Bucknell, Susquehanna, Update COVID Policies: Testing Required | – Wkok.com

UNDATED – Two Valley universities are updating campus COVID policies . . . Barring medical and religious exemptions, all students attending Bucknell and Susquehanna universities are required to be fully vaccinated against coronavirus.

They also have to provide proof of a negative COVID test result prior to arriving on campus for the spring semester. Both universities require a booster shot as well,  when appropriate.

Susquehanna University says students have until Feburary 4 to provide documentation. Bucknell’s deadline was Friday. Both universities have made changes to their isolation and masking policies for students and faculty in response to the recent statewide surge in active COVID cases.

BACKGROUND:

Bucknell University

Spring Semester Pre-arrival Testing: Bucknell will require all students, including those who are vaccinated, to take a COVID-19 test three days or 72 hours before arrival on campus in order to begin spring semester classes. Test kits will be shipped to students’ permanent residences at no cost. For further details, see the Testing & Contact Tracing page and President Bravman’s Jan. 5 message to campus.

Isolation Policy Update: In alignment with the latest CDC recommendations, students who test positive for COVID-19 (regardless of vaccination status) will now be required to isolate for five days. If they have no symptoms or if they are fever-free after five days, they will be released from isolation on day six but should continue to wear a mask around others (including in residence halls and outdoors) for an additional five days. For further details, please refer to the Student Guide to Quarantine, Isolation & Contact Tracing.

Vaccine Boosters: The vaccine booster will be required for all eligible students effective Friday, Jan. 7. Please send a photo or scan of your updated vaccination card to [email protected] by that date. Booster documentation is required of all eligible students in order to move into campus housing or take classes in the spring semester. Students who have already received a University exemption from vaccination for medical or religious reasons will automatically be exempted. For further details, see President Bravman’s Dec. 13 message to campus.

Testing During Winter Break: COVID-19 testing will be available during the winter break period on a compressed schedule for employees and students staying on campus during the break. View the Student Testing & Contact Tracing and On-site Employee Testing Program pages for times and details.

Susquehanna University

Student Vaccinations – To protect the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and the broader community, Susquehanna University will require students who learn, live or work on campus for the spring 2022 term to be vaccinated for Covid-19 and if eligible, to have received a Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech booster by Feb. 4, 2022. All other students must obtain the booster within two (2) weeks of their eligibility date.

Students who participate in university-sponsored international travel must be fully vaccinated, and if eligible get the booster, prior to their departure. Student-athletes must be fully vaccinated, and if eligible get the booster, prior to the start of athletic practices and competitions, and they also are required to follow NCAA protocols.

Students may request an exemption from the Covid vaccination requirement for medical reasons or religious convictions, which will be considered for approval on an individual basis through the Student Health Center.

All students must submit their Covid immunization record of proof if it is not already on file with the university. This can be done by sending a picture of the vaccine card to [email protected].

Returning Students – Email an image of your completed Covid vaccination card with a booster to [email protected].

Enrolling Students (First-Year, Transfer, and Dual Enrollment) – Please email a copy to [email protected].

Students who are not fully vaccinated (either at the start of the semester or whose exemption was approved) are required to follow the protocols for unvaccinated persons noted below.

Employees – Employees are strongly encouraged to be fully vaccinated with a booster prior to returning to work on campus. Faculty and staff members who choose to participate in the Global Opportunities Program as GO directors and traveling with students are required to have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters.

All employees, even if fully vaccinated, are required to follow the protocols of any off-campus premises they visit while on university business.

Employees who become ill because of a Covid infection or need to quarantine as a close contact should use their regular sick leave.

All faculty and staff who have been vaccinated with an authorized vaccine as well as a booster should immediately complete the Faculty and Staff Covid Vaccine Form if they have not already done so.

If you are both an SU student and an employee, you must follow the student vaccination protocols first, then those for employees. Faculty and staff who are not fully vaccinated are required to follow the protocols for unvaccinated persons noted below.

