Pandemic Polices

Requirements for Masks:

“The university has removed its requirement that all students wear appropriate masks (no shirts or bandannas) covering their mouth and nose while in the classroom and while indoors. However, instructors retain the option to require that their students wear masks in the classroom or laboratory setting. Instructors will ask students who are in non-compliance with these requirements to immediately comply.  If a student does not comply immediately, the instructor may call campus police. Campus police will escort the student out of class and file a Student Conduct report. The student will be marked absent from class, and the absence will not be excused.“

Covid-19 Attendance Policy

“As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, all students are encouraged to remain home or in their residence hall room when experiencing any signs of illness. Students who test positive for the virus or who must be  otherwise isolated will be excused from class attendance. Instructors will be notified by the Dean of Students Office if a student qualifies for a Covid-related absence A student who has an official Covid-related absence is entitled to makeup work missed if the student fulfills the instructor notification requirements of the policy. Students are not to be penalized for any missed assignments, projects, examinations, tests, etc. or to have their daily grades automatically reduced when covered by this policy. While the faculty member must allow the student to “make up” or complete any assignments, etc. that were missed due to officially sanctioned obligations, faculty members are under no obligation to tutor or otherwise provide missed instruction. Faculty will determine when make-up exams are scheduled and when missed assignments are due. Students must notify the Dean of Students Office at 412-397-6483 to be excused from class attendance and for this policy to be in effect. Instructors will be notified by the Dean of Students Office. 


Remote Instruction 

Faculty teaching on-ground classes may elect to provide remote instruction to students who are excused from classes due to an official Covid-related absence, depending on the nature of their instruction and if there is adequate classroom technology to do so. Faculty continue to remain under no obligation to provide remote instruction to students who miss class for any other reason.“

For my classes in particular, missing classes due to illness will not affect your grades as long as assignments are turned in on time. I will also expect that you stay in touch with me and your peers weekly via: email or video chat.

MA Health and Safety Guidelines

We all have a personal responsibility to help to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. The guidelines below will support us all in that task in the media arts program.

PLEASE NOTICE:
These instructions are subject to change according to the most recent information available from the RMU Administration, and Public Health Officials (the Allegheny County Health Department, Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

GUIDELINES FOR COURSE MATERIALS AND USING SHARED ITEMS

General guidelines for Media Arts classes and spaces for all users at all times:

  • Always wear a cloth (recommended material) face mask that fits over your face and under your chin, and properly covers your mouth (no bandanas or single layer neck gators, or masks with vents). Make sure your hands are clean when you handle your mask. Avoid touching the mask when wearing it. When you remove it, pull it away without touching your face. Wash your hands or use a hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol) immediately after you have removed your mask.
  • Always practice good hygiene:
    • wash your hands at least for 20 seconds with soap and water after having touched any shared surfaces and/or having disinfected something;
    • properly dry your hands with a paper towel and discard it after use; if there is no access to water, use of a hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol);
    • do not touch your face at any time;
    • always wash your hands, as described above, before and after using your face mask;
  • Always practice physical distancing of at least 6 feet;
  • No food or drinks will be allowed in any Media Arts classrooms or labs in Wheatley at anytime; and
  • Always disinfect your work area – supplies are available in each classroom: when you arrive and leave, that is, before and after use; in the computer labs that includes the keyboard, computer screen and mouse.

Course materials

  • Students are to acquire, as instructed by their course professor, their own course materials that only they will use during the semester;

Students will not share any items/materials in class at any time.

Doors will be propped open when feasible to limit the touching of shared surfaces.

Student, faculty and staff work areas in the media arts classrooms and labs:

  • Each user is to disinfect one’s work area before and after use; in the computer labs that includes the keyboard, computer screen and mouse the person will use and has used.

PLEASE NOTICE: These draft instructions are subject to change according to the most recent information available from the RMU Administration, and Public Health Officials (the Allegheny County Health Department, Pennsylvania Department of Health, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

If you experience any symptoms potentially related to COVID-19 (please see below), you should stay home and seek medical assistance.

People with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19:

  • Fever or chills
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Muscle or body aches
  • Headache
  • New loss of taste or smell
  • Sore throat
  • Congestion or runny nose
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

More on how to use face masks safely at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html