Dear NS Campus Community,
It has been a monumental undertaking to maintain operations during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Much gratitude to those in frontline, operational and clinical roles who have been critical to keeping us all safe and helping protect our larger community. As well as our academic faculty who stepped up with little notice to move classes online, keep the quality of instruction high, and increase their advising and mentoring loads with students. Your sustained commitment to Nevada State over the last 17 months is to be commended.
With the increase of reported positive cases in Southern Nevada we remind everyone getting vaccinated remains the best way to protect yourself and our campus community. We encourage all Nevadans over the age of 12 to get vaccinated. Additionally, the Southern Nevada Health District is now recommending both unvaccinated and vaccinated people wear masks in crowded indoor public places where they may have contact with others who are not fully vaccinated.
Added Cleaning
July 1 marked the transition back to full in-person operations resulting in an increased presence on campus by employees and students alike. Facilities has discontinued the use of “door tabs” that marked unopened rooms and has increased cleaning frequency and intensity on the most vulnerable spaces and surfaces, including restrooms, conference rooms, and public spaces. Sanitization continues on regular touchpoints, such as on handrails, building entrances, and elevators. Hand sanitizing dispensers are located at the entrances of each building and in all highly populated areas. Building ventilation systems have been adjusted to maximize the amount of outside air and continuously “flush” the building’s air. Call Facilities at (702) 992-2200 with questions or submit requests to facilities@nsc.edu for any special cleaning needs.
Guidance for unvaccinated and vaccinated individuals exposed to COVID-19
Protocols remain in place for any suspected or confirmed cases received via the Self-Report Form at nsc.edu/coronavirus or accessed via the State Safe app. NS COVID case managers conduct contact tracing and provide individuals involved information and guidance from the CDC as to when to quarantine.
Guidance for unvaccinated individuals
The CDC continues to recommend a quarantine period of 14 days. However, the following options may be available to shorten the quarantine period:
- Quarantine may end after day 10 without testing so long as no symptoms have been exhibited through daily monitoring.
- Quarantine may end after day 7 if an FDA-approved COVID test, collected by a medical provider, tests negative and no symptoms have been exhibited through daily monitoring.
Regardless of the quarantine period, employees and students should conduct daily symptom monitoring for 14 days following the last exposure. If symptoms develop, individuals should remain off-campus, adhere to the above quarantine guidelines, and are encouraged to seek out a COVID test when possible.
Guidance for fully vaccinated individuals
Employees and students who have been fully vaccinated and subsequently exposed to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 are not required to quarantine so long as they meet all of the following criteria:
- Are fully vaccinated (≥ 2 weeks following receipt of two-dose vaccine, or ≥ four weeks following receipt of a one-dose vaccine)
- Have not exhibited COVID-19 symptoms since the most recent COVID-19 exposure
Individuals who do not meet the above criteria should follow current quarantine guidance outlined above for unvaccinated individuals. Fully vaccinated individuals who do not need to quarantine should still conduct daily symptom monitoring for 14 days following the last exposure. If symptoms develop, they should remain off-campus, adhere to the above quarantine guidelines, and are encouraged to seek out a COVID test when possible.
Are vaccines required for employees or students to return to campus?
No, NS does not require employees nor students to be fully vaccinated in order to return to campus. However, vaccinations remain the best way to protect yourself and our campus community and we encourage all Nevadans over the age of 12 to get vaccinated.
Visit https://covid.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/vaccine/distribution/ to schedule a vaccination appointment.
Is paid Administrative Leave still available to employees for COVID-related situations?
With the expiration of Federal and State paid leave options, NS is no longer providing paid Administrative Leave for COVID-related circumstance. Employees who have tested positive for COVID-19 and/or are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms should follow the quarantine guidelines noted above.
Employees who are required to quarantine may elect to work remotely during the quarantine period so long as they receive the approval and authorization from their direct supervisor. Leave eligible employees (i.e. Academic Faculty, Administrative Faculty, Classified Staff) who are not able to work remotely may use their accrued annual, sick, or compensatory leave.
Are face coverings required while on campus?
For individuals who have not fully received a COVID-19 vaccine, wearing a face covering remains mandatory under the law. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated are still required to wear facing coverings while inside NS buildings and classrooms, irrespective of whether other individuals are present. Face coverings are also required while outside on campus when in group settings or where social distancing cannot be maintained.
Fully vaccinated individuals are not required to wear a face covering while inside buildings, inside classrooms, or outside on campus. Fully vaccinated, as defined by the CDC, means two weeks after the second dose of a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) or four weeks after a one-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson Janssen).
Is COVID-19 Return to Campus training for employees still required?
No, the COVID-19 employee training that was previously required prior to returning to campus is no longer required.
While this information covers a majority of situations that employees may face, we recognize that unique situations may arise. As such, employees and supervisors are encouraged to contact Eric Gilliland, Director of Human Resources at Eric.Gilliland@nsc.edu with any questions or concerns that they may have. Students are encouraged to contact Dr. Stefanie Coleman, Dean of Students at Stefanie.Coleman@nsc.edu with any questions or concerns.
Be State Safe!
Vickie Shields, Ph.D.
Acting President