Dear Assumption Community and Families,
The University is currently witnessing an
exponential increase in positive COVID-19 cases. If the current trend of positive cases continues, public health officials may again strongly recommend the University take immediate and aggressive action to thwart the continued spread of COVID-19 on campus. It is imperative that we act now in an effort to avoid such a disruptive situation.
Let us collectively recommit to protecting others and protecting ourselves. To support our community’s efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 on campus, the University is implementing, hopefully temporarily, the below safety measures until the current surge subsides:
INCREASED TESTING FOR ALL
Data obtained from the testing protocol was key to the identification and management of the current COVID-19 surge. So the University may have access to current data that is updated daily, all vaccinated students, faculty, and staff will be tested twice per week, and unvaccinated individuals will be tested three times per week effective Monday, September 13. When individuals visit the Testing Center for their next test, they may schedule their second/third weekly test. As a reminder, COVID-19 tests must be taken at least 48 hours apart. The University will
increase the hours of the Testing Center to accommodate this additional testing with vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals
tested on specific days.
ISOLATION & QUARANTINE CHANGE
Students who test positive regardless of vaccination status, have a vaccine exemption, or are part of a group (residence community, class, team, club, etc.) experiencing positive cases and have been exposed to a COVID-19 positive individual must quarantine or isolate at home if they live within 200 miles of the University. Students who live off campus may not isolate or quarantine in their apartments. Students who live more than 200 miles from campus will be provided accommodations on campus, pending availability. The community's continued cooperation with contact tracing is necessary to stop this surge and is much appreciated.
INDOOR & OUTDOOR MASKING
In addition to testing, wearing masks is another proven deterrent to the spread of COVID-19, including the highly contagious Delta variant. To discourage the additional spread of COVID-19, all members of our campus community, vaccinated and unvaccinated, will be required to wear a mask indoors and outdoors, effective today, Friday, September 10. I am hopeful that this is a temporary measure to curb the spread of COVID-19.
DINING HALL DE-DENSIFICATION; TAYLOR RESERVATIONS
In an effort to increase social distancing, and in turn, help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, the occupancy of Taylor Dining Hall will be reduced effective Monday, September 13. Sodexo will increase the availability of grab-and-go meals for those students not comfortable dining in Taylor.
Student Reservations for Taylor
Last year, the University utilized a reservation system on the AU Mobile App, AU Reserve, to assist in the de-densification of Taylor, a congested building. Effective Monday, September 13, students will need to begin making reservations for dining in Taylor. Please know that all students will have ample time to enjoy a full meal if they choose to dine in person. The reservation form will be added to the AU Mobile App under AU Reserve on Sunday afternoon.
Changes to Employee Dining Options
To ensure students have ample space and time in which to enjoy a meal, employees will not be permitted in Taylor until further notice. Employees are invited to purchase grab-and-go meals from Charlie’s, which may be ordered through the mobile app.
Lastly, a reminder to honestly complete the symptom tracker each day you are on campus. In addition, members of the campus community must wear the lanyard with their Assumption identification in all campus settings.
I realize these measures are not welcome news, and an added inconvenience as each of us strives for a return of normalcy. That day of normalcy will come. But these measures and our compliance are necessary given the surge we are experiencing if we are to promote the health and safety of our campus community and the continuation of in-person learning, a residential experience, and students’ favorite on-campus events which they missed during the remote period.
Sincerely,
