Emergency Management

Current Status: Normal Operations

Friday 3/6/2020 4:50PM

 

Good afternoon.  We recognize there may be questions by students, faculty and staff as we look toward Monday's resumption of classes following Spring Break,.  The below information and direction are provided to assist you regarding Coronavirus.  

 

First of all, here are 6 key facts:

1. No Coronavirus Cases at FGCU.  There are no reported cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU).  We have been working diligently around the clock to maintain a campus that is safe and healthy for everyone.  Our actions and decisions are based on expert medical and other guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of State, the Florida Department of Health, and the Florida Board of Governors for the State University System.
2. University Operating as Normal.  The University remains open and and operating as normal.  This includes all classes starting back up on Monday as scheduled after Spring Break.
3. Self-Quarantine for anyone who has been in 5 Listed Countries.  ALL students, faculty and staff who have been in the U.S. Department of State's five listed high-risk countries of China, Italy, South Korea, Iran and Japan are directed to self quarantine for a period of 14 days -- and not come to the FGCU campus during this time.  Additional details are provided below, but please note this applies immediately to anyone who has been in one of these countries.
4. FGCU-Sponsored Travel to the 5 Listed Countries.  All FGCU-sponsored travel to and from the countries of China, Italy, South Korea, Iran and Japan is suspended indefinitely until further notice.  This applies to all students, student organizations, faculty and staff.
5. FGCU-Sponsored International Travel.  All other international travel (which is defined as anywhere outside the continental United States) (travel both to and from) is canceled through May 30, 2020.  Any trips scheduled for after May 30 will be evaluated during May in light of the Coronavirus situation at that time, and a determination will be made as to whether they can continue or also will be canceled.  This applies to all students, student organizations, faculty and staff.
6. Precautionary Measures for Infectious Diseases.  At this time of year, we typically see more cases of cold and flu than usual.  The same precautions to prevent exposure and spread of cold and flu also are important for other infectious diseases like Coronavirus, and should be practiced by everyone in our campus community.  

 

Please note the following steps and precautions required by FGCU to maintain a healthy campus community:

 

If you are sick -- stay home and make an appointment to see a doctor.  Students who develop flu-like symptoms can contact the FGCU Student Health Services at 239-590-7966 to make an appointment to see our healthcare professionals.  If you are severely ill, you should call an urgent care, emergency department at a local hospital, or call 911 before going in person.  They will direct you on the steps to take to get help without infecting others.  Keep in mind that this is the cold and flu season, so you should not assume you have the Coronavirus even if you have similar symptoms.

 

 

Action items required by the Florida Department of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and/or the Florida Board of Governors:

 

• If you have returned from China, Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea, and any other countries labeled as a COVID-19/Coronavirus risk by the CDC (generally Levels 3 & 4)  OR  if  you have had close contact with a lab-confirmed COVID-19 patient:
• Complete a self-quarantine for 14 days after your return, even if you have no fever, respiratory illness, or other symptoms as advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Florida Department of Health and Florida Board of Governors.  

• Students: 
• Notify Student Health Services that you are required to self-quarantine by emailing immune@fgcu.edu.
• If you are an FGCU student housing resident, you are not allowed to enter the residence halls. 
• It is recommended that you quarantine at your primary residence, if possible.  Contact Michele Yovanovich, Assistant Vice President for Campus Life, and Dean of Students at myovanov@fgcu.edu if you do not have a safe location in which to quarantine.
• Obtain a 14 Day Symptom Monitoring Sheet. 
• Contact your professors for alternate assignments and accommodations during this time period. 
• Upon Completion of the 14-Day Quarantine:
• Submit a completed 14 Day Symptom Monitoring Sheet AND a note from your private physician, the Department of Health , or FGCU Student Health Services which states that you are able to return to class and are not manifesting signs of COVID-19.  
• Submit these items through the secure Student Health Services Portal. A statement of compliance will release you to return to classes and other campus activities.
• Faculty and Staff:
• Notify Human Resources of your need to self-quarantine by contacting Human Resources at hr@fgcu.edu, 239-590-1400, or fax information to 239-590-1431.   Human Resources will answer questions regarding how absences will be handled and will contact your supervisor regarding your particular situation. 
• Upon Completion of the 14-Day Quarantine:
• Submit a completed 14-Day Symptom Monitoring Sheet AND a completed Certification of Fitness for Duty signed by your healthcare provider or the Department of Health .
• Submit through the secure Human Resources fax line 239-590-1431.  
• A statement of compliance from Human Resources will release you to return to work.

 

• If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or are a Person Under Investigation for COVID-19
• Students:

• Send a diagnosis from a physician to the Student Health Services Portal.  
• It is recommended that you recover/quarantine at your primary residence, if possible.  Contact Michele Yovanovich, Assistant Vice President for Campus Life, and Dean of Students at myovanov@fgcu.edu if you do not have a safe location in which to recover/quarantine.
• Upon recovery or confirmation that you do NOT have COVID-19, submit through the secure Student Health Services Portal a note from your private physician, the Department of Health , or FGCU Student Health Services which states that you are able to return to class and are not manifesting signs of COVID-19.  A statement of compliance will release you to return to classes and other campus activities.
• Faculty and Staff:
• Notify Human Resources of your COVID -19 diagnosis by contacting Human Resources at hr@fgcu.edu, 239-590-1400, or fax information to 239-590-1431. Human Resources will answer questions regarding how absences will be handled and will contact your supervisor regarding your particular situation. 
• Upon recovery, or confirmation that you do NOT have COVID-19, submit a Certification of Fitness for Duty form through the secure Human Resources fax line 239-590-1431.  A statement of compliance will release you to return to classes and other campus activities.

 

IF YOU MUST SELF-QUARANTINE:

• Quarantine means that you do not enter the FGCU campus for class, work, activities, or to obtain items from your office or residence hall. 
• The 14-day quarantine time begins:
• The first full day you return from travel abroad.
• You have ceased close contact with a COVID-19 patient.
• Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 must remain quarantined until they are cleared by a doctor to return using the process indicated above.

 

Important Numbers:

FGCU Student Health Services at 239-590-7966.

Lee County Health Department at 239-332-9501.

Florida Department of Health COVID-19 Call Center – Open Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.  - 1-866-779-6121 or email COVID-19@flhealth.gov

 

For reliable, up-to-date information, please visit:

• www.fgcu.edu -- Coronavirus updates are provided to the campus community as new information becomes available.

• Florida Department of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• World Health Organization

 

We will continue to keep you posted, and we encourage everyone to follow the above requirements to maintain a safe and healthy campus community at FGCU.

 

Evans, Susan 

 

 

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Susan Evans 
Vice President and Chief of Staff           

Florida Gulf Coast University

FGCU Boulevard South

Fort Myers, FL  33965-6565

Telephone:  (239) 590-1057 
Fax:  (239) 590-1066 
Email Address:  sevans@fgcu.edu

Florida has a very broad public records law.  As a result, any written communication created or received by Florida Gulf Coast University employees is subject to disclosure to the public and the media, upon request, unless otherwise exempt.  Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records.  If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity.  Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

 

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Additional information and guidance on coronavirus including precautions, symptoms, travel to China, etc. can be viewed at:

• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Coronavirus:  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
• U.S. Department of State – China Travel Advisory:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/china-travel-advisory.html
• Florida Department of Health – Coronavirus:  http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/2019-nCoV/index.html
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration – Coronavirus:  https://www.fda.gov/emergency-preparedness-and-response/mcm-issues/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov