Warriors Back to College Updates

EXPECTATIONS

• Out of love for God and love for others, every member of the campus community shall be responsible and accountable for their words and actions and be expected to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols and directives. 

NON-COMPLIANCE

• Failure to comply with WLC's Back-to-College Guide/COVID-19 protocols and directives constitutes a violation of WLC's Code of Conduct and is subject to the Student Conduct System and Sanctioning as articulated in the 2020-2021 WLC Student Handbook.
• Compliance issues/concerns will be processed and addressed through the proper channel/department (e.g. Academics, Conduct Board, Office of Student Life).

OFF-CAMPUS TRAVEL

• To limit the risk of contracting COVID-19 and spreading it, students should refrain from non-essential off-campus travel and gatherings. If it is essential to travel off-campus, adhering to WARRIORSTOGETHER behaviors is crucial. 

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL

• Anyone who has traveled or will be traveling internationally is expected to quarantine upon their arrival/return to the United States; be sure to comply with current CDC guidance. 
• Resident students who do not have a permanent U.S. address are to contact the Office of Health Services before arriving so arrangements can be made.

REPORTING CONCERNS

Report via email any COVID-19 concern or situation that could endanger a fellow Warrior, the WLC family, or the greater community. The reporting student's identity will be kept confidential.

FACE COVERINGS/MASKS

• All students, faculty, staff, and visitors must wear a face covering/mask indoors or in an enclosed space, even if able to maintain physical distance.
  • NOTE: Regarding campus worship opportunities specifically, pastors or other individuals sharing God's Word in the REX or Chapel may/may not wear a face covering when they are able to physically distance a minimum of 15 feet or more from others.
• Students are expected to bring a personal supply of acceptable face coverings/masks to campus.
• Face coverings/masks that are acceptable (must cover both the nose and mouth) include:
  • Properly fitted, tightly woven, and tightly worn cloth face covering (buff/gaiter or bandana).
  • Disposable mask.
  • Face shield in conjunction with a cloth face covering, buff/gaiter, or disposable mask.
  • N95 or KN95 masks are reserved for healthcare providers and are to be used only when medically necessary.
• Use of a face shield only or any face covering/mask with a one-way valve or mesh is not allowed.
• Face coverings/masks are not required/are optional in these situations:
  • In a private residence or office when guests are not present.
  • Outside and able to maintain physical distance.
• It is acceptable to remove your face covering/mask:
  • When actively eating or drinking in designated spaces.
  • When communicating with someone who is deaf or hard of hearing.
• When physical limitations or medical or mental health reasons preclude the safe wearing of a face covering/mask: 
  • The student may request accommodations through the Office of Student Support Services at 414.443.8797. Note that medical documentation may be requested. 
  • The student will leverage the WarriorFlex model to access teaching and continue learning (see the Classes and Instruction section for details).

PHYSICAL DISTANCING

• COVID-19 spreads through respiratory droplets. Maintain a minimum distance of 6 feet in all directions whenever possible - both indoors and outside.
• Capacity limits have been determined and seating has been configured to support physical distancing in shared spaces.

PERSONAL HYGIENE/CLEANING AND DISINFECTING

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Hand sanitizer can be found in building entryways, and disinfecting wipes and/or disinfecting spray bottles are available in the classrooms.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with elbow or tissue. Then wash hands immediately.
• Regularly clean and sanitize residences and personal belongings. 

SELF-MONITORING

• Conduct daily self-health checks, which includes monitoring temperature and COVID-19 symptom development.
  • To help monitor and track symptoms, consider downloading a COVID-19 self-screener app such as #CampusClear. The CDC symptom checker also offers a free COVID-19 screening tool.
• If symptoms develop, do not attend class, work, or participate in any group activities.
• Students should communicate with Health Services within 24 hours regarding symptom development to determine testing necessity, availability, and/or to receive further medical direction.
• If Health Services is closed, resident students who become symptomatic should contact their respective Resident Assistant (RA).

WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I'M NOT FEELING WELL?

It is critical to conduct daily self-health checks to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms: fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.

It is possible that you have been exposed and are experiencing one or more of the above symptoms of COVID-19. If you are off-campus at the time you become sick, do not return to campus. Stay where you are and seek medical evaluation by calling your health care provider or your local health department.

If you are a student and become sick while at your permanent residence, stay home and seek medical advice by contacting your health care provider or your local health department. 

If you are in campus housing, stay in your room and seek medical advice by calling WLC Health Services at 414.443.8630. Do not go to class, work, or other public spaces until you receive advice regarding testing and isolation.

