Dear Nevada State Community;
We are one year in to the global pandemic and we are beginning to see lower COVID-19 positivity rates and fewer cases overall. We must remain vigilant in practicing social distancing, frequent handwashing, and wearing face coverings. Also be aware of the latest notifications regarding vaccine eligibility. Nevada’s Roadmap to Recovery includes statewide directives that will remain in place to mitigate the spread. Please take a few moments to review specific capacity limits and recommended or required mitigation measures. Nevada’s Roadmap to Recovery, February 2021
This notice contains three sections:
- COVID-19 Best Practices, 2. Vaccine Update, and 3. Opportunity to Assist Your Community.
COVID-19 Best Practices
Remember, working together to safeguard the campus community requires our unwavering commitment to observing these best practices:
- Do not come to campus if you know you were exposed to COVID-19. You should stay home for 14 days after your last contact with a person who has COVID-19. Even if you test negative for COVID-19 or feel healthy, you should stay home (quarantine) since symptoms may appear 2 to 14 days after exposure to the virus.
- If you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, get a free test and stay off campus. To determine when it is safe to return to being around others, check here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/end-home-isolation.html.
- To schedule a free COVID-19 test, visit https://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/covid-19-testing-sites/ or visit https://www.umcsn.com/COVID19/ConsentBlue.aspx and select PUBLIC as your employer.
- If you potentially or are confirmed to have COVID-19, complete the Self-Report Form at nsc.edu/coronavirus.
All employees are expected to fully comply with the policies, protocols, and guidelines outlined in the Return to Campus Guidelines. Additionally, we ask that you continue following protocols for prevention, be aware of symptoms of COVID-19, and seek medical care when it is needed.
The Self-Report Form and many more tools are also available on the State Safe app.
We will continue to share information specific to Nevada State through official channels, including nsc.edu/coronavirus/. The site includes links to health resources, college operations, current announcements, and other important information.
VACCINE UPDATE
Thank you for your continued support and patience as the COVID-19 vaccination efforts proceed for faculty, staff, and students within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).
We continue to operate in a coordinated manner with other Southern Nevada higher education institutions and the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD). At this time, we have notified Nevada State College’s second priority group that they may register to receive their vaccinations. This group, as defined by the state’s latest vaccination playbook includes:
- Instructional and administrative faculty, staff, students, and contractors who must work on campus in close contact with others, and who cannot and have not been able to conduct their job duties from home
- Faculty, staff, and students who are 65 years or older
Individuals identified as part of the priority groups received an invitation to register. To receive your vaccination, you must verify your eligibility by producing a copy of the invitation (e.g., on your phone or a printout).
When an appointment is made, please keep it and avoid rescheduling or canceling unless you are sick. Please remember that you do not need to request leave to get vaccinated. Per Human Resources, reasonable time to receive your vaccine can be counted as work time.
We are awaiting further information from the state and local health authorities as to when we may open registration and schedule appointments with our remaining faculty, staff, and students. Nevada State will continue keeping you informed of your eligibility and vaccine availability when we have additional information. Whenever you are eligible, please take the first opportunity to get vaccinated. You are not limited to the NSHE vaccination sites at UNLV and CSN Henderson. The Southern Nevada Health District has other location options available.
Visit https://covid.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/vaccine/distribution/ to review the eligibility criteria for community sites.
OPPORTUNITY TO ASSIST YOUR COMMUNITY
The NSHE COVID-19 Vaccine Point of Distribution (POD) located at the CSN Henderson campus needs non-medical volunteers in various support roles to assist Monday-Friday, throughout the spring semester. Per Nevada State Office of Human Resources, volunteering at the CSN Henderson POD can be counted as work time if your supervisor approves. You do not need to make the request formally in Workday, but you want to be sure your supervisor approves the request beforehand in order for it to count as time worked.
The college extends its gratitude to all Scorpions who are able to volunteer, playing a pivotal point in our fight against COVID-19. Sign up by completing the volunteer application at GivePlus Portal. Go to the CSN Henderson POD Event Page and click the green Register button to select the shift(s) for which you would like to volunteer. Shifts will become available three weeks in advance of each date, so please return to register for times that may not yet be available.
Review these Frequently Asked Questions to learn more: www.tinyurl.com/NSPODV
For more information about volunteering at the Vaccine Point of Distribution, please contact Michelle.Oreilly@nsc.edu.
Updates will be posted at nsc.edu/vaccine/ and a great deal of information on Coronavirus response can be found at nsc.edu/coronavirus. Both resources are also available in the State Safe app. To download the app and access features including campus, community, and crisis resources, simply search State Safe in the Apple iTunes or Google Play store. Please email coronavirus@nsc.edu if you have any questions or if you would like to speak with a Nevada State College expert.
Be Safe. Be State.
Bart Patterson
President