For Students
FSCares Re-opening Plan

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Table of Contents

Changes to the Student Move-in Experience

The College move-in experience has been redesigned to support physical distancing, and requires masks, temperature checks via a Safe Check temperature device, and assigned move-in times. All residential students must complete the formal community living check-in process and agree to comply with the return to campus requirements, which include uploading a negative COVID-19 test and agreeing to the Moc Pledge. Student IDs will not be activated and students will not be cleared for in-person class attendance until this process is fully completed.

The Student Life team is looking forward to welcoming new and returning students to campus with fun and engaging activities that will support community building.

First-year students (first semester and previous remote learners)

  • Details about move-in have been shared via the Portal.
  • The scheduling process will help space out move-ins throughout the College’s five first-year halls.
    • Students will be allowed two people to assist with move-in. These people will need to have temperature checks as outlined below.
    • Students and their guests will have two hours to complete the move-in process.
  • All those entering residence halls will have temperature checks provided by a Safe Check temperature device. This allows a person to place their wrist in front of a sensor and be provided with an immediate result.
    • Those cleared will receive wristbands indicating approval to enter the buildings.
    • Anyone with a fever of more than 100.3 will not be allowed to enter.
  • Face masks will be required when inside the building and outside in trafficked areas.
  • Clear directional signage will be in place in each building to ensure a proper traffic flow and physical distancing.

Transfer Students

  • Details about move-in have been shared via the Portal.
  • Students will be allowed two people to assist with move-in. Students and their guests will have two hours to complete the move-in process.
  • All those entering buildings will have temperature checks.
    • Those cleared will receive wristbands indicating approval to enter the buildings.
    • Anyone with a fever of more than 100.3 will not be allowed to enter.
  • Clear directional signage will be in place in each building to ensure a proper traffic flow and physical distancing.

Returning Students

  • Students will move in by appointment on January 24 and 25.
  • Students should sign-up for a move-in time by accessing the Student tab on the Portal and then select Community Living.
  • Students will be allowed to have two people to assist with their move-in. Students and their guests will have two hours to complete the move-in process.
  • All those entering the buildings will have temperature checks provided by a Safe Check temperature device. This allows a person to place their wrist in front of a sensor and be provided with an immediate result.
    • Those cleared will receive wristbands indicating approval to enter the buildings.
    • Anyone with a fever of more than 100.3 will not be allowed to enter.
  • Clear directional signage will be in place in each building to ensure a proper traffic flow and physical distancing.

Campus Orientation

  • Students who move in on January 23 will be engaged in orientation programming on January 24 so the next round of move-ins can occur with low density.
  • Activities will be scheduled in outdoor spaces with virtual options available if weather becomes an issue.
    • The College will not host an in-person worship service on the Sunday of move-in, but a virtual service will take place. Details will be shared closer to move-in.

Campus Life: COVID-19 Testing, Dining, Clubs, Activities, and Athletics

Campus traditions, events, athletics, dining, organizations, and activities are fundamental elements of the Florida Southern experience. The College will monitor local, state, and federal guidelines regarding group gatherings to ensure gatherings, when they occur, are safe for all involved.

While traditional large gatherings are not possible right now, the College has developed a phased plan to adjust operations as campus and community conditions change.

Please contact Student Life at studentlife@flsouthern.edu with questions.

Testing on Campus

  • The College will conduct random temperature checks at various locations daily on campus; the College also requires random COVID-19 testing.
  • Students should self-evaluate daily for symptoms, including temperature checks. Students with a fever of 100.3 Fahrenheit or higher, or who are experiencing symptoms identified by the CDC should immediately contact their healthcare provider and/or the Student Health Center at 863.680.4292.
    • After hours, students should contact Campus Safety at 863.680.5010 for assistance and information about next steps.
  • If students are concerned about another student exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, please email FSCares@flsouthern.edu to inform the College.

Dining and Common Areas

  • Most food service will be “grab and go” style during the spring. The College has removed most seating so only a limited number of guests will be able to eat inside while maintaining proper social distancing.
    • Menu options will be posted weekly.
    • Travel patterns will be marked so that traffic flows in one direction.
    • Additional seating will be available outside, with proper physical distancing, for student dining.
  • Guidelines about the use of gathering spaces and common spaces on campus will be shared before the start of the semester.

