By Kenny Lo
Student LifeStyle Editor
Fairleigh Dickinson University is implementing an online safety training program and social contract for both New Jersey campuses as part of its Fall reopening plans.
President Christopher Capuano rolled out a massive 37-page document laying out the plans that introduce new protocols for the upcoming semester intended to ensure the safety and well-being of the FDU community.
This report is a summary of the plan.
Prior to returning to both campuses, all employees and students are required to complete an online COVID-19 safety training. This training helps create awareness and teach safeguarding protocols.
In order to get this message across to employees and students effectively, this training will consist of:
- An understanding of the virus and the disease it causes
- Awareness of various symptoms
- Detecting how the disease spreads
- Practices that can help prevent the spread
In accordance with CDC and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines, the program will include updated health and safety precautions; and will be available in both English and Spanish.
“I think it’s important that the university has a plan for how to safely return to in-person learning this upcoming semester,” Liana Imparato, a senior majoring in communication, said via email.
“The idea of having training for faculty and staff makes sense, but given all the unknowns about the virus and best protocol going forward, I hope it provides enough information and the right information we need to resume in-person learning.”
FDU is instituting a “social contract” that students, faculty and staff will be expected to abide by and practice its behaviors for the sake of protecting the health and safety of the community.
“The social contract will also include language on required screening, testing, contact tracing, and isolation and quarantine requirements for members of the campus communities who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, have symptoms consistent with COVID-19, or have tested positive for COVID-19,” the document states.
“While the pledge is a good step in the right direction, those taking it, their actions will speak louder than their words. It is so imperative that faculty, staff and students do their part by successfully completing the training programs and maintaining the components of FDU’s social contract,” said Katie Ingenito, the assistant to the director of the department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, via text.
“Even though we are never certain about the future, this can be a stepping stone into adapting and figuring out the environment in regards to what we have to do in order to stay safe,” Ingenito said.
The social contract will be visible in FDU’s communications and policies.
This safety training protocol and social contract are key components in the reopening process with the goal of providing a safe and healthy transition coming back to both campuses.
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