Stressors, Reminder, Testing and More
October 22, 2020
Stressors
There are quite a few stressors felt by our undergrad and graduate students, ranging from anxiety over the election, changes in financial aid support for spring, the onset of final exams and projects associated with their 13 week classes (undergrads), the extra energy required to manage online or hybrid instruction with a stressed class (grads) on top of the high-baseline stress over the pandemic and how it’s impacting life and families. It is not surprising that we’re seeing a rise in email complaints, some of which lack the expected decorum, coming from our students. I would like to encourage everyone involved in teaching to respond with empathy and understanding, while not compromising on standards for your classes. If you are concerned about a student’s well-being, you can submit a care referral: https://studentaffairs.indiana.edu/student-support/get-help/submit-care-referral.html.
Reminder
As a reminder, if you wish to expand lab operations beyond the initial restart, please revise your restart plan to reflect how research can still be conducted safely at higher levels of lab occupancy. Bear in mind the CDC has revised its guidelines on what is considered close contact (cumulative contacts within 6 ft for 15 min over the course of a day, rather than uninterrupted 15 min/contact over the course of a day). We have not yet heard from PSIA on whether IU will also change what it considers close contact, but IU has in the past adhered to CDC guidelines as they have evolved.
Testing
As another reminder, while classes will be fully online following the Thanksgiving break, research will continue face-to-face. We are strongly recommending anyone returning from out-of-town travel to quarantine for two weeks, or get tested and get a negative result prior to returning to lab. Optum and the state have announced that the Bloomington test site will remain open through November. And IU, IU Health, the state, and the city are opening another free no-symptom testing place in the IU Health building next to Seminar Square Kroger. As always, stay home if you are sick! Continue to wear a mask and practice social distancing!
Report
Maskless people in the building? Please report: https://iuforms-fireform.eas.iu.edu/online/form/authen/violations
Flu Shots
Don’t forget that flu shots are required by 1 December for anyone who will spend any time on campus. More information here: https://fall2020.iu.edu/safe-on-campus/flu/index.html