Dear University Community,

I share here important information about COVID-19 campus procedures developed in consultation with professionals from local hospital networks and government health officials.  Our strategy here is geared to a “new normal” of living with this virus and its variants indefinitely; thus, our policies are subject to change.

The University continues to strongly urge all who are eligible to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination and/or booster.  Please upload a copy of your vaccination/booster card:

• If you are a student:  please do so here.
• If you are an employee:  please do so here.

Since the beginning of this pandemic, the University community’s compliance with established protocols has been exemplary.  Now, due to the high level of transmissibility of the Omicron variant, the following modifications to our COVID-19 policies are in place for the Spring 2022 semester.

• Isolation and Quarantine
  • In light of the new CDC guidelines for isolation and quarantine, we present the following requirements.
    • If you have tested positive for COVID-19,
      • you are required to isolate for 5 days.  If your symptoms are resolving (fever-free for 24 hours) or you are asymptomatic, you may resume regular activities but must wear a mask for 5 additional days both indoors and outdoors.
    • Unvaccinated individuals
      • If you have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, 
        • and experience symptoms of COVID-19, get tested immediately.  
          • If positive, you are required to isolate for 5 days and must wear a mask for 5 additional days both indoors and outdoors.
          • If negative, you are required to quarantine for 5 days and must wear a mask for 5 additional days both indoors and outdoors.
        • and are asymptomatic, quarantine for 5 days and continue to mask for 5 additional days both indoors and outdoors.
    • Vaccinated individuals (Those who have received a booster dose, or are within 5 months of receiving the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer vaccine, or within two months of receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.)
      • If you experience symptoms of COVID-19, get tested immediately. 
        • If positive, you are required to isolate for 5 days and must wear a mask for 5 additional days both indoors and outdoors.
        • If negative, wear a mask for 10 days both indoors and outdoors. 
          • If you are asymptomatic, you are not required to quarantine for 5 days following direct exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. However, you should wear a mask for 10 days both indoors and outdoors.
  • Student Learning:
    • With the exception of inclement weather procedures, only students requiring quarantine or isolation due to the COVID-19 virus may utilize the Zoom modality for classroom attendance; verification will be issued by Wendy Kalamar in the Wellness Center. To provide consistency across the University, no other reasons for Zooming will be accepted; such reasons include convenience, oversleeping, travel issues, non-COVID-19 illnesses, and the like.

• Masking Mandate:
  • Since masking is an effective way to contain the Omicron variant, it is required in all indoor facilities.  Masks must cover your nose and mouth and we recommend upgrading them from cloth to N95 or an equivalent when possible.
  • Please note that in campus dining facilities you may remove your mask while eating/drinking.

• Testing:
  • The University will offer symptomatic COVID-19 testing to all full-time students, faculty, and staff members via the Wellness Center. Availability of testing will be dependent on supply and the assessment of symptoms by the Wellness Center staff. For more information on how to obtain a test and hours of operation, please reference our updated active protocols. 
  • The COVID-19 Tracker will provide information about the number of tests distributed in relation to the number of positive results weekly.

Regretfully, conflicting and confusing information persists around certain preventative measures during this pandemic.  Thus, your pledge to responsible living in accord with these announced guidelines and protocols is required and will help our entire DeSales University community be who we are and be that well.

Sincerely,
Gerard J. Joyce, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President