The following message was shared with the FIU community on August 21, 2020:
- Campus protocols for Fall 2020
- Libraries and study spaces available by reservation only
- FIU’s COVID-19 Response Team
In just a few days, FIU will begin a new semester – one unlike any other.
Those of you who will be on campus at least some of the time, will find that our campuses have been adapted based on our Panthers Protecting Panthers plan, recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other experts.
You will see signs reminding you to wear face coverings, wash your hands often and keep your distance, plexiglass dividers have been installed in high traffic areas and seats have been removed or blocked throughout the campus and in classrooms. These and many other measures have been taken to help stop the spread of COVID-19 because the wellbeing of the university community is our top priority.
There is also a new Panther Protecting Panthers website where you can find updated information regarding campus operations, health and safety, and other resources. Please bookmark the page and refer to it often.
We are monitoring Tropical Strom Laura, which is forecast to be near South Florida early next week. University operations are expected to proceed as scheduled. Please stay alert to updates.
Here is some helpful information about Fall 2020:
Class meetings
Anyone who is teaching or learning on campus or in a hybrid class must pay close attention to communication from professors and from MyFIU, as some classes have been changed to Delayed On-Campus Start (DOCS), which means the class will begin remotely and meet in person later in the semester.
Panthers Protecting Panthers
Before the start of each day, every member of the university community coming to campus must check in on the P3 app, available in the Apple and Android app stores. You can also access the app online. Students who live on campus must check in on the app each day before leaving their room.
In addition, students, faculty and staff – regardless of whether you are learning or working remotely or on campus — must complete the Panthers Protecting Panthers: COVID-19 Training by Sunday, Aug. 23.
Personal responsibility does not end when you leave campus. Please continue to wear your face covering and practice physical distancing when you are out in the community. Note that Miami-Dade County requires you to wear a face covering in public and the county is under a 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.
Cover your face, observe physical distance, wash your hands
Everyone is required to wear a face covering on campus and at FIU sites.The face covering must be worn properly, which means it must cover the nose and mouth, and must be worn at all times, even when alone in an office, walking in the hallways, restrooms or outdoors.
Face coverings must be worn in addition to, not instead of, observing physical distancing, which means staying at least six feet away from others. Also, washing hands frequently or applying sanitizer when soap and water are not available, continue to be critical in the effort to stop the spread of COVID-19. Hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed in high traffic areas.
FIU has purchased face coverings for students, faculty and staff. Faculty and staff will receive their face coverings from their department. Face coverings are also available for purchase at Barnes and Noble (online and in MMC store), Pharmabox and select snack vending machines.
Students may access their complimentary reusable face covering from vending machines and select locations on campus. You will need your One Card to get your complimentary face covering.
FIU’s COVID-19 Response Team
FIU has hired a team of trained public health professionals to help mitigate the risk of exposure on FIU campuses and sites through contact tracing. The COVID-19 Response Team (CRT)will receive information daily from the P3 app and follow up as needed to give guidance on quarantine and testing. The team will also undertake contact tracing to alert any Panthers who may have been exposed.
The team also will contact the Facilities Department to clean and disinfect any affected areas. Learn more in the Personal Responsibility section of the Panthers Protecting Panthers website.
You are required to cooperate with the tracing team for the well-being of our Panther community. If you have questions, or believe you need to get tested, please call the FIU COVID-19 Response Team at 305-348-1919.
One Card
If you are a new student and have not yet uploaded your photo for your FIU One Card, please visit your MyFIU page and use the link provided in your tasks (To Do’s) list. Once you successfully upload your picture, you may pick up your FIU One Card during office hours at BBC or MMC.
If you are in need of a replacement FIU One Card, please visit the One Card office. Please note replacement cards require a $15 fee. Consult the What’s Open section of the Panthers Protecting Panthers website or ShopFIU for hours of operation.
Having a valid One Card will be key to having access to campus this fall, as some buildings will be locked and only accessible by swiping the One Card.
Libraries and study spaces on campus
FIU libraries can only be accessed by making a reservation. They will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Library materials can be requested and scheduled for contactless pick-up.
Reservations to use the libraries and other study spaces throughout the campuses can be made through the central space reservation system. More locations will be added soon. Here’s a how-to guide for study space reservations.
Study space reservations that remain unclaimed for 15 minutes will be cancelled and the space will be released to another student.
Please vacate your study space promptly at the end of your reservation so that it can be cleaned for the following student. Always wear your face covering while on campus and carry your FIU One Card to access your space reservation.
Borrow a computer
A limited number of lap top computers and other devices such as webcams and hotspots are available for students to check out and use for the duration of the semester. Computers will be assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Restrooms and elevators
Face coverings must be worn at all times while on campus, including in restrooms and elevators. No more than four people should ride in an elevator at any given time. Restrooms and other surfaces will be cleaned frequently to help control the spread of COVID-19.
Recreation and Wellness Centers
The Wellness and Recreation Centers at MMC and BBC will open this Fall with adjusted hours of operation, equipment layout, facilities and programming. A variety of programs and services are available via online platforms. Consult the What’s Open section of the Panthers Protecting Panthers website for hours of operation and guidelines.
Transportation
Transportation services for Panther Mover, Panther Express and CATS will run this Fall adhering to the usual schedules and with additional safety protocols to ensure cleanliness and physical distancing.
Dining
Select food services will be open at MMC and BBC. Currently, Miami-Dade County does not allow indoor dining. Outdoor seating is available across campus. Please follow the directions on signs located at outdoor dining tables.
Meal Plan meals will be redeemed at 8th St Campus Kitchen at MMC and Roary’s Bay Café at BBC. For all hours of operation, locations and services available, please visit Shop FIU or visit the FIU Mobile App/Places & Shops.
Retail and Services
Barnes and Noble is open at MMC and online with free delivery on all orders. Curbside pick-up is available at MMC.
Retail and service locations are open. Visit Shop FIU or the FIU Mobile App/Places & Shops for hours.
Student food pantries
The FIU Student Food Pantry will be open in Fall 2020. Consult the What’s Open section of the Panthers Protecting Panthers website for locations and hours of operation.
Events, meetings and other gatherings
All university events – on and off campus — are suspended until further notice. Exceptions may be made for events that are tied to student success or research and cannot be done remotely. To request an exemption, please complete the event form. You may also reach out to fiuevents@fiu.edu for guidance.
Visitors
Visitors, including vendors, must make an appointment before arriving on campus. No visitors are allowed in student housing.
You can find a comprehensive list of available services and updated information on our Panthers Protecting Panthers website.
Have a safe and productive Fall 2020.
Go Panthers!