PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (May 8, 2020) – As Prairie View A&M University moves forward with its plan to hold classes on campus in the fall, many of its staff and faculty who have been working remotely will begin returning to campus in the coming weeks. This return will occur in three stages, as outlined in the latest memorandum from President Ruth J. Simmons.
The first group of employees will return to campus on May 18; the second group on June 1; and the final group on June 15, with the expectation that the campus will be fully operational by June 15. According to Simmons, this approach is intended to minimize the possibility of returning under unsafe conditions.
PVAMU administrators have assembled several COVID-19 prevention committees to address the reopening of campus. One committee, led by Terence Finley, assistant vice president for Business Services and member of PVAMU’s Extended COVID-19 Task Force, focuses on sanitation.
“We have ordered sneeze guards that will be installed in high traffic areas and disseminated to faculty and staff as requested. We will also be providing masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant solution to each department,” he said. “Furthermore, disinfecting procedures and protocols have been established for workspaces, restrooms, classrooms, dining halls, gathering spaces, and housing areas. We are also employing the services of a third-party cleaning company to assist our custodial crews with the thorough cleaning and sanitization of every building on campus.”
The university plans to work with the Office of Marketing and Communications to deploy signs across campus as part of its “PVAMU New Normal” campaign, which detail proper hygiene techniques, social distancing requirements, maximum occupancy levels (within specific areas), the appropriate use of protective equipment (e.g., masks), and other safety guidelines. Access to buildings will be restricted to specific entrances.
“It is our collective role to keep each other safe,” said Finley. “All of the university’s constituents are vital assets and are extremely important to the PVAMU community. As such, these measures are being taken to mitigate the chances of individuals contracting and spreading the virus.”
Employees will be required to take online training centered around protecting themselves and others from COVID-19. As is relates to social distancing within department areas, if it becomes challenging to meet social distancing guidelines, department representatives can work with the Department of Campus Planning and Space Management to remodel their areas. In certain instances, employees will be allowed to move to alternate work locations on campus.
“The goal is to minimize concerns university constituents may have in returning to campus amid COVID-19 fears,” said Finley. “We aim to provide a high level of comfort that PVAMU campuses are safe environments and that the university has, and will continue to take, the proper steps and precautions to provide a safe and healthy environment.”
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