At Ridgewater College, the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff is a priority. We, along with our colleagues at Minnesota State, are closely monitoring the developing situation related to COVID-19 and are committed to taking steps necessary to protect the health and safety of our faculty, our staff, and our students.
Please review our Back-to-Campus Preparedness Plan for comprehensive information on the steps Ridgewater College is taking to provide a safe and healthy environment for all members of our campus community. Visit our Fall Semester 2020 page for more specific semester information and frequently asked questions.
For all questions or concerns, please email us at covid19@ridgewater.edu.
Is Ridgewater College open?
At this time, our campuses are open to current and prospective students. We are not open to the public. Our spaces are not available to be leased for public events, with the exception of Red Cross Blood Drives. Our campuses are open for in-person tours. To learn more about scheduling a campus tour, visit ridgewater.edu/visit.
Please note, not all areas of campus are open or available for use by students, faculty, and/or staff. Visit our Fall Semester 2020 page for more information on which areas of campus are or are not open.
Self-Screening
Beginning August 10, 2020, all students are required to complete the COVID-19 Screening survey at www.ridgewater.edu/screen each day they are on campus, prior to or upon entering any Ridgewater College building; employees must complete the screening survey every day, within 15 minutes after arrival on campus. Visitors who are on campus less than 15 minutes (such as UPS or FED EX delivery drivers) are exempted from the screening requirement.
The self-screening form can be completed prior to arriving to campus using the link above. You can also find the link at under the Logins menu and COVID-19 link on our website homepage. At campus entrances, you can scan the posted QR Code from your smartphone or complete the form from an available computer at the entrance.
More detailed information, including a video of the screening process, can be found on our COVID-19 self-screening webpage.
Reporting Positive COVID-19 Test Results and Exposures to Positive Individuals
If you are a student or an employee who has been on a Ridgewater College campus in the last 14 days and:
- Has tested positive on a COVID-19 test – AND/OR
- Has had possible exposure to someone who has tested positive to the COVID-19 virus – AND/OR
- Are experiencing new or worsening Symptoms (per CDC) matching those of COVID-19 that cannot be explained by other reasons
Please submit our COVID-19 Exposure Reporting Form and be sure to inform (call or email) your instructor(s) or supervisor.
Masks
A mask/face covering is required for everyone coming to campus. The only exceptions are as follows:
- when an individual is alone in a room with no other people present – but as soon as someone else enters that room, or you leave the room into a common space, corridor, restroom, etc., a face mask/covering must be worn.
- while eating in our campus dining area or Commons, but only while eating – before and after eating a meal, face masks/coverings must be worn and physical distancing must be maintained when seated with others.
- outdoors on our campuses with physical distancing in place – but we strongly encourage wearing a face mask/covering when you are with other people in any situation.
To safeguard the learning environment and the workplace, to the extent reasonably possible, Minnesota State colleges, universities, and system office are also subject to Executive Order 20-81 which requires all employees, students, and visitors to wear face masks or face coverings in all buildings as well as other designated confined spaces.
Customized Training and Continuing Education Courses
Customized Training and Continuing Education at Ridgewater College is currently holding classes virtually as well as face-to-face, both on campus and off. In person classes can be scheduled, providing they are held as allowed per the latest direction of the Governor, Office of Higher Education, the Minnesota State College and Universities System, and Ridgewater College. All individuals involved in the delivery of face-to-face classes are subject to screening protocols and health guidelines as established by both the college and/or the client site hosting the classes. Please contact your Training and Outreach Manager or the Customized Training department if you have specific needs or questions.
