Dear Mustang Community,

As the start of a new academic year approaches, we face collective challenges in unprecedented times, but as always, the Western New Mexico University mission of providing meaningful education, training and lifelong learning experiences remain as true today as it did more than a century ago.

In all likelihood, we are many months away from developing a vaccine for COVID-19. This is not unusual given the complexities of developing vaccines for viruses and adequately testing them. I share this with you because our way of providing education has been severely disrupted by the pandemic before us and arguably will be so for the fall semester and beyond.

While we cannot mitigate the risk of COVID-19 to zero, we can take precautions and continue to adequately communicate our strategies for operating the university. We have the power to reduce potential exposure within our campus community by remaining vigilant and ensuring our health and social distancing protocols are adhered to throughout campus.

WNMU, like institutions throughout the nation, has had limited on-campus operations since March. During this time, we have been diligently preparing for the return of life on our campus. These preparations include deep cleaning and sanitizing classrooms, offices and student housing as well as the development of campus wide protocols to support a healthy return to campus.

As you read this plan for our fall opening, understand that it is subject to change in accordance with federal and state health guidelines. While we re-open campus, WNMU will continue following protocols laid out by the Centers for Disease Control and the governor’s directives. We will let the facts and science guide us more than rhetoric, emotions or politics. Above all, we will keep student, faculty and staff safety as our primary objective and focus. Over the summer months, sanitizing stations were installed in each building, and masks made available to faculty, staff, students and visitors so we may all do our part in being good stewards to one another and maintain a healthy environment.

For some, I suspect we will not be strict enough; while for others, we will be too rigid. Finding the right balance will be the challenge. Yet over the past four months I have witnessed our Mustang community truly rise up to meet the challenges of these times. We are fortunate to have such a capable faculty and staff that I know our students are in excellent hands. We will adapt and we will have the patience and fortitude to persevere. I thank each of you for your efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19 and be adaptable as it ebbs and flows throughout our society.

During this time, communication is critical, and as the particulars evolve, we will continue keeping our employees, students and families informed on the WNMU COVID-19 website and social media channels.

Thank you for your positive attitude and support as we prepare for the fall semester.

Go Mustangs,

Joseph (Joe) Shepard, Ph.D. President

Reopening Western New Mexico University for the fall 2020 semester is only possible with the cooperation of everyone in our community. WNMU will be reopening in three phases that will include online, distance and hybrid learning formats. Phase I will run from August 17 through Labor Day and will be 100% online. Phase II will follow the Labor Day holiday when some classes may resume in hybrid formats that include face-to-face and hands-on activities. Phase III is scheduled to begin after Thanksgiving break when WNMU courses will again move to a 100% online format and when students will not be required to return to campus.

By returning to WNMU, we are each making a promise to protect each other across all areas of campus — from our classrooms and labs to our residence halls and recreation facilities. It’s every Mustang’s responsibility to play a positive role and follow COVID-Safe Practices, including:

• Wearing face coverings in public spaces except when eating or drinking, but including when exercising in the WNMU gym. Students who have a documented medical condition that prevents the wearing of a face covering or mask must check in with the WNMU Office of Accessibility Services.

• Frequent hand washing/sanitizing.

• Practice safe social distancing around campus.

• Covering coughs and sneezes.

• Regular cleaning and disinfecting touched objects and surfaces.

• Staying, home if feeling sick.

The continuing priority of Western New Mexico University is protecting the health and safety of our entire Mustang community — faculty, staff, students and all those connected with us near and far. As we plan for the return to campus this fall, WNMU is considering every population and how our operations moving forward affect each.

Affected Groups

1. Office employees

2. Frontline/greet staff

3. Faculty

4. Students

5. Vendors who visit the campus

6. General public

Anything outlined in this document is subject to change in accordance with health and safety guidelines outlined by the Centers for Disease Control. Given the uncertainties going forward, it is essential for all to maintain flexibility in how faculty members are prepared to teach classes, provide a presence in offices, and function as closely to the prior norms while also minding the wellbeing of our campus community.

WNMU will continue providing up to date information on the COVID-19 dedicated webpage, which you can reference at any time at wnmu.edu/covid-19-updates.

