UMW Healthy Plan

• Making appointments for students in person. Students wishing to discuss their plan of study or a change in majors, will make a ½ hour appointment. This can be done with either Lexi or Margo through email.
• Plexiglas barriers will be placed between the incoming student, and the work study area, and in both Lexi’s and Margo’s offices to provide addition protection.
• Allow one student in the outer office at a time to minimize exposure, and to maintain social distance.
• Clean all surfaces after student visits in the outer office and our personal offices. After each visit from a student, the office will be wiped down with disinfectant.
• Mark both sides of barrier (bookcase) at the entry point to the office on the floor so we are 6 feet apart. Tape or some sort of identifier will be placed on the floor on the outside of the barrier, and on the inside of the barrier to maintain a 6 ft distance.
• Provide a pass box for paperwork to be left Two boxes, one for forms that need processing by us, and one for signatures only, will be placed on the outside of the barrier. Students will leave the paperwork in the appropriate box. If they just need a signature, they will be dropped in the box, picked up by one of us, signed and returned to the box. Others will be processed appropriately.
• Workshops delivered remotely, either by Zoom, or by YouTube: Still to be developed, we could make appointments for students to join a Zoom meeting and conduct workshops electronically. We could also develop a YouTube video showing students how to develop their schedule in detail. (There are already videos available for simple class selection and registration processes.)
• We could also send out detailed information about choosing classes, and registration instead of Zoom or YouTube. More detailed step by step instructions will be developed for instructing students on how to see who student’s advisors are, putting together a tentative schedule, and the final registration process. This may be easier with the application of DegreeWorks.
• Sanitizer will be available on the barrier for students, faculty and staff to use when entering or exiting the office.
• Disposable masks could be available so that should someone choose to feel more safe, but not having a mask, could still be able to visit with an advisor in our office.
• Email reminders will be sent regarding advisor assignments, meeting for registration purpose, registration dates, information about workshops and how they are offered.
  

• Increased frequency and attention to cleaning and sanitation throughout the store using Q.T Plus cleaner from Facility Services. This includes regularly disinfecting high touch areas like door handles, pens, keypads, registers, counters and personal workspaces.
• Social distancing will be maintained whenever possible
  • Face coverings are required
• Hand sanitation station in the hall way by the restrooms, near Bookstore entrance, for use.
• We are implementing the “Bulldog Book Club” to lower the number of students in the bookstore at one time. Signup to have your textbooks waiting for you Monday morning of the first day of the block. All you have to do is have money on your Bulldog Card. We will look up your current class, fill out rental forms if needed and package it for you. Books will be picked up at rollup window in hallway of Student Union Building, or if living on campus, delivered to Residence Life.
• Students can order and pay for books online. These books can either be mailed or picked up at the store.
• All employees have been given strict guidelines, in accordance with state/federal requirements, for staying home if feeling ill or showing symptoms of COVID-19.
   

The University of Montana Western Disability Services for Students is working to mitigate potential health risks related to COVID-19. We know some students do not feel safe returning to campus for face-to-face classes and we know some students are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19. Students who do not feel safe returning to campus and do not qualify for disability services, please work with you advisor for classes that will be delivered on-line. For those students with an increased risk for illness because of COVID-19, we need to hear from you now.

How to request for reasonable accommodations:

1. Submit your documentation to Disability Services at cecelia.kuskie@umwestern.edu or call 406-683-7388. The documentation should verify your underlying medical condition as a high risk to COVID-19.
2. Complete a Zoom or phone meeting with the Dean of Students.
3. Disability Services will work with your instructors to insure remote delivery is possible.
4. Receive confirmation from Disability Services whether remote learning can be granted.
5. Student will make contact with your instructor immediately upon receiving confirmation from Disability Services to arrange for your class. Student must contact all instructors for all four blocks. If the student should fail to contact the instructor immediately, there will be no guarantee the class will still be delivered remotely.

