Plan to Reopen Communication FL

Plan to Reopen Communication FL

Protecting One Another by Preferring One Another F l or i da Cov i d-19 Pl an / Fa l l 2020

WELCOME FROM ROGER Dear Parents and Students,

For over a year we have been praying for your children, the students attending WOLBI for the 2020-2021 school year. When COVID-19 became a pandemic, we began to earnestly ask the Lord to go before us. We are thanking God for his faithfulness, and we are pleased to share that at this time we are planning and prepared to open our campuses in New York and Florida. It is with much excitement that we share our overall plan and response to COVID-19. Our approach has been and will continue to be one of responsibility and reasonableness throughout this planning and implementation process. Ephesians 4:1-2 has served as a guiding passage for us during this time, “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love”. During this time and beyond, we can live in a way that glorifies God, serve one another in humility, patience, and caring and prefer one another in love. As a faculty, staff and student body we have the opportunity to make much of Jesus even with our response to COVID-19.

The theme of our COVID-19 Response Plan is “Protecting One Another by Preferring One Another” . Our plan supports and implements the policies set forth by Local, State, and Federal authorities. Responsibility to the government is a biblical mandate and we fully intend to honor and respect our authorities. We have also sought to be reasonable in our approach. For non-mandated policies (recommendations), we have taken the approach of implementing the recommendations in a safe and reasonable manner– strengthening our position of protecting one another by preferring one another. Upon arrival, every student will be provided with a COVID-19 Preparedness Kit, which will include a water bottle, facemasks, hand sanitizers and a few other surprises. This is one of the ways we plan to help and encourage students to maintain good hygiene practices. Understanding this has been a challenging time in our nation and world, Word of Life Bible Institute is pleased to introduce the WOLBI CARES scholarship. It is our desire to provide a way to help every student who attends Word of Life Bible Institute.

Protecting One Another by Preferring One Another

I hope you find our COVID-19 response plan helpful and encouraging. Your health and safety are a priority to us. While we are here together, we have a responsibility to one another. This year will no doubt look different, but I am convinced this is the year God has for us! I am praying this year is one of life-change for every faculty, staff and student as we look to walk worthy. As always, we are here to serve you and your student in any way. Please do not hesitate to contact my office or team with any questions or concerns.

Serving those who serve,

Roger L. Peace, Jr. President

COMMITMENT TO COMMUNICATION Communication is of the utmost importance during this time. We are resolved to be transparent, timely and effective in our communication with students and parents. We have developed multiple channels and tools for you to be connected in communication.

STUDENT COMMUNICATION

Email: Every student is assigned an official @wordoflife.edu email account. Students should plan to check their email daily for announcements and important information. Canvas: Every student is assigned an official account with our Leaning Management System, Canvas. Canvas is a powerful interactive tool for academics, but it is also extremely helpful for sharing campus information. Text Messages: Every student is required to sign up for a text alert system. This allows for real time communication of important updates. Campus Announcement Displays: All over campus, we have large display screens that continually run important announcements and information. Meetings: In the classroom and during chapels, we make announcements that are vital for the days and weeks ahead. Social Media: WOLBI utilizes various social media platforms to share updates and general announcements. You can follow our various social media accounts here:

@wolbiflcampus

Protecting One Another by Preferring One Another

PARENT COMMUNICATION

Please be sure to sign up for the regularly scheduled and official Word of Life Bible Institute email, The Bridge, which will be full of helpful information for you as we navigate these uncertain times. You can sign up for The Bridge here: The Bridge – From Our Campus to Your Home Also, make sure to regularly check this website for further communication and plans related to the Word of Life Bible Institute COVID-19 Response Plan.

COMMITMENT TO PROTECTION AND CARE

We strongly believe that every student is created by God in His image, and each one is inherently loved and cared for by Him. Understanding the love and care God has for His children, we must strive to love and care for them in the same way. With this as a guiding principle, we are committed to the protection and care of each and every student. We will endeavor to be faithful to the careful implementation and accountability of our COVID-19 Response Plan as a team. We will also faithfully challenge our students to carefully implement our COVID-19 Plan. ACADEMICS A core value held at Word of Life Bible Institute is the importance of quality teaching in the classroom and the creation of an excellent academic experience. We will be adjusting our class schedule to accommodate the various mandates and recommendations set forth by local, state, and federal authorities. Protecting one another by preferring one another will be of utmost importance in our classroom experience, due to the very nature of the student body gathering together. In the classroom, students will sit in groups with their roommates. Between these groups, there will be six feet of spacing.

