Alpha Phi - Michigan State University

BETA BETA CHAPTER of ALPHA PHI at MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY Fall 2020 The Ivy Keeping Our Collegians Safe in the Midst of the Pandemic Chapter House Reopens for Fall Semester N ormally, this issue of The Ivy would serve as a welcome back newsletter to update our alumnae on everything our collegians were up to during the fall semester. We were glad to welcome the collegians back to our home at 616 M.A.C., but there certainly was not anything normal for them as they navigated chapter operations during the pandemic. What we thought was going to be a slow summer turned into a race to prepare the house for COVID-19-concerned collegians. You may know earlier this spring we were strongly urged to close the house as the school administration moved to a fully online campus. We started preparing for the collegians' return from the minute they were forced to move home for the remainder of the spring semester. We worked with Alpha Phi Executive Office all summer to discuss the best ways to provide a safe, secure, and healthy environment for our members. Our members' health and welfare were central to all our decisions. We also consulted with MSU administration, local, and state health agencies. We opened our doors following months of planning and procurement of items we never imagined we would ever need. Here are a few of our pandemic-preparedness additions. • Sanitation stations have been installed at every external door. • High-volume, medical-grade air purifiers have been installed in all common areas of the house. • All contractors (including food service and housekeeping) are required to wear masks while in common areas of the house. They are required to complete daily health status check-ins to be allowed to work inside the house. • Food service and staffing for meals have been modified to avoid any unnecessary contact. Food may be served on disposables rather than buffet style. Dining room furniture has been moved apart to accommodate safe distancing. • Additional housekeeping service has occurred with particular focus on high- touch areas (door knobs, bathrooms, common areas) with the use of high- efficiency cleaning supplies. The collegians have been responsible for cleaning their own rooms. We asked them to bring additional cleaning supplies and rotate cleaning responsibilities with their roommates to be extra vigilant in their own spaces. • All areas of the house were deep-cleaned over the summer, so the collegians came home to a sparkling space! • Furniture in bedrooms was designed to be at least 6 feet apart. Members have been asked to sleep feet to head on the bunks to provide additional distancing. • We have asked members to wear masks in the common areas. • We converted the governor's suite into a quarantine space for any member who tests positive for COVID-19 and cannot go home. Your House Corporation Board has been diligently working to provide the healthiest housing experience for our members. Keep good thoughts that we all stay healthy and safe as we push forward together during the pandemic! AOE, Joy Sayed Murray '77 House Corporation Board President ejoymurray@gmail.com Hailey Hartwig '19 and Madison DeYoung '19 work on their online classes. Mika Hamady '19 and Hana Zwain '19 wear their Alpha Phi masks. A sign in the chapter house with health tips for sisters to follow. The new-look dining room after making changes to follow COVID-19 safety protocols.

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