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ENACT HEALTH SAFETY CHANGES IN PHYSICAL SPACES

De-densify all classrooms as well as campus living and studying spaces

Classrooms, living spaces, dining halls and libraries have been de-densified to allow for safe social distancing, with an enhanced commitment to the health and safety of our campus community. Additional spaces for study are available throughout campus.

Redesign classroom and instructional spaces

Student occupant capacities in all classrooms has been reduced by approximately 50%, and large classroom occupancy will be limited to 150 students.

  • In classrooms, a safe distance of at least 10 feet will be maintained between instructor and students, and appropriate accommodations will be made to protect instructors and students (see-thru barriers, face shields, etc.).
  • Classroom protocols, including new entry/exit procedures and additional disinfection and cleaning procedures, have been established.
  • Additional barriers will be provided in instructional labs and other spaces where occupancy of more than 50% must be maintained.
  • Additional personal hygiene measures will be required for common contact points in more interactive teaching environments.
  • All class participants (students and instructors) must correctly wear face masks, and students will be encouraged to face the same direction as much as possible

Ensure living spaces in residence halls address physical distancing protocols

Proper social distancing in residence halls, new cleaning and sanitation protocols, revised room assignment plans — particularly for those with health considerations — and overall enhanced hygiene practices have been enacted.

  • Residential spaces in Purdue residence halls either have:
    • Enough square footage per person (at least 113 square feet) to allow for a radius of 6 feet per person.
    • Bed placement that will allow for at least 10 feet head-to-head, when measured 1 foot from the headboard.
  • Following these guidelines, the number of residential spaces in Purdue residence halls has been reduced by approximately 838.

Implement a multifaceted approach to minimize risk in dining halls

Purdue Dining & Culinary, which served 7.6 million meals in the 2018-19 academic year, will offer a carryout only model with no indoor seating to begin the semester.

  • New social distanced queueing procedures are in place, with one-way traffic through the dining locations.
  • Special dietary needs will continue to be met, and student-favorite items will be incorporated at each location.
  • Tent seating near each dining location is equipped with sanitizing wipes for students to sanitize surfaces before and after eating or studying, in addition to regular cleaning by Purdue staff.
  • Additional retail and on-the-go options will be added in the academic areas of campus.
  • Dining courts currently serve only students with dining plans.
  • As conditions and protocols change, staff are prepared to gradually open seating in dining courts, open access to dining courts beyond those with dining plans, and scale points of service appropriately.
  • All retail dining facilities will provide meals per Purdue University, CDC, state and local restaurant requirements.

Reopen the Co-Rec in July with protocols to prevent the spread of COVID-19

The Co-Rec reopened in a limited capacity to members on July 29.

  • Reservations are required.
  • Face masks are required at all times, including during exercise; the one exception is while in the water.
  • Access is limited to students, plus faculty, staff and alumni members who had active memberships prior to closure.
  • New de-densifying, distancing and disinfecting measures have been implemented.
  • Virtual offerings will continue for students.

Transition 1/3 of Purdue administrative staff to remote work status

Since early April, nearly 70% of administrative staff have been working remotely at least some of the time, and that effort will continue through the fall and spring semesters, dependent upon on-campus needs.

Ready buildings, common spaces for activities

The layout and design of campus buildings and facilities have been assessed one-by-one to ensure proper health and safety updates are made, appropriate signage is posted and public-use areas are addressed.

  • HVAC upgrades, wayfinding aids, de-densified public bathrooms and water system considerations are among the measures underway to ready campus for reopening.
  • A dedicated Expanded Disinfecting Operations Team has been established to conduct more frequent and intensive disinfection practices.
  • Purdue continues to hire additional building services staff and leverage existing staff resources to meet surge requirements for disinfecting operations.