COVID-19 Information

As was done in August, we will again conduct baseline testing for our campus community prior to beginning face-to-face classes.  Whether you left the Hancock-Houghton area over winter break or remained local, all students and employees who will be physically on campus are expected to participate in our free return-to-campus COVID-19 baseline testing. Testing will take place in the Finnish American Heritage Center, as it did in August. Enter the building in the back and follow the signs. When in the FAHC/Bookstore parking lot and facing the North Wind Books, the back entrance is to your left and around the bend. You will exit the building from the front.

Returning student athletes have begun their baseline testing (Jan 8th and Jan 11th). The general student population, faculty, and staff will test according to the following schedule:

Thursday 1/14: 1:00pm-4pm

Friday 1/15: 9am-12pm

Tuesday 1/19: 1pm-4pm

Wednesday 1/20: 9am-12pm

To View Your COVID-19 Test Results

In order to receive your results, all students are asked to create a Healow Account with Upper Great Lakes. This account will also be used should you take advantage of the Finlandia Health Clinic services later, or need an additional test throughout the semester.

• Log on to the UGL Patient Portal.
• From the dashboard, locate the Latest Results section and click on the COVID-19 MTU lab order to find your result. You may also see the result directly under the lab order.

Interpreting Your Result

After receiving a COVID-19 test through UGL, you will receive one of three results:

• • Completed: The virus was not detected in your pooled test and there is no reason at this time to suspect you have COVID-19.
  • Not Detected: The virus was detected in your pooled test, but it was not detected in your individual sample. There is no reason to suspect you have COVID-19.
  • Detected: The virus was detected in both your pooled test and your individual sample. It is likely that you have COVID-19.

What is Pooled Testing?

A testing technique—also referred to as pool testing, pooled testing, or batch testing—that allows for more people to be tested quickly using fewer resources. During baseline testing samples will be pooled in groups of five. The COVID-19 lab will take a portion from each of the five samples, combine them to create a pool, and run one diagnostic test on the pool.

If COVID-19 is detected in your pool, it means that at least one individual in the pool may be infected, and each sample will then be tested again individually. If COVID-19 is not detected in your pool, no further action will be taken, and your test results will be reported as completed.

If COVID-19 is Detected in Your Individual Sample

Detected means that COVID-19 was present in your individual sample. Students, please notify the Erin Barnett, the Dean of Students, with your result. Employees please notify Karin Van Dyke.

• • On-campus students: Housing will coordinate your move to an isolation space. Your roommate will need to quarantine for 14 days.
  • Off-campus students: Isolate in your home.

Finlandia’s Commitments to Wellness Resources and Practices

Health and Wellness Center

This new service is complemented by Finlandia’s own nursing faculty and regional healthcare providers who offer a professional, highly trained resource for serving the health and wellness needs of our community at such a time as this.

Finlandia’s new, on-campus health center will provide the following services:

• Physical Wellness and Screening 
• Mental Health 
• Telehealth 
• Wellness Programming across campus
• Coordination of healthcare needs with appropriate qualified professionals

Mandatory Training and Education

All students, faculty, and staff will be required to complete online training prior to the start of the fall semester. Training and education modules will be built using recommended tools by the American College Health Association and others.  Content will include general health and safety practices including appropriate use of personal protection equipment (PPE), as well as campus-specific protocols addressing cleaning and disinfecting practices. Training and education will continue and evolve as needed throughout the semester.

Testing 

Finlandia is preparing for baseline testing for all students when arriving on campus. This testing will be coordinated through Finlandia’s wellness center as part of our collaboration with Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center. More information will be provided as plans are completed.

Symptom Monitoring/Daily Screening

At the start of the fall semester, all students, faculty, and staff will receive a personal monitoring and prevention kit that includes:  

• 2 pair gloves
• 1-12-pack of alcohol wipes
• 2 oz. hand sanitizer
• 1 disposable mask 
• Digital thermometer

Finlandia has developed an automated, daily online questionnaire for daily, personal screening.  All students, faculty, and staff will be required to complete this health screen each morning.  Based on the answers provided to the seven questions, the tool will inform them that they are clear to attend class or report to work, stay in their room, or stay home.  Human resources and student affairs offices receive notice of screening results that indicate additional attention is required.  