If you are a WLC employee, stay home. Notify your supervisor and seek medical advice by calling your health care provider or your local health department. Do not go to class or your office until you receive advice regarding testing and isolation.

If at any time you are experiencing severe symptoms such as trouble breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, confusion, bluish lips or face, or any other emergency, call 911.

TESTING

• Testing will be administered through Health Services for those who develop symptoms or are determined to be a close contact. The sample will be obtained and sent to the college's lab partner, Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratories (WDL).
  • Testing will be billed to the student's insurance. If/when a situation related to testing and associated costs arises, the student should work directly with Health Services (414.443.8630) to resolve the matter.
• Students can choose to be tested off-campus, and results (positive or negative) of off-campus testing must be communicated to WLC Health Services.
• Fees for tests administered off-campus will be the responsibility of the student.

CONTACT TRACING

• WLC along with public health departments will engage in contact tracing.
• Your test result and protected health information, while not disclosed publicly, will be provided to and used by WLC Health Services, the WI Department of Health Services, and the local health department as needed to better understand and manage the COVID-19 outbreak both on campus and in the community.

CLOSE CONTACT (as defined by WI Dept of Health Services)

• Being within 6 feet of someone for 15 minutes total in a day.
• Having direct physical contact with someone. (e.g. hug, kiss, handshake).
• Having contact with your respiratory secretions. (e.g. coughed/sneezed on, contact with dirty tissue, sharing a drinking glass, food, towels, or other personal item).

HOUSEHOLD

• The person(s) currently living in and sharing common spaces in your housing unit (house, apartment, suite).

TRACKING

• Students who are directed to quarantine and/or isolate will sign a Release of Information specific to COVID-19 so Health Services can coordinate communication, data, and necessary information with the appropriate personnel both on and off campus. 
• Your test result and protected health information, while not disclosed publicly, will be provided to and used by WLC Health Services, the WI Department of Health Services, and the local health department as needed to better understand and manage the COVID-19 outbreak both on campus and in the community. 

SELF-QUARANTINE

• Students must self-quarantine when: 
  • COVID-19 symptoms are identified through self-monitoring.
  • COVID-19 symptoms are identified and/or confirmed by Health Services or another medical professional.
  • A COVID-19 test sample is obtained, and results are pending.
• Students should communicate with:
  • Health Services within 24 hours regarding symptom development, to determine testing necessity, availability, and/or to receive further medical direction.
  • Professors regarding their need to attend virtually due to symptoms/pending test results.
  • Coach(es) and employment supervisors regarding their absence due to symptoms/pending test results.
• Miscellaneous information:
  • Dining: Students are able to access food from Warrior Dining and/or Brewhaus during low density times, and are to return to their residence to eat.
  • Laundry: Students are able to use laundry facilities, and then should return to their residence until the laundry is complete. Students must sanitize surfaces they come into contact with while utilizing laundry facilities.
  • Cleaning/Sanitizing: Students are expected to clean/sanitize common spaces, especially bathrooms and kitchen spaces.
  • Roommate(s): Keep as much distance as possible from your roommate(s). If possible, move to separate sleeping areas. Wear masks in common spaces such as living room and kitchen. 

QUARANTINE

• Students must quarantine if they have been identified as a “close contact” to a person who has been diagnosed with or tested positive for COVID-19. All members of the “household” will need to quarantine due to the sharing of common spaces (ie: bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, etc.)
• Notification and communication expectations:
  • Health Services will notify students if they are identified as a close contact to a COVID-19 case originating within the WLC community.
  • Students must communicate with Health Services if they are notified as having close contact with a COVID-19 positive case.
  • Health Services will establish the quarantine timeline, initiate official WLC communication to necessary faculty/staff, and provide directions to the student regarding the expectations for the duration of their quarantine.
• Quarantine housing:
  • Resident students have the option to remain in their assigned residence or to temporarily move home for the duration of their quarantine.
  • Commuter students must quarantine at their off-campus residence/home for the duration of their quarantine. 
• Miscellaneous information:
  • If unsure about potential close contact to a COVID-19 positive case, contact healthservices@wlc.edu or 414.443.8630 for clarification and/or guidance.
  • Quarantine length will be determined by local health department guidelines.

ISOLATION

• Students must isolate when they are diagnosed or have tested positive for COVID-19.
• Notification and communication expectations:
  • Students who were tested on campus will be notified by Health Services if their results are positive.
  • Students who were tested off campus must communicate with Health Services and provide documentation of their positive test result.
  • Health Services will establish the isolation timeline, initiate official WLC communication to necessary faculty/staff, and provide directions to the student regarding the expectations for the duration of their isolation.
• Isolation housing:
  • Resident students are required to isolate off-campus if their permanent residence is within three (3) hours from WLC, and if it is safe to do so.
  • Resident students who reside beyond three (3) hours from WLC have the option to isolate at their permanent residence if it is safe to do so.
  • Commuter students must isolate at their off-campus residence/home.
  • Health Services and Residence Life will work with students to provide necessary housing for those who are unable to safely isolate at their permanent residence or because of other unique, extenuating circumstances.

RELEASE AND RETURN

FROM SELF QUARANTINE

• A student received a COVID-19 test due to having symptoms and has received a negative COVID-19 test result.
• The student must not be an identified close contact.
• A student received care and/or directives by a medical professional regarding their symptoms and no longer needs to continue to self-quarantine.

FROM QUARANTINE

• A student who has been identified as a close contact and is in quarantine will be able to return to the WLC community when criteria have been met.
• Students are released from quarantine with the approval of Health Services and in collaboration with the local health department.

FROM ISOLATION

• A student who has been diagnosed with or tested positive for COVID-19 and is in isolation will be able to return to the WLC community after criteria have been met.
• Students are released from isolation with the approval of Health Services and in collaboration with the local health department. 

Updated 4/9/2021

WLC VACCINE EDUCATION PDF

GENERAL UPDATES/INFORMATION

Out of care and concern for your health and well-being, and to protect fellow Warriors and the larger community, you are encouraged to receive the vaccine when it becomes available to you.

• It is recommended that you contact your primary healthcare provider and/or local health department regarding vaccination eligibility and to address any questions/concerns you have.  
• The vaccine is projected to be available for the general student population in May.
• Our hope is that everyone who wishes to get a COVID-19 vaccine will have been able to do so by the beginning of the fall 2021 semester.

ACCESSING THE COVID-19 VACCINE

• Milwaukee-area locations can be found HERE. 
• Reports indicate that the Wisconsin Center site is easy to access / quite efficient.
• The vaccine finder is HERE. 

QUARANTINE GUIDANCE FOR A VACCINATED PERSON (CDC)

Quarantine guidance from the CDC now states that a vaccinated individual who has been exposed to a someone with COVID-19 is not required to quarantine if ALL of the following conditions are met:

• The person is fully vaccinated.
• The exposure occurs ≥2 weeks following receipt of the second dose in a 2-dose series, or ≥2 weeks following receipt of one dose of a single-dose vaccine.
• The person is within 90 days following receipt of the last dose in the series.
• The person has remained asymptomatic since the current COVID-19 exposure.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND INFORMATION

• WLC Vaccine Education
• WLC alumnus, Dr. Jon Fricke '11, had the following article published in Forward in Christ
• CDC Frequently Asked Questions about COVID-19 Vaccination
• CDC Myths and Facts about COVID-19 Vaccines
• Froedtert and Medical College of Wisconsin Vaccine Information and Updates
  
  

Students with non-urgent concerns should make an appointment for medical or counseling services. Email Health Services or call 414.443.8630. In a medical or mental health emergency, dial 911.

MEDICAL SERVICES

• Students can utilize Health Services for a variety of medical needs.
• Appointments can be made by calling 414.443.8630 or emailing Health Services.
• Before the appointment, students will complete a triage form to assess for COVID-19 symptoms.
• Designated spaces have been identified to separate students who have symptoms of COVID-19 from other students.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

• Christian Family Solutions (CFS) will continue to provide counseling services.
  • Appointments are available on-campus, in a local clinic, or via secure video connection.
  • To make an appointment, email Health Services or text “WLChelp” to 484848. 
  • Students can access a 24/7 crisis line: 1.800.438.1772, option 1.

VULNERABLE POPULATIONS

• Students with chronic health conditions are to provide any recommendations from their health care provider to Health Services, so appropriate risk mitigation strategies can be identified and accommodations/modifications can be determined.
• When physical limitations (e.g. wearing a face covering/mask) or medical or mental health reasons affect one's ability to participate in face-to-face classroom instruction: 
  • The student may request accommodations through the Office of Student Support Services at 414.443.8797. Note that medical documentation may be requested.
  • The student will leverage the WarriorFlex model to access teaching and continue learning.
    
    

Wisconsin Lutheran College has disbursed its CRRSAA / HEERF II funds from the December 27, 2020, authorization. Please contact Diane Hoehnke if you have questions about your disbursement.

The College has not yet received funds related to the latest stimulus bill.