Employees who are still not vaccinated against Covid-19 are encouraged to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the benefits of the vaccine and medical concerns you have. Faculty and staff may schedule vaccine and booster appointments during the work day without using vacation or sick time. Faculty and staff who need time to recover from the vaccine or booster shot must notify their supervisor and may enter the time as regular pay on their timesheets. Please coordinate the time off with your supervisor.

Unvaccinated Persons – Students, faculty, staff and visitors who are not fully vaccinated and do not have a booster shot against Covid should wear a mask:

• indoors always and maintain at least six feet of distance from other persons, and
• outdoors when unable to maintain six feet of distance from other persons.

Students, faculty and staff who are unvaccinated or have not received a booster shot when eligible must follow weekly testing protocols of the Spring Plan.

Students who test positive for Covid or are close contacts will be asked to isolate or quarantine at home, not on campus.

Exemptions from the Covid Vaccination Requirement – Note that a positive Covid antibody test (i.e., prior infection) does not exempt an individual from the vaccination requirement.

In the event of an outbreak, individuals exempt for medical reasons or religious objections should be protected from exposure. This may include exclusion from campus and/or required quarantine away from campus if exposed during an outbreak.

Medical Exemption – If a medical provider uses SU’s General Immunization Exemption Form to certify that a student’s health condition that is a valid contraindication to receiving a specific vaccine, then a permanent or temporary (e.g., pregnancy) exemption may be granted. On the form, the provider must specify which Covid immunization(s) that may be detrimental, why and for how long, and must sign the form. Medical exemptions for immunizations of other infections may not be considered applicable.

Religious Exemption – Requests for exemptions must describe the principles that guide an objection to immunization using SU’s General Immunization Exemption Form and be signed by the student (or parent or guardian if under the age of 18). The university may require supporting documents. Prior religious exemption statements addressed to other institutions are not considered valid.

Testing, Start of Semester for Everyone

• All students, regardless of vaccination status, are encouraged to quarantine for 5 to 7 days prior to their return to Selinsgrove.
• All students, regardless of vaccination status, are required to provide proof of a negative Covid test result prior to arrival. The test (PCR or antigen) should be administered within 72 hours (within 3 days) prior to their arrival and submitted before moving in.
  • At-home, do-it-yourself tests are acceptable by uploading a picture of the test with the student’s name and date written on it showing the result.
  • Before arriving to campus, students should upload results to bit.ly/prearrival-test-result
  • Students who are unable to secure testing on their own can call the Student Health Center at 570-372-4385 for assistance.
  • If a student has a positive result within the 72-hour window before arrival, but had previously tested positive in the last 90 days and is not symptomatic, they may move in and attend classes on campus after they provide a copy of the positive diagnosis within the prior 90 days. If they have not tested positive in the last 90 days, they need to quarantine before coming to campus. Students in these situations should work with the Health Center for a return to campus plan.
  • For students approved to commute to campus, the prior 72-hour window applies to their first day of classes or participating in any activity or meeting on campus.
  • Students must have an individual plan to relocate to an alternative site off campus should quarantine or isolation be required. The university does not have long-term quarantine or isolation housing available.

Start of New Employees – Newly hired employees are required to present a negative test result to Human Resources within 72 hours of their start date.

Weekly Testing

• • Unvaccinated students (including those not yet fully vaccinated and boosted, if eligible, or those with medical and religious exemptions) are required to participate in on-campus weekly testing at the Student Health Center testing site during a scheduled time.
  • Vaccinated students and those often at a higher risk due to their curricular or co-curricular activities should watch their email for any additional testing requirements. If you are chosen for additional testing, this must be done to be compliant and remain on campus.
  • Faculty and staff who have not submitted vaccination cards or are not yet fully vaccinated are required to complete a weekly status form and provide a weekly negative Covid test result to Human Resources in order to be on campus. Test results must be submitted even when you are on vacation to ensure that you are negative before returning to campus. See Resources. Beginning Feb. 6, employees have not received a booster shot when eligible will also be required to complete a weekly status form and provide a weekly negative Covid test result to Human Resources in order to be on campus.

