Return to Campus Plan

Tri-Cities Campus Standards 

Prior to recommencing work and approved instructional programs WSU Tri-Cities will make every effort to create and model safe environmental practices. We will provide guidance, tools and supplies to support the safe occupation of our campus spaces.   

Personal health and safety remain an individual responsibility for each member of our community. Anyone who does not feel comfortable returning to campus should contact their instructor or supervisor to explore alternatives. High risk individuals and those with compromised immune systems are encouraged to weigh these risks based on their own situation and seek alternate access solutions if they are uncomfortable coming to campus.   

The following system- and campus-level mandates shall apply to all units:

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

This plan shall be an addendum to the Campus Safety Plan.  All employees should be familiar with the relevant section(s) of the full plan, and upon return to campus each unit identified therein must complete appendices B through D based on their particular location(s) and hazard(s). The unit- and campus-level Safety, Health, and Security Committees identified in the Campus Safety Plan will assist in identifying and addressing general safety concerns raised by students and employees. 

The following shall be in effect until the Governor’s COVID Emergency Declaration is terminated:

  • Activities and events (including meetings and conferences) should be conducted remotely when possible.  Participants who are not vaccinated or who have not provided evidence of vaccination must continue to wear face coverings and practice social distancing.
  • All employees must stay home or leave campus when feeling sick or when they have been in close contact with a confirmed positive COVID-19 case. If they develop symptoms of acute respiratory illness, they are encouraged to seek medical attention and inform their supervisor.  Students or employees who share a household with an individual sick with COVID-19 must also notify their supervisor and follow the isolation/quarantine requirements established by the State Department of Health. 
    • If an employee or student is confirmed to have COVID-19, they are asked to notify Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) so that campus can immediately begin on-campus contact tracing and necessary sanitizing.
  • Employees who have medical conditions that may prevent them from being vaccinated or from returning to campus should contact WSU Disability Services for an accommodation.   
  • Employees may continue working remotely, with supervisor approval, when mutually beneficial to the employee and the unit. Updated telework agreements are required for all remote work. 
  • Signage will be added near building entrances, restrooms, common areas, and other strategic locations to encourage proper handwashing and to provide instructions about requirements for unvaccinated persons to maintain social distancing and wear face coverings. 
  • In accordance with direction from state and local authorities, face coverings must be worn inside any WSU building, and in any outdoor areas when a distance of 6 feet cannot be maintained from any non-household member.*  Additional details on these requirements, and exceptions to it, are included in the HRS guidance.  NOTE:  This requirement does not apply in areas where a specific respiratory hazard exists which requires separate protection (such as chemical vapors and/or particulates) as identified by the applicable hazard assessment.  
  • Coverings will be provided to all employees and will also be available for students.  Individuals may also elect to provide their own face covering, meeting CDC recommendations.  Employees and students will be responsible for care and washing their masks once provided.  NOTE: Respirators such as N-95 masks which have an exhalation port (generally a plastic square in the middle of the mask) do not provide filtration of the wearer’s breath and will not be approved for use on campus.  N-95 masks without the port are acceptable. 

* Individuals who have provided evidence of vaccination against COVID-19 are exempted from this requirement.  

NOTE:  The information presented here describes campus operations leading up to the start of the Fall 2021 academic semester.  Where conflicts arise between this list and the activities allowed under the Governor’s Roadmap to Recovery plan, the more restrictive approach will apply.

NOTE 2:  All details described in this plan are subject to change based on guidance from Federal, State, local, and University authorities, health guidance, and local disease conditions.