Providence Campus Faculty & Staff
Frequently Asked Questions
Page Updated 8/7/2020
Search Providence FAQs
- When will I be expected to return to work on campus?
- What should I do if I am concerned about my work location?
- What are the expectations prior to my arrival for the first time, and before arriving to campus each day?
- What happens if one of the students I am teaching is in isolation or quarantine during the fall semester?
- How will the university handle testing?
- What measures are in place to keep students, faculty and staff safe?
- What are the cleaning and sanitation measures in place?
- Are students, faculty and staff expected to maintain contact tracing?
- Are students, faculty and staff expected to self-check for symptoms?
- Does JWU require masks for students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus?
- How is the university preparing for a potential second wave of COVID-19?
- How is the university handling testing for COVID-19?
- Are students, faculty and staff from neighboring states with travel restrictions regarding Rhode Island permitted to commute to campus for classes or work? added 8/7
- What do parents/families who are traveling to Rhode Island to drop off their students for fall semester need to know? added 8/7
Is the university open?
Yes, each campus remains open to serve our students; the university remains open as we continue to provide virtual services to our students, hold summer session for culinary and baking and pastry students and prepare for the fall semester. Nonessential faculty and staff are working from home. Only essential – as deemed by their supervisor - employees are reporting to campus per their work schedule.
When are classes scheduled to start?
The undergraduate fall semester will begin on Monday, August 31, 2020.
Why has the university changed its plans for the fall semester?
Since March, every decision regarding JWU campus operations has been based on the latest information and guidance we have received from federal, state, and local public health and government officials. Throughout these months, our priority has been the health and wellbeing of the JWU community as we fulfill our academic mission and support our students toward the successful completion of their degrees. Like so many colleges throughout the country during these uncertain times, we have been planning for different scenarios for the fall semester that would provide a safe environment to meet our academic goals.
Unfortunately, over the past few weeks, as the surge in the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 nationwide continues to increase significantly, many states are now instituting or extending executive orders requiring 14-day quarantine periods for people arriving from “hot spot” states. In addition, capacity restrictions for classrooms, residence halls and other indoor facilities will remain in place for many of our campuses.
This decision applies solely to the fall semester.
Do all classrooms have the ability to stream and record?
All of the classrooms that will be used this fall will have enhanced technology for streaming and recording.
Will all classes be synchronous during the fall semester?
Not all classes will be synchronous. For remote classes – faculty must have a least one synchronous session per week, but the other may be done asynchronously. Some faculty members may choose to have both, but it is not mandated.
What are the plans for the spring semester?
The university will continue to work with federal, state and local governments to follow the guidance and restrictions put in place, and will communicate with the JWU community when decisions regarding the spring semester are made.
How can I find the updated hours of operation for various student services?
Student services are available on a limited basis with modified schedules. Hours may vary during the summer based on demand and updated guidance from federal, state and local government officials. Please check the social media accounts for student services for updated hours of operation using the JWU Social Directory and clicking on your campus.
What will campus look like this fall?
You will see signage regarding:
- Screening questions on entry doors
- Hand-washing reminders in restrooms
- Physical distancing messaging throughout campus
- Capacity limits – areas of assembly, residence halls
- Elevator etiquette
Floor arrows directing recommended traffic flow and line markers at waiting queues will be visible, along with elevator capacities limited to 1-4 people, depending on cab size.
Drinking water fountains will be inoperable; bottle filling stations may be used as long as the spigot is not touched.
Plexiglas barriers have been, and will continue to be, installed at service desks and reception areas and culinary labs.
Sanitation wipes and hand sanitizer stations will be distributed throughout campus: at designated entry doors, elevator lobbies and other areas as needed for student and faculty/staff use.
Cleaning will be closely monitored and done regularly, paying attention to high-touch areas.
All HVAC filters will be changed prior to the population returning and with the highest possible filter rating the system allows. Fresh air intake will be maximized as outdoor conditions permit.
When will I be expected to return to work on campus?
To confirm the exact date and time you are expected to arrive on campus:
- Faculty: Please consult with your chair.
- Staff: Please consult with your supervisor.
What should I do if I am concerned about my work location?
In anticipation of being on campus, please think about your work area and consult with your supervisor for any adjustments that may be needed to allow for the proper amount of physical distancing.
What are the expectations prior to my arrival for the first time, and before arriving to campus each day?
You must confirm the exact date and time you are expected to arrive on campus:
- Faculty: Please consult with your chair.
- Staff: Please consult with your supervisor.
In anticipation of being on campus, please think about your work area and consult with your supervisor on any adjustments that may need to be made to allow for the proper amount of physical distancing.
Before you come to campus each day, you must:
- Conduct a health screening using the JWU screening app.
- Bring your own face mask/covering and wear it as outlined in the university’s return to work guide and in compliance with state and local requirements (JWU will provide PPE to those who are required to wear PPE due to the nature of their job –e.g., health professionals).
- Maintain a contact tracing record so that the university can follow appropriate protocols should you become ill.
Please consult with your supervisor and/or Human Resources if you have any questions as it relates to your return or after your return.
What happens if one of the students I am teaching is in isolation or quarantine during the fall semester?
