HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-08-20 CCACCommunity /Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC)
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The September 8th, 2020 Community/Campus Advisory Coalition (CCAC) was called to order by
Council Member at Large Rachel Tomas -Morgan at 3:30 p.m. virtually via Microsoft Teams.
Persons in attendance included the following individuals representing the following entities:
Rachel Tomas -Morgan South Bend Common Council
Lori Hamann
South Bend Common Council
Troy Warner
South Bend Common Council
Sharon L. McBride
South Bend Common Council
Shelia Niezgodski
South Bend Common Council
Canneth Lee
South Bend Common Council
Jake Teshka
South Bend Common Council
Dawn Jones
South Bend City Clerk's Office
Bianca Tirado
Chief Deputy Clerk
Rachael Coates
Executive Assistant
Marlaina Johns
Deputy Director of Code
Enforcement
Bob Palmer
Council Attorney
Kacey Gergely
Chief of Staff to the Mayor
Mayor Mueller
City of South Bend
Aladean DeRose
City Attorney
Geovanny Martinez
Assistant City Attorney
Tim Sexton
University of Notre Dame
Sarah Galbenski
University of Notre Dame
Andrew Polaniecki
Holy Cross College
Jillian Walter
Holy Cross College
Gloria Jenkins
St. Mary's College
Kelsey O'Connor
St. Mary's College
Pam Claeys
River Park West Neighborhood
Rodger Pinto
IUSB
Kayla Isenbletter
IUSB
Paige Risser
IUSB
rtomasmo@southbendin.gov
lkhamann@southbendin.gov
twamer@southbendin.gov
smcbride@southbendin.gov
sniezgod@southbendin.gov
clee(a,southbendin. gov
jteshka@southbendin.gov
diones(a,southbendin.gov
btirado@southbendin.gov
rcoates(a,southbendin.gov
mjohns@southbendin.gov
bpalmerna,southbendin. gov
kgergelv(o),southbend.in. gov
imueller(asouthbendin. gov
aderose@southbendin.gov
gmartine@southbendin.gov
sexton.30@nd.edu
sgalbendski@nd.edu
apolaniecki@hcc-nd.edu
jwalter(a)hcc-nd.edu
gparadiso1@saintmarys.edu
koconnorO1@saintmarys.edu
pamclaeys552@sbcglobal.net
rinintona,umail.iu.edu
kisenble@iusb.edu
prisser@umail.iu.edu
Committee Chair Rachel Tomas -Morgan opened the meeting and proceeded to give the floor to
Mayor James Mueller.
CITY OF SOUTH BEND UPDATES/CONCERNS:
Mayor Mueller gave an update concerning Covid-19 and the City of South Bend, IN. We saw
Covid-19 cases have a spike but have gone down again. These meetings and dialogues are
important to make sure we are all on the same page. When University students came back, we
saw cases went up, but we were able to work through those issues and get cases under control.
One (1) last thing, we were nervous about spread through bars. So far, we haven't seen significant
spread through the community from campuses. Thank you, everyone, for your attention to this
issue and all hands on deck to face these uncertain times.
Chair Rachel Tomas -Morgan opens the floor to campuses share updates.
NOTRE DAME UPDATES/CONCERNS:
Tim Sexton- Office of Public Affairs- The University of Notre Dame, started a week into classes
and thought they would have to send students home. They took a different turn and did virtual
classes for two (2) weeks. The University is now back to in-person classes. Total cases have been
six hundred and sixteen (616) with five hundred and sixty (560) recovered, and fifty-six (56) active
right now. Testing is a big reason we have been able to shift the number of cases from increasing.
Notre Dame football game is coming up this weekend, and we will need to continue to adhere to
guidelines.
Sarah Galbenski- Notre Dame Student Government, has been giving out the message to come
together over the common good. The student body has re -committed to the common good for our
community and is grateful they didn't have to get sent home.
HOLY CROSS COLLEGE UPDATES/CONCERNS:
Andrew Polaniecki - Protocols were met, and their dashboard has had eight (8) cases since school
has returned. Seven (7) recovered, and one (1) is still active. He is proud of the student body and
their contact tracing team. Responding quickly and effectively has been a big part of their success.
Jillian Walter- Our student body has been working diligently to create safe social distancing events
for the study body. This has helped keep morale up, and students have kept their commitment to
daily health checks, along with the following protocols.
SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE UPDATES/CONCERNS:
Gloria Jenkins- Interim Vice President for Student Affairs- reported thirty-two (32) positive cases
since August 3rd. Today is the sixth (6) day in a row, with no new cases recorded. A total of one -
hundred (100) beds available for quarantine; only (4%) of their beds are being utilized. They ran
one -thousand three hundred ninety-six (1,396) tests, and only four percent (4%) came back
positive. They are testing those showing symptoms hoping testing is available to everyone soon.
Staff meets regularly at 8 a.m. to check in from the day before and to see needs for possible
changes. Classes are almost one -hundred (100%) in person, while virtual remains an option. The
mental health state of the students is a challenge. They launched mental health SMC care that is a
telehealthcare service.
