Facilities staff dedicated to keeping campus safe, clean

Students, faculty and staff at Augusta University have embarked on a new year and Facilities Services is making sure they don’t have to worry about the safety and cleanliness of the campus.

Facilities is continuing with the same enhanced cleaning and disinfecting protocol as last year with a focus on daily disinfection of “high-touch” surfaces such as door handles, faucets, elevator buttons, handrails and workstations, according to Ron Booth, vice president of Facilities.

“We are also available to do large area disinfection in spaces where an individual may have been who is determined to be COVID-positive or where there has been an exposure. We have continued to seek out sources of CDC-approved disinfecting products and supplies,” he said.

Facilities has replaced air filters in all buildings and is using the recommended filtration efficiency rating established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They are also continually replacing hand sanitizer in the dispensers that can be found in all buildings.

Booth said with regards to physical distancing protocols, they have removed markers and signage related to those requirements from a year ago and have increased capacity in classrooms and labs to regular levels. If recommendations change to return to distancing requirements, “we will quickly restore these protocols.”

Face masks are encouraged as well as the proper cleaning of workspaces and specific required personal protective equipment (PPE) in the labs around campus.

As a reminder, please promptly report suspected and confirmed COVID-19 illness at AU to reportcovid@augusta.edu or 706-721-2663. You may also call this number if you are concerned about a potential exposure and would like guidance on whether to self-isolate or quarantine.

Students and employees are encouraged to report their illness to their professors or supervisors as soon as possible. They should also contact their medical care provider for guidance and call 706-721-1852 for screening and testing options.

Booth also said Facilities will quickly respond to any request made for cleaning and disinfection of spaces.

If you have questions, please contact the Facilities Work Management Call Center at 706-721-2434 or Booth at 706-721-3393.