Faculty should plan for the potential to have students in isolation or quarantine during the fall semester due to COVID-19. In these instances, the faculty member will work with the student to plan how the student can successfully complete their coursework.
How will the university handle testing?
The university plans to perform aggressive symptomatic testing on campus. If there are barriers to testing on campus, Health Services will order COVID-19 testing at a respiratory clinic nearby. Students who do not have transportation will be transported to the testing site. Faculty and staff must contact their medical provider if testing is needed.
What measures are in place to keep students, faculty and staff safe?
To help keep each other safe, we are asking all faculty, staff, and students to maintain a 6-foot physical distance at all times, inside and outside when on campus. Due to the current restrictions and recommendations subject only to narrow exceptions, everyone must wear a mask or face covering when in a public place, both indoors and outdoors, unless they are in a private office where they can maintain 6-foot physical distancing.
Culinary faculty and students will be required to wear masks in the culinary labs, which will be capped at the maximum permitted under applicable guidance and law (currently 15 occupants), and in the hallways. Masks will be provided to both culinary faculty and students for the summer session; additional masks can be purchased at the JWU Bookstore or from campus vending machines.
All culinary lab faculty are participating in extensive safety training prior to students arriving for summer session.
Departments will have a supply of face coverings for employees who may forget or misplace their own personal covering.
Subject to and consistent with applicable local, state, and federal guidance and law, the university will provide guidance to students on how to self-screen daily for symptoms, keep track of contacts, and report concerns to Health Services prior to attending class. All JWU faculty, staff and students at the Providence Campus should download the CRUSH COVID RI app that assists in screening for symptoms and tracking the places you have been in the past 20 days. Should a student test positive this summer for COVID-19, the student will be transferred to a designated area at the Harborside Campus where they will remain in isolation with daily monitoring of their symptoms.
What are the cleaning and sanitation measures in place?
The cleaning and sanitizing measures we have in place will continue to be modified based on the most recent federal, state and local guidance. Throughout campus, students, faculty and staff will see hand disinfectant and sanitation wipe stations at elevator lobbies on each floor, main entrance hallways, computer labs, libraries, and service desks. Classrooms and large common assembly areas will be cleaned on a regular schedule; special attention will be given to high-touch surfaces such as handrails and doorknobs. All common bathrooms will be cleaned frequently.
Are students, faculty and staff expected to maintain contact tracing?
Faculty, staff and students will be asked to keep a diary of locations they have been in the event they exhibit symptoms and test positive for COVID-19.
If you test positive, you will need to work with the state's Department of Health and anyone with whom you came into contact in the days prior to the onset of symptoms.
All staff, faculty and students are to download the Crush COVID RI app (you do not need to share data unless you become symptomatic).
Are students, faculty and staff expected to self-check for symptoms?
Students, staff and faculty will self-check daily for COVID-19 symptoms using the JWU screening app.
Based on answers, the app will produce a red X or green check mark (you will also receive an e-mail).
For faculty and staff: If the screening result shows a red X, please do not go to campus and consult with your medical provider. You must also report this to your manager.
Students who receive a red X must not attend class and must call JWU Health Services. (Students should not physically go to Health Services.)
Does JWU require masks for students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus?
Following CDC guidelines, individuals on university property will be asked to practice physical distancing, wear masks and use hand sanitizers available in high traffic areas. Students must wear masks when moving into campus, and when on campuses for classes.
All students will be provided one cloth face mask for the fall semester. Face masks will not be provided to students who returned to campus for summer session; they were given a mask for the summer session and should use it for the fall semester. Additional masks can be purchased at the JWU Bookstore or from campus vending machines. Faculty and students will be required to wear masks in the culinary labs and in CCCE and HAC. In accordance with relevant government orders in each state of our campuses, the university may not permit visitors who do not have a face covering.
How is the university preparing for a potential second wave of COVID-19?
In anticipation of a potential second wave of COVID-19 in late fall, there have been changes to the academic calendar. Culinary and other laboratory classes may include Fridays as part of the schedule during the fall semester or there may be adjustments to the fall holiday schedule. This will allow labs to conclude by November 20 (prior to the Thanksgiving break). After Thanksgiving, all remaining classes will be taught remotely until the conclusion of the fall semester on December 18, 2020. Fall internships will continue until the end of the semester.
How is the university handling testing for COVID-19?
Aggressive symptomatic testing will be instituted. JWU Health Services will have the capability to test students on site, pending availability of supplies. If supplies are not available, Health Services will order testing at a respiratory clinic close to campus. Students who do not have transportation we will be transported to the testing site. Faculty and staff must contact their medical provider if testing is needed.
Are students, faculty and staff from neighboring states with travel restrictions regarding Rhode Island permitted to commute to campus for classes or work? added 8/7
At this time, those traveling to Rhode Island from Connecticut and Massachusetts for school or work are exempt from the travel restrictions relative to Rhode Island that have been implemented by those states. Students, faculty and staff should continue to monitor the guidelines put in place by their home states.
What do parents/families who are traveling to Rhode Island to drop off their students for fall semester need to know? added 8/7
State guidance continues to evolve and may vary state to state. Parents and families who plan to travel to Rhode Island should consult state officials in their home state before departing to determine if their state has implemented travel restrictions that will impact them.