As the spring semester begins, William Jewell College’s athletic teams are increasing COVID-19 testing as they begin in-season practices and events. Tom Eisenhauer, director of athletics, explained the protocols and processes for this semester. 

Eisenhauer shared that Jewell’s athletic policies for COVID-19 are based on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Sports Science Institute’s requirements for schools taking part in athletics this year. In August, the Board of Governors and the NCAA provided member institutions with specific directions. 

Despite some student impressions that the increased testing for the spring semester is a reaction to Jewell’s experiences with COVID-19 in the fall, the policies for the spring have been planned since August – though some plans have changed as a result of NCAA recommendations. 

“If [member institutions] were going to conduct athletics, they had to meet very specific requirements and that included different levels of testing based on risk categories [that] the Sports Science Institute identified and then also different measures or different protections for student-athletes which included an opportunity to opt-out. So any student-athlete could opt-out from participation for COVID-related reasons and not have to worry about their scholarship being revoked or anything like that,” Eisenhauer said. 

Most athletic teams were not in season for the majority of the fall semester, so most teams were following out-of-season protocols. These protocols include testing 25 percent of athletes every two weeks. Jewell fulfilled this requirement by testing a portion of each team every week so that 25 percent of the team would be tested over two weeks of testing. 

Some exceptions to this process in the fall included the testing of the entire cross country team roster before attending conference championships. Cross country was the only sport to have a conference championship in the fall.

Basketball started their season around Thanksgiving, and 100 percent of the basketball roster has been tested every week since that time. 

This semester, all sports teams will be in season, so all teams will be undergoing the increased in-season COVID-19 testing protocols. The NCAA Sports Science Institute has designated each sport with a risk level. A sport’s designation dictates how often in-season COVID-19 testing is required.

High-risk sports – football and basketball – will test 100 percent of the roster every single week. Soccer and volleyball were originally categorized as high risk. The Sports Science Institute conducted additional digital research during the fall and downgraded the risk of both sports to an intermediate level. Volleyball’s intermediate categorization is contingent on players wearing masks during the entirety of practices and competitions. 

Indoor track, baseball, softball, and men’s and women’s soccer are testing 100 percent of the roster every two weeks throughout the spring semester. Low-risk sports, including swimming, golf, tennis and outdoor track, will be tested symptomatically – as the general student population is. 

Eisenhauer also discussed the prevalence of COVID-19 among athletes and the efficacy of athletic department COVID-19 restrictions and testing protocols. 

Eisenhauer explained that all testing for athletics is conducted through the same lab that the College used to conduct campus-wide testing. He explained that he has no reason to be concerned about the precision or accuracy of the saliva-based PCR test.

During the first semester, 70 student-athletes tested positive for COVID-19. 

“When you look at the source of transmission or they got it, none of it came from Athletics and so participation in athletics is mitigated very well. Part of it is that we’ve got a lot of people watching a lot of coaches and we’re very strict and enforcing mask policies…,” Eisenhauer said. 

“What the challenge is – and it’s no different from the rest of campus – is it’s the behaviors outside of athletics, outside of the classroom, outside of the dining hall, where we see the risk of transmission of this virus going up…,” Eisenhauer continued. “Social settings where people [are] choosing not to wear masks, they’re choosing to not maintain the appropriate physical distancing. They’re disregarding the basic mitigating measures that we’ve seen to be oh-so effective.” 

Eisenhauer said that athletics is surveillance testing at a higher rate than the general campus. 

“Unless a student who’s not involved in athletics becomes symptomatic, we don’t know that they’re not carrying the virus. But in athletics, we’re more likely to find out because of the weekly testing. We tend to be pretty conservative when it comes to our risk level [regarding] quarantine. There are instances where [we’d] rather be safe than sorry,” said Eisenhauer. 

While the Student Health Center ultimately decides whether to quarantine a student, the athletic department will make recommendations based on the activities taking place for that sport. 

Eisenhauer discussed the athletic department’s plans should there be increases or spikes in COVID-19 cases among student-athletes and coaches.

“Any changes to athletics programming as a result of active COVID-19 cases on campus will be made consistent  with the threat matrix established as part of Operation Safe Campus. At most levels, some type of practice can occur even if it’s modified to only permit masked and distanced activities. Team by team decisions will be made depending on where active cases are identified and the extent they can be contained,” said Eisenhauer.

Despite being generally optimistic about how the athletic department has navigated COVID-19, Eisenhauer mentioned that February may be a particularly difficult month because every sport is in season and the cold temperatures are keeping people inside. 

Eisenhauer concluded by emphasizing the athletic department’s gratitude for all of the work that has gone into allowing student-athletes to participate in their sports during this time. 

“I’m really really thankful for the support of so many people on campus who have worked hard – within the department and outside of the department – to give our student-athletes that opportunity to compete. There are schools across the country that just shut down athletics completely, and I know how disheartening it was for student-athletes and for coaches to completely lose their spring season last year. Then in the fall [there was uncertainty about] whether or not they were going to be able to play and whether they were going to even be able to do their sport,” said Eisenhauer.