When reasonable accommodations are denied:

Not all courses are suitable for remote instruction. A remote attendance request may be denied if:

• Academic outcomes cannot be measured or achieved virtually.
• Instructor cannot fundamentally alter the essential components of the course.

If you are notified that the class cannot be delivered remotely, you will work with your academic advisor to find an alternative course.

Examples of courses that may not be delivered remotely:

• A course that requires specialized lab equipment that cannot be placed somewhere else.
• A group or individual work that requires in-person interaction.
• Fieldwork that must be completed in a group during the specific times.

Contact us at 406-683-7388 or cecelia.kuskie@umwestern.edu for further help.

Establish decision criteria for hosting (or not hosting) non-college/university events.

• For all major, high-occupancy events (e.g. Hall of Fame, Homecoming), develop a plan that considers:
  • Moving events to Spring 2021 or Academic Year 2021-2022 when possible.
  • Breaking up singular event instances into multiple, smaller instances of that event.
  • Avoiding overlapping events that place stress on campus staffing, cleaning resources, and ability to maintain social distancing.
  • A strategy coordinated with state and local public health authorities for self-assessment when hosting an event on campus.
  • Accounting for any relevant quarantine and health check requirements when welcoming visitors to campus from outside Montana.
• For all event venues, develop occupancy limits and seating charts that follow local and state guidelines on event size and that allow for social distancing at all events.
• For all event venues, establish rules for traffic flow and congregational spaces (e.g. bathrooms, concession areas) that minimize risk of disease transmission while still meeting accessibility requirements.
• For all venues and for each event, establish a pre-event, intra-event, and post-event cleaning plan based on public health and CDC guidelines. Ensure that event scheduling allows for appropriate cleaning to take place between the conclusion of one event and the beginning of another.
• Require all off-campus organizations scheduling non-college/university events on campus to agree to updated terms and conditions requiring campus sanitation protocols.

Planning Considerations:

• Consider greater use of online/virtual events, including instances when events are livestreamed to off-site audiences rather than hosted in front of an on-site audience.
• Consider limiting the number of non-college/university events hosted on campus.
• Consider contractual restrictions when planning for live streaming and/or online delivery of events.
• Consider ticketing policies that require advance purchase and registration to better adhere to event capacity limits and to support public health efforts at contact tracing in event of exposure.
• Consider – in conjunction with campus health, campus risk management, and local health officials – the risk-reward balance in hosting events that will bring high numbers of attendees from out of state or from known high-risk areas.
• Consider using outdoor venues if they allow for better spacing and air flow.
• Consider additional training and support for event staff to prepare them for health, safety, and audience management strategies.
• Consider additional costs associated with sanitation requirements when contracting events for non-college/university entities.
•  Consider on-site messaging about health and safety at all events.

Symptoms of COVID-19 and self-monitoring:

Visitor, student, faculty and staff familiarity with the symptoms of COVID-19 will be key to reducing the risk of the virus spreading this fall. We urge all individuals to be familiar with the symptoms described by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and to self-monitor on a daily basis. The known symptoms are listed on the CDC website (Appendix A).

Event attendees who have symptoms should stay home from the event and contact their health care provider.

In addition, UMW strongly encourages every member of our campus community to assess themselves for symptoms and to personally check their temperature every day before coming to campus. Individuals should not come to work and should contact their health care provider if they have a fever or elevated temperature of 100. degrees or higher.

Cloth face masks and face coverings:

Cloth face masks are one of the tools the campus community can use to help slow the spread of the virus. Since people can carry and spread the virus without having symptoms, or with very mild symptoms, wearing a cloth face mask helps protect those around you, and the community at large, by reducing the risk of virus spread. While a cloth face mask may not protect the wearer, it may keep the wearer from spreading the virus to others, according to the CDC as droplets from sneezes, coughs and even talking can spread the virus as much as 6 feet. 

In general, cloth face masks and face coverings will be strongly recommended for students, faculty, staff and visitors while on campus, especially in situations where a 6-foot distance between individuals cannot be maintained inside UMW buildings.

