Return to Work on Campus Phases

Swarthmore College’s approach to campus operations during the COVID-19 pandemic will prioritize the health and safety of staff, faculty, students, and invited guests (e.g., contractors), as well as of the broader communities in which we reside and the public with whom we interact. The health and well-being of our community is critical. Protecting the health of the campus community will require long-term effort as well as commitment, cooperation, teamwork, and understanding.

Our decision making will continue to be based on the following principles:

• We will hold paramount the health and safety of our students, faculty, and staff members.
• We will continue to deliver to our students the highly engaged, intellectually enriching educational experience that is foundational to all that we as a College do. 
• We will make decisions about College finances and operations with empathy, compassion, and humanity and work to maintain operational continuity and retain employees to the greatest extent possible.

Please note that all the following Phases outlines reflect varying stages of campus operations during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The College will communicate as we move between phases. As of Aug. 31, 2020, we are in Phase 4 and hope to remain in that phase for the duration of the academic year, but we recognize that we may need to move backward to earlier phases with little notice depending on a number of factors, including potential state or county mandates; our own assessment of data regarding prevalence, positivity rates, etc., in Delaware County and around the country, anything more we learn about transmission that we don’t know today. We will also pay attention to how well our community adheres to masking policies and other safety protocols; what we think the student experience actually looks like if conditions worsen; the number of employees who call out sick because of symptoms; etc.

As with all decisions, we are guided by public health and medical professionals, as well as guidelines and regulations from local, regional and national agencies.

Phase 1: LIMITED OPERATIONS 

• The College will phase in a return of staff over time in a coordinated process to ensure appropriate physical distancing, availability of PPE (personal protective equipment), and adequate testing capabilities for COVID-19.
• A limited number of staff members will be recalled to campus when needed to directly support campus infrastructure. Other staff members will continue working remotely.
• Employees who are to return to campus will be notified by their supervisors, and only those who need to be on campus to directly support activity will be requested to return. Others will remain working remotely.
• All those working on campus must abide by the protocols outlined on the Guidelines for Returning to Work on Campus.
• No gatherings allowed. All events are canceled.
• Students are expected to isolate to the greatest extent possible, and no in-person activities will be offered, except for those affecting health and safety. No indoor dining, and students must eat by themselves.

Phase 2: SOME OPERATIONS 

• Some on-campus operations resume (see chart below). See Guidelines for Returning to Work on Campus for detailed processes and protocols.  
• Preparation continues for on-campus activity, including evaluation of spaces.
• Additional employees are recalled to campus when needed for minimal operations that directly support research, instruction, and residential living. Others continue working remotely. Please refer to the chart below, Employees Working Remotely or On Campus, for more details.  
• Employees who are to return to campus will be notified by their supervisors, and only those who need to be on campus to directly support activity will be requested to return. Others will continue to work remotely.
• All those on campus must abide by the protocols outlined on the Guidelines for Returning to Work on Campus.
• Gatherings of up to 10 people in spaces that allow for adequate physical distancing are allowed.
• Students are expected to use extreme caution when socializing. No in-person activities will be offered, except for those affecting health and safety. No indoor dining. Additional social restrictions are likely to be in place.

Phase 3: MAJORITY OF OPERATIONS 

• Campus to resume pared down in-person operations to prepare for the start of the semester or support ongoing instruction in a limited manner, following Guidelines for Returning to Work on Campus.
• Preparedness of spaces for the return of activity begins. 
• Instruction is being prepared to be ready for on-campus activity and/or enhanced virtual/alternative platforms.
• Final Preparation for on-campus activity and/or enhanced virtual/alternative platforms.
• Final Preparation for on-campus housing continues. 
• Some employees may be recalled to campus as needed to directly support additional operations.
  • Employees who are to return to campus will be notified by their supervisors, and only those who need to be on campus to directly support activity will be requested to return. 
  • Employees who can effectively perform their work remotely should continue to do so. 
  • Please refer to the chart below, Employees Working Remotely or On Campus, for more details 
• Gatherings of up to 25 people in spaces that allow for adequate physical distancing are allowed.
• Indoor dining will be extremely limited, and additional social restrictions may be in place.

Phase 4: PARTIAL INSTRUCTION, RESEARCH, RESIDENTIAL LIFE

• Campus to resume modified in-person operations to support instruction, research, and residential life, following Guidelines for Returning to Work on Campus.
• Residential halls may reopen with limited capacity.
• Additional employees may be recalled to campus as needed to directly support additional operations.
  • Employees who are to return to campus will be notified by their supervisors.
  • Employees who can effectively perform their work remotely should continue to do so. 
  • Please refer to the chart below, Employees Working Remotely or On Campus, for more details 
• Gatherings of up to 25 people in spaces that allow for adequate physical distancing are allowed. Larger gatherings may be permitted later in the semester as the College assesses risk and considers local and state guidance.

Phase 5: FULLY OPEN

• Campus to resume full operations.
• The College will continue to evaluate its remote-work policies and communicate additional information as it becomes available.