Effective July 30, masks are required for everyone indoors on campus, regardless of vaccination status. Learn more.
Updated August 24, 2021
Northland College is committed to keeping our campus and community safe by limiting the spread of COVID-19. While much has gone into our efforts to protect the Northland community, we recognize that we cannot guarantee an environment free of COVID-19. We are striving to create an environment where all members of the Northland community including faculty, staff, students, and visitors take responsibility for their own health and safety and act in a manner that demonstrates consideration and respect for those around them.
Guiding Principles
Although it is not be possible to mitigate every risk, each of us must contribute to risk reduction. Everyone in the Northland community is asked to show their care for our campus and regional community by adhering to the science, advice, guidelines and best practices of health experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, the Ashland County Health Department, and other professional health organizations.
Reducing Spread
COVID-19 Expectations and Policies
Northland College has adopted additional policies and expectations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. These expectations are designed to keep our campus community as safe and healthy as possible.
In addition to standard campus policies, we require that all members of our campus community abide by all COVID-19 policies during this time.
These policies may change as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. Please check regularly for updates.
Disciplinary Action
Our campus expects that all community members understand the importance of personal and communal vigilance to keep everyone safe and healthy. We also understand that disciplinary action may be required as a result of actions or inactions. Sanctions for specific actions will depend on the nature of the individual situation, the frequency, and the severity of the violation.
Students
Student affairs, in collaboration with athletics, will administer any relevant disciplinary action ranging from educational conversations about behavior to suspension from the College for the remainder of the term.
Employees
Supervisors, in collaboration with human resources, will oversee any relevant disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, forfeiture of the opportunity to continue as a member of the community.
Face Coverings
Face coverings are required while indoors on campus, regardless of vaccination status. You are also required to wear a face covering in campus-sponsored vehicles (see more about travel and transit). You do not need to wear a mask while alone in a private office, or while alone in your residence hall room or with your roommate(s).
If you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, you are required to wear a face covering outdoors, unless you can maintain six feet of distance between you and any other individuals.
If you have questions, concerns, or feel that you have a condition that would warrant a waiver from wearing a face covering, please consult with the Office of Accommodations (students) or the Office of Human Resources (employees).
Daily Self-checks
Each morning prior to coming to campus or leaving your residence hall room, please assess the following:
-
Temperature Check
In the last 24 hours, has your temperature been 100.4° F or higher? If yes, stay home or in your room until you have been fever free without the assistance of fever reducing medications for at least 24 hours. If no, go to symptom check.
-
Symptom Check
Symptoms vary from person-to-person. Some people may even be asymptomatic (no symptoms at all). Please refer to the CDC webpage for current symptoms and to utilize the Coronavirus Self-Checker, a tool to help you make decisions on when to seek testing and medical care.
If you answered yes to question 1 or are referred to seek assistance from the self-check, stay home and notify the Office of Health Services (students) or the Office of Human Resources (employees).
Physical Distancing
The goal of physical distancing is to limit exposure by reducing face-to-face contact and preventing spread among people in a community setting. Face coverings will not serve as a substitute for physical distancing at Northland. Whenever possible, you are encouraged to maintain physical distancing when engaging with campus constituents in campus spaces.
Hand Hygiene
Hand washing guidelines are posted in every restroom on campus with a reminder to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. In addition, there are liquid hand sanitizer stations and disinfectant wipes dispersed throughout all office, classroom, and residential buildings. These should also be rubbed into hands for 20 seconds.
Hygiene Supplies
Hygienic behaviors are supported by ensuring that adequate supplies of soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes are publicly available throughout campus. No-touch waste receptacles and recycling containers are also dispersed throughout campus where possible. Where covered waste and recycling containers are used there are hand sanitizer stations.
Signage & Directives
Signage is placed strategically around campus to communicate and reinforce expectations about daily self-checks, wearing face coverings, recognizing the signs of COVID-19, room occupancy limits, and adhering to physical distancing guidelines. Signage also communicates one-way traffic flow through entry/exit points and within campus buildings.
Campus Life
Food Service & On-campus Dining
Northland and Chartwells (Northland’s food service provider) are working with the Ashland County health inspector to provide food service consistent with health and safety requirements. Chartwells is following all recommended guidelines and serving modifications in all locations. There is limited physical distance seating, packaged meals, and take-away options. All spaces have signage denoting the one-way traffic flow.
The campus store is open and is following all health guidelines, including clearly routed one-way traffic.