The CDC website (Appendix B) outlines the CDS guidelines on cloth face masks and face coverings.

Social distancing of 6 feet:

All areas of the campus will observe, to the extent practicable, the CDC guidance on maintaining 6 feet of distance between individuals. Events hosted by the UMW Foundation will follow this guideline as well. This is an important tool in reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus. The CDC’s comprehensive guidance on social distancing and its benefits in reducing the spread of the virus can be found on the CDC website (Appendix C).

Hand washing:

Another critical tool in reducing the spread of the virus is frequent handwashing. Visitors students, faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to wash their hands and use hand sanitizer extensively. The federal guidance on hand washing can be found on the CDC website (Appendix D).

Information Technology staff will promote the safety, cleaning, and social distancing protocols in accordance with current, and applicable, local, state, and federal public health authorities. 

Visitor and Employee Safety:

• Social distancing will be maintained whenever possible
  • Computer labs will be spaced so that adequate distance is possible
  • Acceptable barriers may be deployed when adequate distances are not possible
• Face coverings are strongly encouraged and should be worn when physical distancing is not possible
• A plexiglass barrier will be utilized for the help desk located at STC104
• Walk-in or face-to-face support requests will not be available until modifications to facility can create an appropriate interface.
  • Support requests should be made utilizing one of the following methods:
    • LINK to request page: https://www.umwestern.edu/section/its-contact-form/
    • Calling help desk at 406-683-7777
    • Email help desk at ITS@umwestern.edu
  • Frequent handwashing is encouraged
  • Hand sanitizer stations will be located at the STC building entrance, near bathrooms, and at computer lab entrances

Cleaning: 

• Computer keyboards will be wiped down using Q.T. Plus between patrons
  • Patrons will wipe down touched surfaces at the end of each use – Sanitation wipes will be available at each station
  • Patrons will also be encouraged to wipe down surfaces before each use
  • Computer lab monitors will provide additional support and enforcement of the cleaning practice
• Housekeeping staff will also wipe down all computer surfaces in labs and open areas during their daily sanitization runs.

Traffic flow

The Learning Center will have entry only on the west side, at the main door. Students having tutor appointments will sign in at the front desk or swipe with their Bulldog card. Exit from the Learning Center will be at the north door, which will be locked on the outside to prohibit entry. Exit from the buildings, the STC or the Library, will be determined by the building supervisors and followed by all Learning Center staff.

Tutoring services

All tutors will be trained in remote tutoring technology and procedures prior to the beginning of the school year. (See Remote Tutoring Guide for details) Students will be encouraged to schedule an appointment with a tutor and have a remote tutoring appointment. In the special cases of students needing or wanting tutoring vis a vis, student will make an appointment and report to the Learning Center at the appropriate time for their tutor session. Great care will be taken to accommodate a number of students that will not exceed 10 in the Learning Center at one time. If needed, a location for vis a vis tutoring just outside the parameter of the Learning Center may be utilized, but only if the student and tutor are able to maintain social distancing. Clear Plexiglas dividers will be available in the Learning Center for vis a vis tutoring at tables.

Area content tutors will be recording video messages to classrooms about tutoring in the fall, or will live Zoom to the classroom, depending on the faculty’s preference. The message will be sent to faculty by the first day of school, and will welcome students back to school and let them know that remote tutoring is available in addition to vis a vis tutoring in the Learning Center. Importantly, tutors will remind students how to make an appointment and how to get to the Learning Center.  

Computer stations will available at 6’ distances only.

A record of all who enter and exit the Learning Center will be kept.

Sanitation

In addition to the use of Plexiglas dividers or shields, all staff and students visiting the Learning Center will be asked to use hand sanitization upon entry and exit from the Learning Center. Staff and students will wear masks. Signs will be posted with instructions about sanitation, etc.