The WNMU academic calendar is in effect as previously planned. Information about

convocation, department-wide meetings, and other planning activities will be provided as the semester approaches.

Now: Registration open

MONDAY, AUGUST 10, 2020: Faculty return

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2020: Faculty and staff convocation

FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 15 and 16, 2020: Campus housing check in*

MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2020: Fall classes begin online

FRIDAY, AUGUST 21, 2020: Last day to add/drop/audit a fall course

MONDAY, AUGUST 24, 2020: Late registration fee begins for fall classes that have already started

SEPTEMBER 8, 2020: Classes move to hybrid mode. Professors may add in face-to-face elements based on the health mandates in place at the time.

OCTOBER 30, 2020: Last day to withdraw from a course with a grade of “W”

NOVEMBER 23 – 27, 2020: Thanksgiving break. Students’ need to return to campus will not be required and semester will finish online from a distance.

DECEMBER 7 – 10, 2020: Final exam week

*In accordance with NCAA precautionary measures that will postpone the football and volleyball seasons, Mustang athletes will not have early move in dates, rather an additional day has been added to the WNMU move in schedule.

Cleaning and sanitization of high-touch surfaces (including door knobs, stair railings, bathroom surfaces, lobby tables/chairs, etc.) will be done by custodial staff multiple times daily.

When a potential case of COVID-19 is suspected, the building where the infected individual works will be immediately closed and access will be restricted as the campus facilities staff conducts a deep cleaning and sanitization of high touch surfaces and common areas.

In accordance with guidelines and protocols issued by the state of New Mexico, the number of visitors to campus buildings and other public areas will be limited in adherence to state recommendations. Front office staff will note the names, dates and contact information of visitors according to state guidelines.  

 Elevators

• New occupancy limits will be posted.

• Custodial staff will clean high-contact surfaces multiple times daily.

Lobbies

• Seating areas will be limited and rearranged to abide by six-foot distancing standards.

• In areas where lines form, floor markings are to be placed at six-foot intervals.

Restrooms

• Maintain physical distancing by waiting for an available stall outside the restroom.

Office Layout

• Supervisors should evaluate office configuration and rearrange as necessary to maintain six-feet of space between employees.

• Sneeze guards can be requested by submitting a work order to WNMU Facilities.

Break/lunch rooms

Vending machines in buildings will be cleaned by custodial staff. It is also recommended that employees/students also wipe machines with disinfectant after each use.

Sanitizing of refrigerators/microwaves is the responsibility of each department and should be done after each use.

Copy/supply rooms

Limit occupancy of storage closets and other small rooms to one person at a time.

Conference/meeting rooms

Chairs at conference tables should be removed or marked as unavailable to maintain six-foot distancing between attendees.

Classrooms

• After each face to face meeting, classrooms will be wiped down by custodial staff.

• Disinfectant wipes will be available near classroom entrances to enable faculty and students to take additional sanitization measures.

Other public spaces

Custodial staff will disinfect high touch surfaces in shared spaces multiple times a day.

All employees should clean any high-touch surfaces in their work space on a regular basis to include keyboards, mouse, phone, arms of office chair, etc.

Employees who have concerns with safety in their workplace should contact Human Resources at 575-538-6328.

Employees assigned a fleet vehicle will be responsible for cleaning and sanitizing the vehicle on a daily basis.

Available products:

• Sanitizing wipes can be requested from Facilities at 575-538-6470. High traffic areas will be supplied with bulk containers of sanitizing wipes.

• Hand sanitizer can be requested from Facilities at 575-538-6470.

WNMU will make COVID-19 screening available to faculty and staff on campus during the fall semester. However, it is expected that employees self-monitor and take appropriate actions if they think they might be sick or have come in contact with someone who is sick.

Should an individual receive a positive test result for COVID-19, they must wait 14 days from the date of the positive result and be symptom-free before returning to campus. This must be communicated directly to Human Resources to ensure the protection of private medical information.  

In the event a WNMU student resident is administered a test for COVID-19 and symptom-free for 10 days, quartine may be lifted.

Those who determine the need to take a COVID-19 test must wait to return to campus until a negative result has been confirmed. Test results are to be submitted to Human Resources to ensure the protection of private medical information.

