COVID19 UPDATE #34

Updated March 2, 2022 at 6:30 am
Reviewed March 2022

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources and Updates

Nicolet College is doing its part to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Our first priority has been, and continues to be to provide a safe and healthy environment for working and learning. Oneida County announced its intent to rely on information from the WEDC, the WI Dept. of Health ServicesOpening America Again, and the Centers for Disease Control. Nicolet had adopted a similar approach in our framework for reopening, and continues to operate with decisions informed by good science and sound medical advice.

As has been the case throughout the pandemic, Nicolet College continues to offer its full menu of flexible learning options and personalized student support services. Whatever your questions might be, we want to answer them. Please refer to our FAQ page, call 715.365.4493, or send an email anytime to inquire@nicoletcollege.edu.

The economic impact of the pandemic on businesses and their employees has been unprecedented. In response, Nicolet College and the Nicolet College Foundation are doing everything possible to provide financial and other assistance to students in need.

  • If you are a student in serious financial need, apply for help here or call 715.365.4493
  • If you are in a position to help, your gift couldn’t be more welcome or more impactful. Donations can be made online or by mail to: Nicolet College Foundation, P.O. Box 518, Rhinelander, WI 54501.

Links to reliable sources of global, U.S., and Wisconsin information can be found below. Thank you for staying informed, for working together to keep our friends and neighbors safe, and for your help in moving us forward with resolve, optimism, and kindness.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Nicolet College’s COVID-19 Case "Dashboard" is here: https://www.nicoletcollege.edu/about/covid-19-updates/covid19-cases-campus.  It allows the campus community to review current COVID-19 case statistics specific to Nicolet College.  In addition, students and staff will find information on what to do if (1) you are instructed to self-quarantine or (2) receive a positive COVID-19 test.
  • Beginning Tuesday, March 1, Nicolet College will no longer require masks while inside our campus buildings. The College remains a "mask welcoming" campus and will continue to provide face masks at our buildings’ main entryways for optional use while on premises. 
  • Nicolet College continues to promote physical distancing. Students, faculty, staff, and visitors should be mindful of their distance from others while on premises.  
  • Unvaccinated Employees who have tested positive for COVID-19, or who have or believe they have had contact with an infected person within the previous 5 days, or who show COVID-19 symptoms, are expected to immediately self-isolate, inform their supervisor or the Office of Employee Relations (715-365-4917), contact a health care provider, and follow all instructions exactly.
  • Vaccinated Employees who have tested positive for COVID-19, or who show COVID-19 symptoms, are expected to immediately self-isolate, inform their supervisor or the Office of Employee Relations (715-365-4917), contact a health care provider, and follow all instructions exactly.
  • Vaccinated Employees who have come in contact with an infected person within the previous 5 days, but are not showing symptoms of COVID-19, are not required to self-isolate. 
  • Unvaccinated students who have tested positive for COVID-19, or who have or believe they have had contact with an infected person within the previous 5 days, or who show COVID-19 symptoms, should immediately self-isolate and are strenuously encouraged to inform their instructors of their need to self-isolate, and contact Nicolet College’s Risk Manager (715-365-4615).
  • Vaccinated students who have tested positive for COVID-19, or who show COVID-19 symptoms, should immediately self-isolate and are strenuously encouraged to inform their instructors of their need to self-isolate, and contact Nicolet College’s Risk Manager (715-365-4615).
  • Vaccinated students who have come in contact with an infected person within the previous 5 days, but are not showing symptoms of COVID-19, are not required to self-isolate.  
  • For all individuals regardless of their vaccination status. If you feel sick, stay home. 
  • Nicolet has made a variety of changes designed to mitigate risk, more employees will be able to spend more time at their work stations on campus. Supervisors will oversee work schedules to assure physical distancing can be maintained. As has been the case, on-campus work is permitted in order to:
        (1) facilitate distance learning, or
        (2) maintain minimum basic operations, including security and payroll, or
        (3) perform other functions for which no comparable remote option is available.
  • Employees who are unsure if their work falls under one of these exemptions should seek verification from their supervisor or a member of the Executive Leadership Team prior to coming on campus.
  • Unless responding to an urgent need, essential on-campus work should be done from 7:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Employees doing that work must depart campus upon its completion.
  • A fact sheet on how to work securely from home from SANS.org (a cybersecurity training company) can be viewed and downloaded here: https://security-awareness.sans.org/sites/default/files/2020-03/02-SSA-WorkingFromHome-FactSheet.pdf.
  • Nicolet College has made significant investments in recent years to create high quality online learning experiences. Our faculty know how to teach online and many students need the added flexibility, especially in these times of uncertainty. Accordingly, although on-campus instruction will increase as governed by health and safety considerations, most will continue in remote delivery modes.
  • Students should monitor their College email for the latest information. Questions about classes or other services can be directed to instructors, success coaches or advisors. Also, College staff are available by phone 715.365.4493 and email inquire@nicoletcollege.edu.