Career Services

Students may make an appointment with the Career Services counselor, Susan White, or with the Career Services assistant. Students will be encouraged to visit the Moodle Career Services course page for information, or the Career Services at the University of Montana Western YouTube channel about workshop videos, tours, and job seeker resources. Electronic submission of resumes for review will be mandatory, and Zoom appointments scheduled if students would like a meeting.

Through the previous closure due to COVID-19, the library remained virtually open in order to remotely support our campus community with electronic resources, article delivery, Zoom and Moodle support, materials ordering, etc. Library staff is prepared to work remotely again and recognizes that there will be an increased demand for remote services as more courses are offered remotely this fall, regardless of whether all classes revert to a remote delivery modality. The library staff are using the summer months to engage in discussions, to attend trainings, and to increase the production and quality of online content that will support an increase in remote instruction in Fall 2020.

The physical library building re-opened on June 22, 2020 with summer hours. Academic Year hours will begin on August 24, 2020. The physical library is open to the campus community without appointment and is open to the general public by appointment only. This document outlines library procedures for the fall semester that will enable us to provide a safe and healthy environment for our campus patrons and library staff.

Library staff have engaged in telework as much as possible during our physical closure. Guided by the Governor’s Phase 2 plan of re-opening the state, library employees will continue to telework when job duties can be fulfilled through telework. Physical staffing will be kept at the minimum level required to provide service during open hours.

As the library re-opens, employee’s shifts will be staggered as much as possible to minimize the number of people in the library.

Physical Space

• The library serves as a hallway of convenience on this campus. Foot traffic will be routed around the library to minimize the number of people gathering in the building. The entrance to the library will be the doors by the Swysgood Technology building. The library exit will be the gate that leads to Business Services.
• The library is a popular spot on campus for patrons and staff to eat lunch and for staff to take breaks. Food, beverages, and work breaks are prohibited in the library this fall.
• The library building consists of three floors. Normally, all library staff operate from work stations on the main floor. For this fall, the technical services librarian’s work station will be located in the basement and the library technician’s work station will be located on the second floor. The library clerk, the library director, and the library student employees will work from the first floor.

Library Room 001 (The Information Literacy Room) has doubled as a classroom in recent years. The library provided the room for classroom space as a temporary arrangement during main hall reconstruction. Although there is now adequate classroom space elsewhere, a class has continued to meet in the room and the library has continued to work around the class in the room in order to continue to use this library space. This inconvenient multi-use arrangement is now a safety issue. The library will reclaim this room exclusively as an Information Literacy Room, where we can safely provide individual and small-group instruction as well as using the room for materials processing, as usual. The Registrar and the Academic Provost have agreed to return this room fully to the library.

• A plexiglass barrier is placed at the circulation computer. In order to keep the circulation desk staffed, staff members must rotate, but there will be just one staff member at a time stationed at the front desk. Staff members will sanitize the area when one staff member leaves the circulation desk and another staff member arrives at the desk.
• The library does provide self-check-out stations. Library staff will encourage patrons to use those stations whenever possible.
• The staff member working at the front desk can view most of the first floor. That staff member will be charged with sanitizing computers, tables, door knobs, self-check machines, etc. promptly after each use. In addition, that staff member will be charged with sanitizing equipment such as printers, scanners, hole-punches, and staplers after each patron use.
• The library technician and the library student worker will sanitize all publicly accessible door handles, tables, light switches, etc. once per shift because there are a number of contact points that can’t be viewed from the front desk.
• Upon entering the library, the front desk staff member will ask patrons to pick up a piece of colored paper located near the front door. Patrons will be asked to leave the colored paper at the study area that they use.  This will allow library staff to determine what desks and computers need to be sanitized. Library staff will dispose of the paper while they are cleaning. One side of the paper will indicate that the patron is still using the space and the flip side of the paper will indicate that the patron has finished using the space.
• The library study rooms will be locked. These rooms are small and do not have adequate space to allow social distancing. They will be available to individuals by reservation. In anticipation of a time when it becomes appropriate for more than one person to occupy a study room, plexiglass shields will be available to make those rooms as safe as possible.
• The computer lab on the first floor will remain open. Computers will be spaced at the appropriate distances. Extra chairs will be removed to assist with distancing.
• Library conference rooms will be locked, but will be available by appointment as usual. The campus-wide space study will guide the capacity of the rooms.
• Tables, desks and chairs on the first floor will be arranged to provide distancing that still allows for collaborative work.
• Cloth chairs will not be used. Until it is deemed to be safe by local public health authorities, furniture that can be disinfected will be used instead.