WNMU will work closely with Hidalgo Medical Services (HMS) and other health providers in the event of potential COVID-19 exposure on campus. These providers may conduct rapid response testing if needed of faculty, staff and students to ensure any potential mass exposure of COVID-19 is contained as much as possible.

Contact tracing officer Lucy-Mae Denton, who also serves as the university’s liaison to Hidalgo Medical Services, should be notified of positive cases. She may be reached over email at entonl@wnmu.edu or by phone 575-538-6611.

Face coverings:

• Required when in public areas, including campus buildings and facilities, labs and common areas.

• Any face covering is acceptable.

• Clean your reusable face covering regularly.

• Disposable face masks will be available for outside visitors who do not have their own. Requests for disposable face masks can be made by departments to WNMU Facilities at 575-538-6470.

Gloves are not required, but encouraged for custodial staff and employees who handle cash.

Personal Travel At this time, any persons who enter New Mexico are asked to self-quarantine for 14 days. To meet this requirement, employees have the option of working from home or using accrued leave. Faculty and staff are recommended to consult with their supervisor to determine the correct course of action on a case by case basis.

Business Travel At this time, business travel is being evaluated and approved by each divisional vice president. Travel to large group events is not allowed.

The fall 2020 semester will consist of online and hybrid instructional modes. The WNMU Office of Online and Distance Education and Media Technologies Service staff provided faculty members with training and support for transitioning/refining/restructuring courses for online/Zoom/hybrid delivery.

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Face-to-face instruction will be held in smaller groups, while online and hybrid modes will be implemented when possible. Currently, the Certified Nurse Assistant courses are allowed to be taken 100% online.

WNMU School of Social Work
Students will continue conducting field placements in their home communities, where the regulations and risk vary. The WNMU School of Social Work plans to follow the same format implemented in summer 2020, which allows students to use a combination of telehealth and in-person interaction while complying with local public health protocols. For further details, visit socialwork.wnmu.edu.

WNMU School of Nursing and Kinesiology
With nursing as an applied science, face-to-face patient care encounters are required to fulfill the training needs of the pre-licensure nursing student. Level V students will graduate in December of 2020. These students will be placed in clinical rotations at Gila Regional Medical Center, Mimbres Memorial Hospital in Deming, and the Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces. The following precautions are in place in collaboration with the New Mexico Nursing Education Consortium:

• Students will not be placed in the emergency room for their clinical experiences.

• Students will not be assigned to patients in respiratory isolation in the hospital.

• Students will wear face masks in the hospital environment following hospital protocol.

• Students in Level V who do not wish to participate in face-to-face clinical rotations will be allowed to withdraw from the

WNMU nursing program without penalty. These same students will be allowed back into the nursing program on a space-available basis within the time frame of two years and depending on the status of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students who wait longer than two years to re-apply to the WNMU nursing program will begin at Level I of the five required levels.

The WNMU School of Nursing will refer students with possible exposure to the virus or with COVID-19 symptoms to local testing centers with HMS being the first point of contact as the WNMU student health provider.

If a student or faculty member tests positive for COVID-19, or becomes ill, the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control/New Mexico Department of Health will be followed. Students who are ill and asked to stay home will be allowed to participate in the program over Zoom or make up lessons and work upon their return.

Certified Nursing Assistant ProgramPractical labs will take place per usual in the WNMU nursing laboratories, while clinical rotations will not be held in long-term care facilities.

Education, Counseling and Allied HealthFall 2020 clinicals and internships will be adjusted on a case by case basis. Student participation will be based on each individual agency’s requirements, and will allow for telehealth if necessary.

To safely deliver fitness programs to the Mustang community, the WNMU recreation facility policies will align as closely as possible with current guidelines issued by the New Mexico Department of Health.

C-Rec Operations and Policies

• Facility occupancy will be limited to 21 patrons in the gym and two in the pool.

• Patrons will be allotted two-hour workout windows.

• The general public will be allowed to use the WNMU Fitness Center, given they’ve purchased a membership. Priority of usage will be given to students.

• Swimmers are required to shower before entering the pool.

• Members will sign health waivers upon Mustang card issuance.

• Lockers rooms and showers will be accessible.

