Throughout Spring Semester, Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley is providing regular email update messages to keep students and parents informed about the efforts related to COVID-19.
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Current status
- Elon’s current alert level is “Level 1 – Moderate Alert” on the Elon COVID-19 Dashboard.
- Since last week’s email update, Elon has received 35 new reports of PCR-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among students and employees.
- As of yesterday afternoon, there were an estimated total of 47 active cases, with 209 students in quarantine or isolation.
- Within the past week a new cluster of positive cases among residents of Danieley H has been reported to the state.
Despite vaccination availability, we have seen increased case numbers over the past two weeks. We are all growing more optimistic about summer and fall semester, but it remains very important to follow campus guidelines over the next six weeks for masking, distancing, and gathering limits so that we may reduce virus spread, hold in-person Commencement, and begin to enjoy reduced restrictions soon.
Vaccination eligibility, on-campus clinics, and links to local/nearby appointments
- All individuals 16+ are now eligible to receive the vaccine in North Carolina. Students, staff and faculty are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine as soon as possible.
- On-campus vaccine clinics are taking place in South Campus Gym this week through next Monday, April 12. Here is how to make an appointment:
- Go to: https://takemyshot.nc.gov/
- Follow the prompts, and when asked for zip code, enter 27244. “Elon University” will appear as an option with a link to see availability for appointments.
- The page will include details on how to be placed on a waitlist if all appointment slots are taken.
- You may also call the Ready and Resilient number at 336-278-2020 to schedule an appointment.
- New information and resources continue to be updated on the special Ready & Resilient vaccination webpage, including links to online resources to make an appointment locally.
Submit your vaccination record for exemption from testing and quarantine requirements
Students, faculty, and staff should complete the COVID-19 Testing Exception form and attach a copy or image of the vaccine documentation (vaccination record card) as soon as they complete their COVID-19 vaccination (both doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, or the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine). Two weeks after completing your last shot you will be considered “fully vaccinated” and eligible for the following exemptions for 90 days:
- exempt from participating in required campus testing
- exempt from requirements to quarantine as a close contact (as long as you do not have symptoms suggestive of COVID-19)
Click here to read more on testing and quarantine requirements after being vaccinated or review the March 12 email from Dr. Jeff Stein, archived online here.
Since the vaccine does not reach its full strength until two weeks after it is administered, and because it’s possible that vaccinated persons may still transmit the virus to others, all students must continue to follow the Healthy Elon Commitment and related guidelines for the remainder of the semester.
Increased fitness center capacity limits
In response to NC Executive Order 204, several campus fitness facilities will be gradually increasing capacity in the coming weeks. Affected facilities include the Stewart Fitness Center and Studio 5 in Koury Athletic Center and the PARC Fitness Center. The increased capacities will be reflected in the Campus Recreation and Wellness reservation system, but the facilities will also be available for walk-up usage if space allows.
Baird Lecture Series: An Evening with Wikipedia Founder Jimmy Wales
Jimmy Wales, a leading technology futurist and founder of Wikipedia and WikiTribune, will give the Baird Lecture this week, Thursday, April 8, 7:30 p.m. at www.elon.edu/live. Named one of TIME’S “100 Most Influential People,” Wales has been recognized by the World Economic Forum as one of top 250 leaders around the world for his accomplishments and potential to shape the future. The Baird Lecture Series was endowed in 2002 by a generous gift from James H. Baird and his late wife, Jane M. Baird, of Burlington, N.C.
Wellness moment and Chaplain’s reflection
Saying no can often be difficult and cause stress. Whenever we are not true to ourselves, we create disharmony that is painful or that progressively worsens and saps our life of joy. By learning to say no to whatever is unfavorable to your well-being and instead follow your innermost feelings, you will experience a strong sense of contentment in your life and in the decisions you make. Even when unavoidable bad times or challenges surface, you will be able to weather those storms with inner strength. Check out this article to learn more about the art of saying no.
University Chaplain Jan Fuller’s weekly reflection is offered to help us in our search for meaning during this challenging time – this week’s reflection, “Power to Live,” can be found here on the Truitt Center blog.
Information is updated regularly on the Elon Ready & Resilient website. The next weekly COVID-19 update will be sent to all students, faculty and staff at 10:45 a.m. next Wednesday, April 14, unless an earlier message is warranted.
—
Dr. Jon Dooley
Vice President for Student Life