The Makerspace and all equipment that can be sanitized will be available via reservation. The Library Director will work to meet the individual needs of faculty members who incorporate Makerspace equipment into curriculum.

Circulation and Research Assistance  

• During the physical closure, reference and research assistance was provided through email, Zoom, and phone. In Fall 2020, the library encourages the continued use of our remote services, both for classes that will meet remotely and classes that will meet in-person.
• In-person reference and research assistance will be available. We understand that in-person assistance is needed or preferred by some individuals. In-person assistance will be completed in the safest way possible, depending on circumstances and at the discretion of the assisting library staff member. For example, assistance can take place in a conference room, with the librarian displaying their computer through an overhead projector to the patron. In all instances of in-person reference or research assistance, both the librarian and patron will be required to wear a face covering.
• There has been no interruption of InterLibrary Loan pertaining to electronic resources. However, all libraries in the state suspended InterLibrary Loan and other types of resource sharing of physical materials. In partnership with the Dillon Public Library, the library will resumed resource sharing of physical materials on June 8^th. However, InterLibrary Loan and resource sharing from outside of Dillon will be compromised for an unknown period of time because it’s unknown when other libraries will resume these services. In addition, the policies of the courier service are unknown at this time. This library will process all requests, but many libraries in Montana and out-of-state are not planning to prioritize the resumption of InterLibrary Loan.  All materials shared between libraries will be quarantined in this library for 72 hours before being circulated.  In order to minimize the impact of the anticipated nation-wide limitation of the availability of InterLibrary Loan services, a summer library priority is to purchase materials that we already anticipate will be requested through InterLibrary Loan in the fall. During the summer, The Library Director will reach out to and problem-solve with known faculty members who require students to participate in InterLibrary Loan as a research requirement of one or more of their courses.
• We will ask patrons, when they are able, to send their requests for items in advance through email or phone to limit the amount of time they are in the building and to discourage browsing, which involves the handling of books. It’s understood that browsing is important and that not all materials can be selected at a distance. Browsing will be allowed and the use of gloves will be encouraged.
• It is not possible to sanitize newspapers. The library will follow local and national guidelines regarding providing or not providing access to newspapers.
• It is not possible to sanitize periodicals, but they have a longer shelf life than newspapers. They will be available, but will be quarantined for 72 hours between uses. When possible, the library will provide electronic copies of articles.
• This summer, the library looked into the possibility of providing digital access to the most current issue of the Chronicle of Higher Education, which is the periodical that is most frequently browsed physically. The price of a digital institutional library subscription is cost-prohibitive. The library currently has a physical and electronic subscription to the periodical, but the electronic subscription has a problematic one-month embargo and most faculty ask for the current issue. Digitizing the current issue ourselves violates copyright. The library will continue to look for a way to provide as much access as possible to the current issue of this periodical.
• Patrons will be instructed to return all items to our Return Box located outside the main entrance to the library. This will help reduce the number of individuals in the library and will provide a safe avenue for the return of physical items.
• Returned items will be quarantined by trained staff for a minimum of 72 hours.  After quarantine, the items will be returned to the shelves.

