatigue, muscle/body aches, headache, sore throat, runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
  • Have you gotten a positive result from a Covid-19 test that tested saliva or used a nose or throat swab? (Not a blood test.)
  • Were you notified by your medical provider or the NYC Test and Trace or other local agency team to remain home because of Covid-19?
    Have you been in close or proximate contact with a person with a suspected or confirmed Covid-19 infection?
  • Have you traveled to any state or country, for which NYS requires a mandated self-quarantine period? For a complete list of states, please read the NYS Covid-19 Travel Advisory.
• Students will be asked to complete this questionnaire daily. RA’s will confirm each day that students have completed this questionnaire; RA’s will follow up with students who have not completed the survey to confirm that the student is well and remind them of the requirement to complete the form.
• Modified student rules have been put in place, such as:
  • No guests at any time.
  • No more than 3 people in a room, including the resident. All people in a room must follow social distancing and face covering policies. Face coverings required at all times in public spaces

Cleaning Protocol

• Kitchen and laundry facilities, as well as elevators, will be cleaned multiple times a day.
• UV Air filters will be changed on an accelerated basis.
• Public restrooms located on first floor will be cleaned multiple times a day.
• Should a student test positive, the landlord will be notified and additional cleaning of public spaces will occur. If a student leaves the residence hall for the semester due to illness, the landlord will be notified and after 24 hours have passed, they will clean and disinfect the room.
• The following cleaning schedule will be followed by the building landlord:

Quarantine Procedures:

• Students who need to quarantine (due to exposure to someone who has tested positive, tested positive themselves, or traveled out of state/to a hot spot) will do so in their individual rooms for a minimum of 14 days. Guidelines for self-quarantine can be found here.
• Students will notify their RA of the need to quarantine via email, including start date. RA’s will provide information to the Residence Life Coordinator.
• The Residence Life Coordinator will maintain the list of students who are on quarantine with active dates, including those students who are traveling out of state so that the quarantine can be enforce upon return.
• For any possible positive cases reported through the above process, the RLC will inform Vice President Art King and immediately notify the Coronavirus Liaison. The process is in compliance with the guideline that the Campus Liaison receives the completed mandatory health screening assessment templates from students, faculty and staff, and be notified immediately of any possible positive cases.
  While in quarantine, students are expected to remain isolated in their rooms and are prohibited from entering common spaces. RA’s will check in daily on students in quarantine to ensure compliance, and RA’s will discuss the student’s wellbeing with him/her. RA’s will connect infected students with campus resources such as the Counseling Center, Student Health Center, Office of Student Life, and other appropriate campus academic support services.
• Students are encouraged to get tested for Covid-19 at any one of the Urgent Care centers located within a block of the building.
• Students are encouraged to notify their doctor or the Baruch Health Center of their symptoms for regular screening throughout the quarantine. If symptoms advance, 911 will be called to transfer student to nearest hospital.
• Students are encouraged to notify their parents of their symptoms and if they are transported to the hospital.
• Students who are in quarantine are able to have food delivered via the deli that is part of the building premises at their own expense. Outside food deliveries will be coordinated with front desk staff to be dropped off at student’s door for contact-less delivery.
• Deliveries such as medicine and other essential goods for those on quarantine will be coordinated with the front desk staff to be dropped off at student’s door for contact-less delivery.
• Students on quarantine are able to access the following campus services remotely: Counseling Center, Health Center, Student Academic Consulting Center, Office of Student Life (student groups), Writing Center, Office of the Dean of Students (medical withdrawals) and Academic Advising. RA’s checking on students will remind/promote these services as needed.
• Virtual programming will be offered to encourage socializing and online connections between residents who are quarantining. Resident Advisors will have virtual events for residents to connect and build community with other residents. 1760’s Student Life Services will also promote building wide virtual events for residents to take part in.
• Trash will be picked up each morning at 9:00 am outside of the student’s room while on quarantine.
• Building staff will deliver packages and letter mail shortly after 3 pm each day to students in quarantine.
• Residents must bring a thermometer with them and check their temperature every day during the 14-day period.
• If at any time the resident’s temperature is above 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) the resident must notify the College and/or 1760sls@1760third.com ​​immediately.
• Should a resident develop a fever or other Covid-related symptoms, they must immediately alert the residential life staff

Should the Residence Hall need to be closed:

• In the event the Residence Hall must close entirely, students will be notified (email, building signage) of need to leave the Residence Hall with their belongings.
• When to close the residence hall is at the discretion of the Vice Presidents of Student Affairs, and Enrollment Management and Strategic Academic Initiatives, but must be considered should 15% of residents or 10 students test positive for Covid-19. Determination will be based on number of students impacted, durations of quarantine, and any extenuating circumstances. Students will be given a minimum of three days to evacuate the building.
• Students will be required to formally check out of their room, including returning keys, etc. This will be done by signing a provided document regarding the move out process.
• For those students who are in quarantine if/when residence hall should close, they would use an electronic form to complete check out, leaving their keys in their room. A designated time frame will be established for those on quarantine to exit the building separate from the rest of the population.
• For those students unable to leave on short notice (such as international students), if available, students will be provided with a housing alternative within CUNY. Transportation to the new location will be provided. Student must not have Covid-19 symptoms or test positive to enter housing at a new location.
• RA’s will also be required to leave the building in the event of a shut down.

