Dunwoody Safe: a culture of keeping each other safe
As a small, private, non-profit institution of higher education, Dunwoody College of Technology is committed to changing lives by building opportunities for graduates to have successful careers, to develop into leaders and entrepreneurs, and to engage in “the better performance of life’s duties.” We value collaboration, inclusion, curiosity, and inspiration as we work together in times of crisis and change. Together we are taking action, and creating a culture of keeping each other safe.
Dunwoody College Community Health Plan 2021
As pandemic conditions continue change so does Dunwoody College’s approach. Here’s the latest plan:
- Dunwoody College Community Health Plan 2021 (PDF file, updated August 2021)
Automotive students in the Warren building automotive labs wearing masks for safety measures during COVID-19 pandemic.
Dunwoody Safe
The Dunwoody Safe plan is a comprehensive approach to delivering hands-on education, in a safe, physically-distanced way due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It incorporates the College’s Preparedness Plan, its Return to In Person Instruction planning, and the preparation for a Fall 2020 start that includes:
- Return to hands-on, in-person instruction in our labs, shops, and studios
- On-campus services, support, and activities for students, supplemented by virtual options as needed
All aspects of the plan meet or exceed recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and the Minnesota Department of Health. Currently, Dunwoody College is highly encouraging, but not requiring the COVID-19 vaccine. The College is requiring that masks be worn inside campus buildings, regardless of vaccination status, until at least 80 percent of our campus community is vaccinated or we receive new guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health.
The Dunwoody Safe plan is one piece of Dunwoody’s overall approach to creating a safe campus environment for our students, employees, and visitors. Information about the College’s Public Safety & Security measures can be found online at dunwoody.edu/public-safety.
Together, Dunwoody is living up to its “Born to Do” motto, as it works to keep our students, employees, and visitors safe, while still delivering the high-quality education Dunwoody is known for.
With our low student-to-teacher ratios and large lab spaces, Dunwoody has been able to safely offer in-person, hands-on learning and activities.
No large campus community can guarantee a COVID-19 free environment, and the steps described in this plan recognize that reality. Dunwoody expects all students, employees, and visitors to assume responsibility for their own health and safety and act in a manner that demonstrates respect for those around them.
Putting Safety First
The health and safety of the Dunwoody Community is our top priority, and is reflected in the following key measures the College is taking, including:
- Asking all individuals to take responsibility for their own health both in and outside of Dunwoody, and to follow the guidelines and expectations set forth in the Dunwoody Safe plan.
- Implementing campus-wide health and safety protocols that include: monitoring and aligning with local and state health guidelines and tracking and reporting on positive cases as required by the State.
- Requiring that masks be worn inside campus buildings, regardless of vaccination status.
- Providing support and engagement both in person and in virtual ways to accommodate students’ needs.
- Providing the same, high-quality education Dunwoody is known for in safe and innovative ways.
- Preparing for contingencies and changes to the pandemic situation.
CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Information
CRRSA Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II) Information
American Rescue Plan (ARP) Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF III) Information
More Information
Testing
The Minnesota Department of Health is making at-home saliva tests available to all Minnesotans and is urging those18-35 to get tested.
The saliva test checks whether you have COVID-19 right at the time you get tested and can spread it to others. It is not an antibody test that looks for whether you have had COVID-19 in the past, MDH says.
If you would like to get an at-home test, click the link here.
For more information about at-home testing, click here.
Visit the Minnesota Department of Health for other testing options.
Improved Air Quality
Recognizing the importance of improved air ventilation in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, Dunwoody has taken steps to nearly double the volume of outside air that’s circulated in its buildings through its ventilation system. Dunwoody has installed upgraded air filters which are able to capture smaller particles, including viruses and bacteria.
The College has also installed a product in its air handlers that contains a special blend of activated carbon for removal of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and other indoor pollutants to improve the indoor air quality.
Visiting Campus
Mask Requirement
Dunwoody requires that both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals wear masks or facial coverings while on campus until the College reaches a vaccination threshold of at least 80 percent.
Dunwoody is implementing this temporary reinstatement of its mask requirement at the start of the semester to keep our community safe until we can fully assess how the new COVID variants and our vaccination rate are impacting cases and spread.
Health Screenings
Employees and students are encouraged to self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19. By entering the Dunwoody buildings, students, employees, and guests are affirming the following:
- They are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms
- They have not come into close contact with anyone who has COVID-19 or COVID-19 symptoms
Asking Everyone to Do Their Part
- Stay home if you are sick
- Wash your hands
- Cover your cough or sneeze
- Wear a mask if you are not fully vaccinated
Guided by the Experts
Dunwoody’s guidelines, actions, and protocols all meet or exceed guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Minnesota Department of Health.
Vaccinations
Dunwoody College is highly encouraging its students to be fully vaccinated prior to the start of the semester, in order to prevent community spread. If you have questions about where and how to receive a vaccine, you can reach out to Student Affairs for available resources.
COVID-19 FAQ
How to protect yourself and others?
Here are the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC):
- Get vaccinated
- Wear a mask if you are not fully vaccinated
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
- Wash your hands often
- Cover coughs and sneezes
- Monitor your health daily
What should I do if I have flu or cold symptoms?
First, you should stay home.
Second, you should monitor yourself for the symptoms identified with COVID-19. That includes fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
What should I do if my symptoms suggest I could have COVID-19?
Please contact your primary health care provider.
I'm feeling anxious about this situation. What can I do?
Students can use Talk One2One, which offers FREE, confidential 24/7 support for any problem that can be challenging their emotional health, well-being, or focus. The number is 1.800.756.3124. No issue is too big or too small.
Employees can call our Employee Assistance Program at 800.316.2796 for confidential consultation and resource services. Or visit mutualofomaha.com/eap.
In addition, The College offers Learn to Live, a free 100% confidential online program. Visit https://www.learntolive.com/partners and enter the code DUNWOODY.
Also see the CDC information about mental health and coping during COVID-19.
Is there a plan for the fall if another outbreak closes things down again?
While Dunwoody’s plan is to offer on-campus instruction this fall, it will comply with any orders issued by the State of Minnesota. In the event that another Stay at Home order is issued, Dunwoody is prepared to transition its learning to an online format if needed, with the intention of resuming in-person activities as soon as the order is lifted.
Is there a plan in place for if a student gets sick? Will the people they came in contact with have to quarantine?
In the event of a student or employee testing positive for COVID-19, the College is prepared to perform contact tracing and will notify all individuals known to have come in close contact with the individual. Those individuals who are not fully vaccinated may be required to quarantine for 10 days before being allowed to return to campus.
What if I get sick? Is there a plan to help so I do not get behind or penalized for missing school?
In the event that a student becomes ill during the course of the semester, they should notify their faculty who will then work with them to develop a plan to make up any lost or missing time to ensure they are able to complete their semester.