“We are where we are today because a lot of people on this campus have supported our student-athletes and really leaned in and helped a lot. I’m grateful, and I know I speak on behalf of all student-athletes and coaches, that we’re thankful that we can do our sports. We recognize the risks involved and take seriously what we need to do to make sure the entire campus community remains safe while having the opportunity to compete. I mean, it’s the least we can do is try to keep everyone safe if we’re allowed to compete,” Eisenhauer said.

William Jewell College will reopen for in-person classes Aug. 26. As the College opens, it will be instituting many changes to life, academics and work on campus to keep the community safe and healthy. Primary changes include modes of delivery for courses, a facial covering policy, mandated social distancing, daily health screening and changes to the academic schedule. 

Dr. Anne Dema, provost of the College, described the decision making process for the various changes. Most decisions were made by committees or with input from collaborative teams to provide several perspectives. Faculty have been involved in conversations, including in determining modes of delivery and identifying potential outdoor spaces for class. 

Dema emphasized the iterative process necessary to react to the evolving situation. As the College learns from the initial return to campus, further modifications will likely be made. Dema reiterated that this process is reflective of science and the ever-developing situation.

“Being ready to start is one thing, but we have to be ready to continue to adapt,” Dema said. 

In addition to the primary changes highlighted below, Dema described that more activities will take place outside, including efforts for student engagement – like meetings, events, clubs and organizations, and classes – depending on professorial decisions and weather. Access to cleaning supplies, including wipes and masks, will be greatly increased, as well as an overall change to the way the school cleans. Several departments, like the business office,  are also working to make it easier for students to schedule virtual appointments.

New Policies

Jewell has instituted a facial covering policy requiring facial coverings to be worn at all times while indoors. Exceptions to the policy include when one is alone in a personal office, in the dorm where one sleeps, while eating or drinking and when one is outdoors and social distancing is possible. Students participating in athletics, music or performances have exceptions to the facial covering policy. The exceptions include “team physical exercise, athletic practices and weight training, and athletic performances in which distancing is difficult and facial coverings are not advised,” as well as those in “ensembles, rehearsals, and vocal or theatrical productions (performers only).”

Social distancing of six feet will be required between people at all times.

Students and faculty will also be required to submit a daily health screening form via a web app to monitor potential symptoms of COVID-19. Members of the community should monitor symptoms every day and begin quarantining if they begin experiencing symptoms.

If students begin showing COVID-19 symptoms, they should contact the Student Health Center – now located in Browning Hall – to determine if a COVID-19 test is necessary. Testing of symptomatic individuals will occur on campus or at Liberty Hospital – depending on severity. Those who have been exposed to COVID-19 on or off campus will also be able to get tested at the Student Health Center or Liberty Hospital. 

Academic Changes

The College has altered the academic schedule for this semester. Fall Break will be moved to Nov. 23-24 – giving an entire week of break for Thanksgiving. Advising days have been moved from  Tuesday, Oct. 27 and Wednesday, Nov. 4 to Thursday, Oct. 29 and Wednesday, Nov. 4.

After Thanksgiving break, all classes will be virtual, but the campus and residence halls will remain open. This will allow students and faculty to return home for the holiday without interruption due to quarantine upon return. 

Classes are being offered with one of five new modes of delivery: face to face, hybrid asynchronous, hybrid synchronous, online asynchronous and online synchronous. Face to face courses will have all class meetings in person – as long as it is safe to do so. Hybrid courses will have some in-person classes each week and some virtual classes. Online classes consist of virtual classes only. Synchronous courses will have virtual classes occurring live during the pre-assigned class period. Asynchronous courses will have virtual classes take place with pre-recorded material that can be completed at various times. 

Classrooms have been reassigned and re-spaced to account for social distancing restrictions. Desks will be placed at least six feet apart, and each desk will be placed over a red “X” to mark its intended location. Students are not allowed to move desks or chairs in classrooms. 

New classroom spaces include Yates-Gill 221-222 and both the main and second floors of Curry Hall. These classrooms will be able to accommodate larger classes, and professors will have microphones to use to ensure students can hear in the larger spaces.

Classrooms will be equipped with an iPad to allow students who are unable to attend class in-person to stream or Zoom in to the class. Students and faculty will need to use the “wingtip and wipe” method of disinfecting both before and after classes. This entails one wiping down every area within reach of one’s open arms.

Campus Changes

Visitors and guests will be restricted during the 2020-21 school year. Visitors will not be permitted in the residence halls, and all visitors will need to be approved by the College. Departments must submit a request for visitors to the Screening Committee 14 days before the intended visit. Visitors must submit a health screening form 24 hours prior to arrival on campus and will not be allowed on campus if they display COVID-19 symptoms. Contact information of visitors must be submitted to the Screening Committee, and visitors will be expected to abide by social distancing guidelines.