Appendix B: Early Learning Center Reopening Plan for Fall 2020

Physical Preparations:

• Center Hours:  The center will be open for children Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Friday will be reserved for virtual children’s activities, professional development, and curriculum planning.
• Hand sanitizer will be available in common areas and at reception desk.
• Plexiglas installed at reception desk.
• The center will maintain a 3-month supply of PPE to ensure adequate supplies are stocked. A minimum of 2000 surgical masks, 600 face shields and 600 KN-95 masks will be maintained on site at all times.
• Maintaining a Healthy Environment: We will continue to perform water flushing, regular cleaning and disinfecting throughout the day with frequently touched surfaces cleaned and disinfected between use. Adequate amounts of the necessary health and cleaning supplies to help protect against Covid-19, including hand sanitizer, soap, and bleach solution will be maintained. All toys, materials, art supplies and classroom equipment will be cleaned before the program begins.
  • Sharing of items will be discouraged. Adequate classroom supplies will be available to minimize sharing. Toys will be placed in individual containers and will be shared by no more than two children at a time. Toys will be cleaned and disinfected between use.
  • Each child’s belongings will be kept separated from others’ and individually labeled containers will be available
• Ventilation: Windows will be safely opened to allow for to increase circulation of outdoor air as much as possible. Outdoor activities will not be held.

Operational Protocols:

• The Center will operate at a significantly reduced capacity for in-person programming. As recommended by the CUNY Considerations for Reopening Child Care Centers, the center will reopen at 25% capacity with a maximum of 8 children at a given time.
• Staffing: Lorraine Mondesir (director), Sophia Solomon (lead teacher), Mariestel Adon (assistant teacher), Carine Derisse (assistant teacher), Patricia Morel (administrative assistant) Lynn Effros-Schaul (p/t teacher), and Ganna Velychko (social worker). Staff will return at staggering schedules. Two staff will open the center at 8:00 pm and two staff will close the center at 6:00 pm.
• Staff will get tested for Covid-19 before the semester begins and additionally as needed. Staff with positive results will not be able to return until they test negative or go 14 days without symptoms.
• Face coverings are a necessary component for the ELC plan for reopening and for ensuring the safety of staff, families, and children. The center will procure and distribute appropriate PPE for staff and children’s use (if needed). A 3-month supply will be maintained at the center and orders placed to ensure the appropriate PPE will be available for use.
• Parents and Children: 6 student-parents are interested in continuing enrollment. 2 new parents have inquired and received applications.
• Upon entrance to the center, parents will sign their children in at the reception desk. One adult will be available to accept each child after an initial health assessment and temperature check. Parents will be reminded that if a child presents symptoms at any point of the day, they will be contacted to immediately pick up the child. Only children and staff will have access to the center beyond the reception desk.
• Mandatory daily health screening practices for all staff, and children as they enter the center. Each staff and parent will be required to complete a questionnaire to determine whether the individual has been in close contact with anyone who tested positive for Covid-19 within the past 14 days, tested positive for Covid-19, and/or has experienced symptoms of Covid-19, before they are allowed to enter the program. Any person with a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit will not be accepted into the program.
• Children who test positive, or have been exposed to Covid-19 will be asked to remain absent from the ELC until they test negative, or have gone 14 days without symptoms.
• The center will continuously support physical distancing by staggering schedule for children’s arrival and departure. Signage will be placed on entrance to the center, staircase and in all common areas.
• Hand sanitizer will be available in common areas and at reception desk.
• Physical Distancing guidelines and mandatory use of face coverings will be enforced for all individuals while in the building.
• Physical barrier will be needed for reception desk at the entrance to the center
• Food Handling: The ELC offers breakfast and snack to all children. Children bring their own lunch. One staff will be identified to prepare breakfast and snack. The center will provide all food in individual containers. Seating will be panned to ensure that children and adults sit 6 feet apart except for adults assisting children with meals.
• A log of everyone entering the center, including employees, parents, children and any essential visitors who may have close proximate contact with other individuals, will be maintained. The log will contain contact information so that all contacts will be identified, traced and notified in the event an employee, parent, child or visitor is diagnosed with Covid-19. All persons will be notified by phone, text or email.
• The staff will be separated from everyone as soon as a positive case of Covid-19 is suspected. All areas used by the infected staff will be closed off for 24 hours and cleaning and disinfecting will be scheduled after the 24-hour period. Soap, Bleach and water as per the EPA’s recommendations.

Cleaning Protocols

• Maintaining a Healthy Environment:  The ELC will continue to perform water flushing, regular cleaning and disinfecting throughout the day with frequently touched surfaces cleaned and disinfected between use. Adequate amounts of the necessary health and cleaning supplies to help protect against Covid-19, including hand sanitizer, soap, and bleach solution will be maintained. The building owner will perform all cleaning as outlined in the lease. All toys, materials, art supplies and classroom equipment will be cleaned before the program begins.
  • Sharing of items will be discouraged. Adequate classroom supplies will be available to minimize sharing. Toys will be placed in individual containers and will be shared by no more than two children at a time. Toys will be cleaned and disinfected between use.
  • Each child’s belongings will be kept separated from others’ and individually labeled containers will be available
• Children’s Bathroom Use: Adults will continue to support children with bathroom needs as outlined by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Cleaning and sanitizing protocols remain in place for bathroom surfaces. Staff will be required to wear face masks, face shields, use gloves, and follow cleaning and sanitizing protocols after changing diapers, and after toilet use. Physical distancing will be practiced at all times during children’s bathroom use.

In the need to close:

• Parents will be notified immediately of any concerns
• NYC Department of Health will be notified
• Dependent on circumstances, if possible the ELC will first reduce hours of operation from four days a week to two days a week. The final step will be to reduce to no days a week if needed.
• In the event of closure, virtual programming and remote learning will increase.

Appendix C: Student Health Center Fall Reopening Plan

Physical Preparations:

• Hours: Days of the week (Monday to Thursday) & shift options are subject to change.
  • Monday: Shift options: 9a-5p or 10am-6p
  • Tuesday: Remote, available for ten (10) remote encounters during the following shift options: 9a-5p or 10am-6p
  • Wednesday: Shift options: 9a-5p or 10am-6p
  • Thursday: Remote, available for ten (10) remote encounters during the following shift options: 9 am to 5 pm, or 10 am to 6 pm
• Hand sanitizer will be available at the waiting area, exam rooms, bathrooms and reception desk.
• Surgical masks will be available at the reception desk and exam rooms.
• The center will maintain a 3-month supply of PPE to ensure adequate supplies are stocked.
• Maintaining a Healthy Environment: water flushing, regular cleaning and disinfecting throughout the day with frequently touched surfaces cleaned and disinfected between use. Adequate amounts of the necessary health and cleaning supplies to help protect against Covid-19, including hand sanitizer, soap, and bleach solution will be maintained.

