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 20 new reports of PCR-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among students and employees.
As of yesterday afternoon, there were an estimated total of 17 active cases, with 87 students in quarantine or isolation.
Spring Break day for undergraduates next Wednesday
Undergraduate classes will not be held next Wednesday, April 21, as one of the spring break days in the revised semester schedule. Classes will not be in session and we encourage students and faculty to observe a true break day from coursework in the interest of their well-being. COVID-19 testing will occur on Wednesday, April 21 – if your regular weekly testing appointment is on Wednesday, you will still need to attend on that date.
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). On the 15th day 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)
The university vaccine information page can be found online here. For information about the testing and quarantine exemptions available to those who are fully vaccinated, view the information available here. Here are instructions for uploading your documentation via mobile or desktop.
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.
Special note about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine
On April 13, the CDC issued a health alert and paused use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine nationwide. This will allow time to study an extremely rare blood clotting disorder reported in six women aged 18-48 within about two weeks of receiving this vaccine. The six reports were among the nearly 7 million doses of the J&J vaccine administered so far. We have no reports of any adverse reactions to doses administered at Elon’s on-campus clinics, which concluded April 12. People who received the J&J vaccine and develop severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain or shortness of breath within three weeks after vaccination should contact their health care provider.
Watch for further information about Commencement
Additional information about Commencement Week event schedules, the plans for multiple undergraduate ceremonies on May 21, and details about guest tickets and distribution of caps and gowns will be released this Friday. Graduates should watch their emails or check the special website at www.elon.edu/commencement.
Wellness moment and Chaplain’s reflection
Staying hydrated and eating nutritiously are two components of living a healthy lifestyle. When our bodies are poorly nourished, stress takes an even greater toll on our health and performance. On campus, Elon Dining is committed to providing healthy choices every day and provides wellness programs. For more information, check out the Elon Dining Health and Wellness website.
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, “An April Blessing,” 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 21, unless an earlier message is warranted.
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Dr. Jon Dooley
Vice President for Student Life