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Kelsey O'Connor- Vice President of Student Government- SMC Care is nice because no mask is
needed while talking to a counselor. New outdoor seating is coming so students can be outside
with each other. The student body has been mindful of temperature checks and responding to
health checks. She saw amazing responses with students not going onto other campuses.
INDIANA UNIVERSITY SOUTH BEND UPDATES/CONCERNS:
Paige Risser- Director of Communications and Marketing- Move -ins were approximately two
hundred and seventy-five (275) during August 19`s -22nd. Students tested before coming to campus
and reported results. Also, students took another test when they arrived. Four (4) of the tests were
positive. Each week random sample emails go out to IU Community members. The purpose of
the emails is for the scheduling of saliva tests to take place. The launch of a public COVID
dashboard has been created. They are encouraging all community members to let IU know if they
have tested positive.
Rodger Pinto- Recently, IU South Bend had student elections. Incoming Student Government
President Kayla is here to share the student body update.
Kayla Christine Isubletter- gave a student update. She feels confident about what IU has done for
the students. The numbers of students on campus, signage, and safety measures are all impressive.
There is a concern for the spread of the virus when students come back to more on -campus classes.
She feels confident with the continued enforcement of mask mandate and social -distancing that
the campus is a safe place to stay open.
RESIDENTS/NEIGHBORS UPDATES AND CONCERNS:
Dr. Fox gave an extensive report on the County and COVID case numbers. IU report of one (1)
student testing positive since classes resumed. Fourth of July came, and numbers went to fifty-
eight (58) new cases a day through the balance of July. Notre Dame taught how to respond with
ramping up their testing and contact tracing with dramatic results. Cases on other campuses have
been very manageable, and that speaks to the preparation of the teams. Dr. Fox addressed contact
tracing within the state concerning universities.
Chair Tomas -Morgan opened the floor for discussion
Chair Tomas -Morgan has the first question, proceeding to ask about the academic calendar and
what latest models predict about COVID resurgence. Dr. Fox replied that there are several
different models. He believes Halloween through December might bring some increase in cases.
Finishing up before Thanksgiving makes sense to help reduce the travel in and out of the county.
Chair Tomas -Morgan opened the floor to the public for comments or questions. There were none.
Councilmember Shelia Niezgodski asked Dr. Fox about the delegations of authority concerning
schools in our area, which is the barrier you are finding -staffing or money needed. Dr. Fox
responded to Councilwoman Niezgodski; each one (1) planned to have their contact tracing in
place. He adopted a delegation of authority concerning the contact tracing. It hasn't come up for
the elementary level due to them not living in a congregant environment.
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Councilmember Troy Warner thanked Dr. Fox and all the schools for the work they have done.
He has talked to many local businesses and restaurants concerning the virus spread, and they are
grateful for the campus's work towards containing the spread of the virus.
Chair Tomas -Morgan asked Dr. Fox Indiana state testing sites, even if residents do not show
symptoms, are those the type of sites we want to expand and are those open to the students from
campuses. Dr. Fox replied, those are open to everyone, and with grant funding from the state, we
opened more sites with extended hours. Keeping the students testing on campus allows the data
to stay in the school's database.
Chair Tomas -Morgan stated it had taken campuses a while to build a relationship with South
Bend. Chair Tomas -Morgan asked someone from each campus to speak to student engagement
within our community and local businesses regarding the current standards put in place.
Jillian Walter- Holy Cross has a social concerns committee, and they are moving forward to give
out Thanksgiving baskets still but are looking for more ways to give in the community.
Rodger Pinto- IUSB has set up a drive-in theater open to the public. Student engagement and
volunteer programs like the American Democracy Project are hard at work setting up community
events. The Honors Program at IUSB has set up a letter -writing program for first responders. All
University Students Association and Board of Trustees has taken a look at food and housing
insecurities amongst students and will be forthcoming in providing resources.
Gloria Jenkins- Saint Mary's is doing on campus in-service collections and care packages to take
out to the community.
Sarah Galbenski- Notre Dame shared they are hosting a letter -writing campaign, virtual service
opportunities with local schools, and are campaigning with United way for partnership within the
community.
Chair Tomas -Morgan opened the floor for the last announcements.
Page Risser- IUSB's updated numbers for the dashboard are available.
Aaron Polaniecki- Holy Cross stated we have a plan in place. It's a process, and hope is part of
that. Cooperation and Collaboration together to prepare to keep the students here to learn and
succeed is our plan.
Sarah Galbenski- Notre Dame is working closely with Campus Dining and having a reusable
cutlery campaign, so students don't have to keep throwing away utensils.
Rachel Tomas -Morgan said thank you to everyone and shared the next meeting is Tuesday,
November 10`h, at 3:30 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 4:33 p.m.
Respectfully Yours,
Rachel Tomas -Morgan Committee Chair
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