FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Grambling State to Gradually Reopen Campus for Employees Beginning June 2020
University Personnel to Return to In-Person Work in Phases with Increased Safety Measures
GRAMBLING, La – May 26, 2020 – Today, Grambling State announced plans to gradually resume on-campus work for team members beginning June 2020. Details of the University’s multi-phased reopening approach and new safety protocols will be made available to employees in the coming week.
“Taking this gradual approach to bring teams back to campus for work will help us ensure that every single team member becomes familiar with new campus-wide safety procedures,” said President Gallot. “As these safety protocols become normalized on campus, we hope the need for them will subside as we near the Fall semester and welcome back our students.”
The University has plans to implement such practices as mandatory temperature scans at pre-determined medical checkpoints as well as the use of face masks, hand sanitizing stations, and limited building entry points across campus.
“In addition to complying with all state and CDC regulations, we are keeping in mind the holistic wellness of our teams,” said Lori Williams, Grambling State’s Associate Vice President of Operations/CHRO. “Our team members have shown extreme resilience during this unprecedented set of circumstances. We are confident that our collective efforts can help keep campus safe during the transition.”
On March 23, 2020, the University announced the shift of remote capable employees to telework in accordance with the Governor’s initial Stay-at-Home Order. Following Governor Edward’s extension of the mandate, Grambling State’s telework arrangement was extended through May 30.
Grambling State’s Human Resources office works closely with Facilities Management and other key University departments to ensure that workspaces are conducive to social distancing and that employees have the tools needed to telework or take time off to care for dependents still affected by COVID-19. The gradual return to campus for work will consist of small groups of team members returning to their onsite work spaces in an order that best serves student and campus needs.
This announcement comes shortly after Governor Edwards approved a statewide reopening plan which began Friday, May 15. Statewide COVID-19 recovery plans have included the start of the Health Equity Task Force and the Resilient Louisiana Commission Task Force, both of which COVID-19 have Grambling State team members working to lead the charge to restoring health and normalcy to Louisiana communities.
The University of Louisiana System announced last week that all nine institutions, including GSU, were developing plans to welcome students safely back to their campuses for the upcoming fall semester.
For media interviews or more information about Grambling State University, contact mediarelations@gram.edu. To learn more about the University’s response and prevention planning for COVID-19, visit gram.edu/coronavirus.
About Grambling State University
Grambling State University, located in Grambling, Louisiana, is a historically black university founded in 1901. The University has been accredited by 13 accrediting associations and holds accreditations in all programs required by the Louisiana Board of Regents. The 590-acre campus offers 43 undergraduate and graduate academic programs. Grambling State University is a member of the University of Louisiana System. For more information, visit gram.edu.