As recipients of HEERF funds of the CARES Act, and CRRSAA (HEERF II) funds of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021, Wisconsin Lutheran College is posting the following information:

Wisconsin Lutheran College signed and returned to the Department of Education the Certification and Agreement on April 13, 2020, and the HEERF II funds have been made available to the College on January 17, 2021. The College is required to distribute at least $463,000 to students.

As of March 31, Wisconsin Lutheran College has disbursed to students $418,100 (and has drawn down $273,200) from the Department pursuant to the institution's Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Student, and is working through distributing another $92,775 to eligible students.

Approximately 996 students at Wisconsin Lutheran College were estimated to be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as evidenced by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)) and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

As March 31, 2021, 708 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid.

Wisconsin Lutheran College disbursed financial Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students, up to $1,100 (and as low as $100), based on the Total Family Contribution (TFC) calculated by the filing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Priority was given to students with a zero TFC, and phased out with increasing TFC.

Students were notified via email to apply for funds:

Dear Students,

WLC is preparing to disburse Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (passed on December 27, 2020) -- (CRRSAA) /(HEERF II) funds before April 1. The College has set the amount per student based on the Federal guidance in the Act. Most eligible students can expect from $100 to $1,100. Please use the link below to indicate how you want to receive your funds.  In this iteration you may choose to use these funds to pay for your spring semester charges or return spring semester loans. If you choose to leave the funds on your account, and a credit balance (overpayment) results, you can request a check for the overage at any time later. See options on form by clicking the link below. You can check your balance due for the spring semester by logging on to your MY.WLC.EDU account and select the MY ACCOUNT tab, then click GO TO CASHNET to view your E-Bill.

https://www.wlc.edu/CRRSAA/
Business Office
414.443.8627

SPRING 2021 COVID-19 DASHBOARD STATISTICS (PDF)

FALL 2020 COVID-19 DASHBOARD STATISTICS (PDF)

All 2020 funds have been disbursed. 

The federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic related to funding for colleges and college students is called the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and within it is the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.

Wisconsin Lutheran College applied for the emergency grant and has received limited funds to disburse to eligible students to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to COVID-19.

As recipients of Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) of the CARES Act, Wisconsin Lutheran College is required to post the following information:

Wisconsin Lutheran College signed and returned to the Department the Certification and Agreement on April 13, 2020, and has used over 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students.

As of June 30, 2020, Wisconsin Lutheran College has received and disbursed to students $467,825 from the Department pursuant to the institution's Certification and Agreement [for] Emergency Financial Aid Grants to Student, which is over one half of the total amount allocated for Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

Approximately 850 students at Wisconsin Lutheran College were estimated to be eligible to participate in programs under Section 484 in Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (as evidenced by filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)) and thus eligible to receive Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

As of June 30, 2020, 687 students have received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act.

Wisconsin Lutheran College disbursed financial Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students, up to $1,500, based on the Total Family Contribution (TFC) calculated by the filing of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Priority was given to students with a zero TFC, and phased out with increasing TFC. Additional funds of up to $500 were provided to students remaining on campus without access to a meal plan and for displaced work-study students. $435,225 was awarded to 675 students with this method. The College also disbursed an additional $32,600 to students who applied for funds stating they had additional need via an application process.

HEERF QUARTERLY REPORTING PDF

Letter to students who received an Emergency Financial Aid Grant to students under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act:

May 8, 2020

Dear Student,

We hope this letter finds you well despite this challenging time. You may have heard about the federal government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic related to funding for colleges and college students. It's called the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and within it is the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund. Wisconsin Lutheran College applied for the emergency grant and has received limited funds to disburse to eligible students to help cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus.

Through funding by the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund, Wisconsin Lutheran College is providing this check to you. The funds are to cover expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus (including eligible expenses under your cost of attendance, such as food, housing, course materials, technology, health care, and child care). Please note, at this time the taxability of these funds is unknown.

We know everyone has been impacted by this health crisis, and the financial hardship on students and their families may be overwhelming. We are committed to doing everything we can to help you continue your education so you can fulfill your career aspirations and become a strong Christian servant leader

If you do not have added expenses related to the disruption of campus operations due to coronavirus, please void the check and return it to:

Wisconsin Lutheran College Business Office
8800 W. Bluemound Road
Milwaukee, WI 53226

Please visit www.wlc.edu/coronavirus/ for additional information. If you have questions about this emergency grant, please contact Diane Hoehnke at diane.hoehnke@wlc.edu.

Sincerely,
Diane Hoehnke
Assistant Vice President, Finance