Protecting One Another by Preferring One Another

WOLBI CARES SCHOLARSHIP Word of Life Bible Institute understands that these unprecedented times have had a profound financial impact on many families. To assist families who have known financial need due to COVID-19, we are expanding our Supplemental Assistance Program to include a new scholarship, the WOLBI Cares Scholarship. Students must meet the current criteria for the Supplemental Assistance Program and then be reviewed for an additional $500 - $1,000 WOLBI Cares Scholarship. The Financial Aid Office will reevaluate all students who have received a Financial Aid Package for these funds and will continue to evaluate students until we have expended these new scholarship dollars. Please review our Supplement Assistance Program on our website wordoflife.edu/admissions/financial- aid-scholarships/scholarships .

To learn more about scholarships, visit wol.is/financial

REGISTRATION DATES AND OPENING WEEKEND SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, AUGUST 20 Student Leadership (Resident Assistants)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29

9:00 – 9:50 AM Health and Safety Orientation at Theis Assembly Center 10:00 – 10:50 AM Student Life Orientation I at Theis Assembly Center 11:00 – 11:50 AM Academic Orientation I at Theis Assembly Center 1:45 – 2:45 PM Late Student Registration at Bollback Performing Arts Center Lobby 3:00 – 4:00 PM International Student Orientation at Conference Room C

1:00 – 5:00 PM Health Screening and Registration at Bollback Performing Arts Center 1:00 – 5:00 PM Move into temporary housing and begin Student Leadership training schedule

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28 All Students

9:30 AM – 4:30 PM Health Screening and Registration at Bollback Performing Arts Center 7:00 – 8:00 PM Student Welcome Meeting at Bollback Performing Arts Center

Protecting One Another by Preferring One Another

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30

MONDAY, AUGUST 31 All meetings held in the George Theis Assembly Center

9:30 – 10:30 AM

Worship Service at Bollback Performing Arts Center

8:00 – 8:50 AM

Class period 1: Genesis 1-11

10:45 – 11:45 AM Academic Orientation II at Bollback Performing Arts Center 8:00 – 9:00 PM Campfire Service

9:00 – 9:50 AM

Class period 2: Genesis 1-11

10:00 – 10:50 AM

Student Life Orientation II

11:00 – 11:50 AM Christian Disciplines and Service Assignments Orientation 12:00 – 12:50 PM Theology Content Test

STUDENT LIFE Dorm Cleaning and Lounge Occupancy

Dorm Life Because students in the same dormitory rooms can be considered as “members of the same household”, social distancing and face coverings will not be required when students are in their own rooms with their roommates. Campus Visitors Campus visitors are to be invited guests only and are required to follow all health and safety protocols on campus. Each invited campus visitor will be required to check-in upon arrival at the Guest Services Desk to complete a Health Screening Questionnaire and to perform a temperature check. International Student Arrivals International students whose arrival date is impacted by delays in Student Visa processing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will (with certain exceptions) be permitted to arrive up to a maximum of four weeks beyond the start of classes. Your Admissions Counselor will provide you with further details regarding this special arrangement. Any applicable quarantine requirements will be accommodated on campus.

Keeping students healthy is our top priority, so we are putting together a cleaning plan for each room/ dorm to be accomplished daily. That cleaning plan will include wiping down surfaces in the dorm room and sanitizing the shared bathrooms two times daily. We are requiring face coverings for students when leaving their personal rooms to visit other students. We are also limiting the number of students in the lounge. We are working diligently to ensure that our dorms provide a safe living environment, whilst intentionally maintaining the community dynamic that makes the Bible Institute unique. Discipleship We are excited to continue in our discipleship efforts! Part of the unique WOLBI experience is that every student is connected in relationship with at least one staff member. However, this endeavor will look a lot different during the 2020-2021 school year. We are working and planning to make sure that our promise to disciple students is not hindered by our circumstances, but we are absolutely dedicated to the health and safety of our students and staff.