Dining services will adapt to new guidelines depending on the campus threat level. Capacity in the dining hall will be reduced to accommodate social distancing. Once the dining hall has reached maximum capacity, those in line to enter will be required to wait until there is more room. Students will also be encouraged to use the Green & Go takeout boxes. Self-serve stations will be removed and replaced with staff-served stations. Coffee shops and the Cage will remain open as long as the campus is above level D. 

Residence Life has instituted Quarantine & Isolation policies for students, faculty and staff. Student housing will also be required to operate differently under different Operation Safe Campus threat levels.

Students at William Jewell College will soon move in, beginning with new students Aug. 22 and ending with returning students Aug. 25. Due to health precautions implemented to best maintain the Jewell community’s health during the COVID-19 pandemic, move-in will be noticeably different than in years past.

Before move-in, students must fill out a COVID-19 Campus Housing Screening Form no sooner than 24 hours before moving in to campus. Once on campus, instead of going straight to their residence halls, students will report to the Mabee Center – where they will be screened for temperatures and given a stamp that allows them to move into their designated residence halls. New students will also receive their iPad from the Mabee Center upon check-in.

This is the first year that Greek life and other students will not be present on new student move-in day to assist with first-year move-in. Instead, all students – both new and returning – will be able to have no more than two guests help them move in. Once screened and approved, students and their guests will make their ways to residence halls, where there will be separate staircases for entering and exiting to promote distancing.

Masks are required to be worn properly by all in attendance. Gloves, which are also required to be worn, will be passed out at check-in. Students will be given a 90 minute designated time slot to move in to ensure minimal congestion of the residence halls and adhere to capacity guidelines. Since guests are not permitted in dorms while the campus is at level B or C of the campus housing protocol, guests who are helping students move must leave campus immediately following the end of the designated 90 minute time slot.

Once students are moved in they must adhere to the housing, dining and campus policies associated with the threat level matrix – which are categorized in increasing threat from 0, A, B, C and D, with D meaning cluster cases have broken out on campus. The current threat level can be found by viewing the threat level flag placed on the quad or on the Jewell website. The color of the flag – bright green for level 0, light green for level A, yellow for level B, light red for level C and dark red for level D – will denote the current threat level and appropriate precautions to be taken.

The only new housing policy for the 2020-21 school year is the Quarantine and Isolation Policy, which was recently put out by the College. The document states that “students must be ready to act swiftly should they find themselves in one of the final two categories [exposed to, showing symptoms of or diagnosed with COVID-19]. Residential students should also have an immediate off campus housing contingency plan (return home, stay with friends or relatives, etc.) in the event of an unanticipated campus closure.”

Asymptomatic residential students who have been exposed to someone suspected to have or diagnosed with COVID-19 must temporarily relocate to a room designated for quarantine use by Jewell staff. Students under quarantine are prohibited from having visitors and can arrange for meals to be delivered to their room. If a student under quarantine does test positive for COVID-19, they must begin isolation. 

Students diagnosed with COVID-19 or another highly contagious illness must begin isolation if they are unable to leave campus. Students under isolation may leave their room only to use the restroom or in case of emergency and will have isolation room calls from the College nurse practitioner. Visitors are prohibited in both instances. Students will be released from quarantine and/or isolation following 14 days free of COVID-19 symptoms and upon permission from the nurse practitioner.  

In addition to the changed move-in and housing policies, the College is taking other steps to make campus safer as students return to campus. Plexiglass has been installed in high traffic consumer areas and in certain classrooms. All students and employees will be expected to track symptoms daily using this form. 

Two cloth masks will be provided to students upon arrival – as they are required to wear on campus at all times unless otherwise instructed – and there will be stations for disposable masks throughout campus. Custodial services will be cleaning high-touch areas at least once a day. The College is also encouraging students and employees to clean high-touch areas after each use, following the “wingtip and wipe method,” wherein one wipes down every area within reach of one’s open arms.

Testing and contact tracing will be followed throughout the semester. Testing is always available through the Clay County Health Department and is free for Jewell students. Preventative testing of asymptomatic members of the Jewell community will be directed to the Clay County Health Department to be tested. Those who are symptomatic or asymptomatic with recent exposure will be tested at either the Student Health Center or Liberty Hospital, chosen on a case by case basis. Those directed to be tested at Liberty Hospital will not be responsible for the cost of the test, according to Jewell’s COVID-19 testing policy. 

Students will be tested periodically if they are participating in activities in which facial coverings are not required and distancing cannot always be executed. According to the testing policy, students who fall under that category are those participating in “team physical exercise, athletic practices and weight training, and athletic performances in which distancing is difficult and facial coverings are not advised,” as well as those in “ensembles, rehearsals, and vocal or theatrical productions (performers only).”

To ensure these precautionary measures are effective, the College strongly suggests that all students get tested no less than 72 hours before returning to campus. 

For more information on measures the College is taking, refer to Jewell’s Campus Guide During the COVID-19 Pandemic.