On-campus Shared Living Specifications
Physical distancing guidelines, maximum occupancy limits, and face covering rules must be adhered to in residence hall living spaces. Maximum occupancy inside a residence hall room is six on-campus students, including the residents of the room. When roommates are together in their room with no guest(s) over, face coverings are not required. Face coverings are required for all occupants of a residence hall room when guests are present, regardless of vaccination status. Common spaces (lounges, kitchens, and basements) have been redesigned to allow for proper physical distancing and maximum occupancy limits are posted. Kitchens and laundry spaces are open for use with face coverings required and occupancy limits followed. Public sharing of kitchenware is not allowed.
Sanitation of Spaces on Campus
Following CDC recommended guidelines, the cleaning and disinfecting standard operating procedures will include daily wiping of all high-touch surfaces (doorknobs, light switches, drinking fountains, sink faucets, handrails, etc.). Our facilities team uses disposable disinfecting wipes and cleaning products that meet EPA recommended criteria.
Maintaining Healthy Environments
Cleaning & Disinfection
Following CDC recommended guidelines, the cleaning and disinfecting standard operating procedures will include daily wiping of all high-touch surfaces (doorknobs, light switches, drinking fountains, sink faucets, handrails, etc.). Our facilities team uses disposable disinfecting wipes and cleaning products that meet EPA recommended criteria.
Physical Barriers & Guides
Service counters where employees or students interact regularly are equipped with sneeze guards. Physical guides and traffic flow markings for all buildings with high-use traffic denote one-way traffic wherever possible and physical separation when two-way traffic is appropriate or the only option.
Ventilation
All buildings with air handling systems have five exchanges per hour with twenty percent fresh air exchange. HEPPA standards have been increased for air filters in spaces.
Water Systems
Touch-free water bottle filling stations are available throughout campus. Traditional drinking fountains have been replaced by touch-free bottle filling stations or have been turned off.
Maintaining Healthy Operations
On-Campus Events
All events require pre-approval and are encouraged to be held outdoors whenever possible. Please email covid@northland.edu for pre-approval or if you any questions.
Travel and Transit
The College has lifted its requirement to register travel outside the Ashland area. Travelers do not need to seek pre-departure travel review or approval nor are required to follow up upon return from travel. Travelers are encouraged to review CDC guidance and Wisconsin Department of Health Services on travel guidelines.
Employees engaging in individual business travel are expected to refer to and follow CDC guidelines and use good judgement. Employees are expected to continue to follow COVID-safe practices, respecting physical distancing, using face coverings when required, and practicing good hygiene.
If you are traveling in a campus-owned or campus-sponsored vehicle, you are required to wear a face covering regardless of vaccination status. Travel is allowed at full capacity, but KN-95 or double-masking is required.
Campus Visitors
Visitors and guests are allowed on campus and without specific approvals or permissions. All guests and visitors are subject to the College’s policies and health protocols. All visitors and guests must comply with the College’s COVID-19 Campus Plan and follow all guidance, direction and requirements regarding COVID-19 health and safety protocols. Members of the campus community that bring guests to campus are required to inform their guests of the College’s COVID-19 policies and protocols and are responsible for compliance. Visitors and guests of Northland College are subject to the expectations regarding masking and physical distancing as outlined in the plan.
Training
Northland subscribes to SafeColleges training programs for staff, faculty, and students which includes several COVID-19 specific trainings. Signage and programming include topics such as: daily self-checks, wearing face coverings, physical distancing, proper hygiene, and respecting traffic flow signage. Focus is on being a good citizen both within Northland and the broader Chequamegon Bay community.
Virtual Meetings
Virtual meetings minimize the frequency of in-person meetings. Telephone and email communication for student services is the primary mode of communication, and appointments will be conducted virtually whenever possible. Where in-person meetings cannot be avoided, waiting areas are configured to respect physical distancing; meetings will take place in spaces that support physical distancing.
Athletic Programming
Athletes who are not vaccinated will be subject to regular surveillance and testing as mandated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
Sport Competitions
Updates from the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and NCAA Division III will be provided as they become available as well as information on fall sport competitions and schedules. Fans can visit northlandcollegesports.com to follow the latest updates from Northland College Athletics.
Fitness Center
The John N. Allen Fitness Center is open to all students, faculty, and staff for workout purposes during summer months. Please check with the Fitness Center directly for updated policies.
Planning Groups & Resources
COVID Planning Groups
Northland College leadership and the COVID-19 Planning Task Group, as well as other working groups will continue to focus on planning and policy issues for the coming academic term, and use what we have learned over the past months to continually update policies, procedures, and protocols, following the guidance from healthcare officials and organization. The primary goal is to provide and maintain a healthy environment and deliver an effective educational experience. Please continue to visit this webpage for updates.
