Effective July 30, masks are required for everyone indoors on campus, regardless of vaccination status. Learn more.
Updated July 29, 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 reducing those risks. 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, the Wisconsin Department of Health, the Ashland County Health Department, and other professional health organizations.
Reducing Spread
COVID-19 Expectations and Policies
Northland College has adapted additional policies and expectations in relationship to the COVID-19 pandemic. These expectations are designed and guided by the principles to keep our campus community as safe and healthy as possible.
We require that all members of our campus community abide by all COVID-19 policies during this time in addition to all standard campus policies.
These policies may change as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to change. Please check back regularly for updates.
Disciplinary Action
Our campus expects that all community members will understand the importance of personal and communal vigilance to keep everyone safe and healthy. We also understand that there may be situations that arise where disciplinary action is required as a result of actions or inactions. Sanctions for specific actions will depend on the nature of 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 be 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 in your residence hall room or while alone in a private office.
If you have not been vaccinated against COVID-19, you are required to wear a face covering outdoors. The face cover provides protection for other people in case you are infected without knowing it. COVID-19 can be spread even when people do not feel sick and have no symptoms. You do not have to wear a face covering outdoors unless you are not able to maintain physical distancing between yourself and others (six feet apart at minimum). If you have been vaccinated against COVID-19, you are not required to wear a face covering outdoors regardless of physical distancing.
If you have any 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:
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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.
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Symptom Check
Symptoms vary 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 settings. Face coverings will not serve as a substitute for physical distancing at Northland. Whenever possible, you are encouraged to maintain physical distancing (six feet apart at minimum) when engaging with campus constituents in campus spaces, other than in the spaces listed above.
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 throughout the campus. 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. N0-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 four on-campus students including the residents of the room, and all are required to wear a face covering. When roommates are together in their room with no guest(s) over, face coverings are recommended. 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
Large events are discouraged, though there are some small events and programs happening on campus. All health guidelines and campus policies are in effect. 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
Students who are not vaccinated that plan to travel outside of a 40-mile radius of Ashland need to register their travel so that the Office of Student Affairs can mitigate potential risk of transmission of COVID-19. Note that quarantine may be required upon your return. Learn more or register your travel.
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. If there is documentation that all people traveling in a vehicle are vaccinated, masking is not required. If one or more people in the vehicle have not submitted proof of vaccination status, all people in the vehicle are required to follow the masking requirement.
Campus Visitors
Visitors are allowed on campus. Groups of five or fewer are permitted without prior approval. Groups of six or more require prior approval; requests should be emailed to covid@northland.edu. Please include the names of the visitors, purpose and date of the visit, and general visit route information. Members of the campus community that bring guests to campus are responsible for guest conduct and required to inform their guests of the College’s COVID-19 procedures.
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 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.