Personal Hygiene and Safety Practices

Face Masks, Masking against Covid

• • Everyone on campus must wear a mask indoors (regardless of vaccination status and including all visitors). There are a few exceptions such as within a residence hall with a family unit, while eating or drinking in the dining areas, or within a personal office space or university vehicle alone. Eating and drinking are not permitted in classrooms or labs in order to keep an individual’s mask fully covering one’s mouth and nose.
    • • Students can request medical exemptions from the Student Health Center. Employees can make a medical exemption request through Human Resources.
      • Masks are required outdoors for unvaccinated persons unable to maintain six feet of distance from other persons wearing masks.
  • Acceptable face masks include medical-grade KN95 masks and multi-layered masks (e.g., disposable surgical-type without ventilators), and must be worn to cover nose and mouth and fit snugly around the face and chin. Cloth masks should be doubled up over a disposable medical-grade mask. The university provides surgical-type masks at stations across campus for anyone who forgets one.

Physical Distancing – Physical distancing between people is one of the best methods to avoid exposure to and minimize the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Face masks are not a substitute for physical distancing.

Handwashing – Handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is encouraged, especially after blowing one’s nose, coughing, sneezing or touching one’s face. Hand sanitizer is provided at stations across campus.

Safety Measures

Hygiene and Sanitation Protocols – All common areas, as well as semi-private restrooms, on campus will be cleaned and disinfected on a regular schedule. Supplemental cleaning wipes will be provided for personal use to disinfect surfaces as needed. Please DO NOT flush any disinfectant wipes down the toilet; they should be disposed of in a trash can after use.

Water bottle filling stations will be open, but drinking fountains will be closed. As a reminder, student-athletes should not share water bottles.

Capacity – As a general rule for meetings and classrooms, unvaccinated persons should maintain 6-foot social distancing from others.

Use of the Fitness Center requires online registration and is available to students and employees.

Students studying music will have to follow safety protocols for their specific classes.

Additional Student Health and Safety Expectations – Students must adhere to the spring 2022 plan and the university code of conduct. All students who are eligible are required to be vaccinated with a booster by Feb. 4, 2022 and must send a copy of their updated vaccination card to [email protected]. All other students must obtain the booster within two (2) weeks of their eligibility date and submit the card to the address above

Residential Living Expectations

Fully vaccinated registered guests are permitted in any residence halls, townhouses, apartments, suites and small houses. This includes parents and other family members. Students should register their guests through the Campus Safety Office by completing the online registered student guest forms. A copy of the guest’s vaccination card will need to be uploaded to that form. Unvaccinated guests are not permitted in residence halls.

Residential students are permitted to leave campus without registering travel unless it qualifies as university travel (see University Travel below). Students needing to work are encouraged to work on campus. Additional work opportunities are available by contacting [email protected]. Students are permitted to work off campus, but are asked to register their off-campus employment.

University Travel Guidelines – See Covid-Related Travel Advisories

Work Arrangements – Faculty and staff are strongly encouraged to work on site, but may request from their supervisor to work remotely in some instances (independent of any approved disability accommodations), where essential functions of the jobs are fulfilled and the student experience is not compromised, by following the Telework Policy. Remote time may be more flexible during periods of time when students are on break.

Faculty and staff with disabilities (which may include those with serious health conditions that put them at greater risk from Covid-19) may request accommodations by contacting Human Resources via email.

Vaccines for Faculty & Staff – Faculty and staff are encouraged to receive the Covid-19 vaccination, including the booster shot, and may schedule vaccine and booster appointments during the workday without using vacation or sick time. Faculty and staff who need time to recover from the vaccine or booster shot must notify their supervisor and may enter the time as regular pay on their timesheets.

Attendance and Absentee Policies – Under no circumstances should somebody who is sick with Covid-19 symptoms attend classes, meetings, events, or report to work.

