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Events and Activities

Events/Activities

Safety Planning by Type of Event

Getting involved is a central part of offering a University experience that unleashes the potential of every one of our students. In Fall 2022, we will continue to offer the Fully Husky Experience, which will include in-person campus traditions such as Huskies First Four, Convocation, Main Street, Homecoming and more. On any given day or evening, there are a variety of activities in which students can participate. Safety protocols are in place to help minimize the risk of exposure to COVID-19.

In 2022-2023, no event safety plans will be required to be submitted unless Stearns County is in a high COVID-19 Community Level (St. Cloud State will notify the campus if this occurs).

Low Risk Events

Based on current safety guidelines, the following types of events/gatherings are considered low risk and do not require a full event safety plan:

Those that occur outdoors.
Those that occur in groups that live together (this applies to residence hall students that occupy the same rooms or floor community) (masks are required when indoors and University guidelines dictate).
Those in which people are routinely at least 3, and ideally 6 feet apart and there will be no singing or shouting. (Masks are required when in doors and University guidelines dictate).
In person meetings of less than 25 people where there will be at least 3, and ideally 6, feet between meeting attendees (masks are required when indoors and University guidelines dictate).

All events must still be entered on HuskiesConnect.

Food is allowed at these low risk events if it is pre-packaged, pre-plated or grab and go style. Organizers must also follow guidelines in food management policy.

Events Requiring Further Planning

When Stearns County is in a high COVID-19 Community Level, an event with one or more of the following characteristics will require a full safety plan.

Indoor activities that do not meet any of the guidelines above.
Those that do not allow for at least 3 feet of social distancing between people.
Any event that includes singing or shouting, such as a concert or karaoke.
A dance of any size.
Any event with anticipated attendance of over 100 people.
Any event that includes buffet-style meals that involve people serving themselves and using common serving utensils.

All events, no matter what the risk level and what COVID-19 community level Stearns County is at, will be required to communicate the following safety and liability information to attendees:

Acknowledgement of Risk

St. Cloud State University holds as paramount the health, safety and welfare of every member of its community. St. Cloud State University, however, cannot guarantee a COVID-19-free environment. The risk of COVID-19 exposure is likely to exist in all public places where people are present. Students, faculty and staff who are present on the physical campus of St Cloud State University, may contract COVID-19; illness, injury or death is a possible result. St. Cloud State University is taking all recommended steps to mitigate this risk, but we cannot categorically guarantee you will not get sick. Minimizing the risk of COVID-19 infections (or any other spread of disease) at St. Cloud State University is a shared responsibility. Every member of our community – including you – must do their part to protect the pack.

Husky Health Check
We ask that everyone planning to enter campus help protect the health and safety of our community against COVID-19 by conducting a Husky Health Check before coming to St. Cloud State each day. The Husky Health Check is an overall self-evaluation of a person's current health.

The Husky Health Check will help individuals identify if they are experiencing the following:

A fever (100.4 degrees or higher), or a sense of having a fever or feeling feverish (Chills or sweating).
A new cough.
A new shortness of breath.
A new sore throat.
Muscle aches that cannot be attributed to another medical condition or is not caused by a specific activity such as physical exercise.
A new headache.
New loss of smell or taste.
Vomiting or diarrhea.
New onset of nasal congestion or runny nose, not associated with allergies.
If under evaluation for COVID-19 due to exposure or contact with someone with COVID-19 and/or experiencing symptoms (e.g. waiting for results of a viral test to confirm infection).
If diagnosed with COVID-19 and not yet cleared to continue isolation.

Please stay home if you are feeling ill. Reduce your risk of catching or spreading illness, stay home if you feel sick and take care of yourself, even if your symptoms are mild. Avoid coming to campus and public transportation.

Physical Distancing
It is still recommended that students, faculty and staff recommended that students, faculty and staff stay at least 3, and ideally 6 feet apart in common areas and whenever possible. Common areas that may lead to close contact (within 6 feet) among other people, are areas such as weight rooms, group fitness studios, pools and saunas, courts and fields, walking/running tracks, locker rooms, check-in areas, parking lots and routes of entry and exit. In environments where students, staff, and faculty have designated areas to sit or be stationed, all are encouraged to maintain an environment where some extra spacing between people can be maintained.

Considerations for Event Organizers

More space is better. Staying at least 3, and ideally 6 feet apart in common areas and whenever possible is still strongly encouraged as it is a successful mitigation strategy against the spread of COVID-19.

