COVID-19 Protocols for Summer/Fall

Posted on by Sarah Frink

Dear Campus Community:

Before we say goodbye to students for the summer, we wanted to take a moment to outline the expectations for COVID-19 safety protocols starting this summer and continuing into the next academic year:

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS 

Students

As previously communicated, all students are required to be up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations prior to arriving on campus next fall.

  • The CDC considers you up to date when you have received all doses in the primary series and all boosters recommended for you, when eligible. Current students will likely remain up to date through the start of fall term, unless recommendations change over the summer.
  • To be up to date, you must be 2 weeks post your primary COVID vaccine series and have had your booster if you are eligible. You must get your booster when eligible to remain on campus. This date will vary based on your personal situation, so please plan ahead!
  • Students will not be permitted to move into campus residences, participate in athletics, attend classes or engage in any in-person activities if they are not up to date with all of the College-required vaccinations.
  • To update your COVID-19 or any other vaccination record, you may report it to the Student Health Center via My Chart or by email at healthsv@kzoo.edu.
  • Vaccine exemptions will be extremely rare and will not be granted for personal preference. This is true for all vaccines required by the College, not just the COVID-19 vaccine. Students seeking an exemption should review the campus immunization policy and contact the Student Health Center (SHC) to request a form.

Faculty and Staff

  • Faculty and staff are required to be fully up to date on their vaccinations.

Visitors

  • Vaccinations will not be required for on-campus visitors beginning June 7 through the fall, unless conditions change. We will re-evaluate this policy in August.

ISOLATION HOUSING

  • The College will be discontinuing COVID-19 isolation housing for residential students in the fall. Students should plan to return home to isolate if possible or isolate in their residence halls.
  • We will continue to offer the “Sick Meal Request” form so that students may designate friends to pick up meals for them from the dining hall when ill (this applies to any illness).

COVID-19 TESTING

  • COVID-19 testing, as with other services, will not be available at the SHC over the summer. Students in the area over the summer may refer to the SHC website for other testing locations.
  • As in the past, we recommend students test for COVID-19 with a rapid or PCR test prior to coming to campus in the fall. We do not anticipate offering mass testing at the start of the term unless conditions call for it.
  • If you have tested positive for COVID-19 prior to move-in or a resumption of campus activities, we ask that you remain at home through your isolation period and contact the SHC with your positive test result through MyChart. College staff will work with you to notify your professors if there will be any delay to starting
  • The SHC will continue to offer COVID-19 testing next year for students who are symptomatic or have been exposed.

MASKING REQUIREMENTS

  • K anticipates that our mask-optional policy will continue.
  • Faculty/staff will still have the option to require masking inside classroom spaces, in individual offices or for gatherings, and anyone who wishes to mask when not required should feel comfortable doing so.
  • Mask-wearing will be expected whenever you are experiencing symptoms of any illness, have a positive COVID-19 test, are awaiting test results or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19.
  • Please plan to bring a supply of well-fitting masks in the fall to use as needed. 

COVID-19 DASHBOARD UPDATES

  • Tuesday, June 7, will be the last update to the COVID-19 Dashboard for the summer months. We will resume updating the dashboard in September.

Thank you to everyone for the outstanding job Protecting the Hive this year. It has taken a dedicated effort by the entire campus community to ensure a healthy in-person academic year, and we are extremely grateful for your flexibility and commitment to our protocols. We are optimistic that conditions will continue to improve, and as always, if they fluctuate, we will be ready to adapt as necessary. Please monitor your K email over the summer in the event that conditions or requirements change.

Stay healthy and stay safe, Hornets!

J. Malcolm Smith
Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Students

Danette Ifert Johnson
Provost