Pilots Prevent
December 22, 2020
The hard-working staff members at University of Portland’s Office of Residence Life know that no one wants to get sick, but more than that, no one wants to feel stranded and alone while they recover. That’s why they’ve put so much thought into creating a comprehensive plan to ensure students feel supported and taken care of from the moment they receive word to isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19.
“The COVID Case Management Team has been really thoughtful about all the details,” says Andrew Weingarten, director of residence life. “We’ve got you covered.”
Comprised of staff from residence life, the health and counseling center, and athletics, the COVID Case Management Team (CCMT) has thought of everything, right down to how to make the isolation apartments cozy and comfortable. As of early January, they’ll be fully stocked with fresh linens, lamps to make the light soft and inviting, artwork for the walls, even houseplants. “We know it’s hard for students away at college,” says Weingarten. “We’re trying to be thoughtful and intentional in providing good care.”
They’ve even created little self-care kits for students stocked with all the supplies they need —toiletries, simple over-the-counter medications like fever reducers, throat lozenges, Emergen-C packets, and tea. “There are also things to do, stuff to keep the mind busy,” Weingarten says. “There’s a little postcard detailing how you can do some exercises from in your apartment without any equipment.”
Every student in isolation because they’ve tested positive for COVID-19, or in quarantine in their dorm room because they may have been exposed to someone who has, will be assigned a case manager who will check in with them every day to see how they’re feeling, provide assistance, and make sure they get three meals a day delivered right to their door, with any dietary restrictions accommodated.
“That case manager is going to help you with everything from start to finish,” says Weingarten. “They’re trained in contact tracing. They’ll help you stay in contact with your primary care provider. They can also link you to other support, like spiritual support from a campus minister, or an associate dean for any academic concerns.”
Public health experts make it clear that it’s safe for people with COVID-19 to isolate together, even if they contracted it on different days. There are nine on-campus apartments reserved for COVID isolation, with about 50 private rooms between them. Students in isolation get their own bedrooms but share the living space. “We’re happy about that guidance because students can be together,” Weingarten says. “It’s already lonely, scary, and boring to be in isolation for two weeks. This is going to help so much with mental health.”
And you won’t even have to worry about washing the sheets when you leave. “We’ve got a whole protocol in place for how the space is cleaned afterward.”
Even students living off campus who must isolate or quarantine are given a case manager to provide guidance on how to isolate at home. “Whether you’re on campus or off, we’re here to help you figure out how to navigate that situation.” What if you can’t isolate? Maybe you share a bedroom or there’s only one bathroom in the house. Turns out, the University maintains two houses for off-campus students who need to isolate. “If space is available and you can’t isolate at home, we can place you there,” says Weingarten.
About one-third of students living on campus for Spring 2021 have opted to have a roommate. If one of them is required to quarantine in their dorm room, both students will need to do so. However, Weingarten says there are enough open rooms in the residence halls that they can provide separation if need be.
Bottom line: whatever you need to navigate getting through a COVID-related isolation or quarantine, the CCMT is there for you. “We’re ready at all times,” says Weingarten, “even if they need an interim care plan at night or on the weekend. There have been cases and we’ve been supporting students already. You’ll get great support from folks who realize it’s tough, you’re away at college, and are doing everything they can to make it comfortable.”
You can contact the CCMT through the form on the Pilots Prevent website or by email (ccmt@up.edu).
University of Portland
5000 N. Willamette Blvd.,
Portland, Oregon 97203-5798
503.943.8000
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