University Experience
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville is excited to welcome back faculty, staff and students for our 156th year of education.
At this time full capacity limits are remaining the same, events will still take place, and classes will remain as currently scheduled (including location and delivery method) as we return to a traditional university experience.
The health and safety of our university community is at the forefront of all that we do. During 2021-22, we will continue to work closely with local county health officials and adjust as needed, in accordance with CDC recommendations.
The university’s Focus on Fall team, developed to ensure we are ready to welcome students to all three campuses this fall, continues to discuss many topics, including issues such as face coverings, testing, vaccinations, etc. The university will continue to consult with our local health officials, closely monitor local case rates and changes in CDC guidelines, and update our campus communities if any situation develops.
UW-Platteville students, employees and community members can take advantage of free antigen testing right on campus. We are encouraging vaccinations for everyone and will have periodic clinics on campus too.
The following measures have been enacted for the fall semester to help ensure the health and safety of the university community.
Face Coverings
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Every individual who enters university lands shall wear a face covering
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in all indoor university buildings, including classrooms, public spaces, residence halls and recreation/athletic area indoor spaces, except students in their assigned residence hall rooms and employees when alone in a private, unshared office or lab; when eating or drinking; and
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while riding a campus bus or when two or more people are present in a university vehicle.
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Exceptions. If an individual has a medical condition or religious belief that would prohibit them from complying with this requirement, the person should immediately contact the Dean of Students (for students) or Office of Human Resources (for employees), or UW-Platteville Police Department (for members of the public). All requests for an exception to this requirement shall be evaluated on an individualized basis utilizing the interactive reasonable accommodations process.
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This order is being issued pursuant to the authority vested in me by the laws of the State of Wisconsin and applicable policies in the University of Wisconsin System, including but not limited to: Wis. Stats. ss. 36.11(1)(a) and (c), 36.09(1)(a), (f) and (L), 36.35(2) and 101.11; Wis. Admin. Code ss. UWS 18.11(6)(a) and (7)(e), UWS 18.08(9)(b), UWS 18.13, UWS 17.09(1), (14) and (15); and Regent Policy 23-2.
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This Order shall become effective Monday, October 4, 2021, at 12:01 a.m. This Order shall remain in effect until March 12, 2022. This duration maybe shortened at any time pending ongoing evaluation of the current pandemic status in consultation with UW System, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS), local health departments and recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control.
Vaccinations
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The UW System does not require vaccinations, but highly recommends vaccinations for students, faculty and staff.
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Student-athletes who are not vaccinated will be required to undergo testing via NCAA guidelines.
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The university trusts that faculty, staff and students are truthful in their vaccination representation. If vaccination incentive contests, such as the UW System 70-for-70 program, are held, the lottery winner would have to provide verification.
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In general, people are considered fully vaccinated:
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Two weeks after their second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
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Two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine
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If you don’t meet these requirements, regardless of your age, you are NOT fully vaccinated.
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Health
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For students on the main campus, anyone feeling sick or be experiencing symptoms, should make an appointment at Student Health Services, located in Royce Hall (608.342.1891). If a student has been notified by a health authority of an exposure, they will be given instructions on quarantine. Students will also receive instructions from their testing site on what to do after testing.
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Students who test positive will be required to isolate according to current clinical guidelines. They will be provided with specific instructions from the testing site and have follow up phone contact from Grant County Health Department and, if living on campus, from Student Health Services.
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The university recommends any faculty, staff or student should stay home whenever they are feeling ill, no matter the illness.
Student Health Services
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Student Health Services is a fully staffed medical clinic located conveniently on the main campus in Royce Hall. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Student Health Services continues to work closely with Grant County Health Department, taking into consideration numerous recommendations and clinical guidelines. More information is located on the Student Health Services SharePoint page here. The clinic can be reached at 608.342.1891 for appointments or questions.
Residence Life (main campus)
Health Parameters
Residence Life will implement any protocols/processes established by the UW-Platteville administration. Other considerations made by Capstone On-Campus Management are also under advisement.
