Risk Management of COVID-19 in the Residential Educational Setting: Lessons Learned and Implications for Moving Forward

Authors

Anna L. Cass, Furman UniversityFollow
Meghan M. Slining, Furman UniversityFollow
Connie Carson, Furman UniversityFollow
Jason Cassidy, Furman UniversityFollow
M Carmela Epright, Furman UniversityFollow
Ann E. GilchristFollow
Kenneth Peterson, Furman UniversityFollow
John F. Wheeler, Furman UniversityFollow
Natalie S. The, Furman UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article (Journal or Newsletter)

Scholarship Type

Faculty Scholarship, Staff Scholarship

Publication Date

9-16-2021

Abstract

With limited COVID-19-guidelines for institutions of higher education (IHEs), colleges and universities began the 2020–2021 academic year with varying approaches. We present a comprehensive COVID-19 prevention and mitigation approach at a residential university during the 2020–2021 academic year, along with campus SARS-CoV-2 transmission during this time. Risk management of COVID-19 was facilitated through (1) a layered approach of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention measures; (2) a robust committee structure leveraging institutional public health expertise; (3) partnerships with external health entities; and (4) an operations system providing both structure and flexibility to adapt to changes in disease activity, scientific evidence, and public health guidelines. These efforts collectively allowed the university to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission on campus and complete the academic year offering in-person learning on a residential campus. We identified 36 cases of COVID-19 among the 2037 in-person learners during the fall semester, 125 cases in the inter-semester break, and 169 cases among 2095 in-person learners during the spring semester. SARS-CoV-2 infection during the academic year was associated with gender (p = 0.04), race/ethnicity (p = 0.01), and sorority/fraternity membership (p < 0.01). Infection was not associated with undergraduate vs. graduate student status, Division I athlete status, or housing type (all p > 0.05). A multi-faceted public health approach was critical for reducing the impact of COVID-19 while carrying out the university’s educational mission.

Comments

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Volume 18, Issue 18

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34574668/

Additional Affiliated Department, Center or Institute

Health Sciences, Philosophy, Economics, Chemistry

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Cass, Anna L.; Slining, Meghan M.; Carson, Connie; Cassidy, Jason; Epright, M Carmela; Gilchrist, Ann E.; Peterson, Kenneth; Wheeler, John F.; and The, Natalie S., "Risk Management of COVID-19 in the Residential Educational Setting: Lessons Learned and Implications for Moving Forward" (2021). Open Access Fund Publications. 18.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/oa-fund/18