Operational Protocols:

• All student-patients coming to the Student Health Care Center must wear masks. Cloth coverings and bandannas are not permitted. Cloth face mask are acceptable. Surgical Masks are required and the Student Health Center staff will provide a surgical mask upon arrival if the student-patient arrives wearing a non-surgical face mask.
• All student-patients must call to make an appointment, walk-ins are not permitted. Telephone screenings will be performed by Student Health Care Center staff for all student-patients. Student- patients with Covid-like symptoms will first be seen by video visit and referred appropriately.
• Student-patients are screened at the day of the visit with questionnaire and temperature checks.
• Student-patients are not permitted to have visitors accompany them during their visit except under specific circumstances.
• Two staff will open the center at 10:00 am and two staff will close the center at 3:00 pm.
• Staff are tested for Covid-19 and additionally as needed. Staff with positive results will not be able to return until they test negative or go 14 days without symptoms.
• Appropriate PPE for staff is distributed. A 3-month supply is maintained at the Student Health Care Center and orders placed to ensure the appropriate PPE will be available for use.
• The Student Health Care Center will continuously support physical distancing by staggering the appointments for student-patient arrivals and departure.
• The lactation room will be available by appointment only with one person to occupy during a visit.
• Hand sanitizer will be available at the waiting area, exam rooms, bathrooms and reception desk.
• Physical Distancing guidelines and mandatory use of face coverings will be enforced for all individuals while in the Student Health Care Center.
• Seating will be planned to ensure that student-patients sit 6 feet in waiting area.
• The staff will be separated from everyone as soon as a positive case of Covid-19 is suspected. All areas used by the infected staff will be closed off for 24 hours and cleaning and disinfecting will be scheduled after the 24-hour period. Soap, Bleach and water as per the EPA’s recommendations.

Cleaning Protocols:

• Maintaining a Healthy Environment:  The Student Health Care Center will continue to perform water flushing, regular cleaning and disinfecting throughout the day with frequently touched surfaces cleaned and disinfected between use. Adequate amounts of the necessary health and cleaning supplies to help protect against Covid-19, including hand sanitizer, soap, and bleach solution will be maintained. Baruch College Building and Grounds custodial staff performs all cleaning and sanitation as outlined by the contract.
• Bathroom Use: Baruch College Building and Grounds custodial staff performs all cleaning and sanitation as outlined by the contract.

In the need to close:

• Dependent on circumstances and in consultation with Mount Sinai Beth Israel, if possible the Student Health Care Center will first reduce hours of operation from four days a week to two days a week. The final step will be to reduce to no days a week if needed.
• In the event of closure, telehealth will increase and referral to nearest Emergency Department.
• As outlined for Infectious Disease Protocol notification will be provided to the Vice President of Student Affairs or his designee will work with the Health Services Director and is responsible for notifying the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (as required), and other appropriate campus officials via e-mail or phone, and for notifying the University Director of Environmental, Health, Safety, and Risk Management and the University Director of Mental Health and Wellness Services via e-mail to healthreporting@mail.cuny.edu.

Contact Tracking

If contact tracking is required, the campus Health Services Director is responsible for coordinating with NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the campus Registrar, and the Chief Student Affairs Officer, for students, or the Executive Director of Human Resources, for employees. Once contact tracking is complete, or if contact tracking is not required, the campus Health Services Director must document the tracking or the decision not to track.

Appendix D: Newman Library Reopening Plan

The Newman Library is adopting the phased reopening plan that was developed by a task force of CUNY librarians with the support of the CUNY Office of Library Services (see attached).1 This approach is designed to meet the need for library services primarily with remote services and digital collections at the outset of the fall 2020 semester and the gradual introduction of onsite services based on ongoing assessment of conditions and needs. The goal is to support the needs for instructional support, which will be delivered 95% online, while maintaining operations with as small a number of staff onsite as possible. We have taken into account the data obtained from the CUNY Student Technology Needs Survey, including the need for quiet study space, Internet access, and technology. In developing this plan we have collaborated with other areas of the College to meet these student needs when the Library cannot.

The phases of the plan are linked to the return to campus-based classroom instruction. As formulated by the CUNY Libraries’ Task Force, the resumption of onsite library operations is represented in the following sequence, where Level 0 represents the current situation and Phase 1 represents where we expect to be at the start of the fall 2020 semester:

• Physical Access Level 0: Online-only services, with no personnel onsite; all classes online
• Physical Access Level 1: Online-only services, with minimal personnel onsite; most classes online
• Physical Access Level 2: Online services and limited patron access to physical library; combination of in-person and virtual classes
• Physical Access Level 3: Online services and expanded patron access to physical library; combination of in-person and virtual classes
• Physical Access Level 4: Online services and full patron access to physical library; most classes in- person.

Delivery of Services

At the outset library services will continue to be provided primarily remotely. A summary of the phased return to onsite services is provided in Figure 1 below. The logistics for offering the services are outlined in the following sections.

Staff on Site

There will be up to 6 staff members on site each day (Monday-Friday). They will work in back-office operations scanning documents, retrieving books for delivery, processing returned items, assisting with equipment loan shipments, processing interlibrary loans, and managing mail. They will be located in the suite comprising H-202 through H-208. This a large area of open work spaces and single-occupancy offices that will easily meet social distancing requirements while giving the staff access to the resources that they will need to perform their work without having to come into contact with others on campus. We will use work schedules that help staff avoid peak hours of public transportation. To enter and exit the work space staff will use the restricted elevator that operates between the first floor of the H building and the library staff area.

