Bringing the campus back to life

According to Wallace Harris, director of Physical Facilities Operations, new safety protocols are in place and campus buildings and classrooms will have a new look. “We had to create a social-distancing layout for each classroom that will be used and label what the actual seating would be,” said Harris, explaining that his staff worked on 300 classrooms. “We’ve been delivering and installing plexiglass partitions for the offices and desks, and we have put sanitizer stations in all the classrooms that will be used.”
New signs also have been put in place on building entrances, in lobbies, on elevators, bathrooms, stairwells and outside across campus. The signs serve as reminders: Maintain social distancing. Wear a mask in all indoor and outdoor areas on campus. Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer. Screen yourself daily and stay home if you’re sick.

The new normal has certainly added to the list of jobs needed in order to bring the campus back to life. Yet Harris is confident that all will be in place when faculty and staff return Aug. 5. “We’ll be ready,” he said. “We know what the tasks are. We’ll be ready.”