Students – If a student becomes sick or is experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, they are to immediately mask, return to their room and call the Student Health Center for an appointment at 570-372-4385. You can refer to this CDC fact sheet for more information.

Student employees must notify a supervisor if they are experiencing symptoms. If students become symptomatic, test positive for Covid-19 or are exposed to another who is symptomatic or positive, the university will require them to quarantine, isolate or go home to reduce the spread to other Susquehanna community members.

Faculty and Staff – Faculty and staff experiencing Covid-19 symptoms or who have reason to believe they have been exposed to Covid-19 must telework if possible or take leave, and notify Human Resources by emailing [email protected] or calling 570-372-4024. Follow university protocols regarding self-monitoring, isolation, quarantine, or any other restrictions or required actions. Supervisors and department heads may send faculty or staff home if employees are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms. Employees may return to campus after being fever-free for 24 hours and free of respiratory symptoms.

Employees who become ill because of a Covid infection or need to quarantine as a close contact should use their regular sick leave. An employee may go into a negative sick leave balance under these circumstances so there is no loss of pay.

Positive Covid Test Protocols  – Any student who tests positive will be required to isolate for 10 days, and possibly more, and be fever-free for 24 hours without the use of medication and other symptoms are improving.

Students who are symptom free and can produce a negative test on Day 5 of their isolation can request to return to campus early. This test cannot be a self-administered test. Results need to be sent to the Student Health Center for review prior to the return. If a student continues to test positive, they will need to complete the 10-day isolation period before they are evaluated for a return to campus.

Students — with a positive Covid-19 test

• • Stay masked and in your room, and call the Student Health Center immediately for guidance. Do not report to class. This applies to residential and commuter students.
  • Isolate at home to reduce the spread to other community members.
  • Isolate for 10 days with a tentative return to campus on Day 11.
  • If a student produces a professionally administered negative test and is symptom free for 24 hours, they may be approved by the Student Health Center for an early return to campus. Students will need to be screened upon arrival to campus by the Student Health Center before they will be released back to campus.
  • Students will have to continue to wear KN95 masks in their on-campus residence and not eat in dining facilities through Day 10.

Faculty and Staff — with a positive Covid-19 test

• • Isolate for at least 5 days and be symptom-free for 24 hours without the use of medication and other symptoms are improving.
  • Notify Human Resources by calling Human Resources at 570-372-4024.

Close Contact Protocols  – Students (and anyone on campus) should be prepared to provide information about physical contact with other Susquehanna community members for contact tracing. Close contacts must fulfill all required protocols as follows:

Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated close contact students (students who are booster eligible but have not yet received the booster or otherwise less than two weeks after primary vaccination/series) — must quarantine off campus

• • Immediate testing
  • Negative test on Day 5
  • Wear a KN95 mask for at least 10 days in all situations.
  • Off-campus quarantine for 5 days with probable return to campus on Day 6
  • Students report any symptoms to the Student Health Center immediately.
  • Students need final approval of Student Health Center for return to campus.
  • Positive test at any time during the quarantine period will require the student to follow the “Positive Covid Test Protocols” above.

Fully vaccinated close contact student — can stay on campus

• • Immediate testing
  • Negative test between Day 5-7
  • Wear a KN95 mask for at least 10 days in all situations.
  • Students report any symptoms to the Student Health Center immediately.
  • Students may remain on campus as long as the mask is worn as instructed and they remain symptom-free.
  • Positive test at any time during the quarantine period will require the student to follow the “Positive Covid Test Protocols” above.

Faculty and Staff

• • Employees who are a close contact with someone in the same household will be required to quarantine for five days and may return to work with a negative test result on Day 6.
  • Unvaccinated close contacts and close contacts who have not received a booster shot when eligible will be required to quarantine for 5 days;
  • Close contacts who have received all recommended vaccine doses, including boosters, may continue to be on campus so long as they are symptom-free and follow campus masking protocols.