COVID-19 Updates

• All Academic Year Residents, whether they were living in the Phi Delta Theta house during the Fall or opted-out of the Fall portion of their Lease, were given an opportunity to opt-out of their Lease for the Spring. In order to do so, they were required to provide correspondence to the House Corporation by the end of the day on November 14th.

• During the Spring semester all Residents are expected to follow the Housing Guidelines outlined below. Our policy restricting the access of the property to only live-ins is still in effect. This means that guests and Phi Delta Theta members who do not have a Lease at the Phi Delta Theta house are not permitted on the property. This is to ensure the health and well-being of the live-in community.

• If someone tests positive for COVID the same procedures as outlined on August 14th will be followed.

In accordance with University Policy, and as outlined in the Housing Guidelines for Fall 2020 which were sent to Fall live-ins on July 2nd before they had to make a decision to live-in by July 15th and then posted publicly July 20th, at no time are non-residents permitted to be present inside of the Phi Delta Theta California Delta house. This includes non live-in members of Phi Delta Theta California Delta and all other guests. Gatherings of individuals who are not part of the same household, the live-in community in this case, are strictly prohibited under the LA County Safer at Home Order and is considered a violation of County Health Officer Orders as well as a violation of University policy.

Below is the documented action plan for all residents of California Delta.

1. The resident who tests positive immediately contacts the Resident Advisor and House Corporation and quarantines at the USC Hotel

2. The Resident Advisor and House Corporation let the residents know that someone has tested positive for COVID-19 and requires them to get tested at the USC Student Health Center

3. Any additional residents who tests positive will quarantine at the USC Hotel

4. All other residents who are suspected to be healthy will stay in their rooms and quarantine for 14 days — leaving one’s room is discouraged. Use of the common areas, gym, and kitchen will be prohibited. The kitchen will be shutdown and boxed meals will be provided to residents quarantining in the House.

5. Use of the common areas, gym, and kitchen can resume after the 14 day house-wide quarantine period.

Overview.

• The purpose of these guidelines is to provide Phi Delta Theta residents a safe and healthy living arrangement for the Fall 2020 semester. Its publishing is to ensure tenants, and non-tenants, are aware of the expectations and policies the House Corporation expects during this unprecedented time. The plan was developed based on guidance from the University of Southern California, Center for Disease Control, California Department of Public Health, and Los Angeles Department of Public Health Health. All Brothers are expected to comply with the policies mentioned below. The Executive Board, Resident Advisor, and House Corporation will be responsible for enforcing these policies. We expect Brothers to hold each other mutually accountable.

Maintenance Period (July 17th - August 13th)

• During our annual maintenance period, from now until August 13th, we will be completing the following: deep cleaning every room, carpet cleaning every room, conducting AC cleanings and maintenance for every room, painting and patching all rooms, disposing of garbage around the facility, power-washing the exterior of the House, conducting annual extermination, cleaning all kitchen appliances, and ensuring fire safety equipment is up-to-code.

• We will also be adding signage around the premise regarding our expectations related to COVID-19 (social distancing, hand washing, etc).

Move In.

• Contracts have been amended to allow for an earlier Move In on August 14th at no additional cost due to USC modifying the fall semester.

• Face masks will need to be worn while moving into the property and we are asking that you limit any individuals helping you move in to no more than 1 person.

• If you have had COVID-19 symptoms within 14 days of moving into the House you are expected to report this to the Resident Advisor and House Corporation and will not be allowed to move in until you are no longer contagious.

• Frequent hand-washing and application of hand sanitizer is encouraged — and provided around the facility during Move In.

• A one time exception was provided for individuals to opt-out of the fall portion of their lease. This deadline was July 15th, mirroring USC’s opt-out policy. For those who opted-out, this will only release you from the fall portion of the Academic Year contract, barring any additional circumstances.

Reduction in Occupancy.

• We have reduced our occupancy to ~55% for the fall with most doubles being occupied as singles and triples being occupied as doubles.

Visitor Policy.

• Only those residing in the Phi Delta Theta House will be allowed in the House. Unfortunately all active members of Phi Delta Theta California Delta will not be allowed to "come and go" as that puts the live-in community at-risk. The expectation is that the California Delta live-in residents will be the only ones allowed inside the Chapter facility — mirroring USC's policy that residents are not permitted to have any person in their room/suite/apartment that is not an official occupant of that space.

Cleaning.

• We will have 4x a week cleanings taking place at the House. These cleanings will take place with sanitization known to reduce virus transmission.

• Please do your part by keeping common areas clean and wiping down surfaces with provided sanitation wipes.

• Hand sanitizer and sanitation wipes will be provided throughout the House for the duration of the semester.

Food Service.

• Our food service vendor will be adhering to all Department of Public Health regulations including wearing a face covering and gloves. The kitchen will be sanitized between meal services and kitchen staff will generously wash their hands and sanitize.

• All meals will be served on disposable dishware and plated as “to-go”. All live-outs will be provided their food outside of the House (either in the carport or at a table in front of the House). All live-ins can take their meals and eat in the dining room, given that 6 feet of separation is maintained at all times from others.

• Access to the kitchen will be for kitchen staff only; no students are allowed inside the kitchen at any time.

• If a case of COVID-19 is found at the property the kitchen will be closed and undergo intensive cleaning. A suitable meal alternative, as agreed upon by the Chapter, will be put in place to provide meals to those in the House.

Ongoing Safety Measures.

• All residents are expected to uphold USC's policies for fall including utilizing the symptom tracker daily, wearing a face mask when outside your living facility, and adhering to highest level of healthy behavior including frequent hand washing and sanitation. For more information please visit the Prevention section of the CDC website linked here.

• If any resident contracts COVID-19 they must contact the Resident Advisor and the House Corporation as soon as possible. They are expected to quarantine to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 across the property. If someone at the property tests positive for COVID-19 it is expected that all residents at the property will quarantine for 14 days.

• Residents should maintain social distancing during meals, while studying, or during any recreational activities. Use of the outside areas is highly encouraged.

Vendor Safety Measures.

• Vendors are expected to have a scheduled appointment with the Resident Advisor and/or House Corporation before being allowed on the property and must be escorted for the duration of their visit. There will be a symptoms check done before the vendor is let onsite.

• Vendors which are allowed on the property must be deemed essential.

• Vendors will be asked to practice social distancing, wear a face mask, and practice frequent hand-washing / sanitation. Vendors are also reminded to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue.

Employee Safety Measures.

• All employees who can work from home are required to do so including vulnerable staff.

• All employees who are feeling symptomatic or have been exposed to someone who is symptomatic are instructed to not come to work and quarantine for 14 days. If an employee wishes to take a COVID-19 test the House Corporation will cover all costs.

• All employees will undergo a symptom check, should they need to come to the property, which includes a temperature check.

• All employees will be asked to practice social distancing, wear a face mask, and practice frequent hand-washing / sanitation. Employees are also reminded to cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue.

• All employees are prohibited from eating or drinking anywhere inside the workplace other than designated break areas or in private offices.

Outside Gym Equipment.

• All residents are expected to wipe down and disinfect their equipment after use.

• All gym patrons should avoid queuing and should wear a face mask at all times except when working out. While working out a physical distance of 6 feet should be maintained.

• Sports courts can be can used for individual practice or activities where 6 feet of physical distance can be maintained throughout the activity.

• All gym patrons are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles.