University Coronavirus Information

CNU is committed to the safety and well-being of our community.


On Campus Strategies for COVID

Ventilation: CNU’s 3 main campus buildings, 9700 West Taron Drive Elk Grove, 2910 Prospect Park Drive Rancho Cordova and 2920 Prospect Drive Rancho Cordova, HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems were all updated in March with a new system called Global Plasma Solutions (GPS) which is a particle reduction, odor reduction, pathogen reduction and energy saving system. As of June 2nd CNU received their first test results from Innovation Bioanalysis which tested the effectiveness of the system against COVID-19. Efficacy testing showed that upon exposure to bipolar ionization for 30 minutes, 99.4% of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was inactivated. This ionization technology inactivates the viral receptors and renders the virus ineffective, thus eliminating its ability to bind to and infect cells.

Building Improvements: Increased the number of hand sanitizing stations throughout all CNU buildings. Added sanitizing stations that include paper towels and disinfecting solution for people to use to at their work stations. Adding Plexiglas barriers to the front desk reception areas in all buildings.

Face Mask: Face mask are required to wear on campus and in public areas. Mask can be removed while eating and drinking and when in a private study room/office. Additional masks are available at the front desk. See attached Face Mask Policy.

Classroom Strategies Implemented: CNU will monitor and comply with all County guidelines for social distancing. Classrooms are set up with multiple hand sanitizing stations and disinfecting stations. Please do not move the desk in the classrooms. Faculty will remind students of the sanitizing stations and remind them to refrain from congregating in the lobby.

Lobby/Hallway Strategies Implemented: The security guard will help remind students of policies in place and encourage individuals to refrain from large group gatherings in public areas.

Informational Posters: Informational posters about COVID-19 and how to protect yourself and others have been placed around all campus buildings. Posters include: How to Safely Wear and Take Off a Cloth Covering, COVID-19: Quarantine vs. Isolation, What you should know about COVID-19 to Protect Yourself and Others, How to Properly Wash Your Hands, Restroom etiquette, etc. All information posters are directly from the CDC website.

Thermal Imagining: Due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic, California Northstate University “CNU” will be implementing voluntary temperature checks using a thermal imaging system. Thermal Temperature check stations are placed at each main entrance. CNU will monitor the spread of the pandemic and adjust the policy as needed. CNU’s Voluntary Temperature Screening Policy.

Janitorial Cleaning: Increased frequency of cleaning throughout all campus buildings. Increased frequency of deep cleaning using Electrostatic Sprayers which are used to kill viruses, bacteria and pathogens on surfaces (2x per month). Increased cleaning of restrooms and other common areas including door handles (3x per day).

Cafeteria: Increased cleaning and posting signs noting the appropriate number individuals that should be in the cafeteria at one time.

Counseling Service: Personal counseling services are available to all students at no charge. The Counseling Center has Telehealth Services available to all Students. The counseling center uses a HIPPA compliant confidential platform called Doxy.Me. The counselors routinely send out resources on managing mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with free digital mental health resources that are currently available for the duration of the pandemic.

Mandatory Self-Reporting and Communication Policy and Procedure (Student and Employee): CNU will be requiring all individuals to self-report if they have a COVID-19 Diagnosis and potential exposure to COVID-19 to ensure the safety of the campus community. CNU will monitor state guidelines and update the policy as needed. Please see the attached Mandatory Student Self-Reporting and Communication Policy and Procedure for further details.


Posted: April, 2020

Message to Campus Community on COVID-19

CNU administration would like to keep you updated on the most recent installation to our HVAC (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning) system that has just been completed at both the Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova campuses. The new system installed is called Global Plasma Solutions (GPS) which is a particle reduction, odor reduction, pathogen reduction and energy saving system. This system will help ensure the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff.

How the Process Works

During the GPS cleaning process the NPBI (Needlepoint Bipolar Ionization) which generate ions by splitting moisture (water molecules) in the air. The ions steal away hydrogen from the pathogens, leaving them to die, and leaving us with clean air.

How it Works in the Building

The circulating air in the building returns back through the intake vents then goes through the installed GPS system. As the air stream passes through the GPS units, it creates a high concentration of + and – ions. As the air stream continues
the ions attach to the particles, pathogens and gas molecules in which those ions kill the pathogen. The ions then breakdown the harmful VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into harmless compounds. The end result is clean air being distributed back to the building.

testing summary 

Sincerely,
CNU Administration


Posted: March, 2020

Message to Campus Community on COVID-19

Dear California Northstate University Community,

As an update to our last communication on Sunday, March 8th, we continue to have zero confirmed cases of students or employees with COVID-19 at either the Elk Grove Campus or the Rancho Cordova Campus.

CNU is taking all the appropriate measures and will continue to follow the guidance of the California Department of Public Health and county agencies. CNU is monitoring the situation very closely and will continue to provide updates to our campus community via email with any new relevant information. We currently do not plan to cancel classes or suspend operations. In the event that CNU does, we have been preparing alternate means for students to attend lectures via an online modality.

