Why were the social gathering guidelines added?
Our goal as a community is to keep as many faculty, staff and students as safe as possible throughout the semester so we will have the resources to offer in-classroom learning and student support through November 24. These guidelines are another means to that end goal.
During the first week of classes students had several large gatherings in on-campus apartments which violated our no visitation policy and put the WWU community at risk. Additionally, students shared information about parties and events off campus where students were not distancing and/or masking appropriately. These types of events can result in large numbers of exposed students. We need to keep our number of both COVID positive and exposure cases to a manageable level. Our human resources have to be able to teach classes, clean facilities, serve food and provide all other services for students.
As a reminder the full guidelines are available on our website at https://www.williamwoods.edu/emergency-info/docs/student-guidelines/guidelines-for-fall-2020.pdf
What types of gatherings would result in loss of privileges listed in the guidelines?
The main goal of the guidelines is to limit the high risk events that are known to spread COVID more quickly among larger groups. These often occur in bars and restaurants that allow high density occupancy with little to no safety measures in place. Social gatherings at Westminster College fraternity houses would currently fall into this category as well. Additionally, on and/or off campus apartments, houses, etc. that are not limiting their occupancies and practicing appropriate COVID safety guidelines are at risk for COVID spread among students.
Can I go home or off campus to visit friends? Dine? Shop? Workout?
Yes, we are not requiring students to stay on campus. If you visit family and friends, be mindful that you will be returning to campus; therefore, we ask that you implement the COVID safety practices when off campus. Also, now that you are living and/or learning on a college campus, your choices here and those of your friends may put you at higher risk for spreading COVID to off campus friends and family; so, again, best practices for COVID safety at all times protects everyone.
If you discover you have been exposed while off campus, please stay home or in your room and contact health.services@williamwoods.edu
Can I ride in a car with my friends?
We do not have a requirement that students do not ride in a vehicle with other students. Please consider when doing so – is this safe for you and your community? Are you masking? Are you limiting the number of people in the car? If a student becomes COVID positive, those in the car are likely considered close contacts and would be required to quarantine for at least 14 days.
Can my student organization still host LEAD or student organization events?
Yes, we hope you continue to meet and host events. There are a lot of ways to do this and meet the guidelines. Break into smaller bubbles and have half the group online and half in person (still following guidelines). Host virtual events and meetings, meet outside, use a classroom or campus space following all the guidelines including masking and distancing, and be sure you disinfect the space afterwards.
What if we want to host an event with more than 20?
An event is defined as a communal gathering, on or off campus, outside of a classroom setting, lasting longer than 15 minutes. Student groups and event organizers can request special approval for an event with more than 20 attendees by submitting an event plan and all information listed in the guidelines. Requests from student organizations will go to Lacey Sweeten Randall at Lacey.SweetenRandall@williamwoods.edu and requests for LEAD events will go to Debbie Schick at Debbie.Schick@williamwoods.edu . Please submit the request for approval at least 4 business day prior to the event.