Study Areas

The library will be closed to onsite users. The College is designating quiet study spaces with Internet access in other areas on campus. Students will be able to make an appointment to use those spaces for several hours with an hour between for cleaning via the online scheduling system that the library had been using for its group study rooms.

Loan Services

Books will be loaned by filling requests that are received electronically from students, faculty, staff and other libraries. Books will be mailed to the borrower. In the case of an emergency need, the borrower will make an appointment during normal staff hours to pick up the book at the reception desk in the lobby of the H Building. At the time of the appointment the library staff member will be behind the Plexiglas shield on the desk with the packaged book on the other side. The book will have already been charged out to the borrower. The borrower will present an ID card that will be inspected through the shield and then take the book. The procedures will be provided to the borrower as the appointment is arranged via email.

Book Returns

All loans will continue to be extended and fines eliminated to reduce the need for borrowers to return items. Nonetheless, there will be books returned via mail and in the mobile book return container that will be located in the lobby of the H building. Returned books will sit for four days before they are available for re-loan. As they are retrieved from the return bin and the mail room they will be placed on book trucks that identify the date on which they were returned. During the four-day waiting period the book trucks will be spaced apart as necessary on the main floor of the library.

Scanning Service

In cases where only a portion of a book is needed, the Library will scan the contents using the book scanner in H-206. The resulting digital file will be sent to the requester electronically. Cleaning wipes will be placed at the scanner with instructions on cleaning after use.

Equipment Loans

Equipment loans will continue to be handled as they have been since March 2020. Requests are submitted via an online form and equipment is shipped to students from the mail room on designated days. The loan period is at least one semester to reduce the need to process returns. Students will be able to return equipment by mail using the instructions on the web site. They will also be able to schedule return via appointment. The student will deposit the equipment in the return bin at the scheduled time. The appointment is necessary to ensure that a staff member will be ready to take the equipment immediately from the return bin for processing and generate a receipt. There will be no face-to-face interaction between the student and the staff member. The returned equipment will be stored for 4 days, then cleaned before being loaned again.

Services to Be Delivered Remotely

All library services not discussed above will continue to be delivered remotely, as experience has shown that these tasks can be performed with staff working from offsite. These include:

• Instruction – The department will offer six fully-online courses in fall 2020. In addition, library faculty are teaching workshops remotely using Zoom.
• Reference Service – The library faculty staff a digital chat reference service during the regular hours that we would normally operate the reference desk in the library. Users are actually able to receive assistance 24×7, because the service that we use is part of a consortium of libraries across the country who cover for one another.
• Research Consultations – These are in-depth sessions to help students with research projects. They will continue to be scheduled in advance and delivered online.
• Archives – The College’s Archives and Special Collections division will continue to assist users remotely. On site access to the collections will remain unavailable.
• Technical Services – Cataloging, acquisitions, maintenance of our web site and other administrative functions have been performed successfully since March 2020 with staff working offsite. Earlier in the spring we suspended the purchase of hard copy books and the delivery of print publications whenever possible.

Figure 1. Newman Library Service Availability
(Adapted from: Resuming Onsite Services: Final Report and Recommendations of the CUNY Libraries Covid-19 Task Force. June 30, 2020).

*  In emergency circumstances only and protocols must be followed.

Appendix E: Reserving a Seat in a Designated Quiet Study Room

Baruch College students may reserve a seat in one of the designated quiet study rooms up to 48 hours in advance by using Advisortrac, the same reservation system that students currently use to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor.

Seats are available Monday through Friday in two shifts: 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m. Students may register for one four-hour time slot per day. Each day at noon the rooms will be vacated and remain closed for two hours to allow the cleaning staff to prepare the rooms for the afternoon shift. The rooms will be cleaned again at the close of the afternoon shift in preparation for the next day’s use.

As part of the reservation process students will be informed of the requirements for using space on campus, including face coverings and the need to complete the Everbridge health screening questionnaire. They will also be advised regarding the availability of hand sanitizer in the quiet study spaces.

Making a Reservation

A link to the reservation system (https://www.baruch.cuny.edu/appointment) will be posted in several locations on the College website. Once a student logs in with their Baruch credentials, the system allows them to search for an available time slot.

When a student selects the room and time slot, the reservation is made and the student immediately receives a confirmation message via email:

• Dear Susan,This a reminder that you have a reservation in the Aaronson Student Center on Thursday, August 20, 2020 at 2:00 PM.You must complete the health questionnaire on the day of your visit and receive a message from the application confirming that you may come onto campus: (link to Everbridge app here).You can modify or cancel the reservation by logging into the scheduling system at https://www.baruch.cuny.edu/appointmentThank You,Aaronson Student Center Staff

Included with the confirmation email message is a meeting invitation that the student can accept to include the reservation in her/his calendar. There is also a link to the symptom checker in the Everbridge app that the student must complete.

The system sends an email reminder on the day before and the morning of the appointment.

The reservation system produces reports that include a daily appointment list that will be available to Public Safety.

To enter the room a student will need to show Public Safety the email confirmation of the appointment for the appropriate day and time. The student will also have to show the notification from the Everbridge app that shows a Green path (“You are able to enter the school and classes.”)

Appendix F: Policies and Procedures for Reopening On-Site Research Activities

I. Overview

This document provides a roadmap for the gradual, deliberate and safe resumption of on-site research activities at Baruch College in the wake of the devastating Covid-19 pandemic, which in March of 2020 caused the College to temporarily cease on-site research operations. In recognition of the key role that Baruch College researchers play, both in the generation of knowledge in their academic fields as well as the education of Baruch students, and in response to CUNY Chancellor Matos Rodríguez’s announcement that research reopening on the CUNY campuses could – with locally- and centrally-approved plans to govern the process – commence reopening, Interim Provost James McCarthy appointed the Research Reopening Committee (RRC). Over a 2-week period, the RRC met remotely, consulted with relevant subject matter experts, Department Chairs, College leadership and the CUNY Office of Research, and worked as a team to draft this document.

