Photo gallery: UC prepares for return to campus

The UC community has readied classroom and campus life spaces for fall term

By M.B. Reilly Email M.B. (513) 556-1824

5 minute read August 14, 2020

Classrooms and other public spaces around the University of Cincinnati campus have been readied for the new academic year in order to safeguard health and safety. A variety of tools and materials like plexiglass barriers, cleaning kits, hand sanitizer stations, reconfigured spaces and furniture, signage and more are combined with countless personal and behavioral practices.

Want to put it in perspective:

UC has recently purchased and placed more than 6,400 gallons of hand sanitizer around campus. That's over a pint per student.
More than 3,200 gallons of disenfectant, combined with nearly 4,400 cases of paper towels were recently purchased for cleaning purposes. If rolled out, these paper towels would stretch from UC to Seattle.

Below are photos from the Carl H. Lindner College of Business, Tangeman University Center, Campus Recreation Center and Marian Spencer Hall, but you can find much more information in UC’s Return to Campus Guide. There, you can find out about:

Adjusted calendar and staggered move-ins, and virtual events to reduce risk.
Facilities enhancements, like 1,000 hand sanitizer dispensers which have been installed throughout campus, located at building entrances and elevator lobbies.
Hand-sanitizer bottle refill stations have been installed in high-traffic buildings.
Water systems have been operated, maintained and tested to ensure safe drinking water.
HVAC systems have been maintained and are operating to meet American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers guidelines.
Additional air filtration units have been added in residence hall rooms where students share a bedroom.
Adjusted spacing and options for carry-out and dine-in food service.
Enhanced cleaning in residence halls with community bathrooms, enhanced cleaning on Bearcat transportation, etc.

Detail shot of distance circle out on Sheakley Lawn with Richard E. Lindner Center in the background. University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen and partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/Joseph Fuqua II

Field circles mark outdoor social distancing zones.

Detail shot of distance circle out on Campus Green in front of Morgens Hall, Scioto Hall and Marian Spencer Hall. University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen, partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II

Field circles, marked in white, demarcate social distancing zones. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Carl H. Lindner College of Business

The Carl H. Linder College of Business as well as the Starbucks Café housed within the college have prepared in advance for the return to campus. For instance, the college will make use of its 14 largest classrooms for in-person instruction. Other classrooms will be opened for independent study by students. All of these learning spaces carry detailed, easy-to-identify decals on floors, chairs, tables, desks and other furniture directing users where to sit in order to socially distance. All spaces include cleaning kits, allowing users to clean any spaces upon entering or leaving, and directional signage provides for one-way foot traffic to help avoid risk of infection.

Detail shot of video screen with Don’t Forget Your Mask at Lindner College of Business (LCOB). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen and partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/Joseph Fuqua II

A prominent digital display in the main lobby of the Lindner College of Business encourages building occupants to wear masks to safeguard health and safety. All members of the campus community, as well as campus visitors, are required to wear facial coverings. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of furniture with Do not sit here signs and decals at Lindner College of Business (LCOB). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen and partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/Joseph Fuqua II

Lobby furniture in the Lindner College of Business is arranged and marked to encourage social distancing. For instance, note the decals in the center seating area of this couch, directing users to sit socially distant on the two end segments. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Seating, tables, desks, counters, floors, hallways and doors throughout the Lindner College of Business are marked to encourage social distancing, foot traffic flow appropriate for health and safety, sanitation and cleanliness, hand hygiene and more. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of Covid Careful Cleaning Supples, Do not sit here sign in main Auditorium at Lindner College of Business (LCOB). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen, partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/Joseph Fuqua II

Classrooms throughout LCOB and the rest of campus contain cleaning kits as well as markers designating which seats and desks to use and/or avoid in order to safely socially distance. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of Do not sit here sign in Goering’s Lecture Hall at Lindner College of Business (LCOB). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen, partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/Joseph Fuqua II

Seating is designated to demarcate appropriate social distancing in UC classrooms. In the Lindner College of Business, only the 14 largest classrooms will be used for in-person class instruction during fall term in order to allow for space between students. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of furniture and seating arrangements in Starbucks at Lindner College of Business (LCOB). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen, partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/Joseph Fuqua II

Eatery seating has been adjusted near the Starbucks located within the Lindner College of Business. Normally, these tables would host two chairs, but now only host one in order to promote social distancing. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of Covid Careful Cleaning Supples, Do not sit here sign in meeting roomat Lindner College of Business (LCOB). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen, partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/Joseph Fuqua II

A conference room in the Lindner College of Business contains a cleaning kit and designated seating in order to maintain social distancing. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of desk with Wellness screen and partition at Lindner College of Business (LCOB). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/Joseph Fuqua II

A reception desk and area now features plexiglass as a protective barrier to airborne droplets in order to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Tangeman University Center

As the main campus life center for students, TUC has been prepared by staff in advance of the return to campus. Efforts include plexiglass barriers for the staffed information desk, bookstore counters / registers and food service counters. Furniture in lobby areas and gathering spaces in Great Hall and 400 A, B, C are spaced out at six-feet intervals. Furniture, e.g., in the food court, is also marked in order to help patrons to maintain social distance.

