COVID-19 Information for Faculty
Colleagues,
 
Throughout the course of the pandemic, Idaho State University faculty and staff have displayed remarkable concern for the welfare of each other and our students. Our collective care for one another has allowed us to remain a cohesive campus community during extremely trying times and has mitigated many of the challenges that COVID-19 has brought forth. With the delta variant of the coronavirus now present in high levels in our local communities, it is important that we continue to follow CDC guidance in order to limit disease spread, prevent illness, and save lives. Safeguarding the lives and welfare of our students, colleagues, and friends at ISU has, and will continue to be, a collective effort and one that we should engage in with both resolution and compassion. It is in this same spirit that the below guidance is issued:
 
Please consider the following as you prepare for fall classes:
 
Face coverings
  1. Face coverings are required indoors for all individuals––regardless of vaccination status––unless alone in a private office, campus residence, or workspace. This on-campus face covering requirement for indoor spaces will be reviewed every two weeks and removed as the local situation improves.
  2. Faculty should indicate in their syllabi (see Sample Syllabus Statement below) that students are expected to adhere to CDC guidelines and to discuss expectations with students on the first day of class. 
  3. Faculty should respect students’ privacy about vaccination status. There may be rare instances where this information may be important, but inquiries should be discreet and private. Students should not feel marginalized by these discussions. If there is a medical need for this knowledge, contacting the COVID-19 health team for guidance and intervention is recommended (covid@health.isu.edu or 282-2705).   
 
COVID-19 Vaccination and Screening
  1. COVID-19 vaccinations are the best preventative measure to avoid unnecessary illness and absenteeism.
  2. Vaccinations are available at the Bengal Pharmacy on the Pocatello campus. In addition, the University Vaccination Committee has numerous vaccination clinics scheduled at other locations on ISU’s Pocatello, Meridian, and Idaho Falls campuses in the first weeks of fall semester. Visit ISU’s Roaring Back website for vaccination locations and times.
  3. Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to quarantine after exposure to COVID-19 unless they are symptomatic. If individuals develop symptoms they should be clinically evaluated for COVID and should isolate until results are received.
  4. While the University will not require student vaccinations in order to access University facilities or services, unvaccinated students may be excluded from clinical rotations and other educational experiences with community partners based on the policies present in these organizations. This may affect degree progression and, ultimately, completion.
  5. The screening sites are available for pre- and post-travel screening, assisting with contact tracing, helping individuals who are concerned about exposure, and screening individuals in high risk situations.
  6. Persons who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 should contact University Health at (208) 282-2330 or their health care provider and self-report.
 
Reporting Cases and Contact Tracing
  1. Classrooms for the fall will be arranged at pre-COVID-19 capacities. This has the potential to increase the likelihood of exposure to an individual with COVID-19. Unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to COVID-19 will be required to quarantine. Please keep a class seating chart to support contact tracing when possible.
  2. It is required that students, faculty and staff continue to report suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 on the self report form or COVID hotline at (208) 282-2705.
  3. In order to assist contact tracing and intervention, faculty, staff, and students are encouraged to voluntarily add their vaccination status to their ISU health record or send this information to the secure email address: COVID@health.isu.edu
  4. Cooperation with contact tracing and following the advice of the COVID-19 health team is required per ISU policy, including quarantining for the recommended duration. Screening for COVID-19 is also part of this process.
  5. In-person classes and labs may be suspended should the management of COVID-19 illness warrant. The use of Zoom or other on-line modalities may be necessary.
  6. ISU Facilities will clean, fog, and disinfect classrooms with confirmed COVID-19 cases.
 
COVID-Related Absences
  1. Students, faculty, and staff are asked NOT to come to campus when ill. This is true for minor symptoms such as “allergies” or conditions that might otherwise be attributed to environmental conditions like wildfire smoke. If symptoms of COVID-19 are present, individuals should be tested and quarantine until results are back.
  2. Students should be encouraged to notify faculty of illness and expected duration of absenteeism.
  3. Faculty should develop policies and procedures to create flexibility when students miss instruction due to illness. This may include moving to recorded lectures, use of Zoom, make-up assignments, extension of deadlines, and other measures to support students.
 
Other Information
  1. Health Exception Request forms for courses and events are not required in the fall semester unless conditions and the University’s operational levels warrant a change.
  2. Employees requesting workplace accommodations due to the employee’s medical or disability-related circumstances may fill out the Employee Request for Services Form or contact Disability Services at disabilityservices@isu.edu or (208) 282-3599. Students seeking accommodations should be advised to complete the Student Request for Services Form, or contact Disability Services to discuss their specific situation.
  3. University-sponsored travel guidance has been updated to incorporate new CDC guidelines for travelers. At this time, non-essential and essential travel may continue using pre-COVID travel approvals. This will continue to be evaluated moving into the fall semester, and any updates to guidelines or restrictions for travel will be communicated via ISU email. 
 
Questions and concerns should be directed to the COVID Health Committee at COVID@health.isu.edu or (208) 282-2705.
 
You may also ask questions at the Welcome Back Town Hall for Academic Affairs.
Thursday, August 19
2 p.m.  
Meeting ID: 850 1857 5308
Passcode: 974950

Sample Fall Syllabus Statement
Idaho State University requires all faculty, staff, and students to wear face coverings indoors––regardless of vaccination status––unless alone in a private office, campus residence, or workspace. This on-campus face covering requirement for indoor spaces will be reviewed every two weeks and removed as the local situation improves. This precaution will allow us to maintain a safe classroom environment, continue face-to-face instruction, and meet our shared duty to care for others in our community.  
 
The University also strongly encourages all individuals to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Students who are experiencing COVID-19-like illness should NOT come to class and should contact the COVID Health Committee at COVID@health.isu.edu or (208) 282-2705. All confirmed cases of COVID-19 should be provided to the COVID Health Committee on the self-reporting form. All students are required to fully participate in the university’s contact tracing process and follow all instructions related to quarantine and isolation. 
 
Stay safe,
 
––Academic Affairs 
This communication was sent to Idaho State University faculty.
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