Union employee family,
As we continue to navigate this very unusual school year, we are continuing to adjust policies and procedures to maximize safety while still allowing Union to function as a strong educational community.
To that end, here is some new information specifically about policy updates regarding Union-sponsored events both on- and off-campus.
Event policy
President’s Council recently approved an update to the campus-wide COVID plan that addresses how we handle events. You can read the whole policy here, but here are some of the highlights:
- An event is considered any organized gathering of more than 20 people.
- Facemasks are required at all events—both indoor and outdoor.
- Events should limit touching of attendees and common surfaces as much as possible (paperless check in, etc.).
- Student-hosted events must fill out and receive approval using the Event Request Form. These requests will be reviewed every Tuesday morning.
- If the Lincoln COVID dial is in red or orange, any off-campus trip including 20 or more people must be approved through the Event Request Form.
Food on campus
The policy also includes guidelines for serving and eating food on campus, especially inside. Here are some highlights:
- Eating food is not allowed in classrooms. Please eat only in Union Market, outdoors or in private living spaces or offices—and always with physical distancing.
- All food served at events must be pre-packaged from the manufacturer or by a licensed food services provider (such as a restaurant or Union Market.)
- Utensils and condiments should be in single-use packaging.
- Provide an alcohol-based sanitizer in any food-serving area.
Inviting students home for a meal
Employees are welcome to invite students home for a meal, but we ask that the entire group be less than 20. You’re welcome to serve what you like, but please do your best to ensure sanitary serving practices, physical distancing and mask wearing.
Campus Ministries will move ahead with the official Soup Supper night on September 4, but they have decided to hold a Family Worship as well. No one is required to host students at their home. Please only do so if you feel comfortable and consider holding the event outdoors if possible.
Varsity athletics
Our Athletic Director is finalizing a plan to start playing volleyball, soccer and golf on September 8. The current plan is to play home volleyball games in the Thunderdome and soccer games at Speedway Village. You can see game schedules and rosters on the uGroups calendar and on the athletic website.
Teams are implementing a variety of precautions to limit the spread of illness—including limiting the number of fans at indoor games and potentially cancelling games if one of the teams comes from an area at high risk for COVID spread.
Based on our medical and legal counsel, cancellations or postponement of games will be decided based on the information provided at CovidActNow.org. If any of the teams scheduled to play are located in a county that is “at risk of outbreak” (orange) or “active or imminent outbreak” (red), games will be cancelled or postponed at least 24-48 hours ahead.
Since Lincoln is in the “slow growth” (yellow) category, Union College fans will be allowed in the Thunderdome in limited numbers and will be required to wear masks and practice physical distancing. If Lincoln moves to the orange or red category, games may still be played, but no fans will be allowed. Only visiting players and coaches (and the visiting soccer team if they are on the trip) will be allowed to watch the game in person at the Thunderdome. All games in the Thunderdome will also be streamed live on UTV.
Because home soccer matches are played outdoors at Speedway Village, fans will be allowed to watch games with masks and appropriate physical distancing.
Thanks for everything you do to educate our students and help keep our campus safe.
Blessings,
Vinita Sauder
President, Union College
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