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 7 new reports of PCR-confirmed cases of COVID-19 among students and employees.
- As of yesterday afternoon, there were an estimated total of 9 active cases, with 47 students in quarantine or isolation.
Testing continues today
Even though today is a Spring Break Day for undergraduate students, the COVID testing schedule in Alumni Gym continues as normal. If you are scheduled for Wednesday testing, you should come at your regular time for your test.
Seniors – get vaccinated and upload your record now
The only exemptions from requirements to quarantine as a close contact are for those who have provided documentation that they are fully vaccinated (eligible 15 days after the final vaccine dose). Don’t put yourself in the situation to miss Commencement activities while in quarantine as a close contact of a positive case – upload your vaccination documentation now.
Graduates should also be aware of details announced last Friday about Commencement ceremonies and assignments. Make sure you know how to get tickets, your cap & gown and other facts about Commencement 2021.
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 you complete your 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.
Face covering policy remains in effect
Everyone on campus continues to be required to wear a face covering over the nose and mouth at all times inside buildings unless alone in your room or workspaces. This includes classrooms, public restrooms, open office and common spaces, hallways, meeting rooms, libraries, theaters and other indoor spaces.
Face coverings are also required outdoors unless alone. This includes walking across campus with friends, attending a class or event that might be held outdoors or in a tent, or playing basketball or volleyball on the outdoor courts. The face covering policy can be found here on the Ready and Resilient website.
Wellness moment and Chaplain’s reflection
Research indicates that spending just 20 minutes a day outdoors can improve your overall wellness. Enjoying the outdoors is easy on Elon’s beautiful campus, which was designated a botanical garden in 2004. This week is Earth Week, which offers a variety of opportunities for the Elon community to spend time outside and celebrate the Earth – view the information about Elon Earth Week events online here.
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, “Truth’s Freedom,” 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 28, unless an earlier message is warranted.
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Dr. Jon Dooley
Vice President for Student Life