Students, faculty and staff at the University of Missouri–St. Louis should adopt practices, such as maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet, to keep themselves safe and have a successful and healthy spring semester. (Photos by August Jennewein)
With the start of term almost upon us, now is the time to learn or review the protocols and practices in place at the University of Missouri–St. Louis to ensure a successful and healthy spring semester. The following nine points cover a wide swatch of the ways you can help protect the health, safety and well-being of members of the campus community and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Please visit the Start Safe. Stay Safe. website for more details.
- If you’re sick, stay home
If you are experiencing symptoms that are atypical of your individual health circumstances, have tested positive for COVID-19 or have had contact with a person identified as testing positive, stay home and contact your health provider or Health Services at UMSL. You can do so, even just to ask questions, by calling (314) 516-5671 or logging into the health portal at health.umsl.edu.
You must report diagnoses of COVID, contact with a positive individual or symptoms to Reporting COVID-19 Diagnosis/Symptoms. If you are instructed by the Campus Health Officer not to come to campus due to COVID, you must not return until you submit a Request to Return to Campus form and you receive written approval from the Campus Health Officer.
- Monitor your health with the Campus Screen app
Self-monitor your health daily by downloading the Edverum Campus Screen app to guide you through a daily health check. You’ll take a health screening that includes a series of questions about health symptoms, contacts you may have had with other people or recent travel. You will either receive a green pass that suggests it’s safe to come to campus or be told to remain home and contact your health care provider or Health Services. The results of each self-screen are stored on your device for later review with color-coded summary cards highlighting your status. The results eventually expire, at which point you will be prompted to begin a new self-assessment. You may be asked to show your daily campus pass status to enter buildings, classrooms or participate in other university activities.
- Wear a face covering
You are required to wear a face covering when entering or occupying campus buildings and facilities. Face coverings are also required on campus shuttles and when outdoors and unable to maintain a minimum physical distance of 6 feet or more – or if otherwise required by public health order. You must provide your own face covering, and the UMSL Triton Store in the Millennium Student Center has some options. You don’t need to wear a face covering when you’re alone in a private space, such as an individual study room or dorm hall, or if you’re outside and able to maintain physical distance.
- Practice good hygiene
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. If soap and water aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol for 20 seconds. You can take advantage of the hand sanitizing stations in high traffic areas around campus.
Members of the UMSL custodial staff will clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces around campus frequently. In addition, all classroom spaces will be cleaned in between each in-person class.
- Practice social distancing and follow safety signage
You should maintain social distancing of 6 feet even when sitting in the Quad or other outdoor spaces and wear a face covering when unable to maintain a 6-foot physical distance from others when outdoors.
Follow signs at the entrances of campus buildings, throughout the hallways and in public spaces regarding face coverings and social distancing as well as other steps to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Directional signs on the floors in buildings will show you where to walk in hallways to help maintain safe distancing.
- Practice self-care
Take care of your mental well-being by making an appointment with UMSL Counseling Services through the health.umsl.edu portal or calling (314) 516-5711. You can also walk in Monday through Friday from 8:30-4:30. There are regular group therapy sessions on Zoom. Contact Hannah Emery (emeryh@umsl.edu) for information on how to join.
You can also download a free mental health and wellness app, Sanvello. Based on cognitive behavioral therapy and mindful meditation, Sanvello offers tools such as guided meditation, mood tracking and goal setting to help users cope with stress, anxiety and depression.
- Take the coronavirus safety training on Canvas
All new students must take an online training on safety requirements. Log in to Canvas, and the training will be on your Canvas dashboard and in your list of courses. New faculty and staff must take the training via myLearn.
- Tap into student resources
Take advantage of UMSL student resources that span from academic help, career services, registration and financial aid to campus life, IT and Title IX. You can find out which offices are offering virtual services and what is in person with this guide.
- Ask for help
Part of ensuring that you have a successful and safe semester is asking for help when you need it. Whether you have a simple question, such as how to purchase books, or a large problem, such as needing help with housing, there are services and people at UMSL ready to assist you. It’s never too early or too late to reach out.
