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| Policy 302.8 | | Policy ____ [''Number from Table of Contents''] |
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| == Introduction == | | == Introduction == |
| 1.1 The purpose of this policy is to provide instruction and direction to the Appalachian State
| | You may copy this page's source to start a new policy page. Be sure to remove or overwrite the examples. Second level headings should NOT be altered. |
| University (“Appalachian”) community on wearing face coverings to assist in preventing the
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| spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (“COVID-19”).
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| == Scope == | | == Scope == |
| 2.1 This policy applies to all university faculty, staff, and students while on University property,
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| including but not limited to academic buildings, administrative buildings, support buildings,
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| entertainment venues, and other University grounds.
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| 2.2 This policy does not apply to private living spaces within residential halls, but does apply to
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| common areas such as lobbies.
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| == Definitions == | | == Definitions == |
| === Face Covering ===
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| A surgical mask or other non-reusable mask approved by the U.S. Food and
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| Drug Administration, as well as any other cloth face coverings or other reusable Universityapproved substitute that covers the nose and mouth of an individual wearing the covering. The
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| purpose of a face covering is to reduce the spread of the user’s germs and may not offer
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| protection to the user from exposure to environmental hazards, including but not limited to
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| COVID-19.
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| === Social Distancing === | | === Definition phrase or word === |
| Maintaining a physical distance of six (6) feet or greater from another
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| individual and avoiding direct contact with others during the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize
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| exposure and reduce transmission of the disease.
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| === Employee ===
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| For the purposes of this policy, the term employee includes all faculty, staff,
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| part-time, and temporary positions receiving financial compensation from Appalachian.
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| == Policy and Procedure Statements == | | == Policy and Procedure Statements == |
| === Face Covering Requirements ===
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| 4.1.1 Face Coverings shall be worn at all times that Social Distancing is not feasible, subject to
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| Section 4.1.2. Face Coverings are not a replacement for Social Distancing. Social Distancing
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| must be practiced whenever possible.
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| 4.1.2 Regardless of whether Social Distancing is feasible, Face Coverings shall be worn at all
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| times in classrooms, conference rooms, meeting rooms, elevators, research laboratory spaces,
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| and any other instructional areas. For exemptions to this requirement, please see Section 4.2 –
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| Face Covering Exemptions.
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| 4.1.3 Students and Employees may wear self-supplied Face Coverings. In instances where a
| | === Example policy 1 === |
| student or Employee does not have a self-supplied Face Covering the University will supply the
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| student or Employee with a Face Covering.
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| 4.1.4 Face Coverings that cover the entire face, including the eyes, shall not be worn, unless
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| otherwise permitted in Section 4.2.3.
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| === Face Covering Exemptions === | | === Example policy 2 === |
| 4.2.1 Employees requesting a modification under this policy because of a high-risk health factor
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| or other related circumstance must complete the Employee High-Risk Identification form.
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| 4.2.2 Students requesting a modification under this policy because of a high-risk health factor or
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| other related circumstance must complete the Student High-Risk Identification form.
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| 4.2.3 Face Coverings are not required to be worn in situations where the Face Covering presents
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| a safety hazard or other specialized personal protective equipment that covers the nose and
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| mouth is required. Furthermore, Face Coverings are not a substitute for respiratory protection. In
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| situations where a respiratory device is required, then personal protective equipment must be
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| worn as determined by EHS&EM in collaboration with a supervisor and other University
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| officials.
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| 4.2.4 Face Coverings are not required to be worn in instances: (a) where a student-athlete is
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| engaging in practice or competition for their designated sport, or (b) where any student or
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| Employee is engaging in other recreational indoor or outdoor activities (e.g., running, jogging,
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| rock climbing, or other related physical activities) on University property. Notwithstanding, upon
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| the completion of participation in the sport or other recreational activity, all individuals covered
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| under this policy must as promptly as possible adhere to the requirements of Section 4.1 – Face
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| Covering Requirements. Furthermore, Social Distancing should be practiced whenever feasible
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| while engaging in these activities.
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| 4.2.5 Face Coverings are not required to be worn by a speaker in a large group gathering (e.g.,
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| speaker at convocation or the Chancellor speaking at an engagement), if there is a barrier
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| between the speaker and the group of individuals they are addressing (i.e., a transparent shield or
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| other transparent partition designed to prevent the transmission of respiratory droplets between a
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| speaker and the audience).
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| 4.2.6 Students conducting a classroom presentation are permitted to not wear a Face Covering
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| during their presentation, as long as the student maintains a physical distance of ten (10) feet or
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| greater from another individual.
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| === Administration ===
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| The Director of EHS&EM is responsible for the creation and implementation of guidelines and
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| minimal requirements for this policy. Questions pertaining to this policy may be directed to
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| EHS&EM.
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| === Enforcement ===
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| 4.4.1 Appalachian will enforce violations of this policy in accordance with applicable federal and
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| state law, UNC System policies, and institutional policies. Violations of this policy, including
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| but not limited to not adhering to Social Distancing Practices or Face Covering requirements,
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| may result in grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination or expulsion.
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| == Additional References == | | == Additional References == |
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| [[https://www.appstate.edu/recovery/return-to-work/ Appalachian’s Returning to Work Safely Guidelines]]
| | == Authority == |
| [[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-wear-cloth-face-coverings.html CDC Guidance: How to Wear Cloth Face Coverings]]
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| [[https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/how-to-wash-cloth-face-coverings.html CDC Guidance: How to Wash Cloth Face Coverings]]
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| == Authority == | | == Contact Information == |
| N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-12.8
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| UNC System Policy 300.2.15
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| == Contact Information ==
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| Environmental Health, Safety and Emergency Management - 828.262.4008
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| == Original Effective Date == | | == Original Effective Date == |
| June 19, 2020
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| == Revision Dates == | | == Revision Dates == |
