Dear Assumption Faculty and Staff,
I hope this message finds you well as the University prepares to transition to full, in-person operations this Monday, August 2. On Monday, all employees are expected to return to their offices to work in-person, unless special arrangements have been made with your supervisor for extraordinary reasons that are directly related to the pandemic. As we prepare for this transition, we do so amid the growing concerns and prevalence of the aggressive Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus, which is responsible for a recent increase in positive cases and hospitalizations throughout the nation, including in Massachusetts.
In preparation for this long-awaited transition back to normalcy, a few reminders relative to the safety protocols can be found below. I invite you to review the revised Safety Protocols for Fall 2021 as well as the University’s Vaccine Policy. Note that these protocols and policy are effective as of today and are subject to modification given changes to the public health situation and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and public health officials.
VACCINATIONS
All employees must be vaccinated if they will be on campus unless approved for an exemption. If you have not done so, please upload to Medicat your proof of vaccination. Though we set a 90 percent vaccination rate goal for both faculty and staff and students, full-time faculty and staff have achieved a near-100 percent vaccination rate. Thank you for putting the safety of the Assumption community first as we promote the health and safety of the University community and work to establish a safe and healthy learning and working environment. Hundreds of students uploaded to Medicat this week their proof of vaccination. While Heath Services verifies each of the submitted vaccination cards, we are confident that students will also achieve the 90 percent vaccination rate.
DAILY SYMPTOM TRACKER
Regardless of your vaccination status, all employees must continue to complete the daily symptom tracker in the AU Mobile App under the Wellness module to access campus. The colored circle that is generated upon completing the symptom tracker must be displayed to the guardhouse attendant and employees will continue to use their University-issued identification to open the entry gate. Masks are required upon entry to ensure the safety of guardhouse staff.
UNIVERSITY IDENTIFICATION
Members of the community must continue to wear the University-branded lanyard accommodating their University-issued identification. Fully vaccinated employees and students will be issued a sticker to adhere to the front of their identification card to enable members of the community to identify if masks should be worn around a person granted an exemption for the COVID-19 vaccine. Stickers are on order and will be distributed closer to the start of the academic year.
TESTING PROTOCOL
Fully Vaccinated Employees
Those employees who are fully vaccinated are tested once per week. Fully vaccinated employees who are not already in the testing protocol and are returning to campus for the first time, or returning from an out-of-state vacation, must go to the Testing Center in Hagan Hall on Monday morning and obtain a test. Vaccinated employees are permitted to go to their offices while they await the results.
Unvaccinated Employees
Those employees who are not fully vaccinated will be tested twice per week. Unvaccinated employees who are not currently in the testing protocol, or are returning from vacation, must obtain a test on Monday morning in the Testing Center, then return home to quarantine until they receive notification of a negative COVID-19 test result.
MASKS
As shared with faculty and staff on June 30, new protocols with regard to wearing masks on campus went into effect on July 6. The indoor mask mandate remains in effect for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals at this time. Changes with regard to the existing indoor mask requirement for vaccinated individuals may be announced at a future date.
Fully Vaccinated Employees
Wearing masks outdoors will be optional, but employees must wear masks indoors, except when in private offices for the time being. If vaccinated employees are more comfortable wearing a mask outdoors, then they are welcome to do so. There are many reasons why vaccinated individuals will still want to wear a mask which includes protecting themselves from other viruses, such as colds and flus, or protecting loved ones at home who are at risk for COVID-19 or unable to be vaccinated.
Unvaccinated Employees
Masks are to be worn at all times, both indoors and outdoors, except when in private offices.
QUARANTINE PROTOCOLS
Fully and unvaccinated individuals who test positive for COVID-19 must quarantine for 10 days and are prohibited from accessing campus until cleared by Health Services.
Fully Vaccinated Employees
Those individuals who are fully vaccinated and exposed to an individual who tests positive for COVID-19 are not required to quarantine unless symptomatic.
Unvaccinated Employees
Unvaccinated employees who are exposed to anyone testing positive for COVID-19 must quarantine for 10 days (test on day 8 and be released on day 10) before returning to their office.
We will continue to monitor the spread of the Delta variant in the coming weeks, along with any new guidance issued by the CDC, federal, state and local public health officials to determine if any changes need to be made to our protocols. Thank you once again for your tireless work in support of our students and each other during the COVID-19 pandemic amid the disruptions it caused. I look forward to welcoming University employees back to campus on Monday, August 2.
Sincerely,
