Safety protocols in place

Posted By: Deborah Nahrgang On: 2021-09-20
Posted On: 2021-09-20

During recent months the university has implement a number of changes or new practices to increase the safety of our environment for students, faculty and staff across all campuses. Following is a partial list of physical changes.

  1. The Maintenance Departments on all three campuses have verified that the cleaning supplies being utilized on our campuses are approved by the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health as effective in sanitizing surfaces and killing the COVID-19 virus.
  2. The Maintenance Departments have been working with our consultants to review and revise, where necessary, cleaning protocols and practices.
  3. Following the recommendations of the APPA (National Association of Physical Plant Administrators), the CDC, the Minnesota Department of Health and ASHRAE (The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers) the Maintenance Departments on each campus have revised the rate of air exchanges in buildings, the amount of fresh air being introduced in to our buildings and increased the amount of air being exhausted from the buildings throughout the day. 
  4. ASHRAE and the Departments of Energy (on the national and state level) set guidelines for air flow, exchanges and introduction of new air. Prior to COVID 19 energy efficiency was one of the key determinants of the optimal levels to operate air exchangers during the day. Obviously, energy efficiency guidelines have been suspended and now the focus is maximizing the amount of air exchanged in building and offices, the amount of fresh air introduced into a building and the exchange rate of the air.
  5. Some specific changes: On our TC Campus all of the air exchanger have been changed from cycling during the day to a setting of continuous air flow throughout the operational day. On the Winona Campus all air exchangers have been adjusted to increase air flow, increase the introduction of outside air and increase the air exchange rate. 
  6. There has been a review of all air filters and upgrades if necessary. 
  7. COVID-19 related signage is being installed across the campuses.
  8. Disposable masks are being made available on each campus if someone should arrive on campus without one.
  9. Classrooms, conference rooms, break rooms, lounges and dining areas are being reset according to social distancing guidelines from the CDC and MDH.
  10. The university has increased the number of hand sanitizer dispensers and more are being installed throughout the university as they arrive. 
  11. Spray bottles with cleaning supplies, paper towels and cleaning directions are being placed across the campuses to allow people to wipe down any surface if they wish to have additional cleaning between the regularly planned cleaning.
  12. Plexiglas and other types of dividers have been installed to provide protection for all members of the Saint Mary’s Community and our guests. The process continues reviewing areas and adding protection or separations as we finalize preparation for the return of the remainder of our staff, faculty and students. 
  13. There have been reviews of library facilities, admission offices, large gathering spaces, athletic and weight training facilities, conference rooms, laboratories, and general office locations.  Individuals and groups have been relocated. Offices have been reconfigured and dividers added.

Work continues on these and other locations