Firestorm COVID Safety Guidelines

Arizona Christian University embraces a Community Covenant based on the four pillars of our core values, which spell out the acronym FIRE (Faith, Influence, Relationship, Excellence). As members of the ACU Firestorm community, we covenant together to advance this same vision!

Our aim is that all faculty, staff and students will actively participate in our community and discover a place of safety, growth, and opportunity. As we share life together, we give ourselves to the process of being transformed into the likeness of Christ Jesus, making His life in us attractive to the world.

A significant aspect of the Christian college journey is being part of a grace-filled community. Out of respect for each other during the COVID pandemic, it is important that everyone on campus adheres to these new operating procedures to create the safest environment possible. These guidelines will be updated and revised depending on circumstances and any new guidance from state and local health officials.

Members of the ACU community are encouraged to avoid large group settings for 14 days prior to arrival on campus to ensure a healthy start to the school year. All students and employees should be mindful of those who are most at-risk of severe COVID complications, and therefore limit their exposure to others prior to the start of the school year.

ALWAYS WEAR YOUR FACIAL COVERING

All students, employees, staff and visitors must wear facial coverings in all indoor common spaces. Masks are encouraged outdoors when within 6 feet of others for an extended period of time (more than 15 minutes). Each ACU student will be provided two high-quality cloth face masks free of charge at the beginning of the semester for their personal use.

WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY

Community members must rigorously practice proper hand hygiene and cough etiquette. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

CLEAN AND SANITIZE

All employees should clean and sanitize their workplaces and common spaces throughout the day, between shifts, and at the close of each day. Faculty should clean/sanitize the instructor’s area in the classroom before each class. Students are expected to clean residence hall rooms and bathrooms on a regular basis.

STAY AT LEAST SIX FEET APART

Physical distancing guidelines are recommended — individuals should maintain at least 6 feet of separation. All staff, faculty, and students should avoid large crowds and gatherings when away from campus to avoid bringing illness back to our community.

MONITOR YOUR HEALTH EVERYDAY

All members of the university community must self-monitor for symptoms daily. Employees and students showing COVID symptoms should isolate from others immediately, notify their RD, athletic trainer, or Campus Safety, and call their primary care physician. Employees and students who are diagnosed with probable or confirmed COVID will be contacted by their local health department and the Campus Safety Office and will receive further instructions.

TESTING & MONITORING

DAILY SYMPTOMS CHECK

• • Employees and students are expected to perform daily symptom checks, including daily temperature checks.
  • Students with symptoms should seek medical care through their primary care physician, or referral from their athletic trainer.
  • Students who have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive should self-quarantine until receiving a negative test result or for 14 days.
  • Students who have received a positive test or are presumed positive (meaning they were in close contact with someone who has tested positive and they are showing symptoms) will be moved to isolation.

QUARANTINE & ISOLATION

• • Students will be required to quarantine in their room if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive even if that person has not shown symptoms.
  • Students who have tested positive or who are presumed positive will be asked to isolate in designated rooms on campus. Commuters should isolate at their home.
  • Students in quarantine should not attend class in-person or attend live on-campus activities. They can continue to attend class remotely during regular class times.
  • Meals will be delivered to the room of quarantined students.
  • Students in quarantine will have their symptoms monitored daily.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

• • All employees and students will receive education regarding COVID safety through U.S. Council for Athletes’ Health.

STUDENT LIFE

CLASSES

• • Classrooms have been adjusted to accommodate a 50% reduction in occupancy to enable appropriate physical distancing. Faculty will prepare all courses with enough flexibility and adaptability to allow for simultaneous remote and on-campus instruction.
  • Many classes will be delivered in a blended classroom format. Most classrooms will be equipped with technology to deliver class lectures synchronously via the internet.
  • Attendance in class is expected; however, students will be provided alternative options if they are unable to attend due to illness or quarantine.

RESIDENCE HALLS

• • For the fall semester, no overnight guests (including other students) will be permitted.
  • Students are encouraged to maintain social distancing in all living areas.
  • Students are encouraged to use lounges and other meeting spaces when gathering in groups, rather than gathering in individual residence hall rooms.
  • International students who are arriving from outside the U.S. will need to self-quarantine in their living area (on campus or off campus) for 14 days upon arrival in the U.S. These students should monitor symptoms daily.
  • Students are expected to clean their residence hall rooms and bathrooms on a regular basis.

VISITORS

• • All visitors are required to check in with campus safety or at the administration building to be screened for symptoms prior to entering campus.

CHECK-IN/MOVE-IN

• • Students should limit the number of family members helping with move-in to two and should ensure those family members are symptom free.
  • To reduce the number of people in the building at one time, check-in is limited to the student plus one family member on move-in day.
  • Students and visitors should expect to be screened for symptoms including temperature checks.
  • Rooms designated for orientation and parent sessions will have a maximum capacity. In most cases, Zoom sessions will be available for synchronous viewing and a recording will be made available at the conclusion of the session.

CHAPEL

• • Chapels will occur twice weekly, using social distancing and meeting in smaller groups in designated classrooms around campus.

DINING

• • In-person dining areas will be adjusted to promote physical distancing and to abide by state and local capacity guidelines.
  • In addition to the Commons and the Tower Grill, a new food-service option (Commons Express) will be added to allow for quick grab-n-go meals during extended time windows.

EVENTS

• • Most events will be scheduled at outdoor venues with back-up plans for inclement weather.

ATHLETICS

• • Fall Athletics are scheduled to continue with limited spectators at games.
  • The Athletic Department will provide additional guidance to student-athletes.

These recommendations are made in conjunction with guidelines from local and federal health officials. These are subject to change.