HAPPY HOLIDAYS! We hope you are enjoying a relaxing, rejuvenating, and healthy winter break! As you are all aware, the instances of COVID-19 cases have been on the rise throughout the country and in Ohio specifically. In the weeks leading up to your return to campus, we need you to remain committed to our safety practices so that we can continue to minimize the spread of infection on campus as the spring semester begins. The University is committed to continuing to follow the Responsible Restart Ohio plan, as outlined by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, as well as those guidelines provided through the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other guiding agencies. Please read this entire email as our intention is to help minimize increases in positive cases and quarantines after holiday celebrations and interactions out of an abundance of caution.

SHELTER-IN-PLACE PRIOR TO ARRIVAL AT MOUNT UNION It is recommended and requested that students practice shelter-in-place and self-quarantine for two weeks prior to their arrival on campus. Guidelines for such activities are outlined by the CDC. While sheltering-in-place, students are expected to have no contact within six feet of others. Please note that two weeks prior to the start of classes is December 28! This means that you need to make wise and cautious choices about your activities during break and especially over the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day holidays.  If you have been exposed to COVID-19 and have been told that you need to quarantine by a doctor or local health department, or if you have been tested for or diagnosed with COVID-19, you will need to contact the Office of Student Affairs as soon as possible. If you are at high risk as a result of having been potentially exposed to the virus, are coming from a state on the Ohio Travel Advisory list, or have spent time with larger groups of people in the two weeks prior to the start of the semester, you will also need to reach out to the Office of Student Affairs at student_affairs@mountunion.edu and the Center for Student Success at studentsuccess@mountunion.edu to inquire about beginning the semester in quarantine. If you need to do so, a notification can be sent to your faculty members, but you will still be responsible for communicating with your faculty and completing all work during this time.

RETURNING TO CAMPUS If you live on campus, you may return to your residence halls on Sunday, January 10. Your cards will be programmed to work that day. While your families may be bringing you back to campus, they are not permitted to help you move your belongings into your hall/room. We want to limit contact between individuals and the possibility of spreading COVID-19 among your families. All the other policies and procedures are still in effect: masks must be worn on campus when outside of your assigned residence hall room, visitation is limited to one guest per room (must be a resident of your building), etc.

PERSONAL SAFETY PRACTICES (FOR ON CAMPUS AND AT HOME!) We know the holidays are a time to be with family and friends, but please remember to continue to diligently follow our four personal safety practices both at home and when you return to campus: Conduct a daily health self-assessment Wear a face covering Maintain social distancing Maintain personal hygiene

Please take this seriously! Our ability to continue to offer the campus experience you desire – in-person education, residential life, campus engagement, etc. – depends in large measure on our entire campus community’s ability to meet these expectations and to hold ourselves and others accountable. Let’s all do our part to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. As a reminder, details regarding COVID-19 preventative measures and expectations on campus can be found on Mount Union's Fall 2020 Responsible Reopening Guide. We also encourage you to check the Confirmed Cases Reporting web page regularly to access updated data regarding confirmed positive cases on campus.

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