Cleaning Protocols

These plans are based on federal, state, and local regulations and guidance, as well as on public health recommendations available at this time. As the situation with COVID-19 is fluid, they are subject to change.

Reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by cleaning and disinfection is a critical aspect of reopening our campus. Out of an abundance of caution, UMHB is engaged in additional levels of cleaning of common spaces and high-touch areas to support the well-being of our campus community and to mitigate the potential risk of exposure to COVID-19.

Periodic updates may be provided to students and employees via email or text, as they develop or change. Students and employees should check their UMHB student email and texts at least daily.

Specific questions about cleaning protocols can be directed to the Physical Plant Office at (254) 295-4586 or physical_plant@umhb.edu.

BEFORE THE CAMPUS OPENS FOR THE SPRING SEMESTER

All residence hall rooms and other campus buildings will be disinfected before students return for the Spring semester.

DURING THE SPRING SEMESTER

Classrooms, offices, and other areas around campus will be stocked with hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes. Much like supermarkets provide cleaning supplies so customers can wipe down their shopping carts before use, UMHB will be asking our community to do the same before they use their academic or work spaces.

Classrooms will be cleaned and disinfected every weekday evening, utilizing electrostatic technology to cleanse hard-to-reach surfaces.

General disinfection, including high-touch areas, will be conducted at least once each weekday.

EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENTS AND EMPLOYEES

While always expected, it is particularly important during this period for students and employees to maintain a clean environment.

It is particularly important during this period for students who reside on campus to maintain a clean residence. CDC guidelines regarding household cleaning can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/cleaning-disinfection.html.

Surfaces and Objects

Everyone should be particularly mindful of this topic. Items are constantly handled and passed back and forth to each other. This is not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good place to start:

• Wash your hands often.
• Be mindful of frequently touched items (door knobs, elevator buttons, copy machines, etc.)
• Avoid sharing telephones (desk phones or cell phones).
• Avoid sharing pens, tape dispensers, staplers, tools, etc.
• Remove candy dishes, business card holders, and pen holders from counters and desktops for now. If someone needs a pen or business card, lay one on the counter for them to pick up. Let them keep the pen or have a box they can drop it into; then sanitize the pen before putting it back into circulation for the next person.
• Countertops are natural places for people to touch. Wipe them down frequently.
• Cleaning supplies are available, ask your supervisor.
• Avoid passing handouts around at meetings.
• Keep desks and work surfaces empty of paper or other clutter to enable thorough cleaning.
• Regularly wipe down personal work and housing areas and frequently touched objects, such as workstations/desks, keyboards, and telephones.
• If you bring items from home, please sanitize them and avoid setting them down in shared areas.

Break Rooms

• Follow the signage on break rooms regarding the number of people allowed at one time.
• You are strongly encouraged to use disposable paper products in break rooms rather than coffee cups and dishes during this period.
• Breakrooms are full of frequently touched items such as microwaves, refrigerators, and coffee pots, so please sanitize your hands. Please leave the breakroom clean and tidy after use.

CLEANING PRODUCTS, SIGNAGE, AND PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

All products used for sanitizing and disinfecting purposes are EPA-approved for COVID-19.

UMHB will have more than 200 hand sanitizer stations located throughout the campus and will install additional stations as needed. Physical Plant staff will monitor and refill these stations.

Signage will be located throughout the campus to remind our community of social distancing, hand washing/sanitizing, mask wearing, and cleaning/disinfecting guidelines. Clear barriers will be in place for many locations.

Purchasing of Supplies

All COVID-related supplies including face coverings, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, signage, etc. should be coordinated through UMHB Physical Plant. Please submit a “Health/Safety” Work Order at the following website: https://www.umhb.edu/students/residence/submit-work-order. If you need assistance, please contact UMHB Physical Plant at (254) 295-4586. Do not use your UMHB funds to buy additional supplies.

CLEANING STAFF

UMHB outsources custodial services through SSC. Their staff will follow CDC, Texas, and local agency COVID protection directives (gloves, masks, coveralls, goggles, and shoe covers) as appropriate when they are cleaning and disinfecting the campus.

Training from SSC custodial managers and, as applicable, cleaning product suppliers has been provided for employees responsible for cleaning and disinfecting the campus.

SPECIAL CLEANING CIRCUMSTANCES

As always, if you see an area of the campus that requires additional cleaning, please contact the Physical Plant office at (254) 295-4586.

Other than routine wipe downs of desks and equipment, students and employees should not engage in deep cleaning for special situations (i.e. cleaning after a sick person has been in the area). Additional cleaning protocols may be necessary to address heightened risks, such as following a person in the area who has exhibited symptoms or is a confirmed COVID-19 case. The university will respond quickly to ensure spaces used by someone who has become subject to isolation are properly sanitized. Dr. Danny Mynatt, Vice Provost for Institutional Effectiveness, Dr. Brandon Skaggs, Vice President for Student Life, or Susan Owens, Vice President for Human Resources, will coordinate requests for SSC to clean areas that have been occupied by sick persons in accordance with CDC wait-times and cleaning protocols.