With the Fall 2020 semester just days away, Brevard College is prepared for the arrival of students with a comprehensive set of COVD-19 protocols to keep the campus community safe.
Students will begin arriving on campus on the first of a series of move-in dates on Monday, August 10 with the first day of classes scheduled for Monday, August 17.
“Our leadership team and every department of our college have been working tirelessly to create the safest possible environment for our students, faculty and staff,” said Dr. David C. Joyce, President of Brevard College. “We are excited to have the students back on campus after nearly five months. We will continue to be vigilant in following the safety protocols, while also doing everything we can to provide our students with the most well-rounded experience possible.”
Below are several highlights of the safety protocols that have been established for the upcoming Fall 2020 semester:
- All indoor facilities, including residence halls, classrooms, dining areas, offices, athletic venues and campus lounges, have undergone deep cleaning and retrofitting to prepare for the start of the semester.
- Masks are required indoors in all campus buildings. Masks are also required outdoors if 6-foot distancing is not possible.
- Entry into indoor facilities on campus is restricted to Brevard College students, faculty and staff only.
- For move-in dates, incoming students and their guests (limited to two) will be screened for symptoms and with temperature checks.
- A cohort living system has been instituted for students living on campus to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19.
- All students, faculty and staff members will have to pass a symptom checker every day before being allowed into campus buildings. The symptom checker is part of the BC Radar smart phone application, conveniently available to every student, faculty and staff member. The symptom checker, which includes a series of questions and a temperature check, will provide the BC member with a green or red pass. If the individual receives a green pass, they are able to enter campus buildings. If the individual receives a red pass, they will be tested for COVID-19 by Blue Ridge Health and isolated until the test returns negative.
- If a positive COVID-19 test occurs, that individual will immediately be quarantined. Designated quarantine housing is available on campus.
- Classrooms have been retrofitted to allow for social distancing along with virtual learning, if needed.
- The dining hall has been regulated to 50% capacity and is only open to students, faculty and staff at this time.
- The USA South Conference, which Brevard College competes in, has postponed all fall sport competition to the spring of 2021. The impacted sports will have the opportunity to practice and potentially compete in a limited non-conference schedule in the fall. The NCAA has outlined best practices related to COVID-19 safety in competition and practice. Brevard College will be following the NCAA recommendations.
- The majority of on-campus Fine Arts events originally scheduled for the fall have been canceled and/or postponed. Virtual performances in art, music and theater are currently being planned.
The safety protocols and guidelines were established by the Brevard College COVID-19 Safety Task Force chaired by Vice President of Student Success Dr. Debbie D’Anna.
“The task force understands the importance of creating a safe environment where students can receive an experiential education, “ said Dr. D’Anna. “We have taken all the information and guidance from the CDC and the Transylvania County Health Department in developing the guidelines and protocols. We are ready to put the plan into action.”
The task force continues to work closely and follow the guidelines set by local and state authorities. Blue Ridge Health, located next door to Brevard College, has partnered with the college to provide COVID-19 testing and a wide range of additional health care services.
For full COVID-19 safety protocols at Brevard College, go to brevard.edu/covid-19-updates