Valparaiso University
update to mask usage requirements
Dear Students:

You’ve shown tremendous care for your fellow students and colleagues on campus. Valpo continues to have a very low rate of positive COVID-19 cases since returning in January. We have achieved what few other institutions have in the safety of our campus community and fight against COVID-19.  As a result, our Valparaiso University campus is one of the safest places in our entire region and state. 

Due to the campus community’s high percentage of vaccination, extremely low positivity rates, accompanied by a significant decrease in regional and county cases over the past two weeks, and congruent with guidance from the Porter County Health Department and the Indiana State Health Department given our campus vaccination rate, beginning Wednesday, February 16 at 7am, the following will go into effect until further notice:

  1. All vaccinated students, faculty, and staff are required to wear masks only in academic classrooms, laboratories, and at required indoor academic events.  Masks are optional outside these settings for our vaccinated students, faculty, and staff on campus.

  2. Masks will continue to be required for all events in the ARC and the Chapel, but only when the events involve guests from outside the campus (ex. basketball games).

  1. Visitors to campus programs and events at this time will still be expected to wear masks.

This policy remains in place until further notice and as always, will continue to be evaluated on a regular basis.  Upon the return from our spring break, our mask policy may be adjusted to re-establish baseline safety for all in our campus community.

Important reminders:

  1. Individuals who are unvaccinated due to approved exemption will still be required to wear a face covering on campus and at events at all times.

  2. The University is requiring all eligible students to obtain a COVID-19 vaccine booster by February 28, 2022. Individuals who are not fully vaccinated and boostered that are contact traced due to direct exposure to a positive COVID-19 individual will be subject to quarantine policies.

  3. The University has arranged with a partner to provide additional free COVID-19 shot clinics to students still in need of a booster to meet the requirement. COVID-19 booster vaccinations will be available again for students on Wednesday, February 16, in the Harre Union Brown & Gold Room. Click here to register.  Additionally, boosters are widely available at all pharmacies and clinics around the city and region with no out-of-pocket cost.

If you are in need of a COVID-19 test, rapid home tests are now widely available at all pharmacies in the area, and the Student Health Center continues to offer testing to students when needed.

Thank you again for your efforts in following the guidelines in place to protect you, and helping to maintain a safe in-person campus environment.
     
The Student Life Team

Student Life Division

219.464.5411 - 1509 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso, IN 46383-6493 USA
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