The Lyon College administration announced the COVID-19 protocols and practices for the 2021 spring semester on Friday, Nov. 6.
The policies will take effect immediately in order to protect the members of both the Lyon and Batesville communities, and will continue until rescinded or updated by the Lyon College administration, the school said in a statement.
They are designed to meet or exceed the Arkansas Department of Health recommendations so that the college can create a working and learning environment that is as safe as possible for all members of the Lyon community.
Masks and social distancing
The mask policy requires that all persons on campus properly wear a mask, which is defined as “wearing a mask that covers both the mouth and nose.”
When indoors, all persons, including approved contractors and visitors, must properly wear a mask in any building on campus. When outdoors on campus, masks must be worn when social distancing cannot be maintained.
Social distancing is required on Lyon’s campus and is defined as “persons staying a minimum of six feet apart from one another.”
Testing
Protocols for COVID testing for the full on-campus community are being developed. PCR Intake testing upon arrival and antigen rapid-tests at regular intervals for a proportion of the campus population will be performed. Daily screening, including temperature checks and daily passes generated through the Campus Clear app, will also be used to monitor the daily status of the campus population.
Contact Tracing
Lyon College will utilize contact tracing to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 on campus. Contact tracing is a method to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and involves identifying people who have an infectious disease (cases) and their contacts (people who may have been exposed) and working with them to interrupt disease transmission.
Expectations and Enforcement
Lyon students, staff, and faculty each have an ethical duty to do all they can to protect each other by limiting the spread of COVID-19. The college has developed a three-pronged approach to address student behavior that negatively impacts the community as a result of not adhering to Lyon’s COVID-19 protocols.
Tier One addresses failures to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols, such as social distancing, mask-wearing, or screening via Campus Clear.
After the first offense, the student is required to have a meeting with either the Dean of Students or the Director of Residence Life within 24 hours of the alleged policy violation. After the second offense, the student will be required to meet with the Social Council to address the alleged policy violation. Any previous conduct sanction will be considered. After the third offense, the student will be required to vacate the residence hall for the remainder of the term and will be subject to additional disciplinary actions that may include probation and suspension.
Tier Two addresses violations of COVID-19 protocols, such as having a guest within the residence hall or hosting and/or participating in a non-approved student gathering outside of the prescribed occupancy.
The student will be required to vacate the campus community and will be suspended for the remainder of the semester. Suspended students may be allowed to continue coursework during the suspension at the discretion of the Dean of Students and Provost.
Tier Three addresses violations of COVID-19 protocols such as choosing to return to campus or campus events before the prescribed isolation/quarantine period has ended after being made aware of their own COVID-19 positive status. “Awareness” of the COVID-19 positive status is obtained when a student is presented with a positive PCR or antigen test result from Lyon College or any other health agency.
The student may be expelled from Lyon College at the discretion of the Dean of Students and President of the institution.
Any suspension, expulsion, or probation due to violations of these Community Standards will not qualify for any refunds on tuition, fees, or room or board, the college said.
Review the full Spring COVID-19 Protocols at lyon.edu/coronavirus.
Get up-to-date local and regional news along with the latest sports and weather every weekday morning by listening to Gary B. on Ozark Newsline, broadcast from the First Community Bank Newsroom on Arkansas 103.3. White River Now updates are also aired weekday mornings on 93 KZLE, Outlaw 106.5, and Your FM 99.5. Have a news tip or event to promote? Email White River Now at news@whiterivernow.com. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Add don’t forget to download the White River Now mobile app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