General Safety Guidelines

• All library staff members have viewed vetted informational videos regarding social distancing. The library will follow university-wide procedure in addressing any staff-members who repeatedly fail to engage in established safe practices.
• The library will follow university-wide procedures when addressing patrons or members of the campus community who repeatedly fail to engage in established safe practices or who choose not to adhere to fall 2020 procedures.
• The library staff often provides treats to patrons and to one another. Treat-sharing will be prohibited for this summer.
• If patrons or staff feel unwell, they should not enter the library.
• Patrons and staff are required to wear a face mask or covering.
• Remote assistance contact phone numbers and emails will continue to be displayed on the library website and library main doors.
• Patrons will be able to view a summary of all temporary fall procedures at the library front desk.

References

CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). May 7, 2020. Reopening Guidance for Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces, Workplaces, Businesses, Schools, and Homes. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/reopen-guidance.html

Institute of Museum and Library Services. April 2, 2020. Mitigating COVID-19 When Managing Paper-Based, Circulating, and Other Types of Collections. [Webinar]. Retrieved from https://www.imls.gov/webinars/mitigating-covid-19-when-managing-paper-based-circulating-and-other-types-collections

Institute of Museum and Library Services. June 22, 2020. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates. Retrieved from https://www.imls.gov/coronavirus-covid-19-updates

OCLC (Online Computer Library Center). June 22, 2020. REALM Project Round 1 Test Results. Retrieved from https://www.webjunction.org/news/webjunction/test1-results.html

OCLC (Online Computer Library Center), The Institute or Museum and Library Services, Battelle. (June 3, 2020). REALM Project: Reopening Archives, Libraries. And Museums. Retrieved from https://www.webjunction.org/explore-topics/COVID-19-research-project.html

Facility Size

1. Montana Center for Horsemanship (MCH)
   • • Outdoor Arena: 42,000 sqft
     • Coverall Arena (indoor): 3,200 sqft
2. Indoor Riding Arena: 40,500 sqft
   • Conference/Class Room: 1,320 sqft
   • Vet Lab: 576 sqft
   • Kitchen: 275sqft
   • Men’s Restroom: 275 sqft
   • Women’s Restroom: 275 sqft
3. LaCense Montana (LCM)
   • Vet Lab: 400 sqft
   • Tack Room: 250 sqft
   • Indoor Riding Arena: 29,250 sqft
   • Kitchen: 825 sqft
   • Men’s Restroom: 150 sqft
   • Women’s Restroom: 150 sqft

Fall 2020 Courses and Student Numbers

• MCH- 84 pens (84 horses)
  • Block 1
    • EQUH 351 MTWRF am- 10 students
    • EQUH 155 MTWR pm- 13 students
    • EQUH 301am- 4 students
    • EQUH 301pm- 8 students
  • Block 2
    • EQUH 254 MTWR am- 9 students
    • EQUH 254 MTWR pm- 6 students

• • Blocks 3 & 4
    • EQUH 155 (stringer) MW pm- 12 students
    • EQUH 155 (stringer) TR pm- 11 students
• LCM- boarding halter breaking and sale colts
  1. Block 1
     • EQUH 301 MTWRF am- 4 students
     • EQUH 301 MTWRF pm- 8 students
  2. Block 2-4
     • EQUS 349 MTWRF am- 8 students
     • EQUS 349 MTWRF pm- 8 students
  3. On Campus
     • EQUH 205- 6 students

MCH/LCM Cleaning Protocol

1. Classrooms (if used that day) and restrooms will be cleaned after each course
   • UMW Equine Studies Department will provide a student worker to clean areas that are used by UMW students for each class
2. Have sanitizer liquid at entrances of arenas
3. Students are allowed to come to MCH anytime (cannot lock students from their own personal horses) Service road will be locked to prevent unauthorized vehicles and people form traveling
4. Have students limit their traffic to just the barn that their horse is boarded in and arenas. Only MCH staff can go from barn to barn to feed and clean
5. Each boarding barn will have an enter and exit sign so traffic can be directed. Student may enter their pen from alley in the barn or gate on end of their pen to promote self-distancing.
6. Farriers and veterinarians are only allowed in parking lot not in barns or arenas (except for emergencies)