Plexiglass and floor decals are among the changes to the physical space in TUC. Others include reconfigured furniture, marked entrances and exits to maintain one-way foot traffic, elevators limited to two-person use, hand sanitizer stations and sanitizer refill stations (for individual, personal-use bottles) and more. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of Covid Careful sign and furniture spaced out at Tangeman University Center (TUC). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen and partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II

Furniture is moved and rearranged to encourage social distancing in TUC's main lobby. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Social distancing, facial coverings, hand hygiene and sanitation are among the personal practices to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of Do Not Move furniture sign at Tangeman University Center (TUC). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen and partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II

A variety of required COVID CAREFUL building and classroom signage is available on the Planning+Design+Construction website. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of Covid Careful sign and decals in UC bookstore at Tangeman University Center (TUC). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen and partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II

Bookstore staff wear facial coverings and stand behind plexiglass. Find more about how to safely shop for course materials in the Return to Campus Guide. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

After shopping online, students will then have several options to either pick up or have their textbook purchases delivered. These include in-person pick up at the Bookstore (in a socially distant line); drive through pick up; or package mail delivery (free of charge in most cases). Delivery can be arranged to a home residence or a residence hall room. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of Covid Careful sign and decals at Mainstreet Pizza Company in the food court at Tangeman University Center (TUC). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen and partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II

Food service in the TUC Food Court features plexiglass barriers, floor decals to promote social distancing as well as frequently cleaned tables set six feet distance from one another. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of tables sanitize in the food court at Tangeman University Center (TUC). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen and partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II

During the Spring and Summer Semesters, UC Housekeeping took the opportunity to clean and sanitize every building using cleaning agents approved by the Environmental Protection Agency for killing the virus associated with COVID-19. Items and areas cleaned included furniture (chairs, tables, desks, etc.), door handles, light switches, elevator buttons, accessibility buttons and plates, vending machine buttons, ledges and handrails, windowsills and trash/recycle cans as well as all carpets vacuumed. All restrooms were power washed and sanitized throughout, including every handle, counter, sink, partition, door, floor, etc. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of Do not sit here sign at Tangeman University Center (TUC). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen and partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II

Marked and designated seating in TUC encourages social distancing and thus helps prevent the spread of infection by the COVID-19 virus. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of hand sanitizer stations in the food court at Tangeman University Center (TUC). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g.,Wellness screen and partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II

1,000 hand sanitizer dispensers have been installed throughout campus, located at building entrances and elevator lobbies. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

A refill station for personal hand sanitizer bottles. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of elevator decals at Tangeman University Center (TUC). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen and partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II

Elevators are marked to limit use to no more than two people in a car. .Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of Covid Careful sign and Sanitation Station at Tangeman University Center (TUC). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen and partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/Joseph Fuqua II

Throughout campus, doorways are designated to serve to either enter or exit spaces in order to promote one-way foot traffic. Campus doors are designated entrance or exit

Campus Recreation Center

See more about the reservation system for access to the center and use of facility limitations for fall term. These use limitations will include reduced hours to allow for cleaning, including the cleaning of restrooms each hour, combined with spacing of exercise equipment. CRC use will be limited to students, faculty and staff.

The member services desk at the CRC features a plexiglass barrier to help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of Tap ID card Reader at Campus Recreation Center front at CRC. University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen and partition , decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II

Student, faculty and staff members of the CRC will swipe themselves in using the card reader versus handing their UC ID to a center representative. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of exercise equipment spaced out on workout running track at Campus Recreation Center (CRC). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen and partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II

Staff have spaced out exercise equipment in order to maintain social distancing. Here, exercise equipment is spaced along the running truck (which will be closed to running use). UC’s Campus Recreation Center plans to reopen August 17 following the mandated protocols required by the Ohio Health Department for reopening gym facilities as well as university health and safety restrictions. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of exercise equipment spaced out at Campus Recreation Center (CRC). University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen and partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II

In order to space out equipment, this racquet ball court now holds general exercise equipment. Visit the Campus Recreation Center website for more information. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Marian Spencer Hall

Read more about adaptations to UC Housing in the Return to Campus Guide. These adaptations include additional air filtration units for use in bedrooms with more than one occupant as an added safeguard to HVAC systems, which are maintained and operate to meet American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers guidelines.

Another example: As a health and safety measure, the standard Guest Policy for UC Housing is currently being adapted in order to reduce contagion and exposure among residents. Upon move-in and through the first weeks of the fall term, only residents of each room will be permitted in assigned rooms; no in-room or overnight guests will be allowed.

Detail shot of beds spaced out in dorm rooms at Marian Spencer Hall. University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen, partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II

All housing, dining and recreational facilities have undergone a deep cleaning. Additionally, our continuing cleaning procedures have been expanded and will remain in effect throughout the semester. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Detail shot of air filtration units in dorm rooms at Marian Spencer Hall. University of Cincinnati efforts around health / safety on campus, e.g., Wellness screen, partition, decals, furniture arrangements, hand sanitizer stations, tape over seating areas, exercise equipment spaced out. UC/ Joseph Fuqua II

Air purifiers will augment the normal operations of HVAC systems, which are maintained to meet American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers guidelines. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Featured top image of Campus Services' staff rearranging seating in a Tangeman University Center lobby, spacing chairs six feet apart. Photo/Joe Fuqua/UC Creative + Brand.

Photo gallery: UC prepares for return to campus