An update from the Ready & Resilient Committee on Elon's face covering policy and other steps being taken to ensure a safe fall semester.
Dear Returning Elon Parents,
We are excited to welcome your student back to campus this fall! Staff and faculty are working to ensure a vibrant fall semester on campus, focusing on the health and safety of all members of our community. Look for continued updates over the next six weeks as we finalize preparations for welcoming all students.
Below are updates on our comprehensive Ready & Resilient plans for the fall.
Schar Center Health Check-In
All members of the Elon community will complete a health screening prior to the start of classes on August 19 to help ensure the safety of our community. Returning students will receive an assigned time for their health check-in based on their living arrangements by July 10. For returning students living in residence halls, Health Check-In times will be on either August 17 or 18.
All students and family members will have their temperatures checked. Students will show proof of COVID-19 testing, completion of required health training and signing of the Healthy Elon Commitment. Students and families will receive relevant instructions for this entire process in the coming weeks.
After the Health Check-In, students living in residence halls will receive instructions for move-in.
COVID-19 Testing—Details Forthcoming
To participate in fall semester at Elon, all students, faculty and staff must complete COVID-19 testing before arriving on campus. There is no need for you to do anything at this point. More details about testing in advance of arrival (including deadlines, processes, and the non-invasive and easy to self-administer test kits), as well as plans for random testing and testing of symptomatic patients, will be shared soon. Students and families should limit exposure in the two weeks before coming to campus, to ensure a strong and healthy opening to the school year.
Health Screening App
Our Information Technology team is finalizing a health screening app that will be used daily by students, faculty and staff. The daily screening app will ensure we are all monitoring our health and know how to respond if symptoms appear.
Required Training
Later in July, all students will be provided with links to required trainings about COVID-19, campus guidelines and practices that support a healthy campus this fall.
Committing to Keep Elon Healthy
As a prerequisite for living and learning at Elon this fall, all students, faculty and staff will be asked to sign a commitment to taking care of themselves, taking care of each other and taking care of the Elon community. This shared commitment aligns with the principles in the Elon Honor Code and is a required expectation of all members of our community this fall.
Information Line—Starting Monday, July 6
Starting Monday, July 6, a special information line will be available for parents and students to call with questions regarding Ready & Resilient resources. You can call the Ready & Resilient Information Line during business hours Monday through Friday at 336-278-2020. As always, you can also send questions via email to Ready2020@Elon.edu.
New Policy on Face Coverings
Everyone on campus is required to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth when indoors. Face coverings are also required outdoors when six-foot physical distancing cannot be maintained. Students and parents should read the full policy, as well as exceptions and accountability and students should come to campus with numerous washable face coverings.
Residence Halls
Residence Life has created a common set of social norms for living on campus this fall. Read the new Residence Life policies regarding residential visitation policy, room changes, healthy habits and cleaning standards.
Dining Hall Procedures
Dining operations have been completely redesigned to provide physical distancing, new serving stations and removal of self-service options. New menu items and the new Burger Joint have also been developed. All items will continue to be served in disposable containers. Retail dining will also add mobile ordering and to-go options. Read more about dining hall procedures here.
We know you need information about fall semester and will share our next Ready & Resilient update on July 22. Questions? Please contact our information line at 336-278-2020 (starting July 6), check the Ready & Resilient website or email Ready2020@Elon.edu.
Jeff Stein
Chair, Ready & Resilient Oversight Committee
Elon University