COVID-19 Process

Please find below a summary of the current state of COVID on campus, as well as synopses of both CHHS Administrator and Faculty members’ roles within our COVID procedures.  This is followed by a quick “cheat sheet” of the dos and don’ts should you receive notification of exposure within your classroom.  Lastly, find testing information for your convenience as well as contact information should you have other questions.

This page was updated on November 15, 2021. Please refer to the COVID-19 page for up-to-date campus information. 

Current state of COVID on Campus

While students have reported testing positive for COVID-19 after attending an in-person class and thereby exposing others, results from the campus COVID-19 testing protocol following a known exposure do not show widespread transmission. Thus, we believe breakthrough and positive transmission is occurring in the community but our current health and safety policies and practices are demonstrating effectiveness against the spread of the virus on campus. As well, every day that passes, the campus is getting more and more close to 100% full vaccination (95% of faculty and 97.3% students).

Roles 

 

Associate Dean Vargas will continue to monitor campus trends and data and will use this information to guide CHHS recommendations to faculty if there is a COVID exposure in their class. When there is an exposure, AD Vargas will work with department chairs and faculty to develop an appropriate plan and that is consistent with campus protocols. If you have any questions regarding the campus COVID-19 health and safety protocols, or if you receive notification about exposure and need assistance understanding your role and responsibilities, do not hesitate to reach out to AD Vargas.

Student Health Services (SHS) and CHHS are monitoring the COVID situation so that instructors’ priorities can remain on effective pedagogical practices and student success.  If a student reports a positive result to the instructor, the instructor should direct the student to the to report it immediately. Instructors SHOULD NOT communicate any COVID-related exposure information to students; that information will come directly from SHS. However, instructors should communicate any changes in the modality of instruction to students once plans have been deliberated by your chair and approved by AD Vargas. 

CHHS COVID Process Cheat Sheet

  • If a student and/or faculty receive a COVID+ test result, they should immediately notify
  • SHS will investigate the situation, and if needed, will send out exposure notifications to impacted faculty and students
    • If you do receive official notification from SHS, you will receive additional guidance from CHHS regarding the next steps for your classes.  Please wait until you hear from Associate Dean Vargas prior to speaking with your students.
    • If you do not receive official notification from SHS, then you were NOT considered to have been exposed, and no further action is needed
    • The data has indicated that COVID is not spreading following exposure.  Vaccinations, in combination with masks, are working.  Moving a class to a temporary alternate mode of instruction is not due to fear of spread, but rather to allow time for exposed individuals to get tested.
  • Only DIRECT exposure requires testing.  If Student A was in a class that received notification of exposure, it only applies to that class.  If Student A attended another class after being exposed, this is not considered direct exposure, and no action is needed.
  • Fully vaccinated individuals may return to campus while waiting for test results.
  • Faculty should NOT be notifying students of potential exposure.  These notifications will come from SHS.  The only communication needed from faculty is when students need to be alerted to a change in modality of instruction.
  • The recommended days for testing is based on when the exposure occurred.  SHS will recommend that individuals test 3-5 days following exposure, not when you are notified.  Testing prior to that timeframe may not be accurate.
  • You are highly encouraged to ask to see students’ green checkmark from the pre-screen. 
    • The prescreen has been adjusted so that any students who are vaccinated, asymptomatic, and exposed in a classroom will continue to get a green checkmark.

Testing Information

  • Testing at the Chartroom location will be modified the week of Thanksgiving, with services available between 8 a.m. and noon on the Wednesday before the holiday.
  • Between noon and 3 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays outside the University Bookstore. Walk-ins and  are welcome.
  • From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays at the Chartroom.  are recommended but walk-ins are welcome.
  • From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the Walter Pyramid, enter through the yellow entrance facing parking lot G11.  are recommended. 
  • Students exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 may be tested at Student Health Services.