The approach taken by the RRC is a measured one. The health and safety of Baruch College faculty, student researchers, and the essential staff that support them, are paramount. In drafting this document, we kept at the forefront that the College must follow not just CUNY Office of Research policy and guidelines, but also those set forth by the City and State of New York, as well as federally. Ultimately the intent of the RRC is to implement compliant, but also clear and campus-specific, guidelines, policies and best practices supporting the ongoing fulfillment of the Baruch College mission.

Baruch College President S. David Wu, Interim Provost James McCarthy, and Associate Provost for Research Patricia Price have reviewed this Research Reopening Plan as well as the CUNY and State guidelines. We affirm that they will be implemented

II. Baruch College Research Context

An urban campus with an emphasis on Business Administration, the Liberal Arts, and Public Policy and International Affairs, Baruch College’s research portfolio includes primarily social and behavioral research, some of which is conducted with human subjects. The research operations of the College are distributed among several multi-story buildings in the Gramercy Park neighborhood of Manhattan. The College has no onsite animal facilities or IACUC (Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee). That being noted, Baruch researchers in the Natural Sciences do conduct research with invertebrates, as well as limited research with vertebrate animals off-site.

III. Research Reopening at Baruch: Governing Principles and Parameters

The health and safety of students, staff and faculty is of utmost importance. The following principles and parameters shall guide this plan.

A. All aspects of research that can be conducted remotely must continue to be conducted remotely until further notice.

B. Until the final NYS Phase, those returning to work – even on a limited basis – must do so voluntarily, and should be on-site when needed for work that can only be performed on-site.

C. No one should feel coerced or pressured to return on-site, especially during the initial reopening of research.

D. All meetings should be held virtually, regardless of reopening stage.

E. In order to proceed from one reopening stage to the next, CUNY campuses must continue to follow the directives and meet the standards and policies set forth by the CUNY Office of Research, the City of New York, the State of New York, and the Federal government.

F. If these standards are not or cannot be met, or if there is reason to suspect increased risk to community safety or health, the College may pause research and/or return to an earlier phase and/or make specific, localized adjustments to reduce further risk.

G. This document governs the gradual reinstatement of Baruch research that must be conducted on-site. It does not address the return of faculty to office-based work on the Baruch College campus. Nor does it address the process for obtaining permission to access buildings in order to retrieve research materials.

H. Baruch College leadership reserves the right to modify this plan based on emerging medical standards or changes to CUNY, city, state, or federal policies and regulations.

IV. Stages for Reopening On-Site Research at Baruch College

The following is a description of each of the Reopening Stages. Please note that these may coincide with NYS Phases for reopening, but ultimately rely upon best available information from State and local health authorities and are informed by the capacity for the College to host each additional cohort.

PIs have first-line responsibility for the conduct of their research groups and compliance with policies and rules developed during the reinstatement of research. Schools/Divisions should continually monitor the reinstatement process to assure public health and safety. Researchers should be prepared to make changes on short notice, depending upon compliance requirements as dictated by health and safety directives. Stages may be paused or, if transmission rates, new cases, or other benchmarks of public health risk change for the worse, stages may regress to previous levels, including returning to Stage 0. Researchers should not start new long-term projects or phase in projects that cannot be stopped on short notice in Stages 0 – 3.

Stage 0 (Essential staff only) All on-site research is paused. A limited number of personnel are designated for facilities and College maintenance and protection of College resources.

Stage 1 (up to 10% capacity) Plan and prepare to phase in on-site research, with an eye toward Stage 2 research priorities. Plans include establishing clear research priorities and CUNY approval processes per City and State guidance, working with relevant researchers, to discern space, equipment, and personnel needs for safety, developing health and safety protocols, and establishing communication and health monitoring plans.

Stage 2 (up to 50% capacity) Expand on-site access to research that does not involve face-to-face interaction with human subjects*, with priorities including: extramurally-funded and deadline-driven work (regardless of researcher rank or tenure status), research by graduate students who are near degree completion (Level III), untenured faculty research, and/or research requiring season-specific sample collections. Plan and prepare for Stage 3 priorities.

Stage 3 (up to 85% capacity) Expand on-site access to professorial-title researchers, regardless of rank or funding; and well as to graduate students and postdoctoral research associates regardless of seniority or funding; provided that research does not involve face-to-face interaction with human subjects*. Plan and prepare for Stage 4 priorities.

Stage 4 (85% – 100% capacity) Expand on-site access by undergraduate research assistants. Begin allowing on-site access to research involving face-to-face interaction with human subjects, subject to any updated advisement by the CUNY Office of Research in force at this Stage.

*With the exception of human subjects research that either addresses Covid, or has a direct therapeutic benefit to the subject such that interruption of the research could cause harm.

Individuals will not be permitted to access College facilities if they report any of the following:

• They are experiencing any symptoms (even mild) of a respiratory infection, high temperature (exceeding 100.4F) or other Covid-19-related symptoms
• They have tested positive for Covid-19 within the last 14 days
• They have had known contact within the last 14 days with any person suspected of having, being under investigation for, or who has a confirmed active case of Covid-19
• They have traveled within the last 14 days to/from a designated U.S. ‘hot spot’ or a country for which the CDC has issued a level 2 or 3 travel designation, or have had known contact with any person who has travelled to these areas within 14 days
• They are at a high risk for developing severe symptoms if infected

V. Addressing New York State Public Health and Safety Guidance and Incorporating Best Practices

A. Physical Distancing

1. For any research activities occurring indoors, total occupancy is limited to 50% of the maximum occupancy of a particular area as set by the certificate of occupancy or as otherwise designated by current NYS guidance. Any plan to restart research requires plans customized for individual research spaces. Floor plans can be provided for each research space on campus to ensure that they conform to the occupancy limits consistent with the phasing-in of onsite research described in Section IV. These individual plans must be approved by the Research Reopening Review Panel before researchers are granted access.

