University of Richmond Reopens Campus; Health and Safety Measures in Place as Students Move In, Faculty and Staff Return

August 14, 2020

Editor’s Note: The University of Richmond is in the Red Stage of its Physical Distancing Framework. No external visitors, including media, are allowed to campus. Photo and video assets will be provided.

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND ─ The University of Richmond has taken many actions to promote the health and safety of its campus community as it returns to in-person education.

Welcome Kits
The university has put together nearly 3,000 “Web Ready” Spider Welcome kits for each undergraduate student that includes face coverings, hand sanitizer, wipes, and a no-touch tool. 

Face Coverings
The university has purchased more than 15,000 cloth face coverings for students, faculty, and staff. Face coverings are required in all buildings, including classrooms, dining facilities, common areas within residence halls, and in outdoor settings where physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain.

Testing and Screening Protocols
The university has set up two testing trailers to test students for COVID-19 upon arrival to campus. 500 thermometers were purchased for use if students are required to go into quarantine or isolation. Faculty, staff, and students will complete daily health screenings online.

Building Upgrades
The university added UV-C filtration and/or bi-polar ionization to existing air handling systems to neutralize viral particles across campus. Foot pulls also were added to all multi-stall bathroom doors for no-touch door opening. Touchless faucets were added in public restrooms in academic and administrative buildings that did not currently have them.

Sanitation Stations
The university previously had installed many hand sanitizer stations around key areas on campus. It has added 400 additional hand sanitizer stations, as well as 800 sanitizing wipe stations.

Tents
The university has installed 12 tents across campus to be available for academic purposes, as dining locations, and for co-curricular activities. 

Quarantine Space
The university is installing modular housing units on campus to serve as isolation and quarantine space for over 150 students, if needed.

“Our top priority remains safeguarding the health and well-being of all students, staff and faculty,” said President Ronald A. Crutcher. “It will be our shared responsibility for sustaining the circumstances that will make residential education and on-campus instruction possible amid the pandemic. We are many Spiders, one web, and it’s up to all of us to keep our community safe.” 

More specific details about the University’s “Return to Campus” plan are available at www.richmond.edu/coronavirus/fall-2020.

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