Clubs and Activities

The Cornerstone calls on us to promote engagement and student success while supporting positive relationships to connect students to each other, the campus community, and the Lakeland community. Florida Southern will provide highly engaging student life experiences while following local, state, and federal health guidelines.

Student involvement events, along with clubs and organizations, will be required to follow campus COVID-19 requirements. A four-phase plan has been developed to provide guidelines for student clubs, organizations, and activities. The College will progress through phases based on information from the CDC and the Florida and Polk County Department of Health.

  • Virtual: All activities are remote.
  • Hybrid: Most activities are remote, with some in-person interactions following mask, physical distancing, and attendee requirements.
  • Hybrid 2: Most activities conducted in person while following mask, physical distancing, and attendee requirements. Some virtual meetings when larger audiences are necessary.
  • In person: The College will enter this phase when COVID-19 requirements are relaxed and mask, physical distancing, and attendee requirements have been adjusted.
  • Student organizations and the fraternity and sorority community will be permitted to operate following guidance from the Center for Student Involvement and Florida Southern College.
    • The Center for Student Involvement will notify student organizations and the fraternity and sorority community about which phase to adhere to based on recommendations from the CDC. Additionally, Engage will be updated to represent the current phase.
  • Professionals in the Simmons Multicultural Center will offer programming, support, and connections based on the plan.
  • The Chaplain’s Office in the Fannin Campus Ministries Center will offer programming, support, counseling, and connection based on the plan.
  • Counseling Center staff are prepared to support and encourage students primarily through telehealth appointments and other virtual programming.
  • Student Solutions Center staff are ready to provide academic and transition support primarily through virtual meetings.
  • The College will monitor local pandemic conditions and evaluate how to safely conduct intramural activities, including NCAA sports, e-sports, and special events designed around maintaining physical distancing.

Community Living

  • Because of the uniqueness of each of our residential communities, individual health and safety plans have been developed for each area and will be posted on Engage.
  • No non-FSC guests will be allowed in the residential halls for visits.
  • Students will be required to follow all guidelines to remain a member of our residential community.

Athletics

  • Athletics will follow all College COVID-19 policies and procedures. Athletics continues to work with the Sunshine State Conference and NCAA about how to safely conduct winter and spring sports.
  • Strict cleaning protocols of equipment and facilities will be in effect, including limited access to the athletic training room, weight room, meeting, and locker rooms based on national best practices.
  • Fan attendance at competitions will be determined by College, local, state, and federal guidelines in place at that time.
  • COVID-19 Checks: All student-athletes will be checked when they return to campus and prior to attending team activities. The check will include taking temperatures and health questionnaires.
    • Once on campus, student-athletes will use SportsWare tracking software and perform a daily self-check. The athletic training staff will monitor the daily results.
    • The Sunshine State Conference is requiring a wellness check prior to all competition.
  • Recruits on Campus: Recruits will undergo wellness checks and be restricted where they can go on campus. If a workout is part of the visit, equipment will be sanitized pre- and post-workout. The recruit will not be able to use FSC locker rooms and other facilities.
  • Athletic Training: Access will be limited. Appointments will be scheduled to help manage group sizes. A table with supplies will be set up outside the athletic training room with basic supplies and ice. Everyone entering the training room will use hand sanitizer, and face masks will be required.
  • Weight Room: Access will be limited. The weight room will schedule groups; groups that are waiting must observe physical distancing policies. Staff will clean equipment after each group’s use. Hand sanitizer must be used when entering and leaving.
  • 6th Man Room: Access will be limited. Everyone will use hand sanitizer and wear masks. Coaches are responsible for sanitizing the tables after the meetings.
  • Practices and Games: Depending on the team, FSC will discontinue using water bottles and bench towels. Small teams can use water bottles and they will be marked for each player.
    • Disposable cups or “Waterboy” tanks and coolers will be used for practice and games. FSC will purchase hand towels or bar towels to be used once by the student-athlete and then collected and washed.
    • Visiting teams will be sent information regarding FSC policies and procedures.
    • All student-athletes for both teams will be wellness checked on the day of the event and/or before entering our facilities.
    • Large halftime and timeout activities are currently cancelled. Individual activities will need to meet social distancing guidelines.

When a Student Tests Positive for COVID-19

Students should understand that despite theirs and the College’s best efforts, there is no guarantee that FSC’s on-campus experience will be free of COVID-19. Returning to campus for the spring 2021 semester is an acknowledgment that this risk exists.

