CDC: Institutes of Higher Education - Checklist for Administrators

University and colleges are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of community-level COVID-19 outbreaks in the United States. Use this checklist to make decisions now that will protect the health of students and staff in your care.

• Stay informed about local COVID-19 developments.

• Review and update your emergency operations plan. Focus on components that address infectious disease outbreaks. Work with your local health department, the university system, and other relevant partners.

• Encourage students, staff, and faculty to promote everyday preventive health behaviors on your campus:

• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue. If you don’t have a tissue, cough and sneeze into the inside of your elbow, not your hands.

• Stay home when sick.

• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces following CDC guidance for cleaning and disinfection

• Wash hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

• Monitor and plan for absenteeism.

• Make accommodations for students if they become sick (e.g., extended due dates, electronic submission of assignments).

• Alert local health officials about large increases in student, staff, and faculty absenteeism or substantial increases in student health center traffic due to respiratory illnesses.

• Establish procedures for students, staff, and faculty who are sick on campus.

• Students, staff, and faculty who become or are sick should be sent to their place of residence as soon as possible.

• In communities without COVID-19 cases, sick residents of on-campus housing should avoid contact with people who are healthy.

• Develop a system for sharing information with partners.

• Work with local health officials to determine if patterns exist with absenteeism or if you see more students going to the student health center for respiratory illness.

• Ensure your health clinics have CDC’s COVID-19 healthcare guidance.

If there is a case of COVID-19 in the community:

• Work with local health officials to determine if your institution needs to suspend classes or postpone events.

If a student or staff member on campus has a case of COVID-19:

• Work with local health officials to determine if, when, and for how long your institution needs to suspend classes or postpone events.

• Communicate about the COVID-19 case, but maintain the confidentiality of the student or staff member.

• Local health officials may recommend temporary class suspension. If classes are suspended:

• Cancel extracurricular activities.

• Discourage student, staff, and faculty gatherings.

• Ensure continuity of education, research, and services.

• Implement your continuity plan for staffing, e-learning and distance learning options, safe housing, meal programs, and medical and social services.

• Counter stigma and promote resilience by sharing trusted information and encouraging the use of campus mental health services.

• Work with local health officials to assess when students and staff can return to campus.