Throughout Fall Semester, Vice President for Student Life Jon Dooley is providing regular email update messages to keep students and parents informed about the efforts for a healthy semester.
Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,
Summary of updates in this message
- Status update on campus and in Alamance County
- COVID-19 vaccine booster shots
- Homecoming and Reunion Weekend information and guidance
- Reminder about Thanksgiving and end of the semester travel
- Reminder about expanded medical and mental health resources
Status Update
The university dashboard is updated on the Healthy Elon website each weekday morning.
- 9 new COVID-19 cases were confirmed among Elon students and employees over the past week, October 27 – November 2. This compares to 9 new cases the previous 7-day period.
- As of yesterday, November 2, there were an estimated 11 active cases among Elon students and employees. This compares to 10 active cases a week ago.
- The majority of North Carolina counties remain in the high community transmission category, including Alamance and Guilford counties. The CDC and state health officials strongly recommend wearing masks in public indoor settings, including stores, restaurants, and other businesses.
Eligibility of students, faculty, and staff for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots
All university students, faculty, and staff are eligible for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots, as announced previously by the CDC. Elon University Physician Dr. Ginette Archinal described the importance of booster shots in a brief video released this week.
Elon students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to get their booster shot before Thanksgiving and Winter Break travel, and to upload their vaccine booster documentation here by selecting “booster shot” under the status drop-down menu. Visit the Healthy Elon Vaccination Central page for full information about vaccinations and booster shots.
Homecoming and Reunion Weekend Information and Guidance
We look forward to welcoming alumni from across the years for Homecoming and Reunion Weekend, November 5-7. As a reminder, the following guidelines will be in place to foster a safe and healthy environment for everyone:
- The university’s indoor mask requirement remains in effect – everyone must wear masks in indoor campus spaces, except when alone in a private office, in a residence hall/apartment room, or while eating or drinking. Masks will be required for all indoor events during Homecoming and Reunion Weekend.
- Throughout the weekend everyone is also encouraged to have a mask handy for outdoor events with large crowds, and where social distancing is not possible.
All undergraduate and graduate classes and exams from Monday, November 29, through the end of the semester will be in person, as previously announced. Students should plan end-of-the-semester travel in accordance with the published undergraduate academic calendar and the undergraduate exam schedule. Graduate and law school academic calendars and exam schedules are available on their respective program websites.
Reminder about expanded medical and mental health resources for students
As previously announced, the new TimelyCare telehealth program is available to all students. In addition to the existing university resources for Counseling Services and Student Health Services, the following new virtual services are available to Elon students, with no additional fee or cost:
- Medical: 24/7, on-demand or scheduled access to a medical provider that can treat a wide range of common illnesses like cold and flu, sinus infection, allergies, and more.
- TalkNow: 24/7, on-demand access to a mental health professional to talk about anything at any time.
Students can download the TimelyCare app and register now using the information and access code available on the websites for Counseling Services appointments and Student Health Services appointments.
The Healthy Elon website provides important health and wellness information for students and employees, including what to do if you feel ill, test positive, or have close contact with a positive case. The site also offers responses to frequently asked questions about academics, vaccination, and employee information.
The next email update will be sent by Wednesday, November 10, at 10:45 a.m., unless an additional message is warranted before then. Detailed information is always available on the Healthy Elon website.
—
Dr. Jon Dooley
Vice President for Student Life