UMW NH Program COVID-19 Practices

1. Signs for social distancing will be place at various locations on MCH property
   • Parking lot walk ways (2 signs)
   • Both ends of each stall barn (8 signs)
   • Maintenance shed (restroom) (1 sign)
   • Outdoor arena (2 signs)
   • Coverall arena (1 sign)
   • Large indoor arena (6 signs)
     • Classrooms
     • Entrances

2. Hand wipes and/or sanitizers will be placed throughout the MCH/LCM facilities
   • Stall Barns-practice social distancing
   • Indoor Arena/Classrooms-practice social distancing
3. A conversation of social distancing and safety during the introduction of each course (include in course syllabus)
   • Courses will follow UMW COVID 19 Policies https://www.umwestern.edu/fall-2020-plan/

• Instructors will not touch students horses this semester, students will have to work through their problems by observing or listening to the instructor even more during the lesson.
• Horses are more than 6 feet in length so social distancing will be observed in the skills courses in the arenas.
• Try to use the outside arena as much as the weather will allow us until winter
• When students are in in classroom atmosphere, UMW Polices will be followed

• Describe social distancing measures you will implement during your tours to minimize the risk of transmission in indoor areas, outdoor areas, and during transportation of clients.

UM Western Road Scholar plans to implement the following measures:

• Each participant will have an individual earpiece to wear when outdoors and in public spaces. This will allow each individual to be able to maintain a safe distance from others and still be able to hear and receive guidance from the instructor.
• We strongly feel that a motorcoach is the safest way to transport our groups. The motorcoach will only be 20-25% full.  This way, each group/family unit will be able to sit more than 6 feet away from others.  This safe distance will be maintained throughout the trip.  By using a smaller vehicle or van, we feel that it would be much more difficult to ensure safe distances.
• Frequent stops will be made throughout the journey into Yellowstone National Park to allow participants to be outside and to experience the park. The instructor, group leader, and driver will make educated decisions on stopping locations to avoid high traffic stops, busy areas, and busy times of day.
• Facemasks will be worn when in vehicles and when social distancing measures may be difficult to maintain (i.e. such as on a boardwalk, etc.).
• Describe how you will ensure CDC handwashing and sanitization measures are followed.

UM Western Road Scholar will have written and verbal instructions and reminders for frequent hand washing.  All participants will be reminded to wash hands wherever handwashing locations are available.  Ample amounts of hand sanitizer will be provided throughout the day and throughout each program activity for use when water and soap are not available.  Program instructors and group leaders will apply hand sanitizer to all participants regularly throughout the day.

• Describe how and how often you will sanitize equipment and vehicles used to transport employees and clients.

UM Western Road Scholar will have more than adequate amounts of cleaning solution, spray bottles, and wipes available for cleaning and sanitizing throughout the day.  All handrails and “high touch/contact” zones on the vehicle will be sanitized each time individuals load and unload the vehicle.  Cleaning will be thorough and frequent throughout the day and will be done by the driver, instructor, and group leader for each program.  We have been in close contact with the transportation companies to ensure their staff have cleaning and sanitizing plans in place.  All drivers will completely sanitize the vehicles at the end of each day.

Most equipment will not be shared.  In the event that an item is shared, it will be completely sanitized between uses.

Gloves will be available and will be worn by all staff when handling equipment and items that will be in contact with others.  Gloves will be properly disposed of following use.

Participant’s individual equipment will only be handled by the owner of the equipment.

• Describe how you will handle the sanitization of shared equipment (scopes, binoculars, etc.) or equipment provided to clients (saddles and other tack, tents, sleeping bags, etc.).

Most equipment will not be shared, if possible.  Any equipment that will be shared (such as scopes) will be completely sanitized between uses.  UM Western Road Scholar is working closely will all vendors and activity providers to ensure that all sanitizing measures are completed for items not owned and operated by UM Westers (such as saddles, tents, etc.).  Equipment used for program activities will be completely sanitized before any participant comes into contact with it.

