FAQs
Information and Updates
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Return to Campus Fall 2021
McNeese State University plans to have faculty and students return to campus for in-person instruction for the fall semester. Students and faculty will be required to wear face coverings or facemasks in classrooms and labs regardless of vaccination status.
While there will be some hybrid (face-to-face and live stream) and fully online classes, McNeese is committed to providing face-to-face classes, student activities and campus experiences. If you have concerns about specific classes, consult your academic advisor or college dean.
It is important that we have a variety of plans and remain flexible as we move through the fall semester.
McNeese officials are actively working with local and state public health authorities and monitoring federal and state guidance to make well-informed decisions concerning campus operations.
The University has created a COVID-19 response task force, chaired by Dr. Tim Hall, dean of the College of Science, Engineering and Mathematics. The task force includes the deans of the academic colleges, members of the Incident Management Team (IMT), associate vice president for enrollment management, human resources director and members of Senior Staff. Local health care experts are advising the task force and reviewing reopening plans.
A COVID-19 Response Team responds to questions, provides guidance to students and employees and communicates updates to the campus community.
Day-to Day Activities Include:
- Sanitizing and disinfecting high-touch surfaces such as light switches, doorknobs and stair handrails
- Promoting personal hygiene on campus by providing wall mounted hand and portable sanitizing stations throughout campus, and by providing hand sanitizer refills for containers used in offices.
- Encouraging sensible social distancing between co-workers where possible.
- Requiring face masks or cloth coverings regardless of vaccination status.
- Using floor markings to promote 6-feet spacing in high traffic areas or places where lines form (ex. Student Central, Rowdy’s Cafeteria, Frazar Library, Cashier’s Window).
- Providing protective acrylic barriers in high traffic areas or places where lines form (ex. Student Central, Rowdy’s Cafeteria, Frazar Library, Cashier’s Window).
- Continuing “telework” and adjusted hours/work shifts as appropriate.
- Encouraging continued use of technology platforms (phone/conference calls/email/instant messaging) to communicate with co-workers rather than office visits.
- Encouraging holding meetings with external participants via electronic means.
- Requiring employees to remain home if they are sick, have flu-like symptoms or an elevated temperature.
- Requiring employees to report exposure to COVID-19 or a positive COVID-19 test to their immediate supervisor and Human Resources.
Employees should take personal responsibility for:
- Personal workspaces and personal items.
- Communication tools such as whiteboard markers, shared laser pointers and remote controls.
- Break room items such as refrigerator handles, microwaves, vending machines, tables and chairs.
- Copiers and printers should have disinfectant wipes next to them.
Currently, all students, faculty, staff and visitors are required to wear a face mask inside classrooms and laboratories, regardless of vaccination status. Masks should completely cover your nose and mouth.
Face masks are also required for McNeese employees and student workers who are in contact with members of the public and faculty and students in classrooms.
The NCAA has decided to allow student-athletes in football and men’s and women’s basketball to return to campus for voluntary workouts starting June 1.
McNeese plans are focused on keeping student-athletes, coaches and athletic department staff safe and healthy. The student-athletes are under the close supervision of athletic trainers, strength and nutrition coaches. Medical personnel are providing guidance and serve as a resource for developing sanitizing and disinfecting plans.
We are preparing to begin the fall athletic season as currently scheduled, however we are currently waiting on additional guidance from the Southland Conference.
The Recreation Complex is opened for students, faculty and staff Monday-Friday. The staff is using appropriate guidelines for hygiene and social distancing.
Information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) is continually evolving as scientists and health officials continue to study the virus. McNeese officials are actively working with local and state public health authorities and monitoring federal and state guidance to make well-informed decisions concerning campus operations.
About COVID-19 (Coronavirus)
COVID-19 (coronavirus) is predominately spread between people through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. The risk for exposure is greatest when people are in close contact with each other. Close contact is defined as 15 minutes of contact within six feet or direct exposure through touching, coughing or sneezing.
COVID-19’s incubation period – the time it takes between exposure to the virus and the onset of symptoms – varies from 2-14 days. The average incubation period is estimated to be 5 days, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Individuals infected with COVID-19 can transmit the virus to others up to two days before they start showing symptoms, though this can vary from person to person. Individuals can also have the virus and be asymptomatic, meaning they experience no symptoms. However, they can still transmit the virus to others.
For most people, the virus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. However, for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, COVID-19 can cause more severe illness. Elderly or high-risk individuals with chronic conditions are encouraged to take extra precautions.
Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. You can have the COVID virus and spread it to others even if you have no symptoms.
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.
Symptoms can include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle pain or body aches
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
Follow the CDC Recommendations to Stop the Spread of COVID-19, including:
- Wear a facemask or face covering when outside your home.
- Practice social distancing. Avoid shaking hands and close physical contact with persons outside your household.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, making sure to cover all areas with soap. It is not necessary to use warm or hot water.
- If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue, then discard the tissue in the trash.
- Use hand sanitizers before and after touching common use surfaces such as elevators, handrails, doorknobs, etc.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Employees should regularly clean their workspace, cell phones, telephone headsets and keyboards.
- Avoid sharing pens, cell phones and other personal items.
- Stay home if you feel ill.
If you are experiencing any influenza-type symptoms, seek medical care.
Contact tracing is one strategy used by local and state health department officials to determine the spread of contagious diseases in the community. It is used to quickly identify new infections and slow the spread of the virus.
When a person tests positive for COVID-19, officials working for the Louisiana Department of Health, called “Contact Tracers” will work with the person to help them recall everyone with whom they have had close contact with in the days prior to developing symptoms or receiving the positive test results.
Contact tracers will try to locate individuals that were in close contact – meaning within six feet for longer than 15 minutes – with the infected person.
To protect patient privacy, contacts are only informed that they may have been exposed to a patient with the infection. They are not told the identity of the person who may have exposed them.
Contacts are provided with education and information to understand their risk.
Those individuals who were exposed and determined to have close contact will be given guidance to self-isolate for 10 to 14 days and monitor for symptoms.
Social distancing means maintaining at least six feet of distance from other people if and when possible. It also means not overcrowding commonly shared areas such as break rooms or elevators. Social distancing is an important way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by preventing close contact, the main way that the disease is spread.
Because many people infected with coronavirus are asymptomatic, cloth masks or face coverings are an important way to prevent the virus from spreading by preventing carriers from sneezing, coughing or breathing out the virus.
Masks should completely cover your nose and mouth. Currently, everyone is required to wear a face mask inside McNeese classrooms and laboratories. Face masks are required for McNeese employees and student workers who are in contact with members of the public and faculty and students in classrooms.