Protecting One Another by Preferring One Another

International Students Late Arrival Policy The following policy will be in effect for the fall 2020 semester and will only apply in cases where an international students’ arrival is delayed due to delays in visa processing caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Students will be permitted to arrive up to a maximum of four weeks beyond the start of classes. The latest arrival dates will be Monday, September 28 in Florida and Monday, October 12 in New York. • Students will NOT be officially enrolled in the program prior to obtaining a student visa. They also will not have access to Logos Bible Software or the Canvas Learning Management System prior to this point. • Once classes begin, students will be required to audit them online (either live or by recording for those in different time zones) prior to their arrival and enrollment as students. They will be provided with course notes, but assignments cannot be submitted, and exams cannot be written prior to their arrival and official enrollment. Classes begin in Florida on Monday, August 31 and in New York on Tuesday, September 15. • Upon arrival, students will meet with the Academic Office to set up a schedule for watching any classes that were missed due to travel days and to determine appropriate deadlines for the submission of assignments and the writing of any missed exams. All course requirements will need to be completed as soon

as practicable and no later than the beginning of the Christmas break. • Students are required to acknowledge their agreement to these expectations as a condition to being granted permission to arrive late. • Students will be advised of their option to move their enrollment from the fall to the spring semester or to transfer from the Florida to the New York campus if so desired in order to avoid a late arrival.

HEALTH AND SAFETY PLAN Oversight

CULINARY SERVICES Our Food Service Department is prepared to serve our students with delicious and nutritious food offerings while minimizing the potential for the spread of illness. We will be moving to a combination of cafeteria style and grab and go meal options for our students. This eliminates the touching of shared surfaces (I.e. serving utensils, drink dispensers). We will be using our larger commons dining room which will easily enable us to follow physical distancing protocols. The dining room and food service area will be cleaned and sanitized before and after every meal. All our team members who serve in food service maintain the highest level of food safety for the health of our students.

Word of Life Bible Institute has been working diligently to ensure that our reopening plans prioritize the health of our students and staff while conducting the program at the highest level. Health Screening We are implementing health screening protocols for all students and staff. Each staff member conducts a daily health screening prior to arriving in their ministry areas. For students, we will be requiring them to maintain 14 days of temperature checks prior to their arrival on campus. This will be done electronically at wol.to/ c19flss . In addition to this, each student will go through health screening as a part of the registration process to start the year. Periodic student health checks will be conducted. Health Services Each enrolled student has access to Telemedicine (United Concierge Medical). This service gives students 24/7 access to consultative and prescriptive care from medical professionals. We have seen great utilization of this service by students through the years. Several walk-in health clinics are located within 10 miles of the Bible Institute in Hudson, Spring Hill, and New Port Richey. In addition, there are several excellent hospitals in the area.

Protecting One Another by Preferring One Another

ASSESS YOUR PERSONAL HEALTH

Conduct a personal wellness check. If you are feeling sick, self-isolate, inform your RA and follow all Word of Life/CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of disease

Practice Good Social Distancing When possible, maintain at least six feet of distance between persons

Wear a Mask When in public spaces or areas where it is impossible to maintain six feet of social distance, wear a mask that covers both your nose and mouth

Practice Good Hygiene Wash your hands frequently, use hand sanitizer at provided stations, and avoid touching your face

Sanitize Your Area Be sure to sanitize and clean the spaces you use regularly (desk in classroom, dorm room, and/or office space, etc.)

IN CASE OF ILLNESS During the student orientation, we have multiple sessions on what to do when you are not feeling well. All our processes and resources will be explained in great detail during orientation.

In the event of becoming sick the student should respond the following way.

• Do not go to class or any events – please stay in your room and isolate yourself immediately. • Please contact our Health Services Office for further instructions. • Please contact your Resident Director immediately.

RESPONDING TO A POSITIVE CASE If a student tests positive to COVID-19, we are committed to the following:

• Care: Our priority will be providing the best health care possible for the student who has tested positive for COVID-19. • Coordination: We will begin the process of coordination with our local Department of Health, our Health Services Provider and appropriate Word of Life Bible Institute team members. • Communication: We will begin the process of communication with the student and other necessary parties. • Contact Tracing: We will begin the process of contact tracing to limit the exposure of COVID-19 to other students. Appropriate confidentiality will be maintained. • Collaboration: We will always check to be sure all policies and protocols have been followed during an after-action review. This is done to be assured we are meeting the needs of staff and students with care.

Protecting One Another by Preferring One Another

HANDWASHING AND HAND SANITIZER All staff and students are encouraged to regularly wash their hands. Hand sanitizer stations will also be available throughout the property. In all public restrooms, we are encouraging handwashing with a purpose. See below

FACE COVERINGS

WEAR YOUR FACE COVERING CORRECTLY

• Wash your hands before putting on your face covering • Put it over your nose and mouth and secure it under your chin • Try to fit it snugle against the sides of your face • Make sure you can breathe easily • Do not place a mask on a child younger than 2

Our staff and student body must strive to protect one another by use of appropriate face coverings when physical distancing is not possible. All public indoor spaces when not seated and properly socially distanced will mandate the use of a face covering. Students and staff must have a face covering on their person at all times. For more information on how to properly wear a mask: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent- getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