2. A distance of at least 6 ft. must be maintained among individuals at all times, unless safety or the core activity requires a shorter distance. The following practices will be put into place:

• Any time individuals must come within 6 ft. of another person, they must wear an acceptable face covering. A detailed occupancy plan for each individual research space must be completed to ensure that a distance of 6-feet or more is maintained between individuals under almost all circumstances. In the rare cases where this distance requirement is not met, appropriate PPE must be used according to New York and CDC guidelines.
• Contact between Building & Grounds Staff and researchers will be minimized. Custodial workers will not clean laboratory spaces. Laboratory and associated equipment cleaning will be the responsibility of the researchers. Researchers will place trash cans and other items for disposal in the hallways for pickup so that there is no need for custodial staff to enter the laboratories.
• Public Safety officers operate behind desks at building entrances behind plexiglass and will maintain a minimum of 6 feet from anyone entering.
• Only authorized personnel are allowed to enter buildings and anyone entering must be wearing a mask.

3. In the short term, researchers must arrange for pickups of mail, shipped equipment and supplies from the Mailroom and Receiving areas in the Library Building. If possible, researchers should arrange for all materials including hazardous chemicals to be delivered directly to 17 Lexington Avenue with their suppliers. Special arrangements for delivery of such large or hazardous items must be arranged with Public Safety. New equipment must conform with the College’s Policy on Furniture, Equipment, Paint and Other Finishes.

4. Human research subjects must be considered when calculating facility capacity and abide by all distancing, PPE, and other requirements for personnel contained within this guidance. In the rare circumstances where research protocols require human subjects to be on-site, both the researchers and the subjects will be included in determining occupancy. Care will be taken to minimize contact between participants, including researchers and subjects; appropriate PPE will used according to the New York and CDC guidelines.

5. All College faculty and staff will observe social distancing and wear masks whenever social distancing cannot be maintained, regardless of the interaction time.

6. Staggered work schedules will be implemented wherever possible. This includes break times, but also staggered shift schedules to reduce the total number of employees on site at any given time. For shared laboratories, researchers must develop clear procedures to ensure that the maximum occupancy limit is maintained and is defined later in this document.

7. Non-essential visitors will not be allowed in campus buildings unless arranged with Public Safety.

B. Gatherings in Enclosed Spaces

1. All staff meetings, seminars and events for researchers should continue to be held virtually until further notice.
2. Communal areas such as lunch areas and cafeteria spaces should not be used.
3. Conference rooms use should will be limited to three or fewer people at a time with all individuals masked.
4. Restrooms will be designated limited use.
5. Passenger elevators will also be designated as limited use with maximum capacity posted inside and outside of the elevators.

C. Protective Equipment

1. All employees must be provided with an acceptable face covering at no cost to the employees and have an adequate supply of coverings in case of need for replacement.
   1. Baruch College has purchased sufficient disposable masks to ensure individuals who return to campus to restart research are protected. Disposable masks will be available at the entrance points of the research buildings on campus, such as the 17 Lexington Avenue 23rd Street entrance and the Newman Vertical Campus 25th Street entrance once the Reopening Plan has been approved and researchers have approved individualized lab plans.
   2. Personnel entering buildings will be required to wear a mask.
   3. All essential workers will be provided with masks and other appropriate protective gear.
   4. Public Safety officers operate behind desks at building entrances and will maintain a minimum of 6 feet from anyone entering. Officers will be provided with masks, and gloves if needed. Only authorized personnel are allowed to enter buildings and anyone entering must be wearing a mask.
   5. All entrants may choose to wear their own mask or other acceptable face covering in lieu the disposable mask.
2. Acceptable face coverings include but are not limited to cloth (e.g. homemade sewn, quick cut, bandana, commercially available), surgical masks, and face shield (with a face covering underneath). Users should consult CDC guidance for these types (How to Wear Face Coverings).Cloth, disposable, or homemade face coverings are not acceptable for workplace activities that typically require a higher degree of protection for PPE due to the nature of the work (e.g. if working with flammable materials or chemicals, ensure face coverings are flame-resistant). If contact with hazardous materials require more stringent protection, a hazard assessment will be conducted by Environmental Health and Safety for the hazardous agent will be used, where the hierarchy of controls will be employed to eliminate, substitute, engineer control, administratively control, and/or create protective barriers for workers.
3. All researchers should be provided information on cleaning, replacing and sharing face coverings
   1. Individuals choosing to wear cloth or other acceptable face coverings should consult the CDC guidance for additional information on cloth face coverings and other types of personal protective equipment (PPE), as well as instructions on use and cleaning and disinfection. When masks, both disposable and reuseable, are visibly soiled, moist, and damaged, they should be appropriately disposed of (disposable and/or cloth) or cleaned (cloth). Such information can be found here (How to Wash a Cloth Face Covering)
   2. Additionally, individuals should follow care directions for commercially purchased face coverings from the manufacturer.
   3. Disposable masks are not allowed to be shared and should be considered single use.
4. Faculty, students and staff must be trained on how to don, doff, clean (as applicable), and discard PPE.
   1. All personnel wearing disposable masks provided by the College must watch “How to Put on a Surgical Mask” by NurseMinder, or by demonstration onsite or through virtual meetings. At a minimum, masks must be worn over the face and nose in scenarios where social distancing cannot be maintained in buildings.
   2. All personnel will be instructed to properly don and doff cloth face coverings by viewing the video “How to Put On and Remove a Fabric Face Mask” by Grundy County Memorial Hospital.
   3. Personal fabric masks should be washed and dried completely prior to reuse. Data indicate procedures may be available to clean and disinfect surgical masks; however, Baruch College recommends surgical type masks should be disposed of immediately and not reused.
5. All personnel must limit the sharing of objects, such as tools, equipment, machinery, touchscreens, and vehicles, as well as the touching of shared surfaces; in scenarios where this is unachievable, personnel should use a combination of the following methods:
   1. Disinfect the object immediately after use – this is the most effective and desirable method
   2. Sanitize hands before and after using a shared object
   3. Utilize a clean pair of gloves when using shared objects
   4. The first two methods ensure the object and user are sanitized and are strongly recommended, while the third creates an additional barrier. Regardless of the method chosen, personnel must avoid touching their eyes, mucous membranes, mask and face at all times.