When COVID-19 cases and possible cases develop on campus, the College will respond quickly and transparently to protect the health and safety of the campus community. This includes enacting isolation, quarantine and testing protocols, communications to affected individuals, contact tracing, and more.

Students who become symptomatic for COVID-19 or receive positive tests must immediately contact Campus Safety at 863.680.5010 for isolation or quarantine assistance and information about next steps.

Students must isolate when they:

  • Test positive for COVID-19.
  • Become symptomatic for COVID-19.

Students with Positive Tests

  • Students who receive positive tests must immediately contact Campus Safety at 863.680.5010 for assistance and information about next steps.
  • Students who test positive for COVID-19 must isolate until cleared by a medical professional to return to normal campus activity.
    • Students living in College-owned housing will not be allowed to remain in their regular campus residence during isolation or quarantine.
  • The College expects that in-state students who need to isolate or quarantine will return home to do so, as FSC will have limited facilities to house quarantined students.
    • Students who can return home are encouraged to do so. The College understands the travel challenges associated with doing so, and will accommodate students in on-campus quarantine space as long as space remains available.
    • The College has currently reserved isolation and quarantine spaces both on- and off-campus.
    • Students who isolate or quarantine will not be able to bring emotional support animals with them and must arrange to house them separately when isolating or quarantining in College-supervised accommodations.
  • Students who test positive will identify all areas where they were physically present within three days prior to the onset of symptoms.
    • If there are no symptoms, the student will identify where they were present from the known or estimated exposure date.
    • The College will sanitize those areas immediately.
  • Students in College-supervised isolation or quarantine will be provided food, medical checks, counseling, and other services as needed.
    • College staff members will be assigned to monitor students who are in isolation and quarantine.
  • The College will follow local, state, and federal guidelines for contact tracing and notifying individuals who may have been exposed to COVID-19 positive students.
    • In accordance with privacy laws, the College cannot personally identify infected persons.
  • Faculty will work with students who must isolate or quarantine to ensure academic progress continues.

Students Exposed to a Positive Case

  • Students who have been exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual may be required to quarantine until cleared to return to campus (for commuters, this means quarantining off campus until cleared to return; for residential students, this means moving to our designated isolation/quarantine space).
  • A student who has close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 should immediately contact Campus Safety at 863.680.5010 for quarantine assistance and information about next steps.
  • The College expects that in-state students who need to isolate or quarantine will return home to do so, as FSC will have limited facilities to house quarantined students.
    • Students who can return home are encouraged to do so. The College understands the travel challenges associated with doing so, and will accommodate students in on-campus quarantine space as long as space remains available.
    • The College has currently reserved isolation and quarantine spaces both on- and off-campus.
    • Students who isolate or quarantine will not be able to bring emotional support animals with them and must arrange to house them separately when quarantining in College-supervised accommodations.
  • Students in College-supervised isolation or quarantine will be provided food, medical checks, counseling, and other services as needed.
    • College staff members will be assigned to monitor students who are in isolation or quarantine.
  • Faculty will work with students who must quarantine to ensure academic progress continues.

Contact Tracing

To help limit the spread of COVID-19 on our campus and ensure the safety of our community, the College has partnered with Rapid-Trace, a local firm aiding businesses and institutions with contact tracing following positive COVID-19 tests.

Rapid-Trace will provide contact tracers who will work collaboratively with the Health Center and the College to notify you in the event that you have had close contact with someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19. Students may also self-report a positive test or exposure to COVID-19 by calling Rapid-Trace at 813.699.3551 or emailing selfreport@rapid-trace.com.

With Rapid-Trace, we will be able to identify and inform people who have contracted the virus and those in contact with confirmed cases, so they can take the necessary steps to prevent further spread. Students are required to participate honestly and completely with our contact tracing efforts and Rapid-Trace personnel.

Faculty and staff who become infected with COVID-19 should contact their immediate supervisor or Human Resources at HR@flsouthern.edu, the Rapid-Trace self-report line at 813-699-3551, or email selfreport@rapid-trace.com. Rapid-Trace and Florida Southern College are committed to keeping our community members safe and offering support in the event of a positive case or close contact. If after business hours, please notify Rapid-Trace using the self-report line at 813-699-3551 or email selfreport@rapid-trace.com.

Last updated: January 13, 2021