Facilities Operations
CDC Guidelines and Focus on Fall committee guidance will continue to be the source of information for facilities operations. In general, the department has been trained on appropriate disinfection and cleaning practices under pandemic conditions.
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Portable sanitizer kits and masks will be placed throughout the residence hall communities
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Residents will be educated on general health platforms regarding their residential space
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Continued modified suite-cleaning will be practiced per resident opt-in
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Recycling and garbage disposal will remain on schedule via Faherty's, Inc.
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Appropriate informational signage notifying residents of healthy practices will continue to be updated and posted as situations evolve
Requirements for Face Coverings
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Face coverings are required to be worn by students and their visitors, delivery personnel, and staff regardless of vaccination status in all common areas, including stairways, of the residence halls until further notice.
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Wearing of face coverings in student rooms is determined by roommate/suitemate agreement. Lack of consensus will be mediated through Residence Life staff.
Guest/Visitor
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Guests and visitors to the residence halls must follow all policies and procedures outlined by the university.
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Roommates/suitemates must agree to face covering terms for guests prior to visitation per the roommate/suitemate agreement. Lack of consensus will be mediated through Residence Life staff.
Dining Services
Operational Changes
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Cashless operations will be used (see Touchless/Contactless Transactions).
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UW-Platteville will increase grab-and-go options for guests who chose to dine in alternate locations.
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Plexiglass is installed at all registers.
Touchless/Contactless Transitions
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Dining has purchased new card readers to allow touchless/contactless transactions at all locations.
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All Dining operations are cashless to maintain register transaction times.
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Dining gift cards can be purchased with cash at the Campus ID Office.
Health, Safety and Sanitization
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UW-Platteville is reinforcing with the staff existing sanitation procedures, including frequent and proper handwashing along with policies regarding wearing and changing gloves during their shifts.
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UW-Platteville has implemented enhanced protocols for cleaning and sanitizing the dining facilities.
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In addition to normal cleaning protocols, UW-Platteville has added additional sanitizing in high-contact areas (such as doorknobs, cash register buttons and cooler/freezer doors) which will be sanitized at a minimum of every two hours.
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UW-Platteville will continue to remind staff on how they can keep themselves and our guests safe, including not touching their face and staying home from work if ill.
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All UW-Platteville Dining location managers and cooks hold a Serv-Safe certification from the National Restaurant Association. In addition, UW-Platteville requires Serv-Safe’s COVID-19 training for our entire staff.
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Food preparation areas will continue to use sanitizer and cleaning chemicals that are proven to kill viral threats such as COVID-19 and bacterial threats typically found in common food born illnesses and allergies.
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Employees will continue to wash and sanitize tables along with seating areas after each guest use.
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Training and education for the staff will continue as updates and changes occur.
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Additional hand sanitizer stations have been added to all locations.
Facilities
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Facilities Management will be returning to pre-pandemic measures.
Children’s Center
The UW-Platteville Children’s Center Staff is committed to taking the necessary additional precautions to keep children, families and employees safe, while continuing to provide a quality and caring learning environment. The following special safety precautions will be implemented:
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There will be limited access to the program for parents at arrival and pick up.
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There will be limited mixing between the different sections (separated by ages) of children.
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There will be increased sanitation and hygiene practices.
Spring 2022 Travel Policies
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Employees and students should take all safety precautions when traveling, especially to areas with high levels of the pandemic. Any concerns with traveling to certain areas for business reasons should be addressed directly with their supervisor so that appropriate decisions can be made.
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Employee international travel requests should include Kari Hill (hillkar@uwplatt.edu) from International Programs to verify travel aligns with international protocols. International Programs will review and make a recommendation to the Provost.
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Travel related to Study Abroad will need to be vetted though the Education Abroad Office with final approval from the Provost.
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All travel questions directed to Jesse Funk at jfunk@uwsa.edu.
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Students traveling on university business must adhere to the UW-Platteville Student Travel Guidelines for the 2021-2022 Academic Year and complete the Student Travel Form.
Updated 2-25-22.