D. Shared Spaces

Researchers working in common areas with common equipment should develop a shared calendar system visible to all users. Depending on the maximum space occupancy, this method will ensure that all maintain these limits. In scenarios where more than one researcher needs to use a common area concurrently, social distancing, and masking will be used as appropriate.

Users in common or shared areas must utilize proper cleaning procedures and must clean the equipment after use, in preparation for the next user. Prior to using equipment, users are also required to clean the equipment. Care will be taken to ensure cleaners or disinfectants will not be harmful to the shared equipment. If available, far wavelength UVC wands may be used to disinfect the equipment, if appropriate and available. The time between common area usage should be extended (30 minutes to one hour) to minimize interactions and allow disinfection to be completed by the prior user. Ultimately, all personnel should follow a principle of “clean as you go” when possible.

E. Hygiene, Cleaning, Disinfection

1. The College will adhere to hygiene, cleaning, and disinfection requirements from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Department of Health (DOH) and maintain logs on site that document date, time, and scope of cleaning and disinfection.
   1. To reduce exposure for custodial personnel, all campus personnel will be required to clean their own spaces. This includes desks, lockers, and any other spaces dedicated to a single person. Appropriate cleaning supplies will be provided by the College. Campus cleaning plays an important role in mitigating Covid-19.
   2. Researchers will be asked to clean their work areas and office areas with disinfectants provided by the College at a frequency as deemed appropriate. “Appropriate” shall mean that the College will provide on hand disinfectant materials to research teams. Research teams may use on hand disinfectants regularly used in wet labs such as ethanol and bleach solutions.
   3. Custodial staff will clean to the following categories in common areas: tables; doorknobs; light switches; countertops; handles; desks and benches; phones; keyboards; faucets and sinks; and touch screens. Common surfaces frequently touched by multiple people such as elevator buttons, security desks, and door handles to buildings and stairwells will be cleaned and disinfected at least daily by the custodial staff.
   4. Logs will be maintained documenting cleaning and disinfection schedule for core research facilities and common areas maintained by the College. The Facilities Department has oversight of all common areas and supervisory staff to oversee that the work is completed.
2. The College will provide and maintain hand hygiene stations in facility, including hand washing with soap, running water, and disposable paper towels, as well as an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing 60% or more alcohol for areas where hand washing is not available or practical. Hand hygiene stations containing alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol will be provided and maintained at select locations as available.
   1.  In 17 Lexington, sinks are readily available in most laboratories. In the single case where the lab does not have a working sink, access will be provided to either the preparation or teaching labs on the 5th floor to allow for hand sanitizing.
   2. In all other buildings, restrooms on the floors shall be used. Restrooms will undergo regular cleaning and have instructions as to how to report deficiencies in hygiene and supplies in each location.
3. All occupants are encouraged to use cleaning/disinfection supplies before and after use of shared and frequently touched surfaces, followed by hand hygiene.
   1. Restroom facilities will be stocked with soap and will be inspected at a minimum daily for stocking and hygiene.
   2. All research labs will be supplied with a quaternary disinfectant, or equivalent, that will be used by research staff to clean high touch surfaces at a frequency as deemed appropriate for the labs. In cases where equipment may be used by more than one researcher, that equipment will be cleaned with disinfectant or alcohol wipes.
   3. NYS DOH and CDC posters are located throughout the building and in research lab spaces that outline the principles of proper hand washing.
4. Common surfaces frequently touched by multiple people, should be cleaned and disinfected at least daily. More frequent cleaning and disinfection will be undertaken based on level of use.
5. The College owns a variety of equipment that will be used regularly in consideration of the control of Covid-19. These include: EPA-approved disinfectants or disinfectants otherwise known to disable or kill enveloped and human coronavirusues; portable hand-held ultraviolet lighting equipment (UVC lights); steam cleaners; hand operated misting devices.
6. Cleaning and disinfection must occur at least after each shift, daily, or more frequently as needed. Researchers will clean and disinfect their labs, together with high touch surfaces and shared instrumentation. The cleaning for common areas of the building will be handled by the College Facilities Department who use products and equipment designed to neutralize germs and bio-contaminants. The Facilities Department will pay particular attention to common areas of the building that represent high touch surfaces, restrooms and other areas that may be unique to the individual buildings.
7. Should an individual be found to have contracted Covid-19, the areas where the individual worked or traveled will be closed until safe to enter according to CDC guidelines, and then cleaned with quaternary disinfectants or disinfectants approved for use in disinfecting Covid-19. Further, the campus owns a variety of equipment that will be deployed based upon the nature of the lab and the types of equipment that need to be disinfected. Examples include but are not limited to hand-held UV disinfection units and misting equipment. Finally, if necessary, the campus may choose to hire an outside vendor to disinfect affected areas.
8. Sharing of food and beverages is prohibited, as is the use of common dining areas unless a separation of at least 6 feet can be maintained.

