Dear Students,
We are excited to welcome you back to the campus this spring. We have 95% of our community members (faculty, staff, and students) vaccinated for COVID-19, and while many other institutions are conducting classes remotely to start the semester, our requirements provide the opportunity for Valpo to start in-person this semester.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the University has always placed the health and well-being of our entire campus community at the center of all considerations and decisions. We have observed our campus community is most at risk when our members have been exposed to unvaccinated people over breaks, and therefore we want to mitigate the effects of that exposure upon reentry to campus. Given the current pandemic conditions, our state and local conditions, and expert advice, please find below the COVID-19 related guidelines and processes that are required and you need to be aware of prior to the start of the academic semester. Please note that items may be updated as our environment is dynamic and circumstances change.
Just like Fall semester opening weeks, the University is requiring all students, faculty, staff, and visitors to wear face coverings while in indoor settings until further notice beginning January 5, 2022. Further, the University is strongly encouraging face coverings if outdoors at large gatherings. This will allow our campus “bubble” to be as safe as possible as we all return from various locations over break. A decision will be made at a later date to update face covering usage for individuals who are fully vaccinated.
As a reminder, individuals who are unvaccinated due to an approved exemption will be required to wear a face covering in all campus buildings, public areas, and at outdoor events at all times. Further, they may also be subject to travel restrictions for University-sponsored activities and events.
All Valpo students are required to be tested for COVID-19, and receive a negative COVID-19 test result before returning to campus for the spring 2022 academic term. All students must submit a test result. PCR and Rapid tests are acceptable for submission, but home test kit results are not. To find a low or no cost testing site in your area, please visit Community-Based Testing Sites for COVID-19 | HHS.gov. Tests should be conducted within 72 hours prior to your return to campus, and all testing results are to be submitted no later than Monday, January 10, 2022. Students may upload and document their COVID-19 test results via the same portal used to submit flu shot & vaccination information — Valpo Vaccine Verification portal (https://secure.medproctor.com/Account/SignIn). All results must have the student's name, date of test, and outcome on the test documentation or screen shot. In the event of a positive test, please submit the result with the date and isolate at home or off campus.
The University is requiring all eligible students 16 years and older to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine booster by February 28, 2022. Students already eligible for a booster shot should complete this requirement prior to returning to campus. New state health definitions for being fully vaccinated include a booster shot as soon as eligible. The booster shot is readily available almost everywhere. Questions are answered in the FAQ here.
These requirements will help the University create a living-learning environment that is safe for your fellow students and our entire campus community. If a student does not comply with these University requirements, it may result in the suspension of a student’s access to necessary IT and academic functions, and University facilities.
Additional COVID-19 information, details, and updates can be found at http://www.valpo.edu/covid-info. We look forward to seeing you back to campus, and resuming the in-person Valpo experience. Until then, please continue to do everything you can to be safe and healthy.
Sincerely,
Student Life Team