Masking is better. While the mandate has ended, anyone who chooses to wear a mask should be supported for their decision to mask up. All people who have not been vaccinated are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering while at St. Cloud State University.

Outdoors is better. Outdoor events pose a lower risk of spread of the COVID-19 virus than indoor events do. When outside, the air is naturally circulating and it’s easier for airborne contaminants to disperse.

Additional Event Guidance

Food Safety

The addition of food at an event can create some unique concerns at this time. One concern is the way food is served, as serve-it-yourself options often means all guests end up touching the same utensils or equipment. Guests also often congregate around food and may fail to keep a physical distance between themselves and other guests.

Recommendations for Events with Food:

Use a caterer approved for your event venue and type. Chartwells, our campus food-service provider, is following best practices for the industry. Contact Chartwells staff for details.
Choose grab-and-go options when possible. Individually wrapped/packaged items would be grabbed by guests on their way out of the event.
When catered food is offered at an event, encourage pre-packaged box meals for each attendee instead of a buffet.
If buffet-style is preferred, know that a gloved caterer/server must plate all items. Guests can indicate what items they would like on their plate, but the server(s) would be the only one with access to each plate until guests have made it through the line. Prepare for the added cost of servers in your event budget.
Encourage distancing in service lines including distance between worker and patrons.
Use disposable food service items (e.g. utensils, dishes) when feasible.

Other Recommendations:

Consider delivering food orders directly to the guest in their seat.
Limit menu items to those that can be readily retrieved and/or quickly plated to minimize congestion and waiting.
Keep utensils behind the counter (e.g. napkins, straws, forks) and provide per order as opposed to providing them at the condiments counter.
Provide individually wrapped condiments.

Carry-out Food Service (e.g. Carry-out Pizza, Bagels, Sandwiches):

If individually packaged meals or served buffet is not feasible, “carry-out” catering may be appropriate. First, check the catering requirement for your venue to ensure this is allowed (Note: in many campus locations, Chartwells is the exclusive catering option). Second, plan your carry-out food options and follow these safety requirements:

Identify 1-2 members of your group who will serve the food.
Server(s) should consider wearing a face covering while serving.
Server(s) must wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds prior to serving the food.
Server(s) must wear plastic serving gloves while plating the food.
Guests are recommended to maintain distancing at all times while in line to receive their plated food.
Food should be placed on the plate and then placed on the table for the individual to pick up, reducing the risk of possible contact between individuals.
All garbage should be disposed of by the individual and not left for others to pick up.

Outdoor Events

Outdoor events provide better ventilation and a greater capacity for distancing. Here are some things to consider when planning an outdoor event:

There may be accessibility concerns/needs depending on terrain.
Physical distancing should still be encouraged between attendees.
You may need to have a clear perimeter, entrance, and exit in order to manage the flow of the event and track attendees. Attendance rosters, however, are not required for outdoor events.
Virtual attendance/hybrid events may be more difficult in an outdoor setting where there are more technological limits.
An alternate date or location is recommended in the event of in climate weather.

Performance Events

Performance events present both pros and cons during COVID-19. Some risks are more controlled in a performance setting, as guests can enjoy the show while seated. However, performers also spend significant amounts of time together, and must follow safety guidelines during all rehearsals, performances, and off-stage. In addition, singing and wind instruments may increase risk of transmission due to the way COVID-19 is spread. To mitigate risks during performance events:

All performers need to be educated on all safety requirements prior to rehearsals and performances.
Performers are encouraged to wear face coverings during rehearsals, especially when distancing is not possible.
Performers should be identified prior to the event and scheduled a time to perform.
Limit activities that generally involve close contact between persons, such as dancing, increase distancing when possible and limit the length of time.
The distancing between performers on stage is strongly encouraged during any act that includes singing, chanting, or the playing of wind instruments.
Performers must have a dedicated space within the venue for performing, it is recommended the performers be separated from the audience by a distance of at least 12 feet.
Use pre-recorded or streamed music as an alternative to live performances or activities whenever possible.
Reduce the number of singers and performers in ensembles whenever possible.
Give preference to outdoor rehearsals and performances.
Avoid shared equipment where the mouth may come into contact with equipment (such as mouthpieces, microphones, etc.) and follow manufacturer’s instructions to clean thoroughly between uses. Disposable microphone covers are also an option.
Reduce amount of live rehearsals and shorten length of performance times.
When possible, limit performers to SCSU students only. Allow others to participate via pre-recorded or streamed performances.

This information is subject to change in response to the evolving conditions of COVID-19.
Revised: 7/27/2022

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