Graceland University Makes Preparations for the Return of Students to Campus

Graceland University is partnering with Presage, Corteva and CHCSI for Screening and Testing students and employees.

According to university officials, Graceland University has taken multiple actions to ensure the safety and well-being of the Graceland and Lamoni communities as it relates to COVID-19, including a testing requirement and daily health screenings.

The university located in Lamoni has partnered with Corteva, a major American agricultural chemical and seed company located in Johnston, Iowa, to provide testing with 24-hour results to every student and employee of Graceland as they arrive on campus for the fall semester. The university has worked closely with Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa (CHCSI), who will provide health care professionals to assist in the testing, as well as the Decatur County Department of Public Health to implement this testing requirement.

Graceland also recently announced a partnership with Presage for use of the Presage PreCheck™ app by all students, faculty and staff. This smartphone app screens individuals on a daily basis for breathing patterns, temperature, a few other symptoms and possible exposure to the virus. With a focus on privacy, this app will keep Graceland administrators and local health professionals abreast of possible areas of concern, allowing the university to limit exposure and protect the community from widespread infection.

In addition to these new efforts, officials say Graceland has worked the past few months to present a plan as students and employees return to campus this month. The academic calendar has been adjusted in order to complete the full fall semester ahead of Thanksgiving break, limiting travel to and from campus. Visitors to campus will be limited and required to register upon arrival. There is a mask requirement in all buildings on campus, social distancing in classes and during other events, a new maximum capacity posted outside every public room or space, and virtual options when social distancing is not possible. Graceland has also created the new role of a COVID-19 Coordinator, who will work with students and employees as possible symptoms arise and to address questions related to health and protocols.

Classes begin on August 17, 2020, on the Lamoni campus.