Greetings, from Physical Facilities!
As follow up to President Prather’s message announcing our Return to Campus Plan, Fortify Franklin, I would like to share with you additional information about safety procedures and protocol that will be in place for Fall semester regarding cleaning and disinfection. It is important to reinforce that cleaning and disinfection does not replace the need for proper hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette. Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the best method of cleaning hands. We also have dozens of hand sanitizer stations located throughout campus when hand washing is not immediately accessible. Masks/face coverings should also be worn over the nose and mouth at all times with few exceptions. Physical distancing, required masks/face coverings, and proper hand hygiene will aid in keeping surfaces clean and our community healthy.
During the COVID-19 public health emergency the CDC has provided specific guidance for cleaning and disinfection of public spaces, workplaces, business, schools, and home. This document is provided to outline how Franklin College intends to follow these guidelines. The CDC guidelines can be found here. Everyone has a role in making sure our community is as safe as possible.
The general framework of our program also includes the CDC guidance of:
- Normal routine cleaning with soap and water will decrease how much of the virus is on surfaces and objects, which reduces the risk of exposure.
- Disinfection using EPA-approved disinfectants against COVID-19 can also help reduce the risk. Frequent disinfection of surfaces and objects touched by multiple people is important.
- When EPA-approved disinfectants are not available, alternative disinfectants can be used (for example, 1/3 cup of bleach added to 1 gallon of water, or 70 percent alcohol solutions). Do not mix bleach or other cleaning and disinfection products together–this can cause fumes that may be very dangerous to breathe in. Keep all disinfectants out of the reach of children.
Franklin College will also make use of the “disinfection decision tool” provided by the CDC. This decision tool can be found here.
CDC reminders about Coronaviruses and reducing the risk of exposure include:
- Coronaviruses on surfaces and objects naturally die within hours to days. Warmer temperatures and exposure to sunlight will reduce the time the virus survives on surfaces and objects.
- Normal routine cleaning with soap and water removes germs and dirt from surfaces. It lowers the risk of spreading COVID-19 infection.
- Disinfectants kill germs on surfaces. By killing germs on a surface after cleaning, you can further lower the risk of spreading infection. EPA-approved disinfectants are an important part of reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19.
Cleaning and Disinfection of Common Areas in All Buildings:
All buildings will continue to be cleaned regularly. Following the CDC guidance, frequently touched surfaces will be disinfected using an EPA list N disinfectant. The CDC has identified frequently touched surfaces as being:
-tables -keyboards
-doorknobs -toilets
-light switches -faucets and sinks
-countertops -gas pump handles
-touch screens -desks
-ATM machines -phones
Private Offices
To concentrate efforts on public and frequently touched surfaces, and reduce the number of individual interactions within personal space, we are asking that all trash and recycling be placed outside the office door as needed for facilities to pick up. Any confidential documents should be taken directly to secure shredding stations as has been required in the past. Specialized cleaning needs should be communicated via work order to be addressed.
Cleaning and Disinfection of Classrooms
Currently there are 57 classroom spaces utilized on the Franklin College campus. Classrooms will be cleaned and disinfected routinely by facilities. In addition to cleaning and disinfecting by facilities staff, additional equipment and supplies will be located in each classroom in case there is a need or desire to clean/disinfect by user. These supplies will include protective gloves, EPA list N disinfectant, surface cleaning tool, and disposable towels. Specialized classrooms such as computer labs will also have hand sanitizing stations immediately outside of the lab. Students utilizing the computer lab will be highly encouraged to utilize the hand sanitizer upon entering and leaving the lab.
Cleaning and Disinfection of Residence Hall Bathrooms
All residence hall bathrooms will be cleaned and disinfected by facilities staff. Each bathroom will also be outfitted with a sanitization kit which includes EPA list N disinfectant and paper towels. These kits are available in case a user would like to disinfect between routine cleanings/disinfection by facilities staff.
Availability of Disinfectants to Use in Residence Hall Rooms
Sanitization kits will be available for check out through hall coordinators. These kits will include EPA list N disinfectant, paper towels and gloves.
Sanitation Stations in Buildings
The college will position sanitization stations across campus to ensure access to cleaning and personal protective equipment (PPE) materials including EPA list N disinfectant, gloves, face coverings, paper towels, and hand sanitizer.
These sanitization stations will be located in:
- Old Main (qty 4) • Johnson Center for Fine Arts (qty 2) • Shirk Hall (qty 1) • Science Center (qty 3) • Richardson Chapel (qty 1) • Napolitan Student Center (qty 2) • Spurlock Gymnasium (qty 2) • B.F. Hamilton Library (qty 3) • Von Boll Welcome Center (qty 1) • Physical Facilities (qty 1)
The weight training room in Spurlock Center will have a station to accommodate user cleaning of equipment before/after use. This area will be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis by facilities staff.
We look forward to welcoming back our students and appreciate all the work by the campus community to Fortify Franklin!
Thomas Patz | Assistant Vice President of Physical Facilities
Franklin College
101 Branigin Boulevard, Franklin, Indiana 46131-2623
FranklinCollege.edu | 317.738.8183