• Patrons will be required to wear a mask throughout their time in the facility unless swimming or showering. They will also be required to wash their hands prior to utilization. In a limited supply, masks will be available for users who don’t have their own.

• While the WNMU Fitness Center is open, staff will be carefully sanitizing equipment as scheduled and supervised by the C-Rec Coordinator.

Living on campus is a commitment to being part of a safe and nurturing environment. As a result, WNMU has developed some processes for conveniently managing your housing experience.

•Due to COVID-19 and required changes for Mustang athletes, some residents may have been moved to different housing locations. Housing residents should check their room assignments by logging into Room Choice.

• Room change requests must be made through the WNMU Housing webpage Keep in mind that WNMU may not be able to grant requests. All room changes and moves are at the discretion of the WNMU Housing staff.

• All WNMU residence hall rooms are single occupancy.

• The WNMU Office of Housing and Residence Life reserves the right to move any resident as needed per the housing contract.

Housing check-in procedures

WNMU Housing check-in dates are August 14, 15 and 16, 2020, for all WNMU residents, including student athletes.

• To eliminate crowds and long lines, campus residents will be assigned a check-in time based on their last name. Residents should limit the number of guests they invite to assist with the move-in process.

The times for each move-in day will be the same and are as follows:

• A – E 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
• F – J 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
• K – O noon to 1:00 p.m.
• P – T 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
• U – Z 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

• No early check ins will be allowed. Students and their families must plan their travel accordingly.

• All residents should get tested 3 – 6 days prior to checking in. This gives students time to receive results and self-quarantine if necessary. Please bring results to check-in. WNMU will have professional medical staff on hand to review them.

• Hidalgo Medical Services will be present at check-in to take vitals and administer the COVID-19 test.

• In the event there is a surge in the virus, students must be able to leave campus and check out of WNMU Housing expeditiously.

COVID-19 Housing Guidelines

To assist with keeping cases to a minimum, campus residents must act considerately and comply with the following WNMU Housing Office policies.

• Students must wear face coverings when in housing common spaces.

• Each resident will be given a disinfectant kit that includes a washable face mask, wipes, hand sanitizer and personal thermometer.

• Students will be required to follow all state orders and WNMU health and safety guidelines related to social distancing, wearing masks, traveling and social gatherings. Those not willing to comply may be asked to leave student housing with no refund.

•Ensure all residence hall rooms remain as single occupancy to ensure safe social distancing.

•Housing has set aside space for quarantining individuals and/or groups of students, if needed.

Mustang Dining Hall

• The Mustang Dining Hall will operate in adherence to the current public health orders. When indoor dining is not permitted, meals will be available for take out.

• Delivery of meals will be arranged for students who are in isolation or quarantined in the residence halls.

• Sanitizing stations will be provided at the entrance and exit of the Mustang Dining Hall.

• Tables have been spaced out, and chairs have been limited to ensure no more than four people per table. There will be no more combining of tables.

• Seating capacity is now 101.

• The reusable takeout program will be suspended; however, Sodexo will provide diners with takeout containers upon request at no charge.

• Traffic through the Mustang Dining Hall will be routed to ensure physical distancing can be maintained. For details, see the accompanying diagram.

• All food and drink stations will now be staffed for service.

Einstein Bros. Bagels

• The café will now be limiting the number of people allowed in the premises.

• One-way customer flow will be implemented.

• Sanitizing stations will be provided at the entrance and exit of Einstein Bros. Bagels.

The WNMU Offices of Admissions, Registrar and Financial Aid will be supporting students through phone and Zoom meetings and, on a limited basis, face-to-face meetings. While appointments are recommended, they will not be required. See page 19 for a complete directory of important contacts.

• Students should bring only one other person to face-to-face meetings.

• The lobby capacity in the WNMU Office of Admissions is five people, and a second sitting area can also accommodate five people. The WNMU Office of Financial Aid reception area capacity is two people. The Office of the Registrar reception area capacity is three people. Additional people waiting for assistance should remain outside the respective office, forming a line that meets physical distancing guidelines.

• All campus tours will be held virtually until further notice. Requests for in-person tours will be reviewed and approved on a case-by-case basis by the Director of Admissions.

