Public Health and Safety Response Policy (Interim)

This policy provides for the health and safety of the University of Arizona (University) community during a pandemic and other public health or safety emergencies.

The University President is responsible for the management of the University under the jurisdiction of the Arizona Board of Regents. This includes taking any necessary and appropriate action to protect the safety and well-being of the University community.

This policy applies to the University Community, including students, faculty, staff, affiliates, associates, volunteers, contractors, and visitors.

COVID-19: means the disease caused by the novel coronavirus of 2019 or the SARS-CoV2 virus. ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease.

Educator: any University employee responsible for teaching, advising, or instructing undergraduate and/or graduate students.

Health and Safety: Health and safety encompasses personal security; public safety; emergency preparedness; public health; workplace safety; protection of environmental and physical resources; and safe and healthful facilities and service delivery.

Pandemic: means an outbreak of a disease across a country or the world.

State of emergency: means the existence of conditions of disaster or of extreme peril to the safety of persons or property within the state caused by air pollution, fire, flood or floodwater, storm, epidemic, riot, earthquake or other causes, as proclaimed by the Governor of Arizona (defined by ARS § 26-301.15).

University Community: means any of the following individuals: (a) University student; (b) University employee; or (c) third party who is engaged in any University activity or program, or who is otherwise interacting with the University, including, but not limited to volunteers, contractors, vendors, designated campus colleagues, visitors, and guests.

A. University Public Health and Safety

It is the duty of all members of the University Community, as well as all visitors to the University campus and its facilities, to take necessary health and safety precautions to help protect one another during a pandemic, public health, safety, or other state of emergency. During such emergencies, the University President or her/his designee will evaluate and employ a number of strategies and resources as part of public health or safety response planning.

Public health or safety response planning may include imposing restrictions on certain behaviors or requiring individuals to take specific actions (collectively, “Health and Safety Measures”). Health and Safety Measures that impose requirements must be approved by the President or her/his designee. Health and Safety Measures may take the form of administrative directives, policies, and procedures, as well as enforcing applicable laws, government orders or ordinances. 

B. Guiding Principles

The following principles shall guide public health and safety response planning at the University:

1. the University is committed to monitoring and addressing emerging health and safety issues;
2. the University seeks to provide a safe, secure, and healthy environment in which members of the University community can achieve their educational, research, outreach, service, and employment goals;
3. the University is committed to promoting a safe environment for members of the University community who participate in events or use resources, facilities, and services;
4. the University is committed to working with local, state, national, and global public health officials and subject matter experts as needed in responding to a public health emergency; and
5. the University is committed to providing open and timely communications regarding its decisions and health and safety plans.

C. Mutual Responsibility

Members of the University Community must comply with Health and Safety Measures to fulfill their mutual responsibilities to maintain positive health and safety conditions for the benefit of all members of the University Community.

A. Policy Oversight and Enforcement

College, Unit, and Department supervisors are responsible for the enforcement and oversight of the University’s Health and Safety Measures and this policy as it applies to employees and to those individuals, programs, and activities for whom and which they are responsible.

The Dean of Students or her/his designee is responsible for the enforcement and oversight of the University’s Health and Safety Measures and this policy as it pertains to students. Educators have authority to enforce the University’s Health and Safety Measures and this policy in their classrooms, laboratories, and other spaces of learning and exploration in their domain. In accordance with ABOR policy 5-308 (Student Code of Conduct), the University will hold students responsible for their off-campus conduct if it presents a health, safety, or security risk to the University Community. 

The University seeks to achieve compliance with its Health and Safety Measures through educational efforts; however, failure of members of the University Community to follow required Health and Safety Measures may result in disciplinary action according to relevant student or employment policies and procedures.

Any exceptions to this policy must be approved by the University President or her/his designee.