Allbritton Center Guidelines for Community Engagement, 2020-2021

Above all, the best way we can support our community right now is by taking extreme precautions while maintaining the values embedded in our Civic Action Plan. Although that means we will have to pause or adapt critical partnerships, it is in the best interest of everyone involved.

For the safety of our students and our surrounding communities, there will be no in-person civic engagement programming until further notice. This includes Service Learning courses, Office of Community Service programs, community-based work-study jobs, E2020 initiatives, and all other university-led and student-led civic engagement activities.

Remote (virtual) engagement and contactless off-campus engagement are permitted, and we will support and facilitate programs that utilize these formats.

 

Protocols

On-campus civic engagement.

Not permitted. Campus is closed to guests until further notice.

Off-campus, person-to-person civic engagement.

Not permitted. While disappointing, this is for the safety of everyone involved.

Off-campus, no-contact civic engagement.

Currently paused, until we can better understand what the risk is to Wesleyan and the Middletown community.
Students leaving campus for any reason must abide by the Wesleyan Code of Conduct and Allbritton Community Engagement Guidelines, avoid all person-to-person interaction, and follow CDC recommended pandemic distancing and safety guidelines, maintaining a 6-foot distance from other people and wearing masks at all times.

Transportation for off-campus, no-contact civic engagement.

Options include Wesleyan vans (registered drivers only), Zipcar, and, in rare circumstances, personal vehicles. Drivers must be certified to drive by Wesleyan University. Limit of one person per vehicle (exceptions for members of the same pod/household). The driver cleans and disinfects the vehicle prior to and following travel per CDC recommendations. Any and all transportation must continue to abide by the Wesleyan Transportation Policy.

Off-campus, no-contact drop-offs.

Permitted. Students must contact the site in advance to arrange the drop-off time and location. The items being dropped off must be safely contained in a package or box. Upon arrival at the location, students must ensure (through visual or phone confirmation) that someone is ready to receive the package. The package will be placed outside in the agreed location. Students will not enter any building or interact directly with the recipient.

Virtual civic engagement.

Permitted. Every student-led or university-led program or class that involves virtual engagement will have specific protocols. When working with minors, please also refer to Wesleyan’s Policy on Health and Safety of Children and Youth.

All students participating in civic engagement activity will be provided with onboarding materials housed in the Civic Engagement Moodle. Please see the relevant faculty member, staff member, or student leader for more details.

 

Questions? Contact engage@wesleyan.edu or check the Keep Wes Safe site for more information.