F. Communication

Signage shall be posted around campus to remind all personnel of the CDC guidelines for Covid-19 safety in the workplace. These signs will include reminders to remain socially distant where possible and are consistent with NYS Department of Health language. At a minimum, signage shall be used to remind individuals to:

• Stay home if they feel sick
• Wear face coverings in the scenarios defined in this document
• Cover their nose and mouth with an acceptable face-covering
• Properly store and, when necessary, discard PPE
• Adhere to social distancing instructions
• Report symptoms of or exposure to Covid-19, and how they should do so
• Follow hand hygiene and cleaning and disinfection guidelines
• Follow respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette

Additionally, Public Safety sends daily electronic notifications to the AVP of Campus Facilities and Operations indicating College areas that may be occupied. The AVP forwards the same email to the Chief Administrative Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds, the EHSO, and other pertinent staff in CFO.

G. Screening

An electronic health screening is required to be conducted for each day students, faculty or staff enter each of the buildings. This screening will be done in conjunction with the request for entry. Specifically, the following steps will take place for access:

• The entrant will submit a request for entry via the published “Baruch Campus Access Guidelines” available on the Public Safety home page.
• Submission of the request will generate an automated email response with a link to a health-screening questionnaire to ensure that the information provided is current.
• The requestor must complete the questionnaire no earlier than 12 hours before the visit. Based on responses to the form the requestor will receive an email approving or denying access.
• To gain entry, the requestor will show the email response approving access, and a valid Baruch identification card, to Public Safety officers. The approval will expire in 24 hours as the health information will be out of date.
• The College will maintain records of those screened but not the health questionnaire itself or the information on the form.

The health screening questions will be based around information required by NYS guidance. NYS requires the screening to include if faculty, students or staff questions if the entrant has:

• Covid-19 symptoms in past 14 days,
• Positive Covid-19 test in past 14 days, and/or
• Close or proximate contact with confirmed or suspected Covid-19 case in past 14 days.

Individuals should have approval emails open on mobile devices prior to entering College buildings. Entrants who do not ‘pass’ the health screening will be not be permitted to enter the building and should remain home until known symptoms are gone or for approximately 14 days.

Additionally:

• All researchers working in labs with FDNY Non-Production Laboratory Permits must hold a valid C-14 certification while building occupancy is limited. At a minimum, there must be a C-14 holder on the floor any time permitted labs are in operation.
• Entry to each of the buildings must be through the following entrances:
  • 17 Lexington – 23rd Street Entrance, report to Public Safety
  • Administration Building – 22nd Street Entrance, report to Public Safety
  • Newman Vertical Campus – 25th Street Entrance, report to Public Safety
  • Library Building – 25th Street Entrance, report to Public Safety

Individuals may also be required to provide details on any significant contact (i.e., prolonged interactions with other individuals in scenarios where appropriate social distancing can’t be maintained) with others while at the College.

VI. Approval Process for Baruch Researchers 

Baruch PIs who wish to apply for consideration to resume on-site research will first contact their academic supervisor via email, to supply basic information about their research, funding, faculty status, site(s) where research will be conducted, and any essential research staff or students (note: only faculty PIs, Lab Heads, or Center Directors should fill out this application; not students or staff). The relevant Department Chair (or, in the case of the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs faculty, and for all Baruch Centers and Institutes, the Dean) will review the questionnaire responses to make an initial determination of whether the request appears to meet the priority criteria for the current Stage of Research Reopening (see Section IV, above).

The PI may then be granted access to a shared Dropbox folder, to which they will upload detailed reopening plans for their lab or project, confirmation of CITI training, and any requested supporting documentation related to the type of research and space where it will be conducted. These will be reviewed by the Research Reopening Review Panel (RRRP), which shall consist of 1) the PI’s relevant Dean, 2) EHS Officer James Kaznosky, and 3) Associate Provost for Research Patricia Price.

If approved, the PI (and, if applicable, essential staff and/or students) may be allowed to return to on-site research, subject to the provisions in this document and the individual detailed reopening plan for their lab or project.

Any substantive modification to or deviation from the individual plan must be reported immediately via email to the RRRP.

It is important to reiterate that only those research operations that cannot be performed remotely will be considered for resumption.

VII. Training and Reporting Unsafe Practices

A. Training and Education
All returning research personnel (faculty, staff and students) must take the CITI Program Back to Campus Course. The purpose is to train staff, students, and faculty on Covid-19 safety for their return to campus. Returning personnel must provide a certificate of completion with the individual lab plans.

B. Reporting Unsafe Practices
If you observe unsafe practices, you may report this anonymously here.

VII. Communication Plans and Campus Contacts

An approved copy of this Research Reopening Plan, a link to the application for PIs to request return to research, a link to the CITI ‘Back to Campus’ training, a link to anonymously report unsafe practices, and links to College-wide communications on research reopening can be found on the Academic Affairs web page.

A. Covid-19 positivity

Should you develop symptoms consist with Covid-19, test positive, or come in contact with someone suspected or confirmed to have Covid-19, you should  contact Executive Director of Human Resources Andrea Caviness at andrea.caviness@baruch.cuny.edu for further instruction.

B. Environmental Health and Safety

All issues related to Environmental Health & Safety should be reported to Environmental Health and Safety Officer James Kaznosky at james.kaznosky@baruch.cuny.edu. Emergent issues can be called in at 646-660-6048 or by contacting Public Safety at 646-312-3333.

C. Restrooms

Signage has been posted in all restrooms to report deficiencies in these locations. Occupants are instructed to email alerts to restrooms@baruch.cuny.edu. Please include the Room Code on the sign when reporting.

Reportable issues include:

• Low soap supply and broken soap dispensers
• Nonworking plumbing fixtures
• Overflowing trash receptacles
• Overall cleanliness
• Missing hand washing and health-related signage

D. Buildings and Grounds

Requests for service (custodial and trades related work) can be submitted through the Archibus System.

E. Public Safety

Public Safety can be contacted for issues related to public safety, first aid, possible crime, safety issues, building access, and health screening questions at 646-312-3333. The Building Access procedures are currently posted at the home page for Public Safety.