TRAVEL

College-Sponsored Travel

  • Employees planning to travel using College resources and/or for College purposes must have those plans reviewed and approved in advance by a member of the Executive Leadership Team.
  • All travelers must make a good faith effort to comply with social distancing requirements and good hand hygiene practices at all times. Nicolet College employees on official business must follow local regulations and restrictions, including the use of face coverings where required. 

Personal Travel

The College neither controls nor seeks to control what employees do on their own time. The sole purpose of this section is to assure, to the extent possible, a safe and healthy environment for all members of the Nicolet College community.

  • Nicolet College expects all employees to comply with CDC travel recommendations.
  • Employees who plan to travel to other parts of Wisconsin, other states, or internationally on personal time are encouraged discuss their plans with their supervisor in advance. 

EVENTS & GATHERINGS

*Non-Nicolet Events (Events from the private sector wishing to use Nicolet College as a venue for their program or event, i.e. conferences, weddings, meetings, groups, etc.)

  • Currently able to reserve as “tentative” for events

*Nicolet College Events (Events sponsored and controlled by Nicolet College, i.e. meetings, theater events, graduation, etc.)

  • Currently available for reservation

*Nicolet College will comply with public health mandates communicated by the Oneida County Health Department and/or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The ability to schedule an event, or maintain a currently scheduled event, is subject to change per the issuance of new public health mandates.   

COUNTY, STATE, NATIONAL, & GLOBAL INFORMATION

World Health Organization (WHO)
https://www.who.int/

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
News, resources, and information from the CDC
https://www.coronavirus.gov/  

Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
General information on COVID-19
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/disease/covid-19.htm

Current information on the status of the outbreak in Wisconsin
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/outbreaks/index.htm 

UW-Madison Center for Health Enhancement System Studies
Information, support and resources organized in seven sections: Resource Center, Covid-19 Fact Checker, Calming, Coping, All About Covid-19, Prevent and Protect, and Discussion Rooms. Mobile apps for Android and IOS to be out soon. https://covid.chess.wisc.edu/#/home

Oneida County Health Department
https://publichealth.co.oneida.wi.us/services/communicable-disease/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19-2/

An Employee at my Business Tested Positive to COVID19 (PDF)

Best Practices for Businesses During Pandemic (PDF)

Best Practices for Businesses for Pick Up and Delivery (PDF)

Places in Oneida County linked to a lab-confirmed COVID-19 case in the last 14 days.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Nicolet College COVID-19 FAQs
https://www.nicoletcollege.edu/about/covid-19-updates/covid-19-frequently-asked-questions

WXPR
https://www.wxpr.org/topic/covid-19#stream/0

Rhinelander Area Chamber of Commerce
http://www.rhinelanderchamber.com/covid-19-resources

Vilas County Public Health Services
https://health.vilascountywi.gov/

Lac du Flambeau Tribe Community Update
https://ldftribe.com/departments/126/Community_Update_on_Corona_Virus_COVID_19.html

Forest County Potawatomi Community
https://www.fcpotawatomi.com/announcements/to-our-tribal-members-employees-and-patients/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMSHA) National Helpline 1-800-662-HELP
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service available in English and Spanish.

NORTHWOODS BUSINESS RESOURCES

The GRID at Nicolet College
https://www.nicoletcollege.edu/business-industry/grid

Vilas County Economic Development Corp.
https://www.vilascountyedc.org/covid-19-business-resources/ 

Sitecast.com
https://www.greaternorthwoods.com/sos/