Incident Management Team update

From the moment Grand Valley officials began monitoring COVID-19 and its global impact, the university’s Incident Management Team (IMT) has been meeting regularly to plan for any necessary actions.

As university leaders prepare for the start of a new academic year, members of the IMT have been making recommendations to the Senior Leadership Team, using public health and CDC guidance.

This is the first in a series of weekly reports from the IMT as an added form of communication to keep the campus community updated as the Fall 2020 semester approaches.

The IMT is made up of representatives from various campus departments, including the Grand Valley Police Department, Public Health, Facilities Services, Housing and Residence Life, Human Resources, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs and University Communications. An expanded group of more than 35 people meets weekly.

The IMT, with approval from the SLT, has developed a six-week ramp-up plan, "Lakers Return to the Workplace," beginning June 22, 2020. Appointing officers have been briefed on the ramp-up period and are creating work plans for their areas. A new website for faculty and staff, which will offer guiding principles, checklists and resources to help keep the campus community safe, will be available in the coming weeks. 

Housing and Residence Life has developed a comprehensive plan for on-campus housing that includes single options in traditional style housing and reduced density of students in common spaces. About 85 percent of housing is apartment or suite style. Details will soon be available at www.gvsu.edu/housing.

Facilities Services is continuing to follow OSHA guidelines and apply best practices from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers for its position on operating buildings to mitigate COVID 19. This includes increased ventilation, increased outside air intake, increased inspection, maintenance and cleaning of the system, and increased replacement of air filters.

A campuswide communications plan, "Lakers Together Standing Apart," is being developed. The plan will include posters, floor stickers and video messaging throughout Grand Valley's campuses reminding Lakers about CDC safety guidelines, including social distancing, wearing masks and frequent hand washing.

For more information on GVSU's response to COVID-19, visit www.gvsu.edu/coronavirus

Members of the primary Incident Management Team (IMT), led by GVSU Police Chief Brandon DeHaan, include Andy Beachnau, Lisa Haynes, Tim Thimmesch, Loren Rullman and Mary Eilleen Lyon. Members of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) include: Emergency Manager Bill O'Donnell, Tina Barnikow, Tamera Van Kampen, Kate Harmon and Susan Zimmer from Metro Health.