Coronavirus Update

Bloomsburg University COVID-19 Dashboard

Due to the global pandemic, it should be assumed the potential for COVID-19 exposure is everywhere. While there is public interest in knowing about positive cases, Bloomsburg University is obligated to protect the privacy of anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

COVID-19 cases included in this dashboard include positive, laboratory-verified test results reported to the Bloomsburg University Student Health Center or Office of Workplace Safety. Due to multiple testing sources with varying resulting timeframes, numbers are updated only when verified test results are received. The dashboard is updated on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings. This is the most current information available to us.

* Students (as of Jan. 13, 2021)
1 — positives isolating on-campus
0 — positives off-campus
0 — positives who have gone home
0 — Number out of isolation (students who have completed their required isolation)

* Employees (as of Jan. 13, 2021)
3 — positives isolating off-campus
5 — Number out of isolation employees who have completed their required isolation)

BU's Office of the Dean of Students is committed to partnering with all Huskies to "protect the pack" and to being good neighbors within the Town of Bloomsburg. Accordingly, the Office of the Dean of Students takes very seriously any alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct that impacts the health and wellness of both the BU community and all town residents. We have aggressively addressed issues of health and safety in the residence halls and in the Town of Bloomsburg.

As of Jan. 8, 2021
Students who have lost housing privileges: 7
Students who are presently on interim suspension: 1
Student organizations that are presently on interim suspension: 3
Students that are presently suspended: 2
Student organizations that are presently suspended: 1

 

Procedures for Positive Cases of COVID-19

Bloomsburg University’s Student Health Center or Office of Workplace Safety will generally become aware of a positive case in one of four ways:

• Notification from the Columbia County Department of Health
• Notification from the PA Department of Health if the person is tested in another county within Pennsylvania
• Notification from the test site or vendor if the test was ordered through the Student Health Center
• Notification from the individual self-reporting

What happens to the individual who tests positive?

The individual will be required to isolate in accordance with County and PA Department of Health and CDC guidelines.

Students On-Campus

Students residing on-campus at Bloomsburg University who test positive for COVID-19 are encouraged to make the best choice for their personal health care to either go to their home of record for the duration of their quarantine or recovery or stay on campus. A limited number of isolated rooms are available on campus for the duration of a specified quarantine period. Residence Life conducts in-person checks twice daily, meals are delivered, and the Student Health Center and/or campus health personnel conduct a daily check-in to support the student’s health and welfare.

Students Off-Campus

If the student is living off-campus, they're encouraged to go to their home of record for the duration of their quarantine or recovery, or the student will isolate at their place of residence, in accordance with County and PA Department of Health and CDC guidelines. Dining Services will accept someone coming to the Scranton Commons or Monty's to pick up food for an off-campus quarantined student. The meal ID of the quarantined student must be presented so a member of the Scranton Commons staff can swipe it. Students can see the full menu on the dining services Instagram stories.

If students do not have a meal plan, they should also arrange for sustainment support such as food delivery, or they may choose to go to their home of record. Student Health Center and campus health personnel conduct a daily check-in to support the student’s health and welfare.

Employees

If the individual is a faculty or staff member, they will isolate at home or another location following their local or state health department and CDC guidelines.

What should I do if I think I was exposed to COVID?

Review the CDC guidance for people exposed to individuals with known or suspected COVID-19 or possible COVID-19. In addition, there is a CDC glossary of terms with definitions for: close contact, exposure, isolation, and quarantine.

Communication Protocol

In the interest of transparency, we are guided by the following:

• The COVID-19 Dashboard will be updated on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with numbers of confirmed positive cases.
• To protect the confidentiality and privacy of affected individuals, Bloomsburg University will not disclose any personally identifiable information.
• The University will not send an email message to the campus community or notify the media every time there is a positive case confirmed.

COVID-19 Update – Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021

Temporary 2-week remote instruction for beginning of semester

With the current state of the pandemic in mind, Bloomsburg University is moving the first two weeks of classes, Monday, February 1, to Friday, February 12, to remote delivery. For courses that are scheduled to meet in a face-to-face or hybrid manner, on-campus instruction will not begin before Monday, February 15.

The University has invested in and will implement minimally invasive rapid COVID-19 testing (15-minute results) for all on- and off-campus students free of charge.

On-campus testing and residence hall move-in will begin on Tuesday, February 9. Please check your campus email for communications regarding your revised schedule for testing and move-in times.

For off-campus student testing, registration times will be available (based on your last name) on February 9, 10, 12, and 14. Full details are available on the Student Health Center website.

Clinical programs should contact the department for guidance specific to clinical placements. Student-athletes should check directly with their coaches for detailed plans for their respective teams.

Room and board charges will be prorated for the two-week delay in move-in. As was previously communicated via the Student Account Billing and Financial Aid Spring 2021 FAQs, there will be no proration for other fees because BU can offer a COVID-19 compliant, high-quality experience that mirrors the services/opportunities that were available pre-COVID-19. Delivery will be accomplished throughout the semester in a hybrid manner that includes traditional in-person and online services, as appropriate.

Employees – those who are working remotely may continue with that schedule through Friday, January 29, as approved by your supervisor. Schedules as indicated by your supervisor or head of your division will resume on Monday, February 1.

Student Statement of Understanding

Bloomsburg University Student Statement of Understanding – Spring 2021

Important Details:
• The Statement of Understanding (SOU) must be accepted by completing the task in MyHusky.
• ALL students must accept this SOU even if they are not required to take the COVID test.

http://bloomu.edu/statement-understanding

Bloomsburg University remains committed to delivering an exemplary education for our students. As we continue to monitor the guidance of health and safety officials, we have created a student Statement of Understanding that requires your attention. These requirements will provide the safest and most successful pathway to a complete campus experience for all students during the spring semester.

Library Hours
The Library is open per its Winter Term hours: 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fri., and 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sun. Closed Sat.

Government COVID-19 Resources

• PASSHE Coronavirus Information
• CDC
• PA Department of Health
• World Health Organization
• Governor Tom Wolf