Faculty and Staff Required Training

Faculty and staff returning to campus as part of Grand Valley's ramp-up to Fall 2020 are required to complete training prior to returning to the workplace.

Required Training for all Faculty and Staff

Academic calendar

Grand Valley will begin the Fall 2020 semester August 31 with courses offered in-person, remotely and in a hybrid format, while following guidance from the CDC, as well as state and public health officials.

At this time, there are no plans to alter the GVSU Fall 2020 academic calendar. The Senior Leadership Team will continue to monitor public health developments in Michigan, along with any updates to CDC guidelines, to determine if any changes are needed.

Face covering policy

Face coverings that cover the mouth and nose are required in indoor or outdoor spaces when you are unable to consistently maintain a distance of at least six feet from others, including classrooms and laboratories.

Face coverings are not required in residence halls when in a personal room, suite or apartment; in dining areas when seated and dining; in offices and other areas where six feet of social distancing can be maintained; or outdoors when social distancing is possible. 

Those unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition will be directed to Disability Support Resources (DSR) for additional support.

A toolkit which includes videos and articles about face coverings, advice to faculty, and frequently asked questions is available.

Return to work

Faculty and staff began returning to campus June 22 as part of Grand Valley's six-week ramp-up plan. All employees are required to complete training prior to returning to the workplace.

All employees should monitor their health on a regular basis as they return to campus. Please print and fill out the self-assessment form prior to leaving your residence for work each day. If you answer “yes” to any question, please stay at home, notify your supervisor and seek guidance from your health provider. Keep these forms for your records, and for possible contact tracing, should it be needed.

Course offerings to be completed mid-July 

Grand Valley has developed three options for Fall 2020 courses: fully online, several hybrid models, and face-to-face instruction. We are simultaneously striving to offer more flexibility and options in course delivery in order to accommodate the various needs of all students.

Many courses may need to move to a "staggered hybrid" model where half of the instruction occurs in-person, and half remotely, in order to accommodate social distancing requirements in classrooms. We are trying to avoid day and time changes as much as possible, but those may also be necessary in order to maximize face-to-face instruction.

Once the modified schedule is in place (by mid-July), students will be provided with instructions to get support for any modifications they need or wish to make. The first priority has been to update delivery methods so students can see if their courses have a face-to-face component. That process is nearly completed. Delivery methods listed on Banner are traditional (face-to-face), hybrid and online.

Housing, Dining, Move-in, Buses

Housing

About 80 percent of GVSU housing is suite-style or apartment-style. There will be reduced density in common spaces, single options in traditional-style housing and increased frequency of cleaning in common spaces and bathrooms. Students will receive ongoing communication and support regarding personal wellness and appropriate protocols on self-monitoring, diagnostics and care.

Move-in 

For the health and safety of students and their supporters, Fall 2020 Move-in will be extended to five days to allow for social and physical distancing. Move-in tentatively begins August 24. Leaders are still working through whether to offer the Helping Hands initiative. More information will be posted on the Housing Move-In website as it becomes available.

Dining

Social distancing guidelines for food service will be followed in the dining areas, including reducing capacity, wearing PPE, proper signage and additional dedicated cleaning staff for all areas of Campus Dining. More detailed information about the complete fall dining program will be posted the week of June 29. 

Bus System

The new Laker Line that travels between campuses will have 40 percent more capacity and will be disinfected regularly. For added safety, passengers will be required to wear face coverings. Buses will arrive every 10 minutes during peak times.

Testing and contact tracing 

The university is implementing a variety of steps to reduce the risk of COVID-19 to the university community, as well as to identify individuals who may have been exposed or who have symptoms, through daily self-assessments. 

Enhanced Cleaning and Sanitation

Facilities Services is using an antimicrobial product they call a "game changer" as part of enhanced cleaning and sanitation procedures on campus. The product, MicrobeCare, is a hospital-grade solution that is a long-lasting protective coating that molecularly bonds to all surfaces.

Students need your help more now than ever. Please consider a gift to the Student Support Fund.