Illness/Reporting/Isolation/Quarantine

Any student, faculty or staff member exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms will be required to remain in their place of residence and report to 1) to their healthcare provider; or 2) Finlandia’s health and wellness center. All faculty, staff and students will be provided a listing of contact information for local health systems, the WUP Public Health Department, and other health and wellness resources.

Isolation and quarantine protocols are being prepared for students testing positive with COVID-19.

Contact Tracing 

Systems and protocols for contact tracing will be in place, facilitated by the health and wellness center in collaboration with the Western Upper Peninsula Public Health Department.

Face Masks/Coverings

• One disposable face mask is provided in the personal health kit that is distributed to all students, faculty, and staff at the beginning of the school year.  
• All residence hall rooms will be supplied with additional PPE, including disposable face masks and gloves.
• All members of the campus community are encouraged to bring extra masks when coming to campus.  Face shields will be provided for those unable/unwilling to use face masks and for instructional activities that require them.  
• Students, faculty, and staff will be required to wear masks or shields when inside common building areas or where distancing is not possible.  
• Students and faculty will be required to wear face coverings in classrooms.   
• Face coverings will be worn in the dining room in Finn Hall except for when sitting and eating.
• Students are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings, even in their own rooms.  
• While in campus offices, faculty and staff members are not required to wear masks unless others are present.   
• Face coverings are not required in most outdoor spaces, unless physical distance cannot be maintained. 
• Students who cannot wear face coverings due to a diagnosed disability must contact the Dean of Students with appropriate disability documentation from the treating specialist. Please contact Disability Support Services to obtain the guidelines for appropriate disability documentation.

Handwashing and Respiratory Etiquette

• Signs have been posted reminding community members to wash hands frequently, using soap and water, for at least 20 seconds and use hand sanitizer frequently, and when soap and water are not available.
• A refillable 2 oz. hand sanitizer is included in each student’s wellness packet, which they will receive at check-in.  
• Hand sanitizer refill stations will be available at numerous locations across campus.
• Educational materials about infection control, social distancing, hand washing, covering coughs/sneezes with elbows, and staying home from work/class will be distributed to the community at the beginning of the semester. 

Cleaning and Disinfection

• Finlandia will take the necessary steps to establish protocols and practices for cleaning and disinfecting based on CDC and the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department guidelines.
• Common areas will be subject to frequent sanitizing.  All classrooms and residence hall rooms are being thoroughly sanitized before students arrive this fall.
• Laptop, keyboard, and phone cleaning stations will be set up in the Maki Library, the TLC, Mannerheim Central, and Finlandia Hall.
• Housekeeping staff will be focused on cleaning in the most critical areas of campus. Therefore, our entire community will have to do their part to assist with sanitizing and cleaning our campus environment.

Larger Group Gatherings

• Finlandia will adhere to the State of Michigan’s guidelines in place regarding group gatherings.  At Phase 5, indoor gatherings of 50 or less and outdoor gatherings of 250 or less are permitted, as long as appropriate social distancing can be maintained.

Off-campus Activities

• Students who live on campus are encouraged to limit time off-campus, as is appropriate and possible.
• Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to wear a face-covering when in public spaces off-campus and to maintain appropriate social distancing.
• Fall athletes who are required to travel off-campus will self-monitor symptoms and report changes in health to their coach for further monitoring.

Travel

• Employee Travel: All international travel is suspended.  Domestic travel must be approved by supervisors.  
• Student Travel: Any student traveling internationally will be required to register and quarantine for two weeks following return.  Students are encouraged not to travel unnecessarily.

See Finlandia’s Full COVID-19 response in the Spring 2020 semester here.

Prevention

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following for every day prevention:

• Wash your hands often: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• Avoid close contact: Stay at least 6? (about 2 arms’ length) away from other people
• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others. The mask is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or using the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash. Immediately wash your hands after.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces often.
• Monitor your daily health.