Dear Elmhurst University Community:
The excitement of a new academic year is just around the corner. The COVID-19 Task Force is writing today with important reminders related to the University’s COVID-19 response as we prepare to welcome faculty, staff and students back to campus and begin our fall semester in just a few weeks.
Our goal for the upcoming academic year is to provide an outstanding educational and co-curricular experience for our students. Doing so will require all of us to follow simple, commonsense protocols regarding COVID-19. As much as we wish the pandemic were over, it is not. However, by following reasonable and sustainable COVID-19 protocols, we can foster our shared commitment to the health of the campus community while providing a robust, in-person experience for students.
- All new students, faculty, and staff must submit proof of vaccination or apply for an exemption. Please upload your COVID-19 vaccine card or apply for an exemption through our Etrieve system.
- Get vaccinated or get your booster. Once you have received a) your first dose, b) your second dose, and/or c) your booster shot(s), please upload your COVID-19 vaccine card.
- Masks are now optional. However, Elmhurst University encourages students, faculty, and staff to wear masks if that makes them more comfortable. Our values of community and responsibility require that we treat each other with grace, respect, and civility, whether or not someone chooses to wear a mask.
- If you have a sore throat or any other symptoms associated with the BA.5 variant (fever, congestions, chills, headache, fatigue, loss of taste or smell, etc.) get a COVID-19 test immediately. Stay home and isolate for five days if the result comes back positive. Do not attend classes in person.
- Wash your hands thoroughly and often on a daily basis. Use hand sanitizer whenever possible.
- If you test positive for COVID-19, please complete the Self-Reporting Form.
- Every effort should be made to go home to isolate if you live within a reasonable distance. Isolation/quarantine spaces will not be available in the residence halls this fall. If you are positive and cannot go home, you must isolate in your residence hall room, on-campus apartment/house, or your off-campus apartment/home.
- No testing is required prior to the start of the fall semester. However, we do highly recommend taking a home test prior to your arrival on campus. If the test is positive, we ask that you stay home and isolate for 5 days. If after 5 days of isolation you are fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication, and your symptoms are improving, or you never had symptoms, you may end isolation after Day 5. You will be required to wear a high-quality mask through Day 10.
- Please see the latest updates from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2022/p0811-covid-guidance.html
Thank you for your continued efforts on behalf of the University community and our educational mission, and we wish you a great rest of the summer and start of the fall semester.
Bluejay Proud!
The COVID-19 Task Force