COVID-19 Health & Safety Protocols

Stay home if you’re sick.

If you’re experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms, please rest at home and do not come to campus.

The CDC regularly updates their list of symptoms related to new variants.

Learn more about COVID-19 symptoms

Remain off campus while awaiting results

If you’re experiencing symptoms or have been exposed to COVID-19, complete a COVID-19 test. Tests are available through your healthcare provider, local pharmacies, EICC Campus or Test Iowa.

We encourage you to order free at-home testing kits via the U.S. Postal Service. Having tests ahead of time will make it easier for you to test if you begin feeling sick.

Order your free test kits

If you’re experiencing symptoms, with a known exposure to COVID-19 or having tested positive for COVID-19, you should consult with your healthcare provider to determine your need to isolate or quarantine.

Follow the instructions from your healthcare provider to determine your need to quarantine or isolate off campus. Follow the recommended isolation or quarantine and consider if your symptoms have improved before returning to campus.

When you have reached your return to college/work date, if your symptoms are not improving, continue to isolate until 24 hours after your symptoms improve. Reach out to your healthcare provider if you have questions.

Students:

Let your instructors know you’re sick or have an appointment 

We encourage you to keep your instructors informed when you’ll be absent due to illness or appointments. Faculty and staff should expect you will continue to face challenges and offer flexibility whenever possible.

You should contact your instructors when a need to miss a class or deadline arises. A make-up policy is included in your course syllabus. Instructors may request appropriate documentation regarding your absence.

If you’re ill for an extended period of time, we encourage you to contact your instructors and advisor to explore best options for completing your courses.

If you need to miss an appointment such as advising, testing or tutoring, please notify the appropriate office. The staff will work to reschedule you when you are well enough to return to campus. You can also ask about conducting the appointment via Zoom, if your health allows.  

Staff/Faculty/Student Employees

Communicate to your supervisor  

You are required to practice good communication strategies.  

You will communicate to your supervisor and confirm a return to work date. You may be asked to verify with a healthcare provider note, a positive test result or a screenshot of the CDC calculator.  

Confirmation from Supervisor 

Before your first day of absence is over, you will receive an email confirmation from your supervisor regarding the receipt of your need to Isolate/quarantine.  They will also confirm your return to work date.  The date shall match the healthcare provider release or the CDC guidance you provide. Please note, return to work date may change based on continued symptoms or if you receive a positive test result. 

Leave 

Reminders for sick leave:

• 1 sick day = 8 hours of sick leave (regardless of your teaching schedule that day)
• Utilize Self-Service to track leave usage and availability
• Adjunct instructors do not need to complete leave forms. 

If you have any concerns about the appropriate use of leave, please contact HR. If the amount of leave needed exceeds three days, you may be eligible to apply for FMLA. Contact HR to discuss your options.

Notification to Students, Appointments  

If applicable, send your appointments an email with any additional information that they might need.

Instructors:

Report your absence to your supervisor per your campus protocol so your absence can be posted on EICConnect.

Use Canvas to post an announcement and send your students an email with any additional information that they might need.

Masking is not required, however, it may be strongly encouraged in labs or programs where CDC guidelines recommend it such as in some health programs and in labs with extended close proximity to others. Disposable masks will be available while supplies last at the main entrances for those who do not bring their own but wish to wear one.

• Employees, students, and guests, whether vaccinated or non-vaccinated, should not come to one of our campuses if sick, testing positive for COVID, or experiencing COVID or flu-like symptoms.
• Hand sanitizers will be available at the main entrances and disinfectant and wipes will still be provided upon request from Maintenance.
• Facilities will continue to clean high traffic and community areas on each campus and other areas upon request.
• External group requests are being accepted when the CDC ranks the community level as “low”. We continue to encourage 3’ social distancing.
• Food and drink are available at designated locations.

• Classrooms and labs capacities are not restricted due to COVID. We continue to encourage 3’ social distancing.
• Masking is not required, however, it may be strongly encouraged in labs or programs where CDC guidelines recommend it such as in some health programs and in labs with extended close proximity to others.
• Disposable masks will be available while supplies last at the main entrances for those who do not bring their own but wish to wear one.
• Hand sanitizers and disinfectant will be supplied at faculty request.