Cleaning equipment will be readily available and used for any instance where equipment and materials will be handled by multiple people in the same time frame.  Staff will be aware of high touch/contact items that need frequent and routine cleaning and will also encourage and coach participants on this.

• Describe how you will handle/sanitize equipment belonging to clients (fishing poles, backpacks, float tubes, etc.).

Equipment belonging to clients will not be handled by staff if possible.  Participants will be encouraged to handle their own belongings.  There will be cleaning solution and materials available for individuals to sanitize their belongings throughout the program.  If staff assistance is required for handling equipment, gloves and hand washing/sanitizing will be enforced.

• Will you provide food or drinks to clients on tours? If so, describe how you will handle food and drinks to minimize exposure and transmission.

UM Western Road Scholar is working closely with all food vendors.  UM Western Road Scholar staff will not prepare any food.  All vendors are adhering to strict food safety preparation and sanitizing procedures.  When individual sack lunches/meals are provided, one staff member will have clean hands, gloves, and will wear a facemask when handing out meals.  All containers used to hold individual meals (i.e. coolers) will be sanitized after each use.

• Describe actions will you take in your interactions with clients and visitors to minimize exposure.

UM Western Road Scholar staff will have facemasks, gloves, and any other necessary equipment to minimize exposure.  Staff will work with all participants to wear facemasks during interactions with others.

Staff will follow social distancing guidelines and will coach and remind all participants on this as well.

• Describe how you will evaluate employees and visitors to determine if they may be ill. Please describe actions you will take if an employee or visitor is ill.

UM Western Road Scholar staff will have a no-contact thermometer and will take temperatures for all participants, staff, and drivers each morning before starting the daily activities.  Any individual who has a temperature of 100⁰ or higher will not be allowed to participate and will be coached on self-quarantine measures.  Staff will coach and remind all participants to self-monitor themselves for any potential health concerns they may be experiencing and will require all who feel unwell to remain in their hotel to evaluate their health status.  Any issues that require reporting and follow-up with medical personnel will be followed up on and documented.

• Please list any additional actions your company and employees will take to minimize transmission of the virus.

Whenever possible, meals will be outside to reduce possible risks and exposure.

School of Outreach COVID 19-Protocol for in-person classes

Montana Western School of Outreach will adhere to the following guidelines when offering in-person classes.

The following protocol is required for participation:

• No travel out of the state of MT for 14 days prior to the start of class.
• Participants who have a fever or chills will be asked to stay home.
• A temperature check (with a non-contact forehead thermometer) will be completed before entering the classroom. A temperature over 100 F will not be able to attend.
• Hand sanitizer will be available for use upon entering and anytime during the course, especially before and after leaving and entering the classroom.
• Face masks are required to be worn.

Please consider the following details to determine if you (or your child for youth programs) should err on the side of caution and not participate:

• Do you feel sick- muscle pain, sore throat?
• Do you have a persistent cough that is not related to a previously diagnosed health condition?
• Do you have shortness of breath or difficulty breathing?
• Do you have a recent loss of taste and/or smell?
• Have you been outside the state of MT in the last 14 days?
• Have you or anyone you live with been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19 or is under quarantine and testing for suspected COVID-19?

Instructor and Classroom

• The instructor will follow the same protocol as participants.
• The classroom will be cleaned and sanitized prior to use for the class.
• The classroom will be set up to ensure desks are at least 6 feet apart.
• Handouts and manipulatives used will be available as individual sets so that each participant gets their own.
• Clorox wipes or other sanitizing equipment will be available for use.

Thank you in advance for helping keep our community safe.

STC Hours: regular school year hours

Lobbies, Public Areas: Couches chairs taped off, turned around

Computers: disinfect between each use (will need user cooperation)

STC 103 Printer: relocate to lobby

STC 103: one-way traffic: west door in, east door out

STC Labs: Set up using social distancing as much as possible (reduced capacity)

All classroom and lab doors open using doorstops (air flow)

Sanitizer installed in every lab/classroom/public area