Campus Policies

Scope

This policy applies to all University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) faculty, staff, students, and visitors (including contractors, service providers, and others) while on UNO property.

Policy Statement

UNO, upon consultation with campus stakeholders, University leadership, and health professionals, may issue face covering guidance for individuals on UNO property. Campus face covering guidance shall be monitored and updated as necessary, communicated broadly, and published on the Maverick COVID Response webpage. 

Reason for Policy

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has acknowledged that the use of facial coverings can help to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Cloth face coverings may help prevent people who have COVID-19 from spreading the virus to others. Wearing a cloth face covering will help protect people around you.  Face coverings are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used. The spread of COVID-19 can be reduced when cloth face coverings are used along with other preventive measures, including social distancing, frequent handwashing, and cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.  A facial covering can reduce the trajectory of expelled respiratory droplets, which pose risk to those around you. When you wear a face covering, you demonstrate care about the health and safety of those in our campus community.

Procedures

What Constitutes A Face Covering:

There are no universal design standards for facial coverings. However, the covering must extend from the bridge of the nose to below the chin. 

• Reusable cloth facial coverings are acceptable, as are disposable paper masks.
• A face shield is an acceptable alternative.
• Regardless of the type used, a mask should not be designed with an exhalation valve.
• Neck ‘gaiters’ and bandanas are not acceptable substitutes for cloth masks and should not be used.

Requesting Alternatives:

Individuals whose unique and individual circumstances require an alternative face covering, as indicated by a medical professional during patient care, may request one. To request an alternative, students should contact the UNO Accessibility Services Center.  Staff and faculty should contact UNO Human Resources.

Wearing And Caring For One’s Facial Covering:

Each individual is responsible to care for their own facial covering. Disposable facial coverings are to be discarded as ordinary refuse after a single day’s use. Reusable cloth facial coverings should be washed regularly. Reusable face shields should be cleaned thoroughly with soap and hot water after each day’s use. Facial coverings that are visibly soiled or in poor condition should not be used.

Additional Protective Measures:

This policy on facial coverings complements other important community and self-protection measures which are to be consistently practiced by all faculty, staff, students, and visitors. These measures include:

• Accepting a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Stay home if you are sick.
• Before coming to the UNO campus, self-monitor for any potential COVID-19 symptoms using evidence-based screening, such as the 1-Check COVID mobile app (on Android and iOS devices).
• Wash hands frequently throughout the day and should specifically do so after contacting high-risk surfaces such as sinks, toilet handles, doorknobs, and the like.
• Refraining from touching the face, eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Practicing social distancing, by maintaining 6 feet of distance from others.
• Assist in environmental cleaning by promptly washing surfaces that might have been contaminated by bodily fluids (e.g., one should disinfect their desk if they happen to sneeze on it). If the ability of the individual to accomplish such cleaning is limited, contact environmental services personnel.

Compliance:

Compliance with this policy is for the protection of those with whom you will be in contact when on campus.  Any employee, student or visitor who fails to abide by these guidelines may be asked or directed to leave the campus space. Employees and students who are directed to leave a campus space for failure to comply with these guidelines may be taken off duty and/or subject to disciplinary action.  For non-emergency COVID-19 concerns, including compliance with the face covering policy, please report your concerns to the Behavioral Review Team using the Report Now link. 

Counteracting Existing Marginalization:

In implementing this policy, we must ensure protocols to optimize safety and provide a sense of wellbeing for all members of our community. We recognize that a policy to wear facial coverings may exacerbate implicit biases and existing racial stereotypes. Thus, we will provide training and professional development for members of campus units regarding face coverings in order to prevent racial profiling and targeting.

History

Interim Policy approved by the Interim Executive Director of the Office of Health Security on July 30, 2020.

08/18/20: Added clarifying language regarding UNO shuttles and neck ‘gaiters’/bandanas.”

08/20/20: Clarified that social distancing must be maintained at all times when wearing a face shield.

10/13/20: Modified policy language to require facial coverings at all times in outdoor settings when on the UNO campus (unless an exception applies per this policy).

03/02/21: added language regarding vaccinated persons. 

06/28/21: Policy modified to allow fully vaccinated individuals to interact without face coverings when on UNO campus (unless on a campus shuttle/bus or required by federal, state, or city law, rule, or regulation).

07/13/21: Published on the UNO Policy Library and designated as ‘under review’ in accordance with UNO policy to allow for the removal of the interim designation upon completion of the campus policy review and approval process.08/18/21: Policy approved by the Chancellor’s Senior Executive Leadership team.  Interim designation removed.