CNU has been working diligently in preparation in the event that campus closes to continue to provide classes via an online modality. All programs have been updating and providing training to all their faculty and staff members on how to properly upload recorded lectures and PowerPoints, provide live lectures where students and faculty can interact in current time, as well as provide test and quizzes. Our Information Technology team has been hard at work configuring and increasing the data storage along with integrating multiple different platforms of online learning for our students. CNU will be using platforms such as Zoom in addition to our current Learning Management System (LMS) Canvas and Big Blue Button.

Each of our programs offered here at CNU are tailored slightly differently depending on the program. For that reason each program will send out announcements to the students on the exact means of online learning and what each student will need to do to continue their education.
For those students returning from Spring Break or just starting Spring Break we urge you to be mindful and if you are feeling sick or starting to feel symptoms please stay home and contact your Dean/Dean of Academic Affairs and let them know.

As a reminder CNU has increased the janitorial services to provide more sanitization to surfaces, improving the ventilation system, as well as providing more sanitization wipes in the commonly shared spaces such as the classrooms and library.

In the meantime, please practice daily preventive care:
• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or with soap and water (especially after touching common surfaces)
• Stay at home if you are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Maintain at least a 6-feet distance from anyone sneezing or coughing
• Follow good respiratory hygiene (cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing and dispose of the tissue immediately)

If you plan to travel anytime soon please check travel advisories when planning travel to ensure that you protect yourself and our CNU community.
To our CNU students out on clerkships please make sure to take extra precautions at your healthcare rotation sites and follow any guidelines they are requesting. If any student or employee has come in contact or interacted with a COVID-19 positive patients please notify CNU as soon as possible.

To our CNU faculty and staff we urge you to suspend all non-essential travel plans.

For the latest updates and current information on Coronavirus (COVID-19), please see the CDC COVID-19 Summary page.

For a more information please visit WHO, Q & A on Coronaviruses.

Sincerely,
CNU Administration


Posted: March 8th, 2020

Message to Campus Community on COVID-19

Dear California Northstate University Community,

The health and safety of California Northstate University’s students, faculty, and staff continue to be our top priority. As an update to our last communication on Friday, February 28th, we continue to have zero confirmed cases of students or employees with COVID-19 at either the Elk Grove Campus or the Rancho Cordova Campus.

CNU is taking all the appropriate measures and will continue to follow the guidance of the California Department of Public Health and county agencies. CNU is monitoring the situation very closely and will continue to provide updates to our campus community via email with any new relevant information. We currently do not plan to cancel classes or suspend operations. In the event that CNU does, we have been preparing alternate means for students to attend lectures via an online modality.

CNU understands that there may be a great amount of concern, but please rest assured that the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff is our number one priority. As a precaution CNU has increased the janitorial services to provide more sanitization to surfaces, improving the ventilation system, as well as providing more sanitization wipes in the commonly shared spaces such as the classrooms and library.

In the meantime, please practice daily preventive care:
• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or with soap and water (especially after touching common surfaces)
• Stay at home if you are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Maintain at least a 3-feet distance from anyone sneezing or coughing
• Follow good respiratory hygiene (cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing and dispose of the tissue immediately)

If you plan to travel anytime soon please check travel advisories when planning travel to ensure that you protect yourself and our CNU community.

To our CNU students out on clerkships please make sure to take extra precautions at your healthcare rotation sites and follow any guidelines they are requesting. If any student or employee has come in contact or interacted with a COVID-19 positive patients please notify CNU as soon as possible.

For the latest updates and current information on Coronavirus (COVID-19), please see the CDC COVID-19 Summary page.

For a more information please visit WHO, Q & A on Coronaviruses.

Sincerely,
CNU Administration


Posted: February 28, 2020:

Message to Campus Community on COVID-19

Dear California Northstate University Community,

CNU is vigilantly monitoring and responding to new information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, which was declared a global health emergency and has triggered travel and quarantine measures. CNU is taking steps to ensure the health and safety of the CNU community and visitors.

As an additional precautionary measure, daily disinfection practices are being implemented at both the Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova campuses.

Additionally, all students and employees who may be experiencing symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath) are advised to stay at home.

Many may be wondering about the status of classes and campus operations both in Elk Grove and Rancho Cordova campuses. We are not planning to cancel, suspend, or modify operations at this time, and will follow the guidance of Sacramento County and the California Department of Public health, as needs arise. In the event that there is a need for modification to our current operations, CNU will notify you of these changes.

CNU understands that there may be a great amount of concern, but please rest assured that the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff is our number one priority.

In the meantime, please practice daily preventive care:
• Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or with soap and water (especially after touching common surfaces)
• Stay at home if you are sick
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Maintain at least a 3-feet distance from anyone sneezing or coughing
• Follow good respiratory hygiene (cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing and dispose of the tissue immediately)

Due to recent outbreaks in various countries, please check travel advisories when planning travel to ensure that you protect yourself and our CNU community.

To our CNU students out on clerkships please make sure to take extra precautions at your healthcare rotation sites. If any student or employee has come in contact or interacted with a COVID-19 positive patients please notify CNU as soon as possible.

For the latest updates and current information on Coronavirus (COVID-19), please see the CDC COVID-19 Summary page.

For a more information please visit WHO, Q & A on Coronaviruses.

Sincerely,
CNU Administration