NEW ORLEANS – Tulane University Athletics announced today a three-phase approach for returning student-athletes to campus. Phase one of the return is set to begin June 15 for voluntary athletic-related activities. 
 
Tulane Athletics staff members that work directly with the returning teams will return to campus over the course of four phases to prepare for the student-athletes arrival to campus. Departmental staff members will return to campus on the following dates: June 12, June 24, July 10 and July 31. 
 
"Through our institutional leadership, the diligent efforts of departmental staff and the guidance of Dr. Greg Stewart, I feel confident that Tulane Athletics has taken the necessary steps to provide a healthy and safe environment for our student-athletes, coaches and staff," Tulane Director of Athletics Troy Dannen said. 
 
TULANE STUDENT-ATHLETE THREE-PHASE APPROACH
Phase One Approach – Beginning June 15
- Football returns with approximately 100 student-athletes.
- All athletics facilities that function for football which include Yulman Stadium, Benson Field, Mintz Field, the James W Wilson Center, the Green Wave Grille, locker rooms, weight room, training room, and academic center will be available for student-athlete use.
- Staff members associated with the open facilities the football team will be on campus.
 
Phase Two Approach – Beginning June 29
- Volleyball, women's basketball and men's basketball will return which will consist of approximately 45 student-athletes.
- The Hertz Center, Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse, locker room, weight room, and training rooms will become available for student-athletes.
- Staff members associated with the open facilities as well as with the volleyball, women's basketball, and men's basketball teams will be on campus.
 
Phase Three Approach – Beginning August 3
- All other sports consisting of approximately 225 student-athletes will return.
- Staff members associated with the return of all other teams will also return to campus.
 
Tulane Athletics' decision to return to campus comes in response to the NCAA Management Council's May 20 decision to permit voluntary workouts.  
 
The voluntary workouts allow student-athletes to use strength and conditioning areas and other athletic facilities. Sports performance coaches and athletic trainers may be present for safety purposes.
 
"The Tulane medical staff is in a great position to welcome back our student-athletes to provide each of them the necessary environment they need to prepare for the upcoming season while remaining safe," Stewart said. 
 
Student-athletes are also permitted eight hours per week of virtual instruction. Coaches can be part of those sessions, but no physical activities are allowed.
 
"Our staff has worked tirelessly to properly prepare our facilities with the necessary sanitization and temperature verification tools to ensure the safety of everyone on our campus, while also providing specific movement areas throughout the building to limit any spread of the virus," Executive Associate Athletics Director for Business and Operations Chris Maitre said.
  
Listed below are the additional elements of Tulane Athletics' return to campus plan: 
 
COVID-19 Testing – COVID-19 testing will occur for student-athletes before their return to campus. They will then be quarantined for 24 hours pending test results. Ongoing COVID-19 testing will occur twice per week. COVID-19 testing also will be similarly required for all coaches and staff.
 
Safety - The department will provide student-athletes, coaches and staff members daily health questionnaires, temperature scans and face masks. In addition, signage reminders of department protocol and numerous hand sanitizer stations will be located throughout the athletic facilities.
 
Summer Facility Access – Student-athletes will utilize multiple strength and conditioning facilities in small groups to minimize cross-contamination. The use of strength areas will not begin until after the week-long administrative re-orientation is completed. Meanwhile, all team meetings will continue to be held virtually. Wellness check stations will be created at single entrance points for all facilities utilized by student-athletes and staff—to include daily temperature verification and hand sanitization.
 
Cleaning – Policies and procedures have been implemented to ensure that all areas and equipment utilized by student-athletes are cleaned thoroughly after each usage and at additional times during the day. Athletic facility staff also will conduct additional cleaning at night, including "deep cleanings" multiple times per week. Cleaning protocols will follow the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
 
Housing – For those student-athletes arriving during the first two phases, the department will have one residence hall for use that will place all student-athletes in single rooms. In the event one student-athlete tests positive for the virus, the department will quarantine him/her on a separate floor where he/she will receive wellness checks as well as food delivery to his/her room so that he/she can continue to study for his/her summer classes.
 
Safety Measures (PPE) – All student-athletes, coaches and staff will be provided multiple facemasks and will be required to wear them in all common areas within Tulane Athletic facilities. 

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Tulane University is located in the city of New Orleans. It is a city built on tradition and resiliency. The lessons Green Wave student-athletes have learned through their connection with this university and city have BUILT doctors, lawyers, business leaders, conference champions, all-conference players, all-Americans, professional athletes and NCAA tournament teams. The city of New Orleans has shaped us into who we are today. We are One City. We are Tulane. We are NOLA BUILT. Check out our story at NolaBuilt.com.