July 27, 2020
Dear Students:
In a previous message about our preparations to resume on-campus instruction and activities, I indicated that we were developing a plan to make COVID-19 testing readily available to our students, our faculty, and our staff. We have now completed our testing and contact tracing protocols, and I invite you to read them. We developed this website to provide you with detailed and current information about our University’s response to the pandemic.
Public health experts and authorities have advised that testing and contact tracing protocols are critical measures to stem the spread of the virus. We require all students, faculty, and staff to monitor their health and any symptoms on a daily basis. If anyone experiences a potential COVID-19 symptom, that person should not come to campus for class or for work.
If a student experiences COVID-19 symptoms, the student should immediately call the Student Health Center to schedule an appointment. Under an agreement with IU Health, a student can obtain a COVID-19 test at our Student Health Center. We will also provide students with information about other locations in the area where a student can be tested.
If a faculty or staff member experiences COVID-19 symptoms, the employee should immediately obtain treatment from the employee’s primary care provider. If an employee does not have a primary care provider or needs urgent assistance, the employee should contact our Employee Quick Clinic. We will also provide faculty and staff with information about where they can obtain COVID-19 tests.
Students who intend to live in one of our residence halls this Fall semester are required: (a) to present a self-certification attesting to a 14-day self-quarantine prior to returning to campus; or (b) to present a negative COVID-19 test obtained within seven days before arriving on campus. We strongly encourage returning students living off campus to take one of these proactive, precautionary measures.
If a student or an employee tests positive for the virus, that person will be contacted by the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) to initiate the contact tracing protocols. We are presently finalizing a plan to provide logistical support to the ISDH and the Delaware County Health Department for timely and effective contact tracing when a student tests positive for the virus.
If a student or employee has been instructed by a health care provider to quarantine (because of exposure to a person who has tested positive for the virus) or to isolate (because the student or employee has tested positive), the student or employee must obtain clearance from a health care provider before returning to classes, work, or campus. Our University has reserved rooms in University-owned facilities to quarantine and isolate students who live in our residence halls.
These protocols have been developed to protect the health and safety of our students, our faculty and staff, and our visitors and neighbors. I encourage you to refer to our website for more detailed information about these testing and contact tracing protocols—and for more information about our other protocols and preparations.
I urge everyone to follow the various safety measures that we have developed. Our capacity to fulfill our vital mission is dependent on your full compliance. I am grateful for your cooperation.