Protecting One Another by Preferring One Another

Transmission Probability High

Covid-19 Carrier (without mask)

Healthy Person (without mask)

Transmission Probability

Moderately High

Covid-19 Carrier (without mask)

Healthy Person (with mask)

Transmission Probability

Covid-19 Carrier (with mask)

Healthy Person (without mask)

Low

Transmission Probability

Very Low

Covid-19 Carrier (with mask)

Healthy Person (with mask)

This graphic, adapted from Bryan Health chart “Wearing a mask is not only important, it’s life-saving”, illustrates how masks decrease the likelihood of spreading COVID-19.

FACILITIES PREPAREDNESS To be sure we have proper social distancing and per- sonal space protection procedures in place, all buildings are being modified and equipped to ensure protection of all staff and students. All public spaces will be adjusted for 50% occupancy with clearly marked social distanc- ing signs. Service desks will have plexiglass protection walls with clearly marked social distancing signs. All public buildings will have clearly marked social distancing posters, our COVID-19 plans displayed and encouraging signs to participate completely with the plan.

SANITATION AND CLEANING PLAN Public Space Cleaning God has blessed us with incredible facilities! It is our joy to maintain clean and safe spaces for our students to study God’s Word in a distraction free environment. We are highly focused on hygiene and cleaning to prevent the spread of illness. Our housekeeping team is cleaning public spaces and bathrooms multiple times per day in accordance with Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Training Our staff and students will undergo regular training regarding cleaning, hand hygiene, appropriate face coverings, physical distancing, and policies/procedures. Occupancy Reductions All our public spaces will operate at a reduced capacity to meet physical distancing guidelines and will be equipped with hand sanitizing stations.

Protecting One Another by Preferring One Another

MINISTRIES PLAN Our ministries this fall are still being evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Many of the local churches that we work with are still meeting primarily online. Many events that we typically partner with have already been cancelled, while others are waiting to see how the situation continues to develop. We will be evaluating the safety and viability of all events as they grow closer and announcing changes as applicable. We are in the middle of re-imagining what student ministry will look like, with many of these live events and church partnerships put on hold this fall. Several opportunities have already become available for things like online counseling and evangelism in partnership with Groundwire and Dare to Share. We are also in the process of retooling our training and ministry plans to place a focus on students sharing their testimonies on social media, podcasting, and local service opportunities in areas that we can be confident are safe to operate in. CAMPUS ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS Our Campus Events Team is looking forward to an incredible year. As we continue to navigate and make plans while staying in compliance with current guidelines on gathering sizes, social distancing, etc., you can be confident that our Creative Events Team will be taking full advantage of having students on campus more often for the fall! Even with social distancing protocol, our team is planning activities, intramural sports, pop- up parties, and some new opportunities to engage our students with a focus on smaller group events.

CLOSURE OF CAMPUS If the State of Florida requires a mandatory closure of higher education facilities, Word of Life Bible Institute has developed and will implement a detailed closure plan. While closure is the last thing we would like to see, we are prepared to submit to our authorities and serve students. We would like to assure you that communication plans have been developed, plans for packing and travel have been developed, and essential student services are planned. Word of Life Bible Institute is fully equipped and ready to offer all courses online in the event of closure. We do not want anyone to be unable to finish their life-changing year at Word of Life Bible Institute! UNDERSTANDING THE RISK We are asking each student to become familiar with this information and understand that by attending Word of Life Bible Institute, you are being asked to follow the guidelines set within this COVID-19 Response Plan. Please understand that by attending Word of Life Bible Institute and participating in related activities, students voluntarily assume all risks associated with COVID-19.

PROTECTING ONE ANOTHER BY PREFERRING ONE ANOTHER: WORK GROUP President – Roger L. Peace, Jr. Vice President of Florida Ministries - Rich Andrews Assistant Director of Florida Ministries - Sam Sewall Executive and Academic Dean - Mark Strout Dean of Students – Dan Fahning Dean of Women - Sarah Dever Dean of Men - Ben Young Dean of Ministries – Ethan Warren Facilities Maintenance Manager – Bill Steele Housekeeping/Guest Services Coordinator – Keith Balsley Director of Culinary Services – Blucher Chacon Information Systems and Technology – Josh Proietti Director of Enrollment – Axton Bryant Business Manager – Beth Hirzel

Protecting One Another by Preferring One Another

13247 Word of Life Dr Hudson, FL 34669

1.727.379.5027

wordoflife.edu