Dear Members of the Campus Community,
It has been a busy and joyful week as we welcome students, faculty and staff to campus for the fall semester. Below please find some important updates on the health of our community and what you can do to help ensure a safe experience for all members of our campus.
Student Testing
Students are required to have a negative COVID-19 test before arriving on campus and to go through a quick and easy fall arrival check-in process before engaging in campus life. Our first-year and transfer students arrived on campus last weekend for student orientation, and I am happy to report that all of our students who arrived on Saturday and Sunday tested negative.
The majority of returning students will arrive this weekend and we hope for similar success with this larger group. Our COVID-19 dashboard is updated every Monday. You can check there for updates on vaccination rates and numbers of diagnosed cases on campus.
Student Clearance Cards
Students who have checked in at the testing pavilion have been given a clearance card stating that they are approved for in-person activities. Students need these cards to move into campus housing and are prepared to share their clearance cards with faculty and staff if needed. Note that the cards do not contain any personal health information, including vaccination status.
Testing for Faculty and Staff
All faculty and staff members must participate in asymptomatic surveillance testing once a week for two consecutive weeks, effective Aug. 16 or the week that you return to campus. Test kits and a drop box for completed tests are available for pick up/drop off at your convenience near the front door of CHWS on the second floor of Wheelock Student Center. Your second test sample should be dropped off seven to 10 days following your first test.
If you have any questions, please contact chws@pugetsound.edu. We will continue to follow public health guidance in making decisions about testing, and faculty and staff will be notified should a return to weekly testing be needed. In addition, free testing is available at many sites throughout Pierce County.
Your Test Results
Those who receive negative test results are free to remain on campus.
Faculty and staff receiving a positive result are required to notify CHWS and their supervisor or academic chair, and to isolate off campus for 10 days or until symptoms resolve, whichever is longer. Students who test positive before they arrive on campus should notify CHWS and isolate at home for 10 days. Students who test positive upon arrival can isolate in our campus isolation spaces or may isolate at home if it is safe to do so.
Please consult with CHWS for more information, or review guidance in our COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions. Remember that vaccination substantially reduces the risk of serious illness, but may not prevent you from contracting or spreading the virus, regardless of whether you are experiencing symptoms.
Vaccination Requirement
To date, 100% of faculty and staff scheduled to work this fall and 98% of students have uploaded vaccination cards or received an approved medical or religious exemption. Exemptions are few—three percent of faculty and staff and currently one percent of students. Counseling, Health and Wellness Services staff members are contacting the few students who have not yet responded. If you have not yet responded, please do so immediately. Those who have not uploaded vaccination cards or received an exemption will not be able to enter campus buildings, attend classes, live on campus, or participate in campus activities.
Indoor Masks Required Regardless of Vaccination Status
Our indoor mask requirement was reinstated on Aug. 13, and was made a requirement in the state of Washington on Aug. 19. Although we had hoped that vaccinated individuals could be mask-free indoors, the highly contagious nature of the Delta variant requires us to adopt another layer of protection. Masks must be worn indoors regardless of vaccination status. This includes meeting rooms, classrooms, and public areas. The Secretary of Health order specifically states that masks may be removed only “while actively engaged in a performing arts performance, leading religious services, or engaged in other similar activities, subject to the authorization and requirements of the Department of Health . . ..” In addition, plexiglass shields are in most classrooms and are available upon request from Facilities Services. The university does not provide N95 masks to students, faculty, or staff (except for those who need them because of their work responsibilities). We will, if needed, supply KN95 and cotton masks to faculty, staff and student staff, and students under certain circumstances. Faculty with concerns about the impact of mask-wearing on pedagogy or certain instructional activities should contact the Provost for guidance.
Please — Stay Home if You Are Ill
In any given year—with or without a pandemic—students, faculty and staff members may become ill and need time away from classes, work, and other campus activities. Faculty have established protocols for covering classes when they are ill, and staff have access to sick leave benefits that may also be used to care for children or other family members who may be ill. Human Resources distributed guidance for parents earlier today. Students should be in communication with their faculty, coaches, and campus work supervisors if they must be absent due to illness. Please remain home if you are ill.
Out and About in Tacoma/Pierce County
While our campus is considered fully vaccinated, we know that the vaccination rate in surrounding Tacoma/Pierce County is at 60%, with a 14-day case rate of 606 per 100,000 individuals as of Aug. 27. We ask that all members of our community be mindful of the county’s mask mandate and other guidance available from the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department.
Campus Visitors and Events
It will be important to limit the volume and frequency of external community members visiting campus, particularly indoor spaces. A policy with more specific guidelines will be announced next week.
Classes Begin on Monday
Provost Laura Behling has been communicating directly with faculty about expectations for the fall semester. A robust approach to health and safety allows us to hold all classes in person, and we look forward to welcoming students into classrooms when fall semester begins on Monday!
Keep Up to Date
Guidance related to health and safety protocols are subject to change. Please take advantage of resources designed to keep you informed. The COVID-19 webpage contains health-related guidance and links to the COVID-19 dashboard, campus announcements, and frequently asked questions.
In person classes begin on Monday, and we are off to a great start with vaccination, social distancing, cleaning, masking, and testing protocols to protect our health and safety. Let’s continue to be vigilant as we make the most of this opportunity to be in community together once more. We’ve got this, Loggers!
Sincerely,
Isiaah
Isiaah Crawford, Ph.D. | President