• Before scheduling an appointment in the WNMU Office of Financial Aid, students should check their Mustang Express Financial Aid and Pay Now! portal to check the current status of their estimated aid and balance due. For help completing the FAFSA or other online paperwork, students must schedule a Zoom meeting.

• During face-to-face meetings in the WNMU Office of Financial Aid, students must be prepared with a phone, tablet or computer to minimize contact while completing paperwork.

In preparation for fall sports, WNMU Mustang Athletics will follow all NCAA guidelines and practices as athletes return to campus.

Western New Mexico University will employ two facilities during the fall semester:

WNMU ATHLETIC TRAINING ROOM

• Surfaces will be thoroughly disinfected at the start and end of every day, as well as throughout the day. All student athletes will be responsible for cleaning any table/equipment they use. Athletic Training Staff will clean frequently touched surfaces multiple times per day.

• Following use of equipment, all surfaces will be cleaned with CDC-approved anti-viral and anti-bacterial cleaner, according to prescribed instructions. (Student athletes and program staff will be educated on cleaning protocol.)

• Upon their first visit, student athletes must complete the Initial COVID-10 Pre-Screening Questionnaire.

• Students whose screening answers or symptoms raise red flags will be required to call Hidalgo Medical Services at 575-388-1511 and follow directions for further evaluation.

• Prior to using the WNMU Athletic Training Room, student athletes will complete a set of procedures, including symptom checks and hand-washing.

• Student athletes will then report directly to the sink to wash hands before signing in.

• Masks/face coverings are required to be worn by student athletes as well as staff. They must be washed daily.

• Maximum capacity of 10 people in the Athletic Training Room at one time. This count includes Sports Medicine and Department of Athletics staff.

• All treatment tables will be placed at least 10 feet apart.

• Users must maintain six-foot distancing when possible.

• Each student athlete will have their own e-stim pads if receiving e-stim for treatment.

• Ultrasound heads will be disinfected between each individual use.

• Staff are required to wash hands after each individual’s treatment and at their personal discretion.

• Each towel will be used by one individual only and immediately put in laundry to be washed daily.

• After a student-athlete completes treatment and wipes down any equipment used, they will wash hands, sign out and exit facility. No lingering.

WNMU WEIGHT ROOM FACILITY

• No one is allowed in the weight room facility without Mustang Athletics staff supervision.

• Before using the weight room, student athletes must be cleared by athletics department personnel per the daily screening questionnaire and symptom check. (Those with temperatures over 100.4 or the presence of any COVID-19 symptoms will be denied access and be given further instructions.)

• Students whose screening answers or symptoms raise red flags will be required to call Hidalgo Medical Services at 575-388-1511 and follow directions for further evaluation.

Student athletes will then wash hands before proceeding with their workout.

• Masks/face coverings are required. They must be washed daily.

• Ten feet will be required between each training section.

• There will be a maximum of 18 people (including Mustang Athletics staff) in the weight room per training session.

• Stations will not be shared by users during the same training session.

• Student athletes and/or Mustang Athletics staff using the facility must wipe down all equipment before and after each training session using the provided disinfectant spray according to prescribed instructiosn and training.

• Clean towels will be provided for each training session. These towels must not be shared and should be placed in laundry immediately after use for daily washing.

• There may be up to three people per rack to spot. Spotters must stand on each end of the bar to maintain distance.

• Individuals waiting to use the weight room will not be allowed in the weight room until it has been disinfected from the previous group of users.

• Student athletes must each provide their own water bottle for training session and not share with anyone else. No other personal belongings will be allowed in the weight room. Shirts must be worn by all.

• After a user has worked out and completed the proper disinfecting protocol, they must wash hands and exit the facility. No lingering.

The library will remain open to WNMU students, staff and faculty.

Hours: Monday – Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed weekends.

Chat, email, and phone support from librarians will continue being offered.

Public patrons will not be allowed entry into Miller Library but are encouraged to use curbside service to check out library materials. Items may be placed on hold for curbside pickup through the library’s online catalog.

After placing a hold and receiving a notification, call 575-538-6359 to initiate curbside service.

Miller Library materials can be returned using the exterior book drops to the right of the library’s main entrance doors.

