Grambling State University News June 15, 2020 Grambling State’s “Team Member First” Approach Helps Flatten the Curve in Black Communities Campus Safety Measures and Extended Telework Promote Health at GSU As North Louisiana COVID-19 cases continue to impact African American communities at a dramatically higher rate than other demographics, Grambling State University’s administration enacts a “Team Member First” approach to work and the forthcoming return to campus this summer. “By extending telework and using that time to diligently prepare our campus for safer daily procedures, we are aiming to keep our community at lower risk,” said President Richard Gallot. “There is no greater team than the Grambling team and it’s our honor to make sure they can do what they do best in safety.” Since March 23, the University has made telework accommodations for most job functions. Over the last several weeks, the administration’s efforts have been aimed at developing preventative procedures in preparation for return to on-campus work. Returning team members can expect protective plexiglass around circulation desks, sanitizing stations across campus, and a mandatory morning temperature screen each day before entering campus buildings. “Our strategy is simple – Team Members First,” said Lori Williams, the University’s AVP for Operations and Chief Human Resources Officer. “We are taking the necessary time to ensure we’re considering everything before team members return to campus. Until we are confident our campus can support prevention, we will continue to operate remotely.” Grambling State University employs nearly 600 people, over 90% of whom are African American. In northwest Louisiana, Black citizens are dying at 3.86 times the rate of those of other races. The University’s efforts are intended to keep team members and the Grambling community safer by extending telework and limiting work-related external contact. SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> Honor the ancestors, honor the children and those yet to come. Building Capacity for Humanities Special Collections at HBCUs – Become an ally and partner with us to protect, preserve and share a more authentic record of American history. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/humanities-2019.html for more information. Follow this link http://hbculibraries.org/ and click on the Donate Now button to invest in this project. Your support is appreciated. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/