The WNMU Information Technology Resource Center Study Rooms will be available by appointment or walk-in.

• Occupancy will be limited to a maximum of two students per room.

• During dead week and finals week, the rooms will have a two-hour time limit.

• Students may reserve Study Rooms through Mustang Express.

Hours: Monday -Thursday: 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Equipment may be requested using the online form and may be picked up curbside on 10th Street by appointment or at the MTS counter in Miller Library.

The Western New Mexico University Museum will reopen in two phases.

University Museum Phase 1: July 2020

To obtain updated information visit the WNMU Museum website or call 575-538-6386.

Procedures expected to be in place during both phases include:

• Entry will be through the 10th Street main entrance only.
• Masks will be required for entry. On a limited basis, the museum can provide visitors with a face mask.
• Visitors will be required to share their contact information and wash hands or use sanitizer upon arrival.
• Screening upon entry includes a review of symptoms and written confirmation that visitors feel no symptoms.
• The number of visitors permitted inside at once may be limited per state health orders.
• Maintain physical distancing of at least six feet from non-family members.
• Visitors must limit their personal contact with WNMU Museum Shop merchandise and will be provided the assistance of a staff member.

On Monday, August 10, 2020, the WNMU Child Development Center (CDC) will re-open at full capacity with the following guidelines in place.

• Enrollment in the WNMU Early Childhood Programs is open to children from throughout the entire community.

• WNMU Early Childhood Programs are still offering services and will be following state protocols and guidelines.

• Families will drop their children off in designated areas outside the CDC.

• Children’s temperatures will be taken prior to entering the CDC. Persons who have a fever of 100.40 F or above or other signs of illness will not be admitted to the facility. They must be fever free for three days with no other symptoms before returning.

• Families will also be asked screening questions upon drop off.

• Family members are not allowed in the CDC or classrooms.

• All WNMU Early Childhood Programs employees are required to wear masks.

Children under three will not be required to wear masks, while those over three must wear masks.

• In the event a positive COVID-19 case is identified in a WNMU Early Childhood Programs facility, a rapid response protocol will be employed. Steps include: – closing the facility for deep cleaning and sanitization, – initiating an investigation and conducting contact tracing,

– notifying all enrolled families of the positive case, – scheduling testing for all staff and children with parent permission.

• If a staff member tests positive, they will not be permitted to work until they have received a negative test result. If a child tests positive, they will not be permitted to attend the child care facility until the child tests negative.

• If these procedures are not followed, staff may pursue administrative actions (immediate suspension, revocation) and discontinue child care contracts.

• Additionally, every effort will be made to protect the identity of the individual(s) who tested positive.

Mailroom staff will wear gloves when packages are received then wash hands immediately after handling arrivals.

Mailboxes are sanitized regularly, and the department and student mailboxes are wiped daily.

Wearing face masks is required for staff and visitors conductiong business in the mailroom.

Mail receipt will continue as normal. It is recommended employees wash or sanitize their hands after touching mail or packages.

Delivery to campus offices will not yet resume. Departments will need to pick up their packages in the WNMU Mailroom.

New Mexico Department of Health Coronavirus Hotline: 1-855-600-3453

Medical services and non-emergency mental health services at HMS: 888-271-3596

WNMU student fees cover a limited number of visits to Hidalgo Medical Services, which is open for both medical and mental health appointments.

Western New Mexico University COVID-19
Updates & FAQ

New Mexico Department of Health
COVID-19 Updates

Centers for Disease Control
COVID-19 Facts

New Mexico State Office of the Governor
Press Releases

World Health Organization
Advice for Public Health

Office of Admissions 575-538-6000

Office of Financial Aid 575-538-6173

Office of the Registrar 575-538-6118

Office of Housing & Residence Life 575-538-6629

Business Office 575-538-6150

Dining Services 575-538-6111

Student Accessibility Services 575-538-6138

Campus Recreation 575-538-6139

Mustang Athletics 575-538-6218

Campus Police 575-538-6231

Early Childhood Programs 575-538-6344

J. Cloyd Miller Library 575-538-6350

WNMU Museum 575